This will be the last installment of my broken leg peril. I am telling this final accounting because people are asking questions about my lack of crutches and I am elated to share the news.

The good news came by way of my orthopedist last week. My broken leg has healed sufficiently for me to begin walking on it. That was music to my ears. I have to admit I had been fudging some — testing the old girl to see if she was strong enough. She was.

When I fell six weeks ago, I also hurt my foot and a toe. At the time, doctors were more concerned with the part of my body that was more severely injured. At my most recent doctor’s visit, I requested an X-ray of my foot just to know for sure. And sure enough, it appears that I also broke a bone in my foot. Luckily, it has healed with my leg.

Initially the doctor thought I would be on crutches until December. I’m thinking I’ll discard the sticks by the weekend.

*****

One more side note — be thankful for your health. My dad used to always say, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” Those words fell on deaf ears because I was healthy when I heard them. Since I’ve aged — it seems like it’s been downhill since I turned 45 — I have a new appreciation for good health.

I also have a new appreciation for those who have health problems or injuries that require them to be on crutches or in wheelchairs. No fun.

One good thing came of it — I cleaned my house differently. I could see crevices on the stove where dirt was hiding and I was closer to the floor where I could see areas that were missed before.

Probably no one is happier to have me off crutches, or at least more agile, than my better half. He has been great through this — attentive and helpful. The timing of all this actually was pretty good. It coincided with his retirement, so he was doing errands for me the first two weeks or so. Now he can finally get back to the business of retirement — doing the things he wants to do.

And speaking of my better half, he has been experiencing something wonderful. As he rides his three-wheel, recumbent bicycle around town, he’s been visiting with people — actually getting to know the people he has shared a town with for the past 50 years or so.

Retirement certainly agrees with him.

*****

It was on the news and people have been talking about the significance of Oct. 10, 2010 — 10/10/10.

Well, it happens every year. I’m not sure what makes this more significant than 9/9/99 or 8/8/88, etc.

Will 11/11/11 be as exciting?

— susan berg