Crutches Chronicles Part 2

The first real challenge I faced when I came home in a cast in crutches was the four or five worn stone steps leading up to my 88-year-old condo building. I had no idea the balance and skill needed to achieve the feet, and after nearly toppling over once or twice, I made it to the landing--where I was immediately faced with my next challenge. Some extremely hateful building designer had put the digital keypad to the right of the door, while the handle is on the left. A small detail, yes, but it means that to enter through that door, one must balance bags and crutches to enter the correct combination, hobble over and grab the handle, begin to open the door, and then take a step down to allow said door to open--all before the short time limit expires and the door automatically locks again. After messing it up twice, I was finally able to make it through.

 

But the ensuing sense of victory was not to last long.

 

Upon entering the small foyer, one must then crutch to one's door, fumble with keys to unlock it, and hobble inside in time to disable the alarm system. My first attempt at this next feat ended in dropped crutches, spilled purse, and a knocked-over table--as well as two scared-to-death cats. It was, however, successful.

 

The limitations of my new crutch-dependent self became more and more evident throughout the rest of the day. The cats wouldn't come near me. I couldn't carry my bowl of delicious pasta painfully prepared on just one foot with me to the den. Taking a shower is near-disaster. And if the remote is not within my reach, I'm stuck watching whatever is on the TV.

 

To add insult to injury, my condo began striking out against me. First the light bulb in my bedroom burned out. No big deal, I told myself, hopping on one foot around the house to bring an extra lamp into the room. And then the bathroom light burned out as well, and a small battery-powered flashlight is not the safest way to go in the middle of the night.

 

I am beginning to see that this chronicle of my life will be a long and arduous journey.