OK…
I admit it….
I can’t do it all.
I am human just like everyone else.
Obviously, there was not a blog post for everyone to see on the due date.
Those ten people who accessed the site on Monday, Oct. 8 had nothing to view.
I’m sorry.
It was my turn to post, and I have to admit, I’m a bit distracted. When you hear my story, you’ll understand why.
Warning! these images are graphic! If you don’t like blood, don’t look!
So here’s the story: I went kayaking again the last weekend of September. It was a beautiful day & the leaves on the trees were turning all types of colors: gold, rust, red, and sage. It was the perfect day for kayaking! Of course, we stayed out as long as possible, and ended up getting home after dark. As my friend & I loaded the kayak, it slipped from my fingers onto my toe.
Unfortunately, I had chosen to use my friend’s hard kayak rather than my own inflatable. I doubt the inflatable kayak would have done as much damage.
First, I screamed, and then I tried to be brave. Eventually, the tears had to come out–as did the blood.
The bone under the nail was crushed and the skin broken: an open fracture.
I lay on the ground as my friend called my husband. “Do you want to come pick her up?” she asked.
“I think I need to go to the ER,” I said as I watched the blood ooze around my toenail and into my sandal. So much for my old Burks, I thought. (Sorry, I don’t have a picture of those. I threw them away in disgust.)
After spending a few hours in the ER with my husband at my side, I was fitted with this really attractive boot.
It’s not all that pretty, but it does the job.
I am getting tired of wearing it.
It has another purpose, though: attractive cowboys go out of their way to hold doors open for me.
I flash them my smile and then hobble through the threshold saying a breathless thank you.
The doctor removed the nail, which is when I stopped taking photos. I didn’t want to look at it ever again.
Now, the toe is healing. There’s a small red spot where the cut had been. It still seeps fluid, but it looks pink and healthy.
Eventually, my nail will grow back, the bone will heal, and I can go about my life with the memory of having a broken toe from a kayak.
At least I was out having fun and it happened after the trip, so I got in one more river float before the season ended.
Despite this small set back, I will be out there again next season!
~ K