THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

It had to happen at some point. Although the move to Perth has been at times exhausting and in one case even involved Susan being hospitalised, I have got away with it scot free. Putting aside the back pain, the knee pain, the hip pain. That's just what getting old is all about so not worth complaining about. But then I blew it and ended up in serious pain. 

Joy, the lady we bought 106 Archibald St from, was recently widowed and in the last few years of his life, her husband had been in a wheelchair. So there are helpful rubber ramps at the entrance to the garage from the house and to the outside area. However, the former had to be moved so we could do a termite treatment. Susan reminded me to watch my step and for my first few entrances I did....but then I didn't. I went crashing down, badly twisting my left foot and landing heavily on my right knee. For the last few days, I've been practicing being much older. I hobble around with a walking stick and people open doors for me, wave me ahead of them, even offer me their arm for support. Sigh. It's all down hill from here.

Having said that, the only time I've used a walking stick in the past was going up hill. On my European travels last year, I had a number of times where clambering up mountain sides was required (what made me think that was a relaxing holiday?) particularly in France on my Cathar Country tour. I confess that having that extra support as one dragged oneself up to another medieval castle was a good idea. Look carefully and you can see the walking stick.


This time, it seems the foot pain was there for a reason. After a few days of icepacks and elevation and no change, i decided it was time to go to the doctor. Who sent me off to a radiologist for an X-ray. Who sent me off to an Emergency Department. Because I have a fractured foot (transverse fracture of the 5th metatarsal for those who like medical details) - and am now the proud owner of the sandal version of a moon boot which I have to wear for the next 6 weeks.

         The first bone I’ve ever broken. Not bad for 70 years in this world.

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