Dear Diary, I'm already getting sick of telling this story, which is too bad because I'm sure i'm going to have to tell it a billion more times in the next week or so. Here it is. I was coming down the stairs today, and the baby gate was up, as usual. And as usual, I grabbed the railings to help me jump over it. It's faster and more fun then just moving the gate. I always turn to the side a little bit so one foot lands first, in order to have more control of my landing. Unfortunately, this landing didn't go so well. I landed on the last stair--or at least, two of my toes did. The rest of me fell to the floor. It took about one minute before I'll admit, I started bawling. It hurt like the devil. I probably cried for about 30 minutes before my dad gave me a blessing and I calmed down. Later that night, my foot looked awful--a big huge bruise, and my toe was looking funny. I couldn't move it either, although it didn't hurt quite so much. But we finally figured we ought to go in and have them take a look at my foot. Feet have a tendancy to get injured in my family, so we figured they'd give me a funny shoe and some painkillers like they usually do. I went in and got an xray, and it showed something surprising. My toe is broken. And not just broken. It's a "spiral break," which means that the bone in my toe is all twisted. And THAT means, that in addition to the funny shoe and the painkillers, I was going to have to have something else in order for my foot to heal properly. I have to have surgery. If they don't go in and insert a metal pin, then my toe will always be crooked and probably won't heal at all. We were completely and utterly shocked at this. Surgery? Because I did something dumb on the stairs? We weren't even going to GO in to the hospital, but we called a family friend (Bro. Pederson, aka Dr. Pederson, aka Mike's dad) who said it'd be a good idea. And then we learn I have to have SURGERY. This is the second time any kid in my family has ever had to have surgery. The last one was about ten or fifteen YEARS ago. I do not want to have surgery. I'm really freaked out about this. I've never broken a bone, never had surgery, never even had stitches. The only time I've ever been hospitilized was for about five hours after an allergy attack. They gave me a shot and i.v., and then watched me fall asleep, then sent me home. But now I'm going to have to go to the OR and get knocked out so Brother Pederson can cut open my toe and stick a piece of metal in it. I am soooo scared. I haven't even told my parents how scared I am about this. I'm trying to turn it into a joke, trying not to think about it. But honestly. I start shaking every time I think about it. Not only do I have a freaking broken bone, but I have to have an OPERATION done on me. I'm really, really not going to like this at all... We calling Bro. Pederson tomorrow to see when we can get the surgery done... I am so, so freaked out. That's not the end of my story, either. I've been to three relatively blissful days back at Sky View. And I can't go to school tomorrow. And what's worse? I really doubt I'll be able to be in the Variety Show. I mean, they're going to operate on my FOOT. How can I dance around after that? The show is less than a month away... The blessing I had said I was going to regain full use of my foot and have no lasting effects from this, so at least I don't have to worry about that. But how long will I not be able to walk? How long will it take before I'm completely healed? I'm not a very patient person. Sue me, but I'd really like to walk like a normal person soon... And dance. And drive. Oh my heck I can't even DRIVE! Why couldn't it have been my left foot to break? I love driving so much. So yeah. I was in a LOT of pain, now I'm in a fair amount of pain. But mostly I'm in a great deal of emotional pain... No school, no drama, no driving... Broken toe, surgery, metal pin... I am totally and utterly freaked out/distressed/upset/sad/stunned over this. Sigh. Love, Lisa Ann April 10, 2006 Dear Diary, My internet wasn't working last night, so I'll just continue where I left off. I went to the doctor this morning and the good news is: I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY! At least, he's pretty sure I won't. He was able to twist the bone back into position and tape it to the other toe. As long as it stays, I'll be fine. It wasn't too painful. They gave me three shots, then he just pushed my toe back into place. I'm not feeling too much pain, although it is pretty sore. More good news. I should be able to walk within a few weeks without crutches. Whenever it feels comfortable to me, really. I'll probably be able to drive around then, too. There is bad news, of course. According to the doc, I'll be in this funky shoe healing for about six weeks. Six weeks! And even more, my foot will hurt for about three months. Not exciting. So I'm 85% sure I won't be able to dance in the variety show. And it breaks my heart. It's been over a year since I've been in drama, and now when I'm finally back... this happens... and I'm out again. I was crying all the way home from the doctors. Yes, I won't have surgery, but I was still upset about drama... Oh I love drama so much... I need to talk to Wharton pretty soon. Let her know what's going on and such... sigh... Anyway. I'm going to take a nap or something... It's not like there's much else to do... Love, Lisa Ann