A funny thing happened

I was so excited to attend the 75th American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Boston MA. Earlier this year I applied and had been awarded for a scholarship from the Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF) to attend the premier diabetes related scientific conference. I was excited to meet people from the DHF, the Diabetes Online Community (DOC) and others who I have developed working and social relationships with over the past few years. I was pumped, (I know bad metaphor) to attend the ADA sessions.

History repeats

Then a funny thing happened on the way to the ADA. Let me start by saying I have a history with travel related incidents. My friends say I have caused hurricanes, earthquakes, keys locked in cars (while running), gas line explosions, or building collapses, I am said to have caused mayhem and chaos wherever I go. I have prematurely caused airplanes to land because I had a diabetic low, been evacuated from buildings because they are not structurally sound, and flooded out of rooms because of torrential downpours. I once found myself in the ER at the Baltimore Mercy Hospital on a Friday night with (this will sound strange if you have ever been to the Baltimore Mercy Hospital) a broken arm. Why you might ask is it strange? As I was enjoying my long wait with gang members, and gunshot victims I became somewhat of an oddity in that place, because it was clear I had a low need injury. Look that guy broke his arm, man sitting in here all night for a broken arm, dam I got shot my toes off, and he is in line? I was comforted that my warm ice pack might give me some defense if things really got testy.

When I was seen in Baltimore I was rewarded with pills to reduce the pain and cab fare to a hotel I could not remember the name of and an escort to my hotel room to enjoy the miracles of modern pain management. I woke up several hours later wondering what the hell had happened, how I got there and who I was. It was a strange night and even now 12 years later I still have flashbacks about what I saw and experienced. These are not good memories.

Boston bound?

Which leads me to today and the funny thing that happened on my way to Boston. I broke my foot. I wish I had a good story, I do not. I simply stepped and pop my foot was broken. It hurt badly and walking was a challenge, but I was determined to go on. So I calmly walked into McAlister’s and ordered my chili (half vegetable, half regular) and sat down. I told Sheryl I thought I had hurt my foot and recognizing history she said yeah well maybe you need to get that looked at. This occurred on Sunday, on Tuesday (I am a man after all) I went to the doctor and he said well dude you broke your foot.

Hmm, so what about Boston? He replied it is a great city. He remarked about the seafood, the view of the bay, and the remarkable history. I listened patiently. Then I said, I am leaving for the ADA conference on Friday can I go. Certainly he said. Oh cool, I said. But, and this is the where things went horribly wrong, you will need to wear a Frankenstein boot, ride around on a scooter, and elevate it a good part of the day. Well you see doctor I cannot do that was my reply. I am taking public transit, staying a few miles away, and I plan to walk around all day. Well he said you can do that, but and again this is where things went horribly wrong, you will likely do further damage and require surgery.

So your choice is this: stay home, do not push it too much and hope it heals so you can avoid surgery or push it and almost certainly guarantee surgery. Hmm, Baltimore immediately came to mind, I wondered actually out loud if they have big public ER’s in Boston. If so might I get to spend a night on the floor of my hotel and then have flashbacks of gunshot wounds, and being the guy who gets laughed at because my little foot hurts?

Decisions decisions

As appealing as an adventure as an evening in a Boston ER might be I decided to stay home. The foot will be more comfortable, and it will likely heal with no surgery. As a bonus I will not spend a night with my head buried in a hotel carpet, examining residue from other guests and life will go on.

It was the right decision, but sometimes the right decision is difficult, this is one of those times. I was so excited to join everyone in Boston. I was looking forward to attending the scientific sessions and I wanted to walk the exhibitor’s hall collecting diacrap which I would bring home like trophies of my adventures.

I had a plan going into my trip. Being selected was a once in a lifetime opportunity. So few people get the chance to go, let alone to attend with the DHF. Not going is very upsetting. But not going might save surgery on a broken foot and if it does all I can say is that I still missed the chance of a lifetime and I am still bummed out. To those who get to go, have fun, collect the diacrap and enjoy the sessions. I and my foot will be with you in spirit but not the ER in Boston.

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