By By Janet Little Cooper
I got a little confused when I sat down at my desk Monday morning. The dates on my calendar just weren't quite matching up with what I was working on. Then I remembered my calendar had not been updated since my sudden departure from the office on Aug. 12.
Not only did I tear off the August calendar, but September and October as well. My boss heard the crumpling of paper and asked what I was doing. As if he didn't know, I informed him that I was updating my calendar since I hadn't been at work in a while!
Three months have come and gone since I took that fateful step that led to three torn ligaments and a dislocated knee that could only be repaired through surgery.
It is amazing how time flies and stands still at the same time. My job is extremely time oriented with a deadline around every corner.
I was scheduled to cover Taste of the South the day of my accident. Doctors at ACH emergency room were quick to point out that I wouldn't be strolling through Heritage Park that night or any other night for that matter.
The extent of injuries forced me to work from home via telephone and email. During that time, my days were still dictated by deadlines, but took a sudden change when I had to shut down my home office for surgery.
Despite the pain associated with surgery and physical therapy, medical leave provided a nice break from the chaos and pressure associated with deadline days. After the pain medicines wore off, it did not take me long to get adjusted to what felt like much longer days, weeks and weekends.
Without a deadline attached to me, the new season premiers were used to gauge my time. "Price is Right" at 10 a.m., "Dr. Phil" at 3 p.m. "Oprah" at 4 p.m., "The Bachelor" in Rome on Mondays, "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday and Wednesday followed by "Lost." Then there's "Ugly Betty" on Thursday and "Grey's Anatomy." Oh and don't forget "Deal or No Deal," what I consider to be the best game show of all time, although, I still pledge my allegiance to the "Wheel of Fortune!"
The sounds of sirens and speeding cars even began to dull as I realized that I could not run jump in my car for a high-speed chase. As if crutches and a brace were not enough to slow me down, I was banned from 'operating heavy machinery' during my leave as well.
I am back behind the wheel of my car now after my doctor released me to return to work. And believe it or not, I am not as thrilled about it as I thought I would be.
It could be the fact that it takes me a while to get in and then get my crutches in and that it hurts to push the gas pedal past 60 mph. Which if you are familiar with my driving you would know that 60 mph is my starting speed! Getting out of the car is not much better either.
And to top it off, even though I am back in the office, I am pretty well confined to 'desk work' for a while longer, leaving me out of the police and fire chases.
I suppose that is good however. Better to ease back into to things than to jump full force. I don't have a good track record when it comes to jumping or walking for that matter!
Deadline days will be back before I know it in full force and with a fury, so I might as well enjoy my slower pace while I can.
Sometimes it is good to sit still in life and watch the days go by. My time off was therapeutic in many ways, but if my first day back at work is any indication I will be back on the fast track crutches or no crutches in no time. Glad to be home and look forward to seeing you out and about soon.
Janet Little Cooper is editor of the Atmore Adavnace. She can be reached at 368-2123.