I Fell…and I Couldn’t Get Up!

Do I have your attention??? Well, it is kind of true, and because I could not come up with a more creative title…

Saturday started out to be a good day. I had returned the previous evening from a good day in Cincinnati and had my short list of errands…Kroger and the Post Office. After completing the drop off of my envelopes from work, I headed out to my car. The parking lot was empty except for my vehicle, since they closed at 1pm.

As confident as I could possibly be, I stepped off of the curb and totally lost my footing and that’s where the story gets crazy…I felt my body moving ahead of my feet, while my feet continued to try and steady my body. Unfortunately, neither my legs or my body were listening to me…”I’m not going down, I’m not going down,,,Come on Lisa, no, no, no…” Then the pavement started to get closer and closer, all in slow motion.

I braced myself for impact and down I went, mostly on my right fingers. There I was, on my knees, in white pants of course, taking a mental inventory…face, fine, knees, sore but moving, hips, fine, right hand…not good.

I looked around and saw no one…then the tears started to flow…and I couldn’t figure out how to get myself up. I was shaking but trying to keep it together. Looking ridiculous, I was able to push myself up with my left hand and my legs. I looked at my hand and knew instantly that this was going to require medical attention.

Now, I would have called home and let them know I was going to urgent care, but I had left home without my phone, a rookie mistake! So once in the car, I decided I needed to go home and get my phone and let family know what was going on.

They jumped into action with an ice pack and words of comfort. There were offers to go with me, but everyone had their own list and I was certain that I’d be able to manage on my own, so with ice pack in hand, I headed out.

Filling out paperwork with a nonfunctioning right hand was quite humorous. The receptionist must have been a really good at deciphering because she had all info correct.

The diagnosis was incomplete because they had to wait to hear from radiology, which would be an hour or so. She wrapped my hand in an ace bandage and told me they would call after x-rays were read.

As expected, within the hour, two fractured fingers so back to urgent care to be wrapped and stabilized until I could get to an orthopedic. I was wrapped and told not to remove the bandage until I was seen…literally!

Suffice to say I wasn’t thrilled. Ain’t nobody got time for this! Besides being sidelined for some of my Mom’s care, I have a visit with Gabriel scheduled in just two days,,,a visit that includes babysitting.

I saw the orthopedic doctor on Monday who told me that I had two fractures in each finger but he saw them as ideal…the fractures were located near a “cushiony” part of the fingers. The best thing for these fingers is movement. Wait…WHAT???

This young whipper snapper of a doctor wanted me to move these fingers. Yeah, right! So, I’m actually awaiting a call from physical/occupational therapist…can’t wait!

In the meantime, I have mastered putting on my bra with one hand,,,don’t ask! I’m figuring out my left hand for eating (no problem holding a martini in my left hand!). Driving is okay, but putting on the seatbelt is a lot of work! I’m surviving but it sure does cramp my style!

So there you have it,,,it’s not really anything big, but it does remind me to watch my step…remember I’m getting older and falls are going to happen. It could have been so much worse so I am grateful.

I’m also grateful that despite my 26 stitches from that suspicious mole, it was benign and all cells were clean. Stitches were removed today and because there could be a reaction to the stitches or some type of infection, (area is ver red) I will be on an antibiotic for ten days,

The house is starting to look more like a rehab place…ugh! We’re survivors and as long as I can see Gabriel, I’m good!! (Katie has asked a friend to be there to help me so I should be good!)

Stay healthy friends!!  Watch your step!!