topic Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing in Community Chat

Just Did A Dumb Thing

Mama Mia — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:27:53 GMT

As some of you may remember I had chemo last year and then neuropathy. Anyway, today I was feeling pretty good, so I dusted, yay for me, and went out side. I got several garden tools and was bending over, trying to dig out a few weeds.

I was afraid I would fall over, LOL, so got down and my knees. Well, I soon got tired and couldn't get up, no strength at all, so here I was crawling on the grass and pavers, trying to get DH to hear me.Ouch! He came and I crawled in the garage and actually lay down, thinking we would have to call the EMT's to get me up. Finally, DG got a step stool and I sort of crawled up on that. I am 76 now and it hurts my heart not being able to do the things I used to.

However, this is not a pity party for me, I just want to ask if anyone else has done a dumb thing??

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

Vamp — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:30:46 GMT

Everyone has done a dumb thing, without exception, so don't be too hard on yourself. I am sorry you had such an unfortunate experience and glad it wasn't more serious!

Do you & your DH both have cell phones? If not, invest in either cell phones or--if that's not practical or affordable--walkie talkies. That way you can communicate with each other should something like that ever happen again.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

bells4me — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:32:34 GMT

Get a Life Alert. At least you can still type, lol

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

Mama Mia — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:34:31 GMT

On 4/27/2014 Vamp said:
Everyone has done a dumb thing, without exception, so don't be too hard on yourself. I am sorry you had such an unfortunate experience and glad it wasn't more serious!

Do you & your DH both have cell phones? If not, invest in either cell phones or--if that's not practical or affordable--walkie talkies. That way you can communicate with each other should something like that ever happen again.

Vamp, oh yes, we both have cell phones, and ordinarily I would have taken mine out with me. Duh! I didn't, and DH let me know in no uncertain terms that i should have, as I didn't tell him that I was out there. Lesson learned.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

croemer — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:35:25 GMT

Oh Mama...I am so happy your DH was around. Be careful.

Dumb things...oh yeah...plenty.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

kdgn — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:35:53 GMT

As we age we start to lose mobility. Yeah, it hurts. It s*cks. I've found that when I'm on the floor I can no longer get back up without some "help" in the form of something to hang on to.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:36:47 GMT

Don't beat yourself up, just consider it a lesson learned. Have a relaxing evening.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

LyndaGee — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:37:27 GMT

Glad everything turned out okay, MamaMia. Please be careful!

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

Allegheny — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:43:23 GMT

Do a dumb thing, oh yes. I don't think we would be human if we never did something dumb once in a while.

You've obviously been through a great deal in the past year and also remember the older we get the longer it takes to rebuild strength and stamina. Don't get discouraged, just take one day at a time. Start with things you enjoy.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

ShowMe — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:46:16 GMT

One night a couple years ago I fell in my apartment. I was able to make my way over to a chair, and was finally able to get up, but it took forever. My knees are really a big problem for me. And, yes, it does take strength to get up.....and yes, we do lose that strength as we get older. I think falling is the biggest fear I have about getting old, especially when I am on unfamiliar ground.

Mama......glad you are ok and that your DH was there. I got a cell phone for that exact reason. My laundry area is in the basement, and every time I go down there I have my phone with me......just in case I need some help. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to do the same thing......At least you could call your landline from your cell phone and have him come out to you if he hasn't heard you yelling for him. Just a thought.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

ShowMe — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:47:36 GMT

On 4/27/2014 kdgn said:
As we age we start to lose mobility. Yeah, it hurts. It s*cks. I've found that when I'm on the floor I can no longer get back up without some "help" in the form of something to hang on to.

Same here.......and find it very frustrating......

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

NoelSeven — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:52:02 GMT

Oh, MM You did NOT do a dumb thing. You found something you have to be very careful about, but there was nothing dumb about it. It had to have been so frightening for you, being alone and not able to get up. Thank goodness your husband finally heard or missed you and came looking.

Always carrying a cell phone is a good thing, or the old walkie-talkies. We got the latter years ago (and I still have them) that we used to pick out Christmas trees. Setting off in separate directions and letting the other know if we found a good tree You can attach those to a waistband.

I hope you've recovered, if not, it might be a good idea to check in with your MD.

I wish you the very best, my friend!

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

kittymomNC — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:54:23 GMT

MamaMia, so glad you're okay. Yes, we've all done dumb things, and if anyone says any different, they just may not be "fessin' up"! I'm on up there in age and have always done all my own yard work, painting my house inside and out, etc. I've cut back 20 foot tall bushes and hauled the limbs to the street, just in the last year. I get on stepladders all the time, and even though I'm very careful, I know I could have an accident. I've fallen a couple of times, once with my weed eater in my hand, tumbled over, and broke the shield off my weed eater! I always carry my cordless phone in my pocket so I can reach someone if anything happens, as long as I'm not unconscious!

When you said "it hurts my heart not being able to do the things I used to", I understand exactly what you mean. It's hard for your body to slow down when your mind is still in overdrive!

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

Mama Mia — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:54:37 GMT

At least i know I am not alone.

Showme, what a mess you were in, it is scary too, and I am glad you were able to get up. Frustrating that's for sure and I hate it. Can't take a bath anymore because I can't get out of the tub, again, no strength.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

tansy — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:55:45 GMT

People who can't get back up after a fall have a lower survival rate. My knees are bad and hurt like heck to kneel on. I actually get down on the floor every so often to make sure I can get back up. Glad you were okay, OP!

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

Mama Mia — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:56:38 GMT

Thanks all, for sharing.

Noel

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

Preds — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:59:12 GMT

Mama .... don't do that again, please!

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

ShowMe — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:00:43 GMT

On 4/27/2014 Mama Mia said:
At least i know I am not alone.

Showme, what a mess you were in, it is scary too, and I am glad you were able to get up. Frustrating that's for sure and I hate it. Can't take a bath anymore because I can't get out of the tub, again, no strength.

mm

I don't take baths any more either......only showers. Have a fantastic mat down on the tub floor, and it is long enough that I can walk back and forth to get under the shower water. I do need to get one of those handle things though. Am thinking I will have the owner/landlord install it for me. Also, I do take my cell phone in the bathroom with me and put it on the toilet seat lid......that way I could reach it from the tub area if I needed it. Don't think the man upstairs from me would be of any help to me one bit.

Stay safe and keep up the good work you have done this far.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

jlkz — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:05:12 GMT

I injured my left kneecap several years ago from rocking on a toe-to-knee immobilizer and can't kneel or put weight on the kneecap. Had to get the Haan steam leaner to do my floors and DH does whatever needs doing in the lower cabinets. My gardening is fairly limited now: if it doesn't come up by itself, it's given away, the sedums get tied up in August to withstand the rain without splaying and the dead stalks get cut down with the electric shears. Clean up of hostas get done with long handled rake. I tried using one of those sit down and roll gardening carts, but getting up took too much effort. I now go the gym to get my exercise and stamina back. Getting old sure Ain't for sissies!!!! LOL.

Re: Just Did A Dumb Thing

NoelSeven — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:07:28 GMT

On 4/27/2014 Mama Mia said:
Thanks all, for sharing.

Noel

mm

I feel terrible for you, MM. I have a pretty good idea what you went through, I had a similar thing happen at the end of last year.

Long story short, I fell in the street in front of a restaurant. I didn't find out until later that it was a very bad fall. My daughter was already inside and DH was parking the car. I was all by myself, laid out. My faith in mankind was restored when people ran to help, one was a nurse. MY FAVORITE PEOPLE, NURSES! LOL. Two teenage girls ran to find my daughter, and a security guard wanted to call an ambulance. I needed help getting up, my knee was really ripped from hitting the curb.

It's really scary when something like that happens and you're all alone. (((((MM)))))