There it was again – the shooting pain in my left heel, which I was adamantly trying to ignore. But no, ignorance in this case was definitely not bliss. It was steadily increasing from the past couple of weeks. And my doubts about the cause of the pain was getting confirmed (by self only) as time went by. Long time ago, long long ago, I had a fracture on my left ankle – courtesy: lead & choreographer for the dance team – mishap at the practice session, but even longer ago, I already had the first fracture at the same place – courtesy: hit and run – no, not me. Someone hit me when I was driving a 2-wheeler. So the obvious conclusion (note: conclusion by self only) that it had acting up after all these years. By Thursday I had literally started limping – pretty embarrassing. So Friday ‘without much ado’ took an appointment with the Ortho at a hospital near home.
Got down from the bus and straight to the hospital – a quick enquiry ensured that I could go in right-away. What a relief – cos I hate waiting. A nice smile to the doc. Followed by a long explanation about the pain and the reason too. Obviously the doc gave me a look of ‘what am I here for’!!! One touch at the right spot of the heel and I wanted to scream – I could see stars all around me. And then immediately followed by the verdict – ‘you are getting aged’ – oh my god. My world just crumbled around me. Didn’t I get the youth elixir when I was born? What about the innumerable things which mom said – you’ll remain young as long as you are young at heart etc etc.. and here was this doctor standing in front of me – and saying the unthinkable, unimaginable and unacceptable. No, no, no…. this cant be happening to me. My innocent question about why only left heel was met with an even stoic answer of – its just a question of time, you’ll get it on the other heel too – i was almost in tears.
Slowly I came to grips with myself. Doc said it is ‘Plan-something-fas-something’ – I thought what the heck, I cant even pronounce it. Remembered Rajesh Khanna in Anand. I could not even comprehend what it was. And thought anyway he is going to write it on the prescription pad – so I did not showcase my ignorance – I was too incoherent by then anyway. But whatever it was, it was an expensive affair. Shelled down quite a bit for medicines and went home. You are absolutely right, the first thing I did was to google it – google should have a punch line ‘Google – the survival kit’. Discovered that I have something known as ‘Plantar Fasciitis’. When I read the whole thing, what the doc said made a lot of sense. Hot soaks, medicines, strict warning to change my footwear – any other circumstance, I would’ve jumped with joy – this meant, I could buy new series of footwear. But no, not in this case. I have to buy those medicated ones – how boring and unstylish. I hate them.
But doc has assured that there is no need to despair. Few precautions and medicines and my heel will be as good as new. So, maybe one of these days, I’ll surely get the magic portion to remain young forever – no hassles in having hopes right – what say?
