Speaking of stitches...Broken Crafter Makes Recovery

Knotty B. Knockout

I don't know if you know this about me, but I am a derby girl!  I started when a league was formed in October 2010.  I had the Fisher-Price skates as a child, then upgraded to rollerblades in the 90s just like everyone else.  So, when I heard talk of a derby team starting, I was quite curious.  I'm not a naturally aggressive, violent, or competitive person, but I thought I could at least skate!  I got all my gear, started going to practices, and pushed myself to work hard.  I will admit, it is a little scary at first!  It is a full contact sport, you get knocked down, bruised, and sore.  Back at the first informational meeting, they told us,"You WILL get hurt.  Hopefully it won't be anything serious, but you will get hurt."  But, after my first bout, and I realized that I made it out alive, I was addicted!   Our team consists of the most diverse, hard-working, passionate women that I have ever met.  Also, I have noticed very positive changes in myself since I joined derby, not only physically but in all areas of life.  It's a tough sport, but it's worth it!  (Sidenote: My derby name is "Knotty B. Knockout" which came from being a knotty knitter! ;) )

So, after 6 hours of practice a week (plus my first gym membership to get in better shape on my own), roadtrips to bouts, mixers, and clinics, making new friends that are now family, studying rules, and researching better gear and techniques, roller derby has become a big part of my life.  I've become pretty comfortable on my skates.  In fact, when I'd strap them on, I'd feel like an invisible superhero!  Maybe it's that feeling that got me in trouble.  On Nov. 27th, 2011, I was attempting a legwhip towards the end of practice.  (To see how a legwhip is done correctly, watch D-Bomb do it!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVWaOpa1_ic) 
Instead of success, I rolled my ankle (and I think I landed on it when I fell).  Normally, I am not afraid of falling, we do it all the time!  That's why we wear so much padding!  But, this time was different.  I immediately took off my skate, knowing something wasn't right.  I couldn't put any weight on it, so I was wheeled to my teammate's vehicle and rushed to the ER.  Though the doctor was hopeful, maybe because I wasn't freaking out and was trying to keep a sense of humor, the x-rays came back...my left ankle was broken in 2 places!  They wrapped up my leg, gave me my first pair of crutches, and sent me on my new journey.  Let the struggles begin!

I had an appointment with a Bone & Joint doctor the next day, then having surgery the day after.  My doctor was concerned with the shifting of the bones, so he decided it would be best to put in the stainless steel plate, pin, and 5 screws to hold everything together.  This will stay in there, unless it gives me problems in the future.  Though it weirds me out to have all this foreign material in my ankle, I'd rather not need surgery again!

I won't lie, the first couple weeks were kind of rough.  I spent my time lying on the couch with my leg elevated.  When I had to get up, I would get shooting pains through my leg and foot that may have hurt more than the break itself.  But, I kept my attitude up.  I was grateful for all the help from my boyfriend and family, all the cuddle time with my cat, and the random visits from friends.  Also, looking on the bright side, it was nice getting to sleep in and have a lot of freetime! 

As the pain faded, I was able to move around more.  After a few weeks, I got my soft cast off and got upgraded to a walking boot (still accompanied by crutches).  I like to think I am an independent woman, so it was difficult for me to ask for help all the time.  I did what I could to figure out different ways to do things myself (ex. Since my craft room is upstairs in our house, I rigged up a pulley system to send things up and down the stairs to and from my craft room.  Then, I'd scoot up or down the stairs on my butt to retrieve the items.).
Soon came the holidays-spending a lot of time with family and friends.  We made the best of the situation, and it seem like my recovery time flew by!
 The baby steps continued.  There were a lot of little things, small feats, every day that I cannot even begin to tell you about them all.  So, I will continue with the big stuff!  Soon, I was gradually applying weight on my foot, got to ditch the crutches.  Before I knew it, I got my walking boot off and all I had to wear was an ankle brace!  I eased my way back into work, and now things are almost back to normal.  I've been doing physical therapy for the past 3 or 4 weeks, getting flexibility and strength back.  And soon, (this weekend!!!!) I will be skating again!

Some people may think I'm crazy for going back to skating after this whole ordeal.  But, as a friend said, it's never crazy to go back to something you love to do.  Though I didn't get as much crafting done throughout this almost 3 month process, I feel that I learned a lot...
Never take doing normal things for granted.  Be grateful.  Attitude is everything.  Let people help you when you need it.  Say thank you.  Tell your loved ones that you love them. 
I know, cliche central, right?  But there is truth within them.  As I get back into my life as it was before, I am going to do my best to enjoy every single day, look for the positive in every situation, and continue to fill my life with things I love.

Again, HUGE thank you to my sister for being there for me through it all, my boyfriend for waiting on my hand-and-foot while I was broken & having such patience with me, my parents for the endless support, and friends for the good times.  *much love*