Grounded

Dec 28, 2021

As some of you know, I had an incident a couple of weeks ago that resulted in a broken nose. Yes, I'm okay. No, it wasn't from an aerial accident. While spotting a student, there was a rogue leg that came back just enough to catch my nose. It's one of those freak accidents that are a part of life, and a hazard of what I do as a performer and teacher.

So after my ever first nose bleed, lasting almost an hour, and a few hours in the ER, the doctor stitched my gash and told me I'd have to wait a couple of days for the swelling to go down before I could see another doctor, who would then pop my nose back into place. Until then: no performing, no working out, no going upside down, no sneezing, no drinking through a straw.

Six days later I was back in the hospital getting ready for my first "surgery". I'm not sure it actually counted as a surgery, but the Operating Room was involved... so we'll call it surgery. I don't know what they gave me but I remember rolling down the hallway to the OR and then waking up in my recovery room with splints inside and outside of my nose. I was informed that there would be at least a six week recovery time and six months until I knew if I would then need a post-traumatic rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty. That word conjures up some insane protuberance on my face; I'm already worried that my nose is going to look crazy for the next six months and you have to go and compare me to a rhinoceros? Anyway, I received instructions to return in a week for splint removal. Until then: no performing, no working out, no going upside down, no sneezing, no drinking through a straw.

It's now been two weeks since the accident; splints have been removed, the swelling and black eyes are almost gone, and my nose seems to be relatively straight again; no rhino vibes, I feel completely human, which is great. I have at least four more weeks of being super careful as, in my doctor's words, "If someone flicks your nose, it could go out of place again." Until then: no performing, no working out, no going upside down, no sneezing... But I can drink from a straw!

As much as being out of the air and not dancing is frustrating and I'm going a bit stir-crazy, I'm thankful that the recovery time is relatively short and that my first ever broken bone isn't one I actively use for performing... at least I don't think I have a very active nose while performing. I have been relatively good at following directions thus far, with what I feel are acceptable allowances, and will keep y'all updated on what happens next!

-Meredith

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