I've fallen and I can't get up!

I picked my friend up from the airport Thursday night, and we stayed up until almost 4am giggling like schoolgirls. It was fantastic, and good for my soul. I was off Friday, so we spent the morning picking up her new car and chatting over coffee at Starbuck's. Our afternoon plan was to go check out some office space, as she is considering opening her own criminal law firm. We crossed the street to enter the office complex for her first appointment, and I tripped over the curb (which was broken and jagged). As I fell to the cement, everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. I could see my lower leg hyperextended to an unnatural position and flop around like a wet noodle on the way down. We were on a very busy street and I landed half on the curb and half on the street. I was panicked and trying to drag myself out of the street so that I could avoid being run over. Dragging myself over was no easy task, since I couldn't move my leg. It was numb and tingly, and when I tried to move it, I could see my kneecap cave in. I had my friend call my husband to come and take me to the hospital.

While we waited for K to get there, the owner of the building (who my friend had the appointment with) drove out of the parking garage and yelled that we couldn't sit on the sidewalk in front of the building. I thought that it was fairly obvious that we weren't just having a leisurely rest, since my pants leg was pulled up to mid thigh and I was crying, but apparently not. My friend explained that I had fallen and couldn't move and was waiting on an ambulance or my husband. I don't remember what he said next, but whatever it was must've really pissed my friend off because she started yelling at him about how I'd fallen because his sidewalk was messed up. He started to drive off, and she yelled that she appreciated his concern, since he never once asked if I was okay. So he turned back around, and asked if he could call an ambulance. But even then, he never asked if I was okay.

So K finally came and picked me up, helped me into the car and drove me to the emergency room. After waiting for what seemed like forever, I was able to go in and have x-rays taken. I suspect that the x-ray technician enjoyed torturing me. Everyone else at the hospital was incredible and gentle. I tried to explain to her that I could. not. move. my. knee, but she pretty much told me to do it anyway. It hurt so bad that I was sobbing while I attempted to get onto the x-ray table and turn different ways so she could get a good look at my knee. I know it's necessary and it's her job, but my gosh, it hurt! The good news is that it's not broken and that I've been high as a kite from my pain meds since I left the hospital. The bad news is that I'm on crutches and in a knee immobolizer, and I have to go see an orthopedic surgeon because the chances are good that I've torn something and will have to have surgery to have it fixed.

The pain meds are keeping me asleep most of the time, but right now, they don't seem to be helping because I'm in a great deal of pain. I really need a bath, and I'm trying to figure out the logistics of making that happen. K usually does a great job of taking care of me when I am sick, but he was gone all morning yesterday and several hours this morning. His cousin is here and they went out to dinner with all of my inlaws last night, and they are at my mother-in-law's house right now. I know I'm being a big baby, but I feel completely helpless and abandoned. And? My knee hurts like a MF! But I'll live. Plus, I keep calling my mom, who is giving me lots of sympathy.

Soulfriends

When I was growing up, I had lots of friends. There were different groups and cliques in my little school, but I was friends with ALL of them. My dad used to admonish me for throwing the word "friend" around so easily. He would tell me how truly blessed I would be if I had but a handful of true friends in my lifetime. I don't think I quite believed him then, but like so many other things he's said to me over the years, I've come to see the truth in his words. Don't tell him that, though. I have been blessed, because I do have a couple of those type of friends. I think I've already touched on my frustration about not being able to make new friends. So you can imagine my delight in finding out that one of my BFF is moving to Houston.

Lisa moved to my hometown while we were in junior high. We were immediate friends. Our dads were both in law enforcement and she had a wicked sense of humor. I adored her. Shortly after Lisa earned her driver's license, we decided to sneak over to one of our guy friend's houses to meet up with my boyfriend and swim. His parents weren't home and I don't recall where we told our parents we were going, but it certainly wasn't there. When we backed out of the driveway, she bumped into something and I assured her that it was just the curb. When she drove back to my house to drop me off, her father was there. Apparently, I was mistaken and she had actually ran over my neighbor's mailbox. We were totally busted and our parents all knew that we weren't were we said that we'd be. I'm not sure how it all shook out, but I'm fairly certain that I ended up being grounded. I spent MANY days grounded when I was growing up. In fact, I think I was grounded almost every winter vacation. I'll have to blog about that and the fact that my brother is a snitch another day.

Lisa is brilliant, but sometimes high school girls make really questionable decisions. Lisa got married right out of high school to a man who was...well, he was an idiot. My dad actually asked her, "What in the world are you two going to talk about?" I love my dad (so does Lisa, which is why she thought it was hysterical that he asked her that). Anyway, her husband turned out to be a real asshole and they got a divorce. She ended up legally changing her name, and joining the Air Force. She became a Russian Linguist. She got out of the military, but married a man in the Air Force and recently got her law degree. They've been stationed in Venice, Italy for awhile and now her husband is going back to Iraq and she is moving to Houston to start her own law firm while he's away. I'm worried and sad for her husband, but I am ecstatic that she is moving here. She's going to stay with us while she looks for a cheap place to live. I've tried talking her into staying with us permanently, and if we convert our storage building into a garage apartment, that just may happen. I couldn't be happier.

Lisa and I have gone months and sometimes even years without talking, but when we do see each other or talk, we pick up right where we left off. It's never awkward, and we always have a ball. Ryann and Kassem adore her. In fact, one of my first birthdays after getting married, Kassem arranged for Lisa to come down for a surprise visit. Years ago, Lisa and I were talking about how much we cherish our friendship and she said that we are soulfriends. It's the friendship version of soul mates. I love that. I think it's absolutely true. I suspect that you'll hear lots more about my soulfriend. She'll be here in two weeks, and I am positively giddy as I count down the days.