I used to fear tearing my Achilles tendon when I played volleyball. I was on the court with someone who did that once, and it looked excruciating. Besides falling and breaking something when I played tennis, the other thing I feared the most was tearing a calf muscle. I met several people who endured that injury. Even though they all assured me they healed without surgery, it sounded horribly painful.
But most had good stories of how it’d happened, except for one person. Her story stands out in my memory because she literally was just walking when it happened.
I distinctly remember thinking when she shared it, “Well, that sucks. It wasn’t even like she was in the midst of playing out some good point or anything.”
I’m sure I hoped that would never happen to me —both the injury and the lack of a good story. Because in my mind, if you’re going to suffer an injury, it’s better to have some sort of dramatic, exciting tale.
But mostly I hoped I’d never tear my calf muscle.
Well, it happened. Worse, I have no good story.
How I Tore My Calf Muscle
I was playing pickleball at the time. Except, even though I was on the court, it was between points. We were all getting in position for the next serve. All I did was take a normal step backward when POP/SNAP! It was an incredibly unmistakable feeling, BUT…it wasn’t painful. Uncomfortable and startling, yes. But it didn’t hurt.
That’s why at first, I was only alarmed but praying it wasn’t anything bad. But the moment I took a step forward, I knew it was.
It was a mixed blessing we lost that next point. It had been such a close game. Maybe we could’ve tied it back up. But I was glad when my partner’s return went into the net. Game over. I could hobble off the court without drawing attention to myself by having to stop the game and leave it.
I hoped maybe the pain would go away if I sat for a moment. Like maybe I’d just temporarily tweaked something. But it quickly became apparent that was wishful thinking. I packed up my paddle and slowly shuffled out of the rec center to my car.
Luckily it was my left leg it happened to. I was able to drive myself home.
Well, That Answers That
Getting injured has been on my mind lately. There have been a spate of injuries at the gym where I play pickleball that have resulted in people needing someone to transport them to either an urgent care or emergency room. But they had people playing with them, either a friend or spouse, who could help them.
I’m usually alone, as I was Tuesday morning. Wayne was at work. Last Friday afternoon, he was there when a gentleman took a tumble and injured his shoulder and slammed his head into the floor. He needed to be wheelchaired out.
But his wife was there to get him to a hospital. I always wondered what I’d do in such a case…before I told myself not to wonder about that for fear of attracting it. I mean, if Wayne was with me, I know he’d help. But what about when I go by myself in the mornings?
Well, I got my answer. If it’d been bad enough, someone would call 911. Luckily that wasn’t the case.
I could’ve requested someone push me out to my car in the wheelchair, but I was afraid the staff would then insist on calling an ambulance. I didn’t think I needed that. Just some ice and rest and my phone to Google possible explanations for what I’d done.
But then Wayne found out and told me to make an appointment at urgent care for later that afternoon. He said he’d come home after his last meaning and take me over there.
Which was awesome. I almost drove myself straight there, but walking was excruciating. If he could take me and drop me right at the entrance, that’d be so much better.
Anyway, they wrapped me up, popped me on some crutches, and told me to see an ortho if I didn’t get better in a few days. But mostly they confirmed my self-diagnosis was right: torn calf muscle.
Sidelined
So…no pickleball, walking, or sailing for me for at least two weeks. Sadly. This morning we had glorious weather for June. Slightly crisp even. Perfect walking weather. It might be the last cool-ish air again until fall. I was bummed to miss it. But at least I got to hang out with Mr. G for a bit enjoying it.
And as far as the lake, the shot I took Saturday during our first outing for 2023 will have to sustain me for a while. (Along with all the other shots I have from past summers.)
For now, I’m sidelined.
Well, I’ve been saying for a while that if I could just get my rear in gear and keep it planted in one spot, I might get some writing done. The best place for my rear to be is seated right now. So while that’s no fun, I’m also optimistic about how productive I might be!