I know I don't have to supply you with all the grim details. Suffice to say is, in spite of fiction writers, there was no sound just a horrible sharp discomfort which worsened. And worsened. To the point of, you know, squealing every time I moved.
I did not look as good as the picture on the left side here...Crab was the position I favoured and even then it was accompanied by a symphony of different sounds I didn't believe I was capable of anymore.
I doused myself liberally in Tylenol 3s, Voltrane and CBD oil which took the peak edge off but on the whole, exhaustion took me over quite frequently and a fetal position seemed to work for pain easement on the bed. And my blessed recliner which I have never regretted buying.
On top of all this my doctor had requested I go back on beta blockers for 3 weeks to see if my body would handle them a little better than before (Symptoms: concrete body and constant irritability and exhaustion). Do not give up he said to me on Monday.
So the Twist and Shout happened on Tuesday. It is now Sunday and though still in pain I have moved to a slightly tilted (think Leaning Tower of Pisa) position. Daughter drove in yesterday (goddess bless her, it's a 2 hour drive in) and went nuts in the grocery store. I swear I could live for a month or more on all she brought in. Stuff I would never buy. Mexican, Indian, coffee beans, cans of....name it. She hauled it all in and ran out of shelf space.
I am so grateful that both she and Niece are close by. I can't imagine not having family close by. Incapacitated like this would be a huge challenge for anyone.
I am at the stage of life where I take nothing for granted.
The smallest gesture of kindness just about does my head in with gratitude.
I am reminded even more clearly that many of us, in our old age, are just one twist or fall away from complete dependence.
Be careful out there, my friends.
Yes. Everything can change -- and often does -- and will -- in an instant. Thank you for reminding me to appreciate where I am right now. -Kate
ReplyDeleteIt took me by surprise and I am ever so mindful at the moment, a bit of cotton glove treatment.
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Ouch! It doesn't take much or anything to injure yourself. Sending positive thoughts for you to get better.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie!
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When I was only 40, my foot slipped a little on ice and I wrenched my back and ended up with a herniated disc. My God, was that painful! It took a lot of physical therapy to get me to a point where I could walk without pain shooting down a leg. All that to say, you have my sympathy!
ReplyDeleteI can relate as I took a dreadful tumble on ice in early 2015 (ambulance, MRI) with concussion and swellings down my spine.
DeleteWe can't be too careful as we're older, slow and steady wins the race, right?
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This seems to be a week for twisted body parts. I feel your pain and hope you mend quickly and completely. Hooray for familiy members willing to help.
ReplyDeleteAnd we so need our much disrespected backs, right? !
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I know, we have to strike a balance between getting exercise, maintaining our weight and flexibility and being careful about sprains and breaks and general soreness. Hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom. It's a tricky balance alright!
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I hear you.
ReplyDeleteI am very, very unstable and worry about falls.
I am so glad that your daughter was there, and assisted in such a loving and practical way.
I do hope you recover quickly. Very quickly.
It's a better day today and as I have hospital procedures tomorrow, the timing is excellent. Still sensitive but the poor old back is getting there. Possible falls are always a companion once we've tumbled a few times.
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I understand, please be careful, a few days ago, somehow down on bathroom floor, too weak and could not pull myself up, embarrassed called helper (male( half dressed, etc, back up, was not good.
ReplyDeletedaughter is 1 hour away and she could not up got me up. I cannot let go of this walker
It seems like these lessons in life are hard to come by, Ernestine. I am eternally grateful that the apartments here have safety bars in the bathroom. I remember scoffing at them when I moved here but boy am I using them now!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you are fully recovered from your fall, sometimes it is the embarrassment feature only that bothers us.
We who were so active and sprightly.
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We need to stop and think about our positioning before we do things. I suffered ten months of back pain because I didn't.
ReplyDeleteA kindred aching spirit then Andrew, such an easy thing to forget!
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Thank you for the warning...no leg throwing and no scarf fetching at the same time...note to myself.
ReplyDeleteYes, one simple task at a time Gemma :)
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You put tears in my eyes, for you, and especially for your lovely daughters. Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne, both she and Niece are treasures in my life.
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So sorry — but glad you’re a bit better. Just can’t forget we have to take care on how we move these years. You are indeed lucky to family able to be near. I can tell you as someone who does not have that, it takes considerable planning ahead, thinking about various possible worst case scenarios to be prepared. Am taking note of any places for delivery, just in case. Also can get one day delivery from internet sources if needed though I haven’t so far. Have name and phone number of a Girl Friday who I discovered lives in area I could hire. It ain’t easy the older I get, determined to continue living in place in my home.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Joared, I am living as you do. I have a Friday person in my building who gets me to clinics and hospitals. Out here these buildings are hopelessly designed and signage lacking and even staff don't know where cardiology unit is, etc. Like a Monthy Python skit so I need a wheelchair as walking for miles is beyond my capability now. Also on line ordering, how fortunate we are older in this age and have access to this! Grandgirl set me up with a lot of apps when she was staying with me.
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I do hope you feel much better soon, I'm also glad you have daughter and niece close by and how wonderful to have a fully stocked pantry now that you can't get to the shops. I don't know what beta blockers are. What to they do? What are they for?
ReplyDeleteRiver they slow the heart rate and put less strain on the kidneys, etc. BUT and it's a huge but I have a terrible reaction to them and my energy just about vanishes. I know they benefit my overall physical state but dear goddess, at what a cost.
DeleteHowever I will persist to the 3 week mark as he has requested and see if there is any improvement. Right now I am feeling like absolute crap, like everything worthwhile is kicked out of me.
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Daughter in love and son go to a therapist here who practices Bowen Therapy. It is very effective for sprains and muscle spasms. You might like to investigate if there is someone close by to whom you can go to. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowen_technique
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Ramana, my back is much improved now if the rest of my body and mind could just catch up.
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My goodness, as if you don't have enough on your plate. Yes, you are right about family being there when you need them.
ReplyDeleteSo very important Gigi, I don't take my good days for granted at all. And right now I could sure use one!
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WWW....like Joared, I have no one nearby to count on in a pinch and have to continue to set up my plan in case of an emergency. Since my husband fell down the stairs last year winding up w/ a concussion & his memory is failing I can't rely on him. My nearest neighbors are also elderly and frail, and the others are vacationers not here year-round. It's a challenge. I slipped (despite tub bars) on a new longer towel I was unused to and banged my upper arm last Sept. Ouch! Long recovery. I am very glad you have your family nearby and moved from your former place so that you have help close by. You will be fine. It's just the darned impatience we all have to get results quickly I think. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh Regina, you certainly have had some challenges and it is doubly hard, I believe, when family is not within driving distance. It's hard to convey crisis on phones and sometimes we don't wish to as it can be distressing for those who would like to be near but can't.
DeleteMemory failure is awful, I witness so much in my building and some of it can be amusing but not for those having to negotiate with and around it like family. One woman on my floor comes roaring around looking for her apartment after darts some nights. Others are so kind. I can't imagine playing darts with her.
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Last summer my back seized up when I was pruning a bush in the garden and I was in total agony for several days until I got some powerful painkillers and then the pain dispersed, leaving me with an intermittent back ache. I hope your back pain stops as quickly.
ReplyDeleteWe don't realise how reliant we are on the good service of our backs do we Nick? We should coddle them more. Seriously.
DeleteI am glad you got over your pain and mine has now dispersed. I'm now stuck with me and my beta-blocker angst which is most unpleasant.
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My first time posting to your blog. I hope things start to look up for you soon.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Karen, and thank you for your good wishes!
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