Last week was quite interesting. I attended training in Jefferson City, Missouri for work. While this particular training is always informative, I had to go and make things challenging.
My left leg started hurting Sunday. I think I overextended it getting in and out of my husband's big ol' truck that has a floor which reaches my waist. Because of the truck's height, I have to use a step stool to get in and out of the thing until the running boards are installed. Thankfully, those are coming next Friday. Even with the step stool, getting into the truck isn't easy. It's either that or the damage was done when I stumbled over the cat food bag Saturday evening. Perhaps it's a combination of both.
With my leg already sore, I was limping around the training center, and trying to sit down every chance I got. My boss and coworkers were accommodating and supportive. My downfall came last Tuesday when we chose a restaurant for dinner. There were no open parking spaces in front of the building, so we parked in the lot behind the business. My heart fell when we opened the door to reveal a staircase. No elevator.
I did think about walking back around the building and entering via the front door, but I decided to climb the stairs with the rest of my coworkers because it was raining. Big mistake. Colossal mistake. Painful mistake. I didn't listen to my gut, and I lived to regret it.
I was halfway up the staircase, clinging to the railing when my knee and the muscles around it popped and sent what felt like electric bolts through my leg. If I hadn't been holding onto the railing with such a death grip, I would have fallen right back down those stupid stairs. As it was, one of my coworkers, who had been holding the door open, rushed to my side and let me lean on her as I very painfully climbed the rest of the way.
After dinner, another coworker helped me to the SUV and yet another one helped me to my room. I can't complain about my work friends at all. They were great. However, I was still stuck three and a half hours from home with half a day of training left. I did what I had to do - powered through.
I took advantage of one of our training breaks to call my doctor's office and explain what happened. Of course, they couldn't see me for two weeks. Not good enough. I called my chiropractor's office, but their x-ray equipment won't work on legs. Finally, I called the Urgent Care closest to my house and asked if they had the ability to x-ray a leg. They said they did and offered me an appointment for the next morning, which was Thursday.
By the time I got home Wednesday night, I was in enough pain that I almost called an ambulance. Remembering how much my last emergency ride cost was a huge factor in my decision to wait. Another big reason was the several hours of waiting I knew I'd face in the ER. I took some ibuprofen and went to bed instead.
Arriving at Urgent Care half an hour early was a great plan. I wasn't able to complete my online forms, so I went early. Everyone there was extremely nice. I explained that I thought I had a pulled or torn hamstring. The nurse practitioner told me that I may have torn my meniscus, but she couldn't tell. The x-ray showed no broken bones, but the staff wasn't able to see my muscles. For that, I need an MRI.
Apparently, the staff at Urgent Care isn't able to order an MRI. They sent a referral to an orthopedic doctor, who is supposed to see me and determine if I need one. Given the fact the referral was put in by 9:15 a.m. on Thursday morning, I expected a phone call that day or Friday. Color me surprised and disappointed because I haven't heard a word yet.
The nurse practitioner who saw me did say that a few days of ice, elevation, and wrapping may fix the problem, and I wouldn't need to see the orthopedic doctor in that case. She gave me crutches and muscle relaxers with instructions to stay off that leg.
It's now been six days since I heard that heart rending pop that nearly sent me skidding down the stairs. It's been four days since my medical appointment where I was given crutches. I would love to know what pulled, tore, or snapped and how to fix it. If I don't hear from an orthopedic office by the end of the day on Tuesday, I'm calling one myself.
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