Operation Homelife

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Year of the Curveball

By Krysta Murray

Sudden interruptions in our daily lives can leave us unsure of our next move, as I am currently experiencing. And I am not even referring to COVID-19, although that counts too.

In January of 2019 I was injured for the first time. Sure, I’ve had cuts and stitches growing up, illness that left me bedridden, but nothing that left me physically impaired.

When I was overseas I remember my friend had an emergency appendectomy and our husbands were deployed at the time. She had a one-year-old and a dog at home. Unexpectedly she couldn’t care for her child, she couldn’t even lift him up for a while. So friends came by, they stayed to care for her and her son, they left food until her husband could get back and help. It brought to mind that we were each other’s family, but it scared me to think, “Well this is all of us, it could be any of us.”

I had a severe upper respiratory infection while we were overseas with my husband deployed. Fever, aches and chills had me on the couch, lethargic and weak. Thankfully it was just two days, and friends stepped in to help. They’d stop by with soup, ask if I needed anything from the grocery store and check in on us. I was coherent and able to get up for meal preparation or diaper changes, but mostly my child watched a lot of TV for those two days.

These health events have made me aware that our children need to know how to call 911. In Spain, I had to teach my toddler how to use my cell phone and call 112 and say “English” and hope they could trace the phone, because we lived in a rural part of town on a dirt road with a Spanish road name he could not pronounce. I make sure he knows where the closest neighbors are just in case.

So back to January 2019, I went for a run and came home with an ankle three times the size it should be and limping. I knew it was my time. My husband was home and I am grateful for that, even though he had to take me to the emergency room in the middle of his team’s football game. (We are actually fans of competing conference teams in the NFL, so I added no one cares about his team.)

I got lucky; it was just a sprain, but it left me on crutches for a while, unable to drive, and on pain medication. A neighbor took my son to school for a week, a coworker drove me to the office for work, and after a time I could wear shoes and walk without aid. I made it through to recovery. I’m grateful for the child care my friends provided while I went to doctor

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” -Roger Crawford

appointments or I just needed some quiet time to rest.

Then two weeks ago I was exercising at home and did some jumps, that suffice it to say, I do not recommend. When I landed, my foot planted, but slipped out from under me. It twisted abruptly and popped. The pain was immediate. I couldn’t stand up. I had to crawl to something to pull myself up and limp my way to help.

Luckily my husband was home. It was the weekend and I yet again interrupted a football game his team was playing with my injuries. (Again, I tell him no one cares about his team so it’s fine, much to his chagrin.)

But I decided to wait it out and see if the swelling and pain subsided before seeking medical attention. And, how fortunate, I kept those crutches from the ankle sprain! But the pain didn’t improve.

The next day we went to the ER and X-rays showed no broken bones, but I did get some pain medication and an ACE wrap. I followed up with my doctor who referred me for an MRI. That revealed how much I really wish I just skipped those jump moves. My ACL has a complete tear; I have a small tear in my meniscus. I landed hard enough that my femur and tibia had contusions and the swelling was preventing my knee from bending or extending.

Sure enough I am now looking at knee surgery in my future. So these last couple of weeks I have been working on strengthening my knee. I tire faster than normal. I’m back to limping without crutches and I can flex my leg more each day. Some days the pain is worse than others and nights trying to sleep can be rough. As for surgery and post-surgery I am still figuring those details out.

If I look at the bright side, my husband is here to help after work. I don’t have to get my son to school because he is distance learning. I don’t have to get to work because I am remote right now. The military community is always so supportive and offered aid. My friends and neighbors assist as much as they can, family has volunteered to fly out and help. So I can’t forget all the things I have to be grateful for right now.

The next couple of months will not be easy. My husband had his ACL repaired a few years back and I am well aware of what lies ahead. Trips have been postponed. My workout goals have taken a hit. Just getting out is tough.

Like I said, some things we just can’t prepare for. Everyone is facing their own trials right now. We can only do our best. Create back-up plans. Ask for help when you need it. It’s worth remembering we don’t have to face challenges alone.