17th April, 2024
Sometimes We Fall
April 4, 2024
It’s not just sailing in bad weather that can make sailing dangerous. There are many other ways to get hurt on a boat. Just ask me. I’ve done it three times. Once I fell down the companionway steps and twice, I fell through a hatch.
It was late afternoon on Easter Sunday. We had plans to go to our friends for dinner but first, we were finishing our chores. Jay was pumping out the bilge and I was helping. He asked me to get the funnel on the opposite side of the boat. Before I could reach it, I heard, “Oh shit!” He had spilled some of the oil sludge onto the teak floor. “Can you get me the rag? It’s in the cockpit.” Up I went into the cockpit, grabbed the rag, came down the companionway steps, and handed Jay the rag.
Just below the companionway steps is an open hatch. The hatch was open because Jay was also working on a mystery water leak. There is only about six inches between the steps and the hatch which – in the urgency of the moment – I proceeded to forget about, and stepped back, falling into the hole about two feet.
There was screaming, a lot of swearing, and a few tears. Jay pulled me out, and I curled into a ball, nursing my wounds.
An hour later, I was sitting in the cockpit with a swollen foot covered in ice and drinking tequila. (Thanks to our friends Bob and Brenda who came to help.)
Now what? The marina had a wheelchair, so I rallied, and we went to our friends for our Easter dinner.
Two days later, I decided to get an X-ray. Luckily for me, the closest hospital is within walking distance. We walked in, (well, I was in the wheelchair) paid $54, and immediately got an X-ray.
“Three fractures,” the technician said. “I suggest you see an orthopedic surgeon.”
“Is it possible I can wait until I get home in two weeks?” I asked wanting to postpone the inevitable.
“Well… maybe but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
He then proceeded to tell us that there was an orthopedic surgeon upstairs and that he could call to see if we could get in. We agreed. When he hung up the phone, he escorted us up to the surgeon’s office.
Dr. Rosas showed us the X-ray and explained that I had three metatarsal fractures. He did not recommend surgery. He said I would heal, albeit slowly. A few prescriptions, instructions to stay off my foot, $75, and we were all done.
Jay asked Dr. Rosas about his background. He studied in Mexico City and Boston and did his fellowship at Harvard. My experience with the medical industry in Mexico has been great and I’m so grateful. In the States, it probably would have taken me a week, at least, just to get an appointment with a doctor. And note the cost compared to ours in the States.
I have decided to try and be a gracious patient. I don’t want to complain. I want to rise to the challenge but… It is only day four and I am already having a difficult time. First, because anyone who knows me well knows I have little patience. And second, I don’t like to sit for long periods of time.
Yet, here I sit, unable to move easily. I am forced to embrace life lessons I have yet to conquer, patience and stillness.
April 17, 2024
It has been a little over two weeks since I fractured my foot. I’ve managed to get around the boat, the airport, airplanes, and staircases. But not without help. Jay has been great considering I had to leave him with all the responsibilities of closing up the boat, carting the suitcases, and helping me with every little thing. Our friends and family have chipped in too. It’s not fun feeling like such a burden. Being vulnerable and asking for help is not easy for me. Probably another lesson.
Sometimes I feel like crying. Other times, I feel like screaming. True, it could be worse. But realizing that, doesn’t make my situation any easier.
Our Mexico sailing season has ended. We are back on Martha’s Vineyard. I am in the comfort of my own home. I am focusing on healing by staying off my foot, eating the right foods, taking vitamins, and getting enough sleep.
I miss taking walks. I miss practicing yoga. I miss a lot of things I sometimes take for granted.
Patience my inner voice speaks to me. Patience.
I am so sorry to hear that you had this very unfortunate accident, Terri. Sending love and healing vibes all the way from La Cruz to Martha’s Vineyard. We look forward to your return, as always. xoxo
Thank you, Charity!
Isn’t that the way of boat life??!! 😬 Happy
for you to be back in the comfort of your home, and saying my prayers for full healing and…patience!
Ending the Mexican season is hard enough without that extra stress! Heal up and here’s hoping your summer goes better.
Even monkeys fall from trees. Here’s my similar story:
Two boats back. I was working on the boat when I stepped down off the cabin top, expecting to step onto a level deck and not looking where I was going. In fact, I was stepping off the back of the cabin where the side slopes at an angle. Painful twist of the ankle followed by a string of specialized sailor words. I decided to tough it out and keep going until about an hour later when a friend came by. I told what happened and he asked if I had actually looked at the ankle to assess the injury. Much to my embarrassment i confessed I hadn’t. “Don’t you think you ought to?” When I did, I found my ankle swollen up to the size of a grapefruit. Turned out I had a chip fracture and had to wear a walking cast.
Now that’s a big boat bite!! Dang!! I hope you are feeling better soon! It truly sucks not being able walk, exercise, etc. Sitting still just isn’t in our wheelhouse, that’s for sure! Hugs to you and Jay! ❤️
Dang, girl! I just hated reading about this. I’m glad you’re home now and doing what you need to do to heal. i totally get the being impatient part. in time, Terri, in time.
Glad you are safely back on Martha’s Vineyard and can truly rest your foot. Looking forward to our Facetime chat soon! Anxious to hear all the details of your journey home!
Sorry to hear you broke your foot. OUCH! Sending good thoughts and hope you heal fast!
Sometimes God makes us still for whatever reason. It’s by far not easy but the things you learn,the take away so much more than we can imagine. Godspeed Terri. Love you!
So sorry for your fall! I understand about how hard it is to ask for help, and slow down when we are “doers!” I am glad you are here on MV – enjoy the relaxed, not-yet-summer pace around here now. Hope to see you soon, when you are feeling better! ❤️
Terri, Just reading this. So so sorry to hear of your fall. So hard to sit still. Patience is the key. Find some new outlets. Do you meditate? It’s quite helpful. Sending this to you from Morocco where Lon and I are for a couple of weeks with 3 other couples. Unbelievable landscape, cuisine, artisans and lovely people. Miss you and hope our paths cross soon.
Heal quickly, Terri, the world needs you.
So sorry for your injury-glad that you are home and healing. The last weeks on the boat with packing and cleaning etc must have been so very difficult. Loved hearing about the great medical care-both the access and cost! If you get near Savannah please give us a call. Hugs to you and Jay. Barb and Ed
Yes Terri patience! I hate feeling like a burden too. Like you I love to move and do yoga but with nine surgeries in the last 10 years it has not been easy. Just found out I have more surgeries to go. Yes, screaming and crying too and I am not one to scream and cry! All I can say is be thankful for what you have, it could be a lot worse. Love, prayers, and healing to you and Jay too!
What a story! So sorry you (and Jay) had to deal with this at the end of your wonderful winter journey. But I’m glad you’re on the mend and will look forward to seeing you on the Island soon. And the note about the health care access and cost comparison is a striking reminder about how broken our American system is. Up-side—more stationary time for writing?
Terri, My dear friend I could feel your frustration in each word I read. Thank God it was not worse. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to heal properly. Prayers and love and hugs.
Hi Terri, Sorry you crashed! Love hearing about good doctors in MEX! We did have to fly my Mom home to Long Beach from Guaymas/Bahia San Carlos once for a broken hip, doctors great, hospitals not so much. Good call on the metatarsals. With patience you should be good as new <3. Cheryl
The joys of boating! No, seriously I hope you begin to feel better soon. Foot fractures are never fun, but at least you can now relax in the comfort and lap of luxury at home. Take care!
Moe
A good heads up, heads down, eyes forward, eyes back, we just can’t be too cautious when onboard. Can you imagine if you were out doing a passage, your story would have quite a few more words to reach its end.
I’m glad you were in port and happy you found such good medical attention. Here’s to a complete Tequilla recovery.
I am about to board my INNcredible Sea Lodge reincarnated Island Girl, now docked in Marina Del Rey. The new owner Kurt asked me to assist him moving her to a new home – Papagaya, Costa Rica. We set sail May 1 and will probably be offshore for most of May – a marathon of nearly 3000 nm.
I’m hoping to make it back home by May 30, my birthday, for which I’ve scheduled a long awaited finally -my first book launch, fifty years in the making.
All the best to you and Jay,
Brian
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. So glad you got it looked at right away and didn’t need surgery (small blessings?) Do you have one of those knee scooters? They get you around pretty good. We’ll be up in about a month if all goes as planned. Hope to see you then!