OOPS!…I DID IT AGAIN. The title of Britney Spears’ 2000 hit fits the latest verse in my life song. Nothing else about the song relates, only the title.
Late Wednesday afternoon, while skirting a tower fan partially blocking my home office doorway, I stubbed my right little toe on the door frame. Hard. Like I may have heard a crack hard. Instant pain shot through my toe as a censored version of “Oops!…I did it again” shot from my mouth.
I knew this was not good. I hobbled my way toward the kitchen where Randy was preparing supper. And, yes, I still call the evening meal supper. “I think we have to go to the clinic,” I said, explaining why. I don’t recall Randy’s reaction other than informing me he was half-way into cooking our meal so the urgent care visit would need to wait. One plate of broiled salmon, seasoned potatoes and orange slices later, we were heading for the clinic.
But not before I asked Randy to search the back of our bedroom closet for a walking shoe. You see, almost exactly two years ago, I jammed my left little toe into the baseboard corner of our kitchen peninsula. That time I severely bruised my little toe. “Oops!…I did it again.” Except with the right foot.
Upon arriving at the clinic, I limped inside, waited in line to register and then sat down in the waiting area. It was 6:05 pm. I propped my injured foot atop a round coffee table to keep it elevated. I worked a crossword puzzle. A text message alerted me that I was seventh in line. I noted the worn out furniture, the stale air, daylight shifting into evening.
I am not good at waiting. Multiple texts were not encouraging. There were “unexpected delays,” the apologetic messages read. My appointment time shifted from 7:10 to 7:20 to 7:50. I was not happy.
My eldest daughter texted at 7:18 pm. “How’s your toe?”
“Still waiting at the clinic. I should have stayed home,” I replied. “Too many coughing people here. Toe hurts & starting to turn purple.”
Shortly thereafter, a nurse called my name. Finally. I was getting my vitals taken, getting quizzed about my injury and on my way to answers. That meant a trip upstairs to x-ray. I accepted a wheelchair ride. Much quicker and less painful than limping along. Three x-rays later and I was back in my room awaiting an official diagnosis.
This time around I did not have a badly-bruised little toe, but rather a fractured one. Officially: There is an undisplaced fracture present along the distal aspect of the 5th proximal phalanx. Undisplaced is better than displaced. That diagnosis was confirmed on Thursday by a podiatrist, whom I will see in four weeks for more x-rays and a healing check. In the meantime, I’ll wear that unattractive sandal-like shoe with the rigid bottom, tape my little toe to its neighboring toe, ice, elevate and pop OTC meds as needed.
A broken toe is certainly not a major injury when the fracture is simply a crack not requiring surgery. I’ve broken a shoulder and shattered a wrist (that requiring a surgical implant). There really is no comparison. This toe break is more of a tolerable inconvenience.
Yet…the timing is bad. Is any time ever good to break a bone? Probably not. But my eldest and I are co-hosting a baby shower for my second daughter this weekend. A niece is getting married in eight days and that includes a wedding dance. I have things to do. Enter Randy. I made a list of jobs for him to do, work I would typically handle such as carting laundry up and down the basement stairs. If I could read his thoughts, they are likely an updated version of Britney Spears’ song, rewritten as “Oops!…here we go again.”
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Oh, no Audrey, I hope that I didn’t jinx you yesterday by celebrating your wellness! You have selected the perfect song title, so at least your sense of humor is not broken. I’m glad that Randy has stepped up to help (no pun intended), and the celebrations will go on. I hope that you’re not in too much pain, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Other than the initial really bad pain, my pain has been minimal. Mostly, I’m just mad at myself. Typically I wear house shoes. But on Wednesday, because it was so warm here, I opted to go barefoot and placed that fan outside my office. Those decisions led to the “oops” moment. Gotta laugh.
that’s all you can do )
So sorry to hear of your injury and hope the pain soon subsides. Praying no surgery is required as well.
as fas as the wedding dance…you might have to sit this one out 🙂 prayers. KathyG
Thanks, Kathy, for your concern and prayers. My pain, thankfully, is minimal. No surgery needed for this break, a reason to feel thankful. You’re probably right about the dance.
I’m so sorry that happened! I hope you’ll be able to enjoy the family activities just as much despite it all.
I assuredly will still enjoy the baby shower and wedding. I won’t let a broken toe and ugly support shoe hinder my happiness.
Audrey , sorry to hear about your “oops”. Congratulations on another grandchild!! I am in Minnesota for a cousin’s reunion on my dad’s side today and an early 50th anniversary party for Paul and Joyce tomorrow.
Thanks, Bev. Another grandchild is certainly reason to celebrate. Miranda arrives this afternoon from Madison. Enjoy your time with cousins and at Joyce & Paul’s anniversary celebration.
oh my so sorry you have met another roadblock-hugs to you
Thanks, Sue. You have been through similar situations. I’ll be fine. Mad at myself more than anything.
Hmmm. Heal fast! Maybe you should wear heavy hiking boots at all times to protect your toes? 😉 I can’t say waiting (seemingly endlessly) in a room full of sick people holds much appeal. I worry that I’ll catch something worse than a busted toe (or, in my case, a compressed spine). 🥺
Randy did offer to let me wear his greasy, steel-toed work boots. Uh, no thanks. I’m sorry about your compressed spine. That sounds painful. Yes, being in the clinic with coughing people did not please me. They were supposed to sit in a special area if they had symptoms like a cough. One coughing man did not. And those who wore face masks were not wearing them correctly. So, yeah, hoping I didn’t pick up anything during my several hours of waiting.
Oh no that hurts so badly too. I will be praying for a speedy recovery ❤️🩹
Actually, the pain was bad only after it happened and for several hours afterwards. Otherwise, the pain is minimal. I appreciate your prayers.
Sending healing prayers!
Thank you! I believe in the power of prayer.
Me too! God works miracles!
Amen to that!
As for the wedding dance, I am sure you could rent a wheelchair for a day or two and dance the night away in a wheelchair. You will have many dance partners! Take good care. Jan
Thanks for the suggestion, Jan. But I’ll pass on the wheelchair at the dance. I’ll just sit it out if I can’t dance. Mostly I’m getting around pretty well. Even went for a short walk today at the nature center. Short being the operative word here. It was such a lovely day.
You have a positive attitude – that sure helps. And a helpful husband – that helps too! Enjoy the shower and wedding.
Gotta stay positive. And you’re right on Randy being of great help. I fully intend to enjoy both celebrations.
I’m sorry. Bruised and broken little piggies are painful and uncomfortable. This is why I wear shoes – I’m a perpetual stubber. Best wishes for speedy healing.
Michelle, I usually wear house shoes, for the arch support. But I had taken them off because my feet were hot on a hot day. Thus the fan positioned in my office doorway. Thus the resulting stubbed (broken) toe. 😦
Oh dear, Audrey, that boot doesn’t look like a dancing shoe for your niece’s wedding. Here’s hoping you recover enough to dance with Randy next week. You’ll already have celebrated Miranda’s happy news by now- how lovely for all your family to have a wedding and a new baby to look forward to. A hatching and a matching, as they were referred to in the local newspaper announcements. Wishing you speedy healing.
Thank you, Judith. Yes, the baby shower went splendidly well. So wonderful to celebrate my second daughter and her baby boy due in early 2025. I like that newspaper phrasing of “a hatching and a matching.”
I didn’t like to mention the third milestone amidst your happier events, but deaths were referred to as dispatches- not in the heading of the newspaper but by readers and probably the reporters, so ‘hatches, matches and dispatches’ instead of births, marriages and deaths. Hope the toe continues to mend.
That wording is incredibly clever. My toe seems to be healing nicely. Still wearing the boot. Three more weeks in that.
Oh no. I swear, toes have no survival instincts.
I have to agree.
So sorry about this! I have had too many broken toes to count and after an urgent care episode years ago when they basically said to wear a boot or buddy tape it , I know the drill. Broke mine again before we went to Nova Scotia—- buddy taped it and wore sandals that supported it until it healed. I feel your pain. Hope it heals quickly!
I’m sorry about all your broken toes through the years. You’re right about the buddy tape and a boot. I’m supposed to wear a boot for at least four weeks. I felt like I should be seen by a doctor so I knew if my toe was broken and if any additional care was needed.
Smart! The time before last I probably should have gone because it was at an angle and Chris had to manipulate it for me. 😩
Yikes. That sound really painful. And, yes, you probably should have seen a doctor.
Dr. Chris to the rescue!
Laughing…