You know how one prays feverishly that last hour before midnight on New Year’s eve? Thankfully counting their blessings, mentally reviewing the to-do list for the just-concluded year, and making determined plans for the about-to-start year?
Yes, that was me on the 31st of December 2018.
Two weeks later, I was wrapped firmly in a cast and armed with 2 steel crutches. A freak accident, that I don’t like to recount, happened. It’s a difficult memory, you see. Well, it left me with 2 fractures in my right foot. The x-ray report called it a Fifth Metatarsal fracture.
THE WAIT
“At least 10 weeks in a hard cast”. Doctor’s orders.
It was 11.
The wait for recovery was my life’s lesson in patience. I could not rush the process, I had no control over it. I had to wait. Me, the Number One Rush-Rush queen of the Universe, Everything-Sharp-Sharp-No-dulling, Ginja dot com. This was hard on my mind.
The sadness started to engulf me when I realised that the days till the 10-week mark was 70 and not 7.
THE CHALLENGES
Every reason to move became a game of chess in my head. Fun fact- Crutches are not-so-easy to manoveur around in.
I still recall the mental debates with myself.
“How will you stand in the shower today without getting the cast wet?”
“Do you really need to pee right now?”
“Who’ll carry your laptop bag when you get out of the taxi”
“Has the 4-storey building got an elevator”
“Are you sure you want to eat now, how will you carry the plate from the kitchen to the dining table?”
“Can you hop on one leg from the door to the bed?”
There were many days when my other leg got tired and achy from supporting my weight. Days when my biceps got sore from the exertion of the crutches. Days when the pressure from excess swelling felt like the cast was literally squeezing my brain.
I remember the many pillows layered to elevate the leg and relieve the swelling.
THE RESOLVE
I realised that I had to cope, and the days rolled by.
At first, my back became soul mates with the couch, later my buttocks became best friends with the chair by the window in the living room. Then, I learned how to stand on one leg.
I was allowed to work from home for most of the week, which was great.
I even went to the beach for the Her Network Chats and Cocktails event, crutches in tow!
THE END?
75 days later.
The day of my hospital appointment felt like Christmas, I was almost manic with excitement.
I grinned so much as the cast was sliced off my foot. I was shocked to see major swelling when my foot appeared, it was oddly mis-shapened too. I had zero flexibility in my ankle, zero flexibility in the toes. It was a stiff, painful mass.
The thing is, I’d assumed that I would fly once the cast came off, but I still couldn’t even walk, which was quite disappointing. Still, I was beyond thankful that the bones had fused.
Expectedly, I could not drive a car or pedal a sewing machine. It was 1 more month with the crutches, another 2 months using a steel cane. Little by little, it got easier.
It’s been 6 months since the injury and I’ll be honest, my foot isn’t quite the same yet. There’s mild to throbbing pain sometimes. I started doing physio exercises at home to improve flexibility. It’s helping.
THE BIG LESSON
Around the 8th week, someone asked me, “What have you learned from this experience?”
I pondered this… I’d learned a lot actually. Kindness, Compassion. Empathy. Love. Courage. Resolve. Patience. Gratitude. Humour.
People, absolute strangers even, were so helpful. So generous with their assistance.
I became even more reassured of the unconditional support, affection, care and love from my mother. You see, I became quite child-like again, and had to stay at her place as I could not stay at mine without help.
I got a glimpse of living a life requiring physical assistance, of being limited by one’s immobility while doing life.
I found the strength to not feel sorry for myself, I just continued with life as best as I could. I gained wisdom to not take wholeness, good health for granted. To be thankful.
No one knows tomorrow, enjoy today wholeheartedly. Do enough…
Nedoux 
Wow! Reading this gave me a ton of emotions. I am so happy to hear you’re doing better.
Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you ♥️
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Hello Desire,
Thank you so much. God bless you sis. 😀
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I’m glad you’re doing better
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Hello sis,
Thank you so much.
Have a lovely weekend 😀
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I have never broken anything but I had a friend who broke every limb in his body at least once, not at the same time though…. anyway I see yo still painted your toes regardless hahaha o was that for the pictures
Seems like its been a chaotic 6 months but hey glad you ok
~B
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Hello Mister!
So good to hear from you. Wow, I feel bad for your friend. Imagine that!
Ah, I made sure my nails were on fleek the entire time. 😄
Thank you so much for stopping by. Have an awesome weekend.
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Oh my! That must have been tough! I’ve never broken or fractured anything, thank God. But I’m happy you’re in good spirits.
Didn’t this injury give you some insight into how limited Nigeria is in providing services to disabled people?
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Hello Berry,
The inconvenience was worse than the pain.
Re: Nigeria, it made me analyse the state of public healthcare infrastructure.
What happened to me could have happened to anyone. I was fortunate to have medical insurance that made it possible to be treated at a good hospital.
For those without access to prompt medical care, the injury could become complicated.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Have a fab weekend. 😘
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I’m glad you’re feeling better. May God take you to a 💯 in the nearest future. God bless your mom plenty, I’m glad He provided all the help you needed. ❤
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Hello,
Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate your kind words.
I’m super thankful to God for the strength that I found.
Have a wonderful week. 😘
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Bebe of life, well done!
The road to recovery is sometimes more painful than the incident itself…I can relate. That’s one of the best times when the family support system works its miracle!
Love your writing style!
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Hi Lolita!
Thank you for all the love during the road to recovery and even after. I sincerely appreciate you.
Indeed that support system is everything. 😀
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Oh my dear Nedoux! When I received the notification in my mail for this post, my first thought was – “finally she resurfaces” – which is super rich coming from me but it just means I had missed receiving post notifications from you. Then I read the post and I felt bad for being selfish with my thoughts.
I’m sooooooo sorry you had to experience this these past months, and I’m so glad to hear you’re very well on the mend. These hiccups really do come with a huge bag of lessons don’t they…
Glad you’re doing much better. Huge virtual hugs from me to you. God bless you
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Hello babe,
Thank you so much for your kind message, means a lot to me.
I trust that you are fine.
Have a lovely week. Best wishes and blessings ❤🤗
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Ms N, glad your foot is getting better. Lovely post. Having injured myself similarly in the past, I completely relate. My mother deserves an award for her calm and patience, as well as likely realizing that her adult child had aged backwards during distress. 😂 Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Sis! *Big warm hug and a smacking peck* mwah!!!
It’s so good to read your message. I haven’t been active on the blogsphere. Instagram has stolen my heart. 😀
Ah… Mothers are such a blessing. Lmao @ “aged backwards” You described the situation so well.
Thank you for stopping by, have a very happy week.
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