Wander Girl

I realize it has been a little bit since I updated you all on my series of unfortunate events. This last few have been doozies. BEWARE: Some images may not be suitable to all constitutions.

It all started when I went for a walk in the woods near my church, with what was supposed to be a group of people. I headed in, even though I arrived late, planning on just hiking alone. It was a morning hike in the summer,. It is a fairly well traveled public park that I had hiked in previously quite a bit. I started the hike and things were going well. It had rained the previous evening and, me, hoping to keep the truck and my life as “unmuddy” as possible set off in my hiking sandals, expecting to maybe slip a little, but slips happen right? No big deal? WRONG!

Slips happen and are no big deal to other people. We forget who we are talking to. The girl who fell walking up a staircase in junior high. This is also the same girl who tripped over a rock that was so miniscule when examined later, you found yourself questioning how this was possible. I have been told I deserve to be in bubble wrap, or maybe I just need to be whether I deserve it or not. Anyways… back to the story. I started my hike, no one was on any of the trails. I came to a spot that could tell was going to be slippery so I braced myself and decided to take the slide with grace, thinking I could probably just get my rear end a little muddy and move on. No big deal right? Well, when i took that “slide” slope or whatever you want to call it… as you may have already guessed, things did not go gracefully. I caught myself on branch at the base of a tree and punctured it between the first and middle fingers. My first stitches experience was born. Don’t worry more experiences will occur before the summer is over.

I went to visit my friend in Oregon in June. The original plan was to spend some time, watch some dogs, and play in the mountains.

However, as things do, plans change. We had a few really great days. We drove in the mountains, went to church, played games, had dinner with some Creole missionaries (who were shocked I knew what language they spoke) and got things ready for Whitney to go to Seattle to talk to her doctors about her seizures.

I was set up and ready to hang out with the doggos for a few days. And then, the morning Whitney and Ross and Ross’s daughter were set to go to Seattle, plans changed. I was set on the sacrificial alter. I didn’t mind being this sacrificial lamb at this point. It had been many years since I visited Seattle, and I thought it would be a fun experience to go back again and enjoy it.

Enjoy it we did, for the first day. The second day in Seattle, and two days before I was set to fly home. I fell off one of those electric Uber scooters, as I was trying to be overly cautious. At first I thought I had just sprained an ankle.

However, upon trying to put weight on it I discovered that my ankle would not support weight and it was surely broken. I was privileged (or not so) to take my first ambulance ride in the beautiful hilly city of Seattle with the view of the Space Needle out of the back of the ambulance window.

The Xrays showed two fractures, which would require surgery. BUT, I was in another state. I had to fly home, with crutches and a hard cast. Which required a full body pat down, wheelchair assistance and a whole mess of other fun things.

When I arrived back to Indiana, my parents had to come rescue me from the airport becuase I had driven and parked in a hotel parking lot, which offered a shuttle to the airport. And they had to drive both the truck and a car back home. It became quite the kerfuffle. *** FYI*** the images below could be sensitive for some viewers****

So, now we are 3 months and 6 days out from the accident. I am now officially walking without cane, boot or other assistance! 10 screws and 2 plates have been added to my ankle, essentially adding another reason for the aready paranoid airport people to pat me down each time I walk through the metal detector in airport security.

To be clear also, when I talked to God about needing a break from all the craziness in my life, I WAS NOT REFERRING TO A LITERAL BREAK!

I have felt like such a burden since arriving home and to not be able to drive again for three months has reverted me back that feeling of being an extra burden.

Thank heavens I can actually drive, walk, shower standing up, and officially take care of myself again.

In other news, I have also officially been accepted to be a substitute teacher in our local school system. I have done 5 days of subbing and currently have no more on my schedule, because I have dog sitting set up next week and in other upcoming days. But I am thrilled to be able to be out of house more, with people my age more ( the teachers) obviously and to be able to have other things to fill my time and help a little more with finances. Especiallly after such an eventful summer of injuries.

So, I guess the moral of the story is this: be careful what you ask for, or who you ask it from. Sometimes God will make you take a break and slow down by giving you a break and slowing you down. So, if you can stand it, just keep trying to do your best and life and don’t ask for any special favors for a minute. At least that’s my plan for now. I know we are supposed to seek for and expect miracles, but I don’t know if my miracle queue has run out for the moment. Both of these accidents could have been much worse.

The hospital in Seattle said the most common injury from Electric Scooters is brain related. And the hospital in Vincennes said I was dangerously close to the cartilage and nerves in my hand which could have turned into a much worse injury. So, for now I will keep those miracles and try to just stay out of more trouble.

Thanks for hanging with me through this lengthy diatribe.

Fasten your seatbelts, wear your helmets and stay away from electric scooters.

Love, Heidi