2 Toe, 3 Toe, 4 Toe, No Toe
November 21, 2017 Uncategorized 4 comments sdrew18
Eleven years ago, I experienced something traumatizing that would continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I screamed at the top of my lungs, a blood curdling scream, that would raise the hair on the back of your neck and coat your body in goosebumps. As I am sitting on the floor not able to fully process what is happening, the next thing I see, to distract me from the pain, was my mother sprinting toward me, to save me. I knew I messed up when I saw my toe hanging by a thread. My greater mistakes were wearing no shoes, while pretending to be a cat, on a treadmill.
I was rushed to the emergency room with my whole entire pinky-toe bone exposed, I had time to reflect on what I had done wrong, especially with my parents scolding me about it the whole ride there. I had to explain to the doctor how I ended up like this. My brief summary, give or take a few sniffles and sobs here and there, consisted of; “My foot had gotten sucked under the belt and it just kept going around and around slowly slicing off my little ligament, and luckily, my mom was close by and able to unplug the machine.” The doctor told me that had my toe been in there any longer I would have lost it completely. He was able to repair my toe, stitching the unattached back on. I remember reading, or rather screaming, a Dr. Seuss book to distract myself from the fact that a needle was being woven through my sensitive skin. I had definitely learned my lesson, because if I were wearing shoes, I would not have gotten a gory view of what my bloody bone looked like, I wouldn’t have gotten scolded by my parents, and most importantly, I wouldn’t have had to get my toe stitched back on.
I can honestly say that I have never stepped on a treadmill without at least socks on since that event. Mistakes were made, and I learned that I shouldn’t use a treadmill as a playground, and especially not without shoes on. While my imagination was wildin’, I now know to find safer places to pretend to be a cat getting checked out at the grocery store.
4 Comments
This is quite the story. I’m sorry you had to experience this as a child, but I really have to ask you a question. What made you pretend to be a cat getting checked out at the grocery store?
I remember you telling me this story among others in primary school. It was have been a traumatic experience for such a young child. I like how you started out in the beginning, without telling us exactly what had happened keeping people in suspense.
Your title is very fitting and humorous, it drew me into your post and emphasizes the story you wrote. I love your avid description and how it courses throughout the story to illustrate your situation. I found this story very funny, however I’m sure that it was very traumatic for you. I am sorry that you had to experience such pain.
I agree rswan18, I too had that question…what possesses someone to go on a treadmill and pretend to be a cat being checked out at the grocery store? I suppose children have a vivid imagination, but I guess Sydney had one that is one of a kind. I think it’s silly that she did this but I’m also glad to hear this story because it made my day a little better. It is too bad that she got hurt while doing it but I guess her vivid imagination has made her a better and funnier person in the end. This piece has taught me to chase my dreams of being a cat at a grocery store even if it seems unfeasible.