Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Yesterday I spent 4 hours in the ER.

I was twelve feet off the ground, stepping from an extension ladder to the roof of the house when the ladder lost it's footing and slipped away in split second. I had one foot on the roof and one on the ladder, so when it went I had no ability to "prep" for the fall. Twelve foot vertical drop onto concrete, landing entirely on my left heel. Fractured the Calcaneus bone into five pieces.

I come to find out that even a simple clean fracture (no surgery required) of Calcaneus is considered a very serious injury. The bone is like and egg in that it has a thin hard exterior but a very spongy inside, so compression breaks often cause the bone to collapse.

Severe breaks like mine often result in life long issues like collapsed foot, Achilles tendon problems, reduced mobility of ankle, shortened leg and limp, arthritis, and there is a chance I might need a brace or an orthotic device.

Unless I am using the toilet or showering I am supposed to keep it elevated above my heart ALL DAY long. Typically they wait 3 week before performing surgery in order to get rid of all the swelling. Best case scenario after that is that I'll be able to walk in 3-4 months.

All I wanted to do was sweep my elderly Mom's chimney..... a ten minute job.

FEEEEEERRRRKINHELL!!!!!!