Just so you know, I have no intention of turning this blog into a blow-by-blow account of my broken knee.  My “simple” nondisplaced break — meaning the broken parts of my knee cap stayed close together when they fractured — is really nothing when you compare it to how bad and complicated it could be.  Yet, when I’ve barely left the house in the last two weeks because of it, it’s hard to avoid talking about at least a little bit, so please bear with me.

I’ve mostly used the time to rest, finish up an article from my work in Hamburg, and since the semester has just begun, keep up with my readings on social welfare theory.  I’ve been able to hobble my way into a cab for doctor’s visits on my own, but most of my ventures out have been on the weekends when mein Schatz is here.

Stairs seem to be my enemy at the moment.  All I can say is, thank god I live on the ground floor, with only a few steps to deal with out the front door.  We visited a friend in the neighborhood on Friday night — I should be able to manage 500 meters, I thought.  But my quad muscle decided to rebel on my front steps, most likely from overstraining as I heave my leg on and off the bed and/or because it’s atrophying from under-use.  So even though I can actually walk faster and further than before on my crutches, going down a few stairs this weekend has either required mein Schatz to carry me (on Friday evening) or taking it extremely slowly (Saturday).

I’m going into so much detail because I’m anxious to manage public transportation on my own, so I can finally join the rest of my cohort for the beginning of the semester.  Stepping on and off buses and trams without killing myself has become my greatest concern.  Even once I manage to make it up to the university for the required seminars — which quite honestly, will probably require help  — I have a feeling its going to be awhile before I am able to be in my office every day, all day. Sigh.  This is totally *not* how I pictured my first semester.

Still, I’m trying to keep things in perspective and avoid feeling sorry for myself.  I’m also learning that trying to do too much too fast only ends up making my knee and muscles ache, which doesn’t get me anywhere.  Anyway, that’s the story for now.

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!