Me fall down...twice

[xelasnave]

As I keep saying I am just so lucky and here are two more examples...

last night I had returned to my van having covered up all the scopes, putting away the cameras, closing the observatory roof, starting the genny and taking away some garbage..I must have been tired and I don't think I had time to eat at that point in time..

I fell I guess because I caught my foot on the front wheel of the mower ( unusual as I am always alert to things presenting a trip hazard..like just grass..you feel it you stop...but this time I don't even remember feeling my foot hit anything but fortunately when I realised I was going down instinctivly rolled to present my back to the ground and minimise damage and What is curious this instinct could be traced back to when I was11 and 12 doing judo and laying on my back week in week out banging the ground with my arms to cushion a fall..in those days I could somersault and land flat on my back and break my fall...so that what I did..it just amazes me that such a response was hidden somewhere in my reaction...

No damage...I could not get up so just crawled up the ramp and got inside rested and waited until I was feeling together and hauled myself up..plenty of stuff to grab which is why I love a van...

Then this morning I was on my ramp and went to kneel down to feed the magpie and my legs just gave way and off the thing I went, happily backwards and responded the same way..no injuries but unfortunately I had just emptied some water and got my jacket soaked and muddy..still a happy result confirming that I am just incredibly lucky...

So what did I learn? That I have to be just so careful because when I get old these sorts of things can see a broken hip which statistically has you dead in 18 months..I wonder why that is??? I think people must get freaked out by their vulnerability as if it is just recent news and curl up and die .... I must look into why folk who break a hip die..it must be in the head you could think.

And my back isn't even sore.. my feet are but that is the cancer meds so that does not count..

Tomorrow see the back doctor on the Gold Coast so there is a little irony there I guess,.just following up to hear the results of the recent scan check8ng that what ever I had that required back surgery has not reappeared ...and in the afternoon I see my cancer doctor in Lismore to confirm all is ok...she says give the meds a rest to fix the feet but I dont like that idea..sore feet or the cancer growing is the way my little mind sees it..so I will use the wheel chair if they get worse ...not as far to fall for a start..isn't there always a bright side..it is just wonderful really...but I will take my walking frame to morrow so I have an instant chair...they are a wonderful invention.


Thanks for listening.

Alex

[Hans Tucker]

Do you have a Medical Alert Device?

https://personalalarmsaus.com.au/

Might be something to consider given your remote independent living.

[LewisM]

Best of all, you got up twice.

It's when you stay down that is of more concern.

[xelasnave]

Thank you Hans.. I will do something for sure.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Hang on that site says old folk have one fall each year so having had two I must be good for another two years.

Alex

[RB]

Oh, way to go, Debbie ‘Downer’ Lewis. :rolleyes:
Please keep your physical personal problems to your self...
:rolleyes:

[brisen]

Hi Alex

I would strongly encourage you to ask your dr to do a falls risk assessment as well. This will assist with determining if there is a risk of further, potentially more serious falls. It is an easy assessment, and can assist with you maintaining your independence for longer. It could be something as simple as an interaction between your medications that has caused you to topple. This and a number of other factors are all considered in this assessment.

I used to work as a paramedic and have seen the impact that falls have first hand way too often.

Brian

[xelasnave]

Thanks Brian.. actually it has been suggested that I consider full time care which I did have until my ex ( my carer) and my daughter got covid and I moved back into the van for obvious reasons..it was good for everyone..I mean can you image having a dieing old man stuck in your house ..it can't be good for them..so often I was at deaths door like not being able to eat for months and losing 30% body weight..cant be good watching someone going thru that wondering if they will be alive when you wake up. But I do have them to fall back on which gives me the confidence to go it alone really...I think an assessment will state the obvious ..my meds stuff my feet that hang off my crook legs..I have got off the morphine which I think helps as I think it had me less than me and happily I don't suffer the pain it was prescribed to manage.

I do recall going into the alarm type things and did not find anything that really headed off the problem...I do make a point of always carrying my phone but as Glen said reception is crook..but often a message gets away.. I have decided to carry some water and the morphine I have not taken so if I go down I don't die of thirst and can ease any pain with the morphine ... not ideal but you always need a plan ...my best safe guard is my incredible good luck ...

AND heck I can't let these things get to me else I would just give up...I am just lucky I think these things thru and have no "mucho" hangups about a stick, a walking frame or wheel chairs as so many "big" men do...I know I have problems and work with that reality which gives you a chance..it's when you become stubbornthings are a problem and being stubourn is a common thing with old folk that you won't change to fit your current reality not me adjust or bust..a good whisle would be sensible as well ...

Anyways I feel better putting it here because it really helps me think things thru...

Thanks everyone...you folk are so important to me as I like being alone but find I need to be able to air my thoughts for whatever reason.

Alex

[leon]

I dont know Alex, there is just no way to keep a good man down as the saying goes.
I am so pleased that you didn't suffer any injury other than your pride perhaps.

Look after yourself mate.

leon

[LewisM]

The little blue pill is a bitter pill to swallow Andrew :P

[xelasnave]

I hope you are well Lewis and finding some time for yourself outside of work.

I have 8 pills in the morning and 5 in the evening...but no blue one...what does it do? Will it help me stand up?


Alex

[xelasnave]

Thanks Leon ..I hope you and Alice are well.

I wont indulge pride..it is named as one of the deadly sins and there is good reason for that...I just took it all laying down.

Alex

[leon]

but no blue one...what does it do? Will it help me stand up?

Na mate no good for the legs, :sadeyes: but it could be helpful elsewhere, :D that is as far as i am going.:)

Leon :thumbsup:

[xelasnave]

What a day..up at 4.30 to find ice on the mower seat I had to sit on it to ride to my car then off to Gold Coast Hospital to see doctor re my recent scan...after one and a half hours wait I told them I had to go..I did not get upset but did observe perhaps given it was an early appointment and such a wait that early maybe attention could be given to their time management....and left not angry... and as I said to my daughter I won't file a complaint and waste more time and just forget it...we get dragged in when you should just move on...half a day of my life wasted so I won't waste more time drizzling...

So off to Lismore where I saw my cancer doctor...something is growing in my neck and well given my history I want to know more...it is somewhat of a concern....I got there absolutely stuffed as my feet were terrible even with the walker it was sheer agony..and being a little early said I need to cancel I am done ...the girl said sit down and I will make you a cup of tea and get the doctor to see you right away...when I got out I saw another girl who said you probably don't remember me but you bought me a bunch if flowers when I worked at the chemist in Casino and I will never forget that as long as I live...no doubt she had told the first girl to give me special attention as I felt even then I was being treated like royalty...anyways she had me sit while she organised an urgent scan ringing the various places to get me in fast as possible...so although concerning things are moving fast as possible...so next week more flowers..I love giving flowers as girls really like them and you can see they are happy..I like making people happy for such a small investment.
The doctor was surprised that I kicked the morphine with not withdrawal problems and said she was very happy that I was doing so well but I must stop the meds to repair my skin...as I said to her with this neck thing I can manage the sore feet but she said my feet condition is so bad there is no other option ...

And I get home and it is nice and clear but I can't walk so I will just have to miss tonight unfortunately.

So again how lucky am I to have these people supporting me who treat me special...
I figure if the back scan shows problems they will ring but I will ring them and explain why I had to leave and get that sorted without getting upset..

Alex

[xelasnave]

??????

[Hodur]

Viagra

[xelasnave]

Lewis said they are bitter...

Thanks ... so much goes over my head.

Alex