A couple months ago we had a ferocious wind storm that topped over our neighbours’ giant spruce tree. It was one of split trunk trees, so actually only half of the tree fell over. It still left quite the impression.
The neighbours had the rest of the tree taken out within the week.
Last Friday, feeling a bit ambitious, I decided it was time to clean the gutters on the garage where years of pine needles had collected and solidified. I got out the extension ladder and my new electric leaf blower and, knowing how packed in the needles are, I also grabbed some scrap wood from the garage to loosen them up.
I made sure to check that the ladder was secured — but I guess I must have extended the ladder at the very last minute — and then headed up hands full.
I was about 2/3rds of the way to the top when as I stepped, I suddenly felt the extension half of the ladder starting to slide down crushing my foot under my own weight. I pulled up on the outside wrings enough to slide my foot out only to have the ladder continue downward on my other foot. Once again I wrangled my foot out and once again the ladder came crashing down on my other shoe.
It was at this moment I acted too hastily and decided I needed to get both feet out at the same time (somehow). I feel so stupid — here I am still holding on to the leaf blower and scrap wood in my hands — what was I thinking? Surely I could have had the presence of mind to ditch it but no, I was determined to make it up the ladder.
I ended up not being able to get my foot out right away and the next thing I knew I had lot all contact with the ladder except for my stuck foot and felt myself falling backwards off the ladder. I felt that existential dread as I wondered how hard the ground was going to feel from and two meter drop straight onto my back.
As much as the fall hurt, I could tell right away that it was my foot that was most injured.
So a week later and I’m feeling mostly recovered. It’s still a bit black and blue in places but the doctor said she didn’t think it was broken and that with sprains, you can walk on them but to just take it easy and try to keep it elevated and on ice occasionally.