Boys will be boyz

I did not say it, the doctor did. Accompanied with the regular rolling eyes, big huhhhh (sigh), and a little sideways nod. Mom, I know that you will read this post, but please rest assured that I am ok. These just happen at times.

Ok, so the university was offering a lot of opening-time fiestas and free T-shirts for everyone on the day before the classes started officially. Among other things, there was a little van from the US Army offering undergrads a trial to sign up, and also a little rock-climbing experience replete with harnesses and a 20-foot obstacle wall with very climbable rocks jutting out. I was rushing past it on that day with a bag over my shoulders and 2 free T-shirts under my arms to catch the shuttle home, and so missed the opportunity. But these wishes remain...

A couple of days or so after this, (this Friday, actually), a friend and I had ventured into our local gym again to see if there were any raquetball courts around so that we could smash some balls about. They were booked, and we were to wait. So while we ambled around, we found the rock-climbing section of the gym open for trials. Free! Promptly were we in, and then put on the special shoes, and started off --- no harnesses for anyone, though. I found I was doing pretty good on the novice trail, and so decided to go up-up-up instead of side-side and side. Up up and up I went, until a portion of the wall came when I had to switch way too much. With one hand clinging on, and I let go of another hand and two feet to switch to a different set of rocks. Woosh! --- I had missed, and slipped.

It wasn't so difficult to fall, you know, especially since there was a cushion underneath and also since all I was thinking of during the fall was, "Damn, shouldn't have missed this one... anyway, I'd take a different route next time... yeah should grab this rock here instead of that ugly sloping one there". However, that very cushion turned into the enemy. My ankles landed first, and they were promptly turned inwards with the cushion ensuring that I could not force any last-minute fall adjustments. And my 80 kilos made sure that each ligament, tendon and bone was proved to be worth its salt in a few split seconds. And man... I had sprained both ankles!

The bad signs started showing off right then. Swellings, hot warm tender areas around the ankles, and the general mental tendency of I don't want to walk, let me rest and I will walk after some time. But that some time never seemed to come that evening. I could walk; with immense pain, by holding others' shoulders, by almost dragging myself. But I could walk. However, they decided not to let me do that. After some ice packs, I was escorted in a wheelchair to the elevator, then to the upper floor, and then to my room-mate's car who had come by soon after a phone call. I rested at home that evening... and next morning had to go to the University Health Services.

But the point was, I could walk!! So while the doctor examined the feet, shook her head in regret that both the ankles were damaged, ordered X-rays and brought them in later on to show me that the left foot where I was not being able to take any weight was actually ok and the right foot on which I was walking had a chip-fracture and actually had chips of bones inside (or so she thought of the minute little white specks between the two bones at the joint), I thoroughly disagreed. Crutches were offered, but come on, I was much better off walking, and that morning I was already improving in that I could walk without support --- err, short distances, that is!

So the doctor fitted a huge boot to one foot, and air-pack to another, and asked me to show her that I could walk, since I was so against the crutches. So I hobbled a little with those giant-sized things stcking to my foot. "No, I am not convinced... show me if you can walk and then you'll know that you need those crutches". No, lady --- I was not going to take crutches. So with all pain under gritted teeth, I took a few steps and just walked... walked normally. A half-smile half-sigh was on her face already. "Ok, fine, you can do without the crutches... do you have any questions?", she asked. "Yes...", I said, "When can I start jogging again?" :)

It was then, right then, that she uttered, "Boys will be boyz" and the nurses standing and watching the show just nodded their heads, with a collective sigh and rolling/closed eyes. I know I am ok, and that it is not a chip-fracture. I anyway have an appointment with a sports specialist tomorrow who will confirm that for everyone who wants to curse me right now. I am ok, I am just fine and I can walk straight absolutely now: almost little pain in the feet now except when I want to keep walking for long. So there will be an update to the post in about 12 hours, and to reassure everyone: don't believe the doc --- there is no fracture, I can walk!

Update:
First, the bad news: it really is a chip fracture :(
Now, the good news: it is not on the weight-bearing part of the leg, and so I can walk and all. Second good news, I have been given medicines that will bring down the swelling even more and ease the pain. Third good news is that I should be able to jog around in about 6-8 weeks.

Just to complete the post, the doc asked me if I was allergic to anything while she was writing out the prescription. I replied, "Yes, I'm allergic to bad news and chip fractures" :)