September 27, 2014
12:19 a.m.

I have just popped two Aleve, and when they kick in I'm going to bed to try to sleep away this awful day. (I hope I can sleep!!)

Well, not the 27th. The 26th.

First of all, September 26th is a pretty good day. It's my oldest daughter's birthday. So that's a good thing.

The bad thing is I spent over half the day in terrific pain, and several hours in the Emergency Room.

It all started out as such a promising day! But I made a big mistake. I decided to skip my shower until after I had some breakfast. Then I decided to further skip it until after exercise.

So dumb.

My son and I decided to dance for exercise, so he set up the Wii and I did some stretches to warm up.

Then we started dancing, and the first time I came down hard on my right foot, I tore my Achilles tendon.

Dang, that hurt.

Now, since I did this on my left foot in 2009, I know exactly what I'd done. Only, the last time I did it, it wasn't this painful. I could still walk on it.

Not this time. I had to use a chair like a walker to get around until a friend took me to the emergency room a few hours later. I had iced it all afternoon hoping that it would improve, but...nope.

So I spent over three hours there--they were so busy--and had some ex-rays. Finally saw a doctor long enough for him to assure me that I hadn't broken my foot. I told him I already knew that, and that I suspected a torn Achilles tendon. He agreed with me that it's probably a partial tear. So lucky, because if it had torn completely, I'd be in surgery right now.

I got myself a new boot, but I was unable to bear weight on it even once I was booted up. Now I know for sure it's worse than when I tore the left one. The boot was like a miracle worker that time. Not this time.

So I got some crutches. The tech insisted that she needed to lengthen them so I would't lean. She said that would be better for my shoulders. Well, I have arthritis in my hands and shoulders, and when I tried them I nearly fell and stepped backward--hard--at least two times on this foot. Up to that point I had handled the pain pretty well, but that brought some tears to my eyes!

So she shortened the crutches and had me try using them. I went a little way, and my hands were a screaming pair of useless lumps.

She went and got a wheelchair to take me to the car. And I thanked her very much!

When we got home I crawled up the porch steps. Easier.

In my own house, the crutches are a bit easier. It'll take some practice. Hopefully I will be able to bear weight tomorrow.

For tonight, I'm done.

Wish me luck on sleeping! Good night!