so this happened

 After class today, I ran to the wal-mart to get flowers and fruits for this weeks lab in systematics. In retrospect, I should have waited. 

I was hoping for an electric cart to get around; they were ALL in use (I don't know if it was Social Security check day or what. Or if the "disabled" bus was finally running again). I didn't feel like turning around and going back - not after trying HARD to find a parking place that was somewhat close, failing, and struggling up to the store on my crutches (I have a campus handicapped sticker, but it's not valid elsewhere and I didn't want to risk the $75 fine)

So I grabbed a cart. And there was NO way to manage it without having to put some weight on my foot. And I grumbled to myself. And I said "I'm probably damaging things MORE and making them WORSE" as I struggled through the crowds (and there's always that one little kid who's either throwing a tantrum and spinning around, or is running and not looking, or something, and other people who push past you)

Someone driving a car in the lot had honked at me because I didn't move fast enough to suit them. GEE SORRY I'M TRYING TO WALK ON CRUTCHES, DUDE. SORRY MY LIFE IS SO INCONVENIENT TO YOU.

Did I mention it was raining and chilly?

Anyway, I got my stuff. It was a struggle because the place was crowded. I THINK I saw a couple giggling at my struggle and again, whatever, someday you'll have an injury, kids. 

Got to the checkout. Because I have to use the university/departmental credit card (lab supplies), I had to use a staffed one. And unfortunately picked one where the person ahead of me THOUGHT they had more money on their card than they did, so they kept eliminating things from their order and calling a friend for advice and while I felt for them, at that point I was very tired and hurting and just wanted to pay and get out of there.

I finally did, but returning the card and then putting the flowers in water and the fruit in the lab fridge meant two instances of parking (in the lower lot for the main office, and back to the upper lot to drop the stuff off - there is no elevator in the building and I can't handle the stairs).

Ran back home, tired and frustrated and feeling very alone (there was no one around or I might have asked someone to carry the stuff for me). Got a ball of yarn (which I didn't even break into) and needles in case I got stuck with a long wait (given I had a 4:30 appointment). 

I didn't have a very long wait. They are REALLY promoting flu shots, I was asked if I'd had mine and had to fill out a form affirming I had. (Later, the nurse saw it in my records - I got it at the pharmacy I usually use and they entered it in the system). 

The doctor came in, asked me about my pain. At first thought I should see an orthopedic doctor but I protested that the pain was a LOT less then it was just over a week ago. So she relented, had me take off the giant immobilizer and try to walk a few steps with my foot down on the floor (but with the crutches). Asked me about the pain, about whether my knee felt unstable. Yes, there was some pain but it was more like "wow I pulled a muscle" than "shoot, something in there is not right." And I didn't feel unstable on the leg, not even without crutches.

She thinks either I pulled a muscle/overstretched but not tore a ligament, or perhaps I had a Baker's cyst that ruptured, and that was the pop I felt (I think she thought that because of my complaint of a few painful days before the bad pain). I feel doubtful about that given that there was no bruising and I think I'd notice the cyst pre-rupture, but whatever. I'll accept badly pulled muscle, that seems to track

So she told me to get a shorter immobilizer - she felt the big one, which extends from ankle to thigh - was overkill and it MIGHT lead to my calf muscles weakening. She also suggested I ditch the crutches for a four pronged cane.

And yeah, more expenses (I don't have a HSA) but I don't really care right now, paying for it will be future me's problem. 

Anyway

It's from just above the knee to just below it. Mostly neoprene, which is kind of sweaty and nasty and irritates my bare skin (I will have to wear it over tights or slacks). It straps closed and there are hinges at the knee for support.

And this

Yeah my place is a mess, it's been a week that I've not felt like moving around much to pick stuff up and put it away. And I don't *love* the cane, it does look very institutional, but it's better than fighting with the crutches.

I did leave those in the back seat of my car (the doctor warned me not to ditch them and to start using them again if my knee felt weak or unstable or very painful).

It did feel good to be able to stand to fix dinner and to wash the dishes after, and to be able to go INTO Pruett's to get my food instead of doing pick up at the curb.

I do hope I didn't overdo it. I guess I'll see in the morning. I have an easier day of teaching tomorrow (one lecture and a lab I can be mostly seated for). 

The doctor did say if I wasn't better enough in a few weeks to start exercising again I might need an MRI, but I'm hopeful given that this is just over a week (I did the injury on the 14th) and I'm this much more stable on my feet and have this much less pain - nothing throbs, for example, when I lie down, and the first couple nights after I did it there was a LOT of pain when I tried to sleep.