My journey started on January 25, 2014 while playing a doubles match in racquetball..the game that I love. When the right foot rupture occurred I honestly believed that one of our opponents slashed me with their racquet. I like to describe what I felt at that moment as a violent blow with a sledgehammer. Ouch! I wasn’t sure what exactly happened but I knew it wasn’t good. I was assisted off the court.

I was able to look at my ankle along with the rest of the gallery of players and it was clear that there was a good chance that my  Achilles ruptured. There was nothing left to do except fill out the incident report at gym (CYA) and then I was carted off to the nearest ER facility where it was confirmed that my Achilles did in fact ruptured based on the Thompson test.

If I don’t have any BAD luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all! Let me explain.

Two years prior to the date of the incident, I tore my peroneus brevis and longus tendons playing racquetball as well.  For over two years, I was trying to get my left foot to a point where it felt strong enough to get back on the racquetball court. I finally got my ankle strong enough through acupuncture and various ankle exercises.  I spent two months conditioning my body to get back playing competitively.  After building confidence in my foot and body,  I got back onto the court and played for a little over a month for 2 to 3 days a week. I thought I was conditioned and had done enough preparation.  I get on the court for my first competitive match after a two year layoff from an injury on the other foot and BOOM there goes the Achilles on the right foot.

BAD Luck….I really believe it!

These two incidents occurring, relatively back to back, should be an indicator to me that I either need to quit racquetball or find a better way to condition myself.  I am taking the route of conditioning myself better for the near future.

I sit in the ER.

How am I going to condition myself better thought takes a quick backseat to the reality of this rupture.  How drastic will my life change until I am better? How am I going to drive? How am I going to get food? Do I need surgery now? How am I going to use these crutches. How long will it be before I get back on the court. How will I change my diet so I don’t gain weight?

Sitting in the ER for four hours gives you plenty of time to increase your blood pressure, anxiety, and overall fear of the unknown.

I need a computer! I need Google! I need them NOW!