Make it stop!

The plan was a good one. Jana and I left early this morning and headed up north to Lake Chabot again. We had her two dogs, my daughter's dog Bella, and of course Boomer. I wanted to do the inner loop the opposite direction this time. This meant heading west from the marina and dropping down to Columbine Trail after a couple of miles, for some fun single track trails. I was wearing my new knee brace, like the good girl I am. We were all having a marvelous time. And the scenery was awesome.

The black doggies on Columbine Trail.

At exactly the half way point, I hit something on the trail and heard a couple of snaps in my ankle as it twisted underneath me. The pain was overwhelming. I immediately called out to Jana and plopped down on my butt. I took off my shoe (why I always do this, I have no idea) and already it was swelling up. I saw stars in front of my eyes and I thought for sure I was going to pass out. I just kept saying Jana's name over and over, and how much it hurt.

Of course we had no phone signal. I was able to send a text to Keith to let him know I had hurt myself. Probably a mistake because we were never able to touch base with each other again so he had NO IDEA what the hell was going on. Jana and I didn't know which direction to go to get help. I couldn't put any weight on my foot. My shoe wouldn't go back on. Jana went forward, thinking the campground might be close and she could get some help there. The three black dogs went with her and my little son stayed right there with me. He lay down on the trail and just sat there. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. He stayed very calm.

Jana and the dogs came back 30 (or so) minutes later. No help. We decided we should try to go back the way we came. Plus, we had no phone signal and needed to call SOMEBODY. We tried everything to get me moving. Now, you remember when I ran out of Big Basin in May with my sprain, right? Yah, that was not happening today. Jana found a big stick and I tried to hobble with that. I tried holding onto her. I just couldn't move beyond a few steps. After a few minutes a very nice hiker named Miguel came up on us. After telling him what happened, he asked how much I weigh. I told him and he said he could carry me out. Really?! Well, I'll give it a try. So, on his back I went. This nice Miguel carried me on his back for at least a mile, up and down the single track trail. We had to take a few breaks, only at my request because my thighs were hurting. Jana stopped when she got a signal and made a few phone calls, trying to get someone to meet us on the fire road at the bottom of Columbine.

We finally heard someone yelling, "Hello?" We yelled back and he told us to stay put. It was a firefighter for the East Bay Regional Parks District, with a two-way radio. He told me the firefighters and ambulance were on their way. WHAT? I don't want or need a stinkin' ambulance. I just need a ride to my car at the marina so Jana can get me back to Fremont and I can go to my doctor. GAH! A EBRPD motorcycle policeman showed up. He wanted all my information. An EBRPD medic showed up and gave me an ice pack and took my vitals. Then finally, four firefighters showed up with a big basket on a big wheel. They made a splint for my foot and loaded me up. They wheeled me out the 3/4 mile to a wider portion of the trail. Here is the ambulance waiting. Lovely! I just want a ride to my car. We go back and forth about me getting taken to the local hospital in the ambulance. No thank you. But you really should...... No thank you. They finally agree to load me up and take me to my car, even though I refuse treatment. A ranger, along with the EBRPD firefighter, lead the way with Jana and the four dogs in the back of the pick-up truck. Then me in the ambulance. Then the cop on the motorcycle. We get back to the marina and who is there? My husband. He went through his own trials and trouble to even find out where I was at the lake. LORD!

I thanked everybody, apologized for being so much trouble. I really felt like a heel. It's only a sprained ankle. I went to the doctor, got more friggin' X-rays. I slapped the doctor's hand and she made me cry by asking me "does it hurt here?" I screamed at the X-ray technician after she touched me "here." I was given a big black boot to wear this time and told to stay off of it for two weeks and then see a podiatrist.

I'm not making light of this at all. This sprain is much worse than my last one. Thankfully I didn't break something. I know now, I should have let my ankle heal fully. It's just so darn difficult for me. Running is my drug of choice and it truly helps me stay sober. Being out in the woods clears my mind and makes everything right. It adjusts my mood, when needed. Seeing that it is so important to me, I really need to get myself completely well. I know this. Now I have to accept this. That's the hard part. But I have to do it.

Thanks for listening.

Until later.............