Step One

It started as a simple sociology experiment for my high school senior. We discussed several options and decided on "behavior inappropriate for a 17 year old". At a grocery store. She, her sister and I were the only ones aware of the experiment details.

Once in the store, my 17 year old climbed into the back of the grocery cart. Of course, we made her strong older brother push her. As soon as we started "shopping", she started bouncing around in the cart. Then the "I want that!" started. Her poor brother was left helpless as her sister and I had to walk away stifling the giggles.

We turned into the freezer aisle when that one step happened. My 17 year old said "Go faster!!", so my son gave the cart a little push and let go. Since she was facing the front of the cart, she had no idea she was being pushed into a pole! At that moment, her sister and I busted up laughing as we walked away! I turned over my shoulder to catch the look on her face, turned back around and BAM! I was suddenly in terrible pain lying face down on the floor. I suppose it didn't help that it was a concrete floor. My oldest daughter was against the coolers and there was water on the floor. Did I slip? Did I trip? Did I break anything?

The store staff was very helpful collecting an ice pack, bottle of water, ibuprofen and a wheelchair. My oldest filled out an incident report while my son took me to the car and my 17 year old finished the quick list.

Off we went to the emergency room a few blocks away. X-rays and some pain medication later, I went home with a 'sprain' and instructions to follow up with an orthopedic specialist.

Ortho wanted an MRI. It took about a month to get scheduled. In that time period, I worked approximately 250 hours...most of which spent walking &/or on my feet.

What 12+ hours looked like

Once the MRI was done, the results were in - non-displaced patella fracture. Great. I was walking around on a broken kneecap for a month. Walking a LOT. To be fair, I did use crutches frequently to go between the 2nd floor on the AL side to the ground floor REM side of the building. (Picture a building in a sideways 'H'...AL located at one end of the '-', REM on the other). I was told to get off my leg ASAP and a follow up with the ortho for brace fitting.

It all starts with one step.