Ankle Accident...

At 7:04pm last night, Andrew's parents took him to the hospital for an ankle injury.

At 6pm, Andrew was taking Quinn to Jiu-Jitsu, and was backing out of the garage in the van. The snow was so blustery here, that it had piled up in front of the garage door sensor, and the door was not going down. Andrew stepped out of the van, and was walking up to the garage door when he slipped. Quinn bravely came inside to get me, and our neighbour Bill and I helped Andrew into the house. We elevated his ankle, and put ice in it, and called Jan. I had been on the phone with her when Quinn came in to get me, so she was likely very concerned. She and Dick came over immediately (or as quickly as they could in last night's weather). Jan called her brother (and Chief Orthopedic Surgeon at CHEO) JG who told her all the trauma guys are in BC for a conference, but that the Queensway Carleton hospital was a fine place to take an ankle injury. The ankle hadn't bruised, and had just started to swell minimally, but Andrew said the pain was increasing with time. Unfortunately, it is his right side, which has significantly less feeling than his left, due to his 1990 car accident.

Quinn was quite worried about his Dad, but felt proud for helping out. It was quite alarming to see Quinn rush in and hear him say “Dad has fallen on the ice”, only to get out to the driveway to see Andrew flat on the ground. My first thought was his head, then his arm... so we are thankful it is “only” his ankle...

Dick called just after 9pm to say Andrew definitely broke his ankle — a spiral fracture. They were waiting for an Orthopedic Technician to plaster it up. Six to eight weeks in a cast. No driving. Wheelchair at work. I thought “This is bad”. It will be very rough to manage. Andrew is feeling very disappointed, and a bit foolish for slipping. Ridiculous, as it could have happened to anyone.

We’re just looking at our schedule for the nest several weeks, trying to figure out how we are going to manage our various appointments and obligations. It will definitely be a time when we need to lean on family and friends for support and assistance, and we Thank You in advance for your help.