Back in my familiar surroundings. You’d think it would be more relaxed now. But honestly: not really.

Everything is suddenly exhausting. Where I’d normally hang up my laundry in 10 minutes, with crutches I first need 10 minutes just to even get the clothes out of the washing machine. Every meter feels like a kilometer.

Then comes my personal side quest: the thrombosis injection.

Of course I thought ahead again: backup organized, Yvonne would have done the jab in my belly.

But then the thought: “Man, we’re not amateurs.”

I’ve got an Achilles tendon rupture, not an amputation. I have to manage this myself somehow.

At first I thought: okay, this will be an evening challenge. Psych myself up, watch a YouTube tutorial, maybe meditate. In the end? It took exactly one minute.

Prepare the syringe. Pinch the belly fold. Eyes closed. Bam.

I thought: If the junkie in the red-light district can do it – and even hits the vein AND is high, then I can nail this no problem.

Especially me – as a conservative white cis man. If you’re going to do it, do it properly.