The end of the first trimester was very exciting for me. A whole week of sleeping, a trip to Chicago, an amazing Thanksgiving party, crazy shopping on Black Friday and ice skating were planned for the holidays. However, all of my dreams for the next nine or ten weeks were crashed by a five-second long event, cracking in my ankle.
Monday, November 25^th

I was dancing in my room. It was the usual short practice. After thirty minutes of stretching I decided to repeat my solo one more time. It was an inaccurate turn. I slipped, fell and I heard a loud crack in my leg.

I was at the Bronson Emergency room within the next fifteen minutes. I was yelling, screaming and swearing. It wasn’t inappropriate language. I was talking in Russian a lot and sometimes it sounds like swearing.
It was unusual for me that all of the paperwork took so much time. I was frightened and in pain. I apologized for calling everybody “turtles.” In my country, Ukraine, doctors do everything very fast. Bad, but fast. Right now I prefer quality more than speed.
So after three hours at the hospital, I came home with a diagnosis of a broken ankle, pain pills and an appointment with the surgeon. It was a crazy night without any sleeping.

Tuesday, November 26^th – Sunday, December 1^st

This week went very quickly. I made an appointment for my surgery on the next Friday. I couldn’t believe I needed it, but if it would help me return to dancing, I would handle it.

Sitting alone at home made me sad, but my friends came and lifted my spirit. I was feeling uncomfortable when moving on crutches, but I hoped I’d adjust to them. I took my pills every six hours so my ankle didn’t hurt so much. That gave me the ability to go to school the next day.
I’d have new classes and I was really excited because of that. Obviously I needed to change my first hour dance class, but hopefully I’ll enjoy it next trimester.
Monday, December 2^nd
Today was my first day at school on crutches. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a key for the elevator. Students that had the same problem last trimester didn’t return their keys, so I needed to go to the main office and ask about the elevator all of the time when I wanted to go down. I had to use the stairs to do this.
This extra walking made me so tired.

Tuesday, December 3^rd

I didn’t receive my key again. It was hard to move around. Guys, please return your keys if you don’t need them anymore.
Today I visited my surgeon Dr. Bowman. He was very nice, but I still felt nervous and scared. I hoped everything would be fine, but I’ll also need to wear a cast for six or eight weeks. Walking on one leg made me tired, but I have a strong spirit and I can do that.

Wednesday, December 4^th

I decided not to go to school in the morning because of some pain, but I changed my mind in five minutes. I would prefer to go to school and talk with people than sit at home doing nothing. I didn’t receive the key today again. It made me sad, but I love Loy Norrix!
Students helped me with doors when I asked. It’s not like in Ukraine. Only a few people will help you if you are on crutches over there, so I’m glad this accident happened in the U.S.

Thursday, December 5^th

All day I was thinking about my surgery. I couldn’t believe the doctor would put something in my leg for the rest of my life. I trusted Dr. Bowman. He did this surgery so many times. He was a professional, and that made me not so scared.
Today I received my key. Finally! I was so happy because I was not so tired as usual.

Friday, December 6^th

My surgery was today. I don’t want to scare you, so I won’t write a lot about it.
Dr. Bowman connected my bones with a plate and screws on one side and two pins on another. I know, it sounds like a horror, but it will help my bones to heal faster. Also I have a pain pump with tubes connected to my leg. They are not very attractive, so I’ll probably miss Winter Formal tomorrow because I don’t want to scare anybody.
Saturday, December 7^th
I didn’t go to Winter Formal today. I was so sad, especially since I’m an exchange student and there will be only one Winter Formal in my life. It sounds crazy because I have problems bigger than missing a dance, but it’s a tragedy if you are teenager. Hopefully, I’ll wear the dress that I bought another time.
I’m weak right now and can’t move as well as I did, but I’m happy that everything is finished. I’ll be on crutches for six or eight weeks, but I’ll have no more fear about the surgery. Pills will help me reduce the pain and I can return to school on Wednesday. The support of my friends will cheer me up and I’ll be the happiest person in the world.
10 things I hate about crutches:
1. I can’t hug my friends.
2. My brother gave me nickname “Crutchy”.
3. I’m tired all the time.
4. I can’t pick up something from the ground.
5. I need somebody to open and hold doors for me.
6. I need somebody to put assignments into the box in classes.
7. I can’t clean my desk and room.
8. I’m too slow.
9. I can’t do easy things.
10. Crutches make annoying sounds.