I was feeling better from the pneumonia and wasn't really coughing or having trouble breathing anymore. In my mind, I thought that if I was truely better and well enough to go to school, then I should be well enough to play hockey on Sunday night as well. I felt alright on the ice. On my third shift, I scored a nice short handed goal. On the face off right after, the puck went into their corner and I skated hard after it. Their defenceman hooked me as I passed him and I went down to the ice on my back and slid at full speed uncontrolled into the boards. My right leg broke my fall and I immediately knew something was wrong. I couldn't put any weight on it at all and it HURT! I went to the emergency room right away and they said I broke my fibula for sure and maybe did some other damage. They gave me a fancy air cast boot and some crutches and told me a doctor would call me. The doctor called me on Monday and I saw him Tuesday. He told me that I not only broke my fibula, but I also tore all of the ligaments that attach it to my ankle. I was immediately scheduled for surgery, where they would screw a plate into my bone on both ends so that the fibula could reconnect and heal itself. The surgery ended up happening while you were all on your field trip (sorry I missed that one). My big black boot has now been exchanged for a healing splint cast, which I will now have for 2 weeks. Then I get to switch to either a hard cast or a boot again for 4 more weeks. So 6 WEEKS where I can't put any weight on my foot. Ugh.
Right now I am in recovery mode. I can't lie, I am in a lot of pain. I am told it will fade and get better with time. If/When it hits a point where I am not constantly aching, I will return to the class, cast and all. I sadly can't set a date for that. I hope soon, but I really don't know. I know you are all being awesome for whoever is working with you while I'm gone. When I got my prescriptions filled, I had my wife pick up canvases for Father's Day art. I know it is the same as Mother's Day, but I had only been out of surgery for a few hours and my options were limited. I'm sure you will create something fantastic.
In the meantime, enjoy some pictures from my journey. My favourite is the picture Zack drew of me - it has a black boot! Lol. Feel free to leave comments or questions. I will check in and reply. I hope to see you all very soon