Breaking News & Ribs

As I began my fourth mile on my (nearly-) daily run yesterday--Cinco de Mayo!--I broke two ribs. I know, right? WTF?

Rounding the corner of Kahūpō and Kalutzi, I failed to notice two inches of steel pole, once a street sign now sawn off after colliding with a car, rising from the ground and hidden within three inches of uncut grass. I set my left foot next to the metal stub and brought my right foot forward, and in mid-stride, my toe impacted the hidden obstacle.

At that impressive velocity, if I do say so myself, everything below my waist stopped nearly completely; the top of my body vaulted forward. I tucked my shoulder to roll, but my speed flipped me completely over. I landed on the middle of my left back, all force meeting the ground in one small point. I heard a crack.

My breath froze in my throat. I was in severe pain. Then, I saw a bright light, nearly blinding, directly before me. I realized I was staring up into the sun. That was a relief. I lay there, listening to the birds and cars passing by.

Catching my breath, I slowly rolled onto my knees, crawled to a nearby wall, and inched up the stucco until I could stand. Then, I realized I had a mile to walk. Okey-dokey. The adrenaline allowed me to stroll home, holding my upper body with both hands to lessen the shock of again properly placing one foot before the other.

Veronica rose to the emergency and drove me to the hospital. I bravely donned my magenta mask, rode stiffly to the hospital, was admitted, placed in a bed, rolled to the X-Ray Department, exposed to cool rays, wheeled back, told that I had broken not one, but two, ribs, and then, finally, provided pain medication. That was a relief, too.

I was informed that healing would take six weeks, deep breathing, daily walks, and a brown paper bag of drugs. Okey-dokey.

As my uncle once did, after injuries he sustained in Korea, I asked if I would be able to play the piano. I was assured by my doctor that I would. I told her I was delighted since I never could play piano before. She was actually amused.

Now I have writing to grade and final exams to prepare. Okey-dokey. Take care. Stay safe. Be well.