Stupid Guest Tricks

I have to vent some frustration somewhere, hope y'all don't mind.

I've been hobbling around for a few months now with my right ankle hurting. For a while I almost couldn't walk on it, but it does help having a retired physical therapist in my neighborhood (who also happens to be my mom and treats me for free!). Wearing a brace and using crutches for a few weeks made it better, but it hasn't healed, so off to a specialist I went.

I’ll know next week when the MRI results come back how extensive the damage is, but it looks like there’s a blown tendon, and worse, it was caused by an abnormality in my ankle that has probably been present all my life and is just now showing its effects.

Best case scenario is that I’ll be fitted with a special brace that will alleviate the problem – but not cure it. More likely, unfortunately, is surgery to not just repair the damage, but completely rebuild my ankle and foot. That surgery would require me to be off my feet for three months.

Honestly, while the thought of surgery (and the expense of it) doesn't thrill me, I'd just as soon get it done and over with. But I'm bummed about it the most right now because this is keeping me from singing with the VM. As it is, I can only stand for 30-40 minutes before it becomes too painful, so I've had to be sitting out in rehearsals, and I'll miss a show this weekend in east Texas and probably our Fall shows next weekend. And even if I do the surgery right away it'd take me out for the remainder of the year, meaning I'd miss our District competition, a show series in Hot Springs, AR, our Christmas shows, and probably a few recording sessions. I love rehearsing and performing with the chorus so much, and it just pains me to think of how much I'll miss.

I know it's for the best long-term to go ahead and get it done, I'm just frustrated about it. Thanks for letting me vent here.

You mean you couldn't sing from a wheel chair?

I bet the whole chorus would support you if you had the surgery and sang setting down. Although I realize you wouldn't be able to sing properly in a setting position.

Bummer, Wombat. Sorry to hear you've been hurting (I know how that feels) and that you'll probably need surgery. What a pain in the a$$. No, wait, I mean in the foot. :(

I should think the VM would allow you to participate in a wheelchair. What if there was a physically challenged singer who wanted to join the chorus - wouldn't they be accommodated? Is it a requirement that you have to stand on those risers in order to sing? Sounds discriminatory to me. It would be a shame if you couldn't participate in some way when it means so much to you and you obviously contribute so much to the chorus.
Here's hoping they find a way to accommodate you before and after your surgery.

Oh, don't worry about that aspect of it. Sorry if I made it sound like the VM is forcing me out. Far from it! The VM guys are awesome and very supportive! I've already been getting wonderful email messages from various members, and even our director, who know of the situation. I know they would accommodate me to the extent possible.

I've seen choruses perform and even compete with members seated or in wheelchairs -- in fact, the director of one nearby chorus (which also competes and does very well) is chairbound. Another chorus I saw last year in Denver on the International stage incorporated one member's chair into its choreography in amazing ways. So it's not all prohibited or even discouraged. It's just not for me.

The thing is that in the chorus competition world the Vocal Majority is, without exaggeration, the equivalent of an eleven-time Super Bowl champ, and to be a member is to commit to that standard of excellence. I do so voluntarily and enthusiastically. So the decision to come off the risers is mine alone -- I don't want to do anything to diminish the quality of the chorus, and if I can't give 100%, I'm out of there.

So I'm frustrated, yes, but not at all with the VM, just with the situation.

Can I hire you to be my lawyer? Anyone who is that conscientious and loyal to an organization is probably that way with clients as well.

Go ahead and continue to vent your frustrations. You know this is a safe place to do that and you'll get lots of empathy here, and maybe a little sympathy, too. :) If you recuperate faster than expected, maybe you'll only be out a couple of months. Time your surgery so you'll be back on your feet for the most important events. And while you're under anesthesia, have them feed you the words and music of any new material so you can learn it while you're asleep. :D:

Very sorry, Wombat, that Sucks! I wish there was some compromise you would be comfortable with. :(

Big Hugs and prayers.

I like your idea of "Do it and get it over with as soon as possible" as I would make the same decision. Though the thought of being pushed around and riding in a chair is a load of fun, I'd know I'd soon get sick of people's posteriors in my face. As for your performances, if don't desire to perform, be the worlds biggest sideline cheerleader for your buddies who will be.

That really stinks. I'm glad VM is being supportive... certainly not surprised though, from what you've said here and told me about them.

Hopefully, when you get whatever procedure done that needs to be done, it won't take as long as they say. But when it comes time to do the procedure, I think you need to have it done at Celebration Hospital. It's one of the nicest hospitals I've ever seen, and it's built on the edge of Disney property. I definitely think that going to Celebration for the procedure will make your recovery time much better.

Big Wallaby wrote:Hopefully, when you get whatever procedure done that needs to be done, it won't take as long as they say. But when it comes time to do the procedure, I think you need to have it done at Celebration Hospital. It's one of the nicest hospitals I've ever seen, and it's built on the edge of Disney property. I definitely think that going to Celebration for the procedure will make your recovery time much better.

Hmm... I like the idea. I'm not really sure how I could justify that to my insurance... or my family... or my employer. Or my surgeon, for that matter. But I like it.

Thanks for all the love and support, everyone. I'm slowly getting over my pity party, and I've accepted that I'll just be backstage at our Fall shows this weekend. It's still frustrating, but I'll survive until I get whatever orthotics or surgery it takes to get me back on my feet.

On the other hand, the arrival of this picture in my email yesterday really cheered me up:



It's VM's truck, redone with completely new graphics for the first time in years, and they used a big group shot that has me in it! Whatever happens with me, this'll be around for 7-10 years before it's time to redo it again. It's not exactly my name in lights on Broadway, but it'll do!