I’ve had an educational week. These are some of the things I have learned:
After years of saying that my in-law’s steep staircase down to their basement and garage was made for tiny feet, and warning my elderly in-laws to be very careful, I should have listened to my own comments and advice more attentively. Do as I say, not as I do. It’s good advice.
It is possible, even whilst falling down the aforementioned staircase, to fear that the aforesaid elderly in-laws might also fall, and call out to them to stay where they are, even as I’m coming to a halt.
In another instance of do as I say, not as I do, I waited two days before seeking medical help. I was hoping it was only a sprain. I could put just enough weight on my left foot to be able to hobble or hop forward, provided I was holding onto my husband or some support. But after two days it was worse not better, so we headed off to the urgent clinic. Once again we are always urging the elderly in-laws to get to the doctor, to get ailments and medical issues that are worrying them checked out by professionals. Do as I say, not as I do. Yes, I might eventually learn this lesson.
I’ve never had a broken bone that required a cast before. (A broken little toe was untreatable.) I had three casts in 24 hours. One was cut off within two hours, after I transferred from the urgent clinic to the Emergency Department at the hospital. The second stayed with me overnight, and was sawn off the next morning at the hospital. I’ve had to put trust in medical professionals before. But there’s nothing quite like learning firsthand an appreciation of their skills and concentration when they’ve got an electric saw in their hand cutting through a cast.
Also, I learned how they put on a cast. It is a surprisingly unsophisticated process.
I learned that I didn’t have much of a reaction to the gas and air (nitrous oxide) offered during a painful procedure. I was quite disappointed. Or perhaps I just didn’t have enough!
I renewed my appreciation of our healthcare system. It had been dented by my mother’s experiences, but not even 24 hours after first walking (ok, being wheeled) into the Emergency Department, I had had an operation, with screws and plates holding the broken bones in my ankle together while they heal, at no personal expense.
I learned how an asthmatic must feel. I had a difficult reaction to the breathing tube, and spent some minutes gasping for air. It was frightening. But I learned too that my yoga breathing techniques helped me keep as calm as I could (I didn’t feel calm, but I’d just woken up) until the medication made the air come more easily.
I learned that taking stairs on crutches is scary. I’m trying to gain confidence and technique. I’m learning to take it slowly. I’m learning that when necessary, going up and down on my butt will do just fine.
I’m learning that taking care of myself is going to be tough. For example, today is the last Pasta and Chardonnay night of the season. But I’ve learned that I can’t carry chardonnay when I’m on crutches! The pasta, too, is going to have to wait till my husband gets home after golf tonight. It’s not all bad though, if I can convince him to cook it or me!
I only arrived home last night. I’m sure I will learn a lot more over the next six weeks.
Gosh Mali!!
Here’s to wishing you a speedy, problem-free recovery and hopes that these things do not come in threes. For all our complaining, it’s nice to know the health system can live up to expectations when it has to.
My mother went through something very similar when she broke her ankle a few years ago. After 3 weeks in hospital (waiting for the swelling to subside before operating) and 2 weeks in rehab (among other things learning how to use stairs with crutches –slowly and carefully) she couldn’t get back home quickly enough. We were all ready to set up a roster for meals/cleaning and any other help she needed.
“No thanks” she said. Just get me a brochure of the mobility aids from my local pharmacy.
After renting a wheelchair, for shopping/external appointments, we bought her a shower chair and a little table on wheels.
The shower chair and the addition of a hand held shower hose meant she could wash as needed.
She used the table for pushing items from the fridge to the stove or dining table while using her crutches. The apron with the big pockets or the satchel style bag that she could loop across herself, held the bits and pieces (or bottle of Merlot) she needed to carry while she was hobbling from room to room.
Where there’s a will she’ll find a way!
And another surprise, once word got around, was the offers of help from her friends and neighbours for chores, appointments, and meals.
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I stick to my suggestion on Facebook that you should come up with an alternative explanation for your injury. The more outlandish, the better. Just to see what you can get people to believe. 🙂
I tore up a knee years ago and spent the better part of six months on crutches…. A sturdy, non-slip shoe is essential. I learned (the hard way, naturally) that sandals and crutches are not a good combination. Adjust the crutches so that they sit about four inches below your arm pits and the handles so that your arms are slightly bent. I found that this helped with the swinging motion and limited armpit chafing. The arm soreness will go away. As for stairs, I always found that one crutch was easier than two. I just used the railing for support and tossed the crutch up the stairs. Also, to help with independence I bought a lightweight backpack that I could transport small items that I needed (like a snack from the kitchen to the living room).
My mom suffered the same injury four years ago in almost the same way (with the major exception that she ended up with $40,000 in bills (after insurance) since they were on vacation, it happened in a remote area, she had to be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital that was 60 miles away, and that hospital was not in her preferred network). She got a leg scooter (http://www.amazon.com/Injured-Leg-Scooter-Foldable-Detachable/dp/B00LLEKAPY) which helped immensely with independence and getting out of the house. It obviously didn’t help with stairs, but at least she felt a little less helpless.
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Being a fellow non crutches complacent person having recently been upgraded to walking stick, I sympathise with you… rest well and go gently… the universe is telling you it’s time to slow down momentarily (although the universe could have picked a better way!) sending much love and gentle reiki healing vibes xxxxxx
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I am so, so sorry this happened to you, and I can relate to your stubbornness. I hope your recovery is rapid. This sounds so hard. It also scares me. I’m getting older, I’m dealing with some pinched-nerve pain that seems excruciating at times and yet I know (academically) that it isn’t bad at all, I mean I can function, I can walk. But a real break? OMG, I hope you have a lot of people looking after you. May there be many outlets to keep depression/frustration at bay. And thank god for universal health care.
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You’re taking this much more graciously than I would. I sprained my ankle when pregnant with my daughter and had sciatica with my son. It was up and down steps on my bottom with both of those ailments.
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Ow, ow, ow. :p I’ve never broken any bones (yet — knocking wood…!) & I’m sure it’s a real pain (literal AND figurative) trying to maneoeuvre around on crutches, let alone on stairs…!! I do notice that the last few years, my knees have not been liking the stairs as much. :p Something I thankfully won’t have to deal with once we move into our new condo. 😉 You have some great tips here from the other commenters above! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
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Painful lessons! Walking is one of those things we take for granted until it becomes impaired. I hope you heal quickly, and I’m glad you have your husband to help you
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Ouch! I hope your bones heal quickly – but continue to be careful on the stairs!
If it makes you feel any better, my sister broke one ankle and sprained the other tripping over one stair. A laundry basket may have been involved.
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I hope you don’t have any ice/snow to contend with–that’s when walking on crutches gets really tricky! (Atlhough I can see where trying to carry a glass of Chardonnay might also present some challenges–this is the time to enjoy being waited on.)
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Oh no — I hope you heal quickly and that you’re finding new systems for getting around.
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