Last Friday was a banner day for me. I have kept quiet since then, not sure when exactly to spill the news. I went to my Orthoped. I hobbled in on crutches. First I saw the "young Dr. Miguel" (I think that his name, don't know why I cannot remember it.) He asked how I was feeling. I told him that most of the time I feel good although I do have days with considerable amounts of pain.
He had me lay down on the table. He moved my leg in many different positions. This way, that way, back and forth. It was only painful in one direction. He was amazed at my mobility. He went to get EL DOCTOR: (He is the main man who doesn't see patients, but he is seeing me as a courtesy to another one of my doctors) He too twists my leg in many directions. "Your mobility is excellent." He looks at the results of my cat scan.
"You are amazing" he tells me. Not only because of my age, but because the fracture I suffered could have been a potential nightmare had my bones not been so strong. "You can resume your normal life." I am not sure what I am hearing. "No more crutches?" I ask tentatively. EL DOCTOR smiles and say "Yes, of course. Do what you want. If you are tired or have pain, stop."
"The gym?" I ask. He smiles and nods "But be careful with those giros and ochos." I realize now that I can dance. I am ecstatic. Now he wants to check my knee. He presses in one place and it is not bad. Then he finds the "magic" spot. I shoot through the ceiling with pain. He orders me to get an MRI and to be careful with my knee. Oh duh, I do not want surgery. Another month off my feet would kill me. He gives me a prescription for the MRI and for more physical therapy.
The first place I go is to take back my crutches. The guys remember me. They are so happy I do not have to use crutches any more. Then I walk down Cordoba to the subte. It has been almost 3 months since I have taken the subte. I feel so free. No more taxis!
In the week I have been crutch-free I have gone back to my normal "Deby-life". I am back at the gym, I am doing pilates and yoga, and I am dancing. First tentatively. When Roberto came to the door last Friday for a private lesson with one of our students I said nothing. It took him awhile to catch on. "Donde esta tus muletas?" he asks. (Where are your crutches) I tell him the news. He breaks into a huge smile and gives me a hug.
That night after the class we go to Avellneda to dance. I am wearing flat boots. I still cannot use heels. I dance with Dany. I love to dance with Dany. He is so light on his feet, a big teddy bear. He is still too scared to dance with me. He is worried he will break me. I dance with Christopher. Juan Pablo does not dance with me. He has visions of being a profesional dancer. I think my dancing with Roberto all the time intimidates him. Who knows...he is still a sweetie.
People come to the table to greet me. They are happy to see me without my crutches. Then Roberto takes me to dance. No matter how much we fight, no matter how angry I am with him, and he with me, there is nothing to compare to being in his arms. I go into some other place that I cannot describe. It is just the music and being able to move as one. It is an addiction, a passion. While he does not like to admit it, I know it is the same for him.
The song stops and I open my eyes. As I reorient myself I realize that people are clapping. Roberto turns me to face people. I realize they are clapping for me, for our dance. I am always surprised at this. I look at him at little dazed. "Muy bien" he says to me as he leads me back to the table.
When we arrive back at my apartment he comes upstairs with us. We sit on the couch and take mate. "I am happy you are dancing again," he tells me. "I am happy with your dance." He kisses my forehead and shakes his head. He stops to think about what he has said. "Well, you still have some defects in your dance...but we will work on them." I look at him and say nothing. I make a face that always brings him to his knees "No querida, you will dance better than before. Now your passion is higher because you could not dance. You will see." I want to kill him. But I cannot. Instead I go into his arms for a hug. I have my tango back.
So you're the one on crutches who was having the book swap that I missed? Too bad, because as it turns out, you're very attractive. Good to hear you're not hobbling around anymore. Or maybe you are? This is kind of an old post.
Posted by: Bill | September 28, 2006 at 11:06 PM
yes caroline I am here as well writing a comment .
I am Argentine and we are not afraid to speak our minds
Posted by: ramon | July 29, 2006 at 08:12 AM
I will say that I love your site its a testament to argentine culture and tango.
What I dont understand is why the expatriates moving to argentina are critising the place so much I mean do they have to live here ?
This is a developing country and when you get people moving here and complaining about the dog shit graffiti and lack of food options I find this very very trivial.
America is now systematically destroying the middle east while the world watches and human rights in the usa are much worse than argentina.
So a short note to you whinging expatriates look at the positive or move out
Posted by: ramon | July 28, 2006 at 08:05 PM
Hi Deby, so glad to see that you're crutchless! That must have felt so good.
Posted by: caroline | July 24, 2006 at 12:33 PM
Yay! I am so happy for you Deby!
Posted by: miss tango | July 22, 2006 at 08:06 PM