Fall Down, Heal Up, Got Milk?

Okay, I fell while resting. Yes, the irony has not missed me.

My book got a spark thanks to an Ann Rule paperback I picked up at the assisted living retirement home. (Our library is full of murder mysteries and true-life killings...making me think I need to get started on the murder mystery set here...) I plunged into it.

One week my partner's follow-up breast exam showed a FIFTY percent increase in size to her "mass." It is coming o u t. That was Monday.

Tuesday I had to play a board game with my friend here who has Huntington's Disease. We are close in age and have much in common.

That Tuesday at 11AM, I was transferring by myself from my power chair to lift chair and my knees buckled. It was my 6th fall and 1st in last 5 years. All the others gave me warning, even a few seconds, but not this one, BAM.

Let's say I went in one second into a yoga position you should not be doing until your 10th year. Straight down on knees and straight back, head to floor. ow

I screamed like a girl and partner raced out to straighten my legs, place pillows under knees and head. She knows the routine. Caregiver, nurse, both called. Medics called, arrived in 5 minutes and two strong (but not as handsome as the ones in Capitol Hill, my previous neighborhood, sorry guys---gees, I am shallow!) men lifted me into my chair.

After everyone left, I felt...strange. A bit dizzy? Fainty? Out of breath? Then my body started checking in: Arms hurt, cuts were found and cleaned; bruises were beginning and appropriately kissed. My right arm held me upright for a bit, waiting for help, and it was twitching. My ankles felt painful. (Why?) My tailbone HURT. I cracked my butt. Oh, bitter irony, thou hast me in thy perverted grip!

Aspirin. Pillows on chairs. OW.

During my job at Bethlehem Steel in Seattle, I was a security guard at the main headquarters. I sat at front desk, at PBX (for you youngsters, that was like a mini-switchboard), easy gig. One day the back of my swivel chair snapped off, sending me flying with a thud off the back of the chair, across the protruding metal post that had snapped. LOL, my glasses stayed attached to the PBX---I called for help from my walkie talkie. My guard pants were ripped asunder and my butt to neck was every color of blue/black you can imagine. This fall hurt more, left no bruising on backside. I knew that in a few days my tailbone would be fine. (DON'T LOOK these injuries up on line---you only read the scary stuff!)

Weds. was big bridge game---I had to miss it.

Thursday was a visit by one of Seattle's city council members, that I arranged, and could NOT miss. I showed up drugged out of my mind on painkillers. The council member didn't seem to notice.

Friday I had an appt. with my neurologist, scheduled months earlier. YEA!! "I have some bad news..." she began, "I am moving to Issaquah." (oops!! Must act like this saddens me...oh screw that!) "OK! Super! Well, we had a great run!" (NOT. She clearly didn't even remember me from the visits over the last 7 years. I am THRILLED.)

So, now I am resting, feeling better, but not able to transfer on my own. BUGGERS! This is a great set-back for my Walking Rehab...drat. Oh, well, such is life with MS. I am lucky I was not hurt worse and I now have a new doctor (One I have been wanting!)---I will try to get in-home rehab and start again---ONWARD!