Larry's Letters
18-04-01
Hi, everybody! Ive injured myself. Ive torn a tendon my knee, the one that leads right up the front of the thigh.
According to the emergency room crew, its partly torn. As I begin this, I havent seen my own doctor yet.
What happened:
I flew up to Seattle for Norwescon on Thursday. Steve Barnes picked me up a little after noon. We talked RINGWORLDS CHILD, and he led me through some valuable insights. We followed maps to Brenda Coopers new apartment. There, as planned, we three changed for a yoga class that is held at 106 degrees temperature.
However crazy that sounds-Marilyn hated the idea-what could happen? Im bracketed by collaborators.
The yoga went okay. The heat got to me halfway through; not unusual; I lay down to get past that. Finished the class. We were outside, still hot in Seattle damp weather. Presently, ready to make for the car, I tried to stand up. My left slipper slid on the slippery pavement-slid back under me-and I felt and saw my kneecap slide out of place. Yoga had softened all those muscles.
One of us called 911. An ambulance and stretcher arrived. I was told my kneecap was in place, so I straightened my leg and found I could stand up. Steve was up quick, telling me to grab him for support, and I did. One step and I learned that my knee was buckling without resistance.
I got X-rays. Came home with them. Theyll have to be returned.
The ER doctor said: Partly torn tendon. Dont bend the leg for (usually) four to six weeks. And I was given a leg brace, a torture implement to hold my leg straight by force. Yes, I sleep with it.
The next couple of days were interesting. It could have been a nightmare but Brenda wheeled me around in a hotel wheelchair all Friday, brought me ice, etc. Without her it would have been a mess.
Toilets have to be negotiated carefully when you cant bend your knee. Even handicapped toilets.
You notice a lot of handicapped at conventions, when youre handicapped yourself. Algis Budrys is in a wheelchair for awhile, Charles Brown caught us, and well appear in tandem in LOCUS.
People keep asking the same question.
I barely slept Thursday. Friday I got over that: went to sleep in the filk concert room, entertained to sleep, stretched out on four chair. Brenda thought I was applauding in my sleep, but I wasnt; I was aware of the music.
The handicapped elevator to half the meeting rooms goes up from the kitchen!
By Saturday Id tired of the wheelchair. I could stand up, and I developed a half-arc footstep. Brenda stuck with me. I could fall over. I was trying not to bring her, and Steve, down. What could have been a nightmare, wasnt. People are too solicitous for that: friends, strangers, and the ones whose names I should remember, were all kindly and sympathetic.
Marilyn had called my own doctor. Appointment Monday.
Saturday evening: the plan had been to fly home, be home for a traditional Easter egg hunt. I called Alaska Friday and got upgraded to First Class with a bulkhead. Only, it didnt take. The seat was given me only through Portland. That had to be fixed.
It got fixed. I flew home in a bulkhead seat with room to stick my leg past the bulkhead into First. At one point a delighted flight attendant announced shed got me all three seats then realized, as I had, that the arms dont come up; the trays are in them. From Portl and I was riding with a woman and child, part of a group of nine skiing enthusiasts. The flight attendant didnt like me blocking them.
Hey, I can stand up and let them past. The only thing I cant do is bend my leg.
#
Easter Sunday was fun. Im mobile enough if Marilyn drives. Lunch was good, and the conversations were a delight. Thank you all. Kim, thanks for the charity egg. I never found one. With Sandys wit I would have found many.
#
So Im home, and its Monday, April 16, 2001, and Im planning an altered life.
The doctor told me that this is the major muscle in the leg, that if it isnt reattached I may never get function back. It must happen fast. On Wednesday theyre going to reattach the tendon. Then-maybe Im in a cast; if not, its something that absolutely immobilizes the leg. I spend the first night in the hospital.
Marilyn is optimistic. Weve had knee surgery before. (Torn meniscus.) This isnt as extreme as knee replacement, which we may face someday. I hope shes right, and I intend to emulate her attitude.
The restaurant forays we planned depend on my being able to straighten my leg. I hadnt planned any trips until July, so theres no need to dread an airplane seat.
I cant sit in a barbers chair. I feel shaggy already.