Okay so don’t do it for goodness sake. What one might ask? Well it goes something like this. I did not have my glasses handy as being over 60 there seems to be a disconnect between small print and my eyes. I have to be real….it is not just the fine print any more. Squinting in the sun is one thing. Solution. Sunglasses or put your hand up to block the rays or get a sun hat. Options. But when the head turns into a bobble head as I CANNOT READ the FINE PRINT. Well grrrr is what I say. So not even thinking as why should I, I go down the first set of stairs to the landing where lo and behold my glasses and glass case are located. Life altering event takes place.
Please do not wear warm fuzzy socks while going down wooden oak stairs without a tread. I am telling you it hurt. It is a lesson learned that I will not soon forget. Honestly where was my head. Well on the floor attached to my curled up body on my left side as I tried to breathe. Literally. I have never seen my grandson move so fast from his gaming chair to get to me. There were only eight steps I believe to get to the first landing and my body, aka ribs and hip, found the last two.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph I pray to the Lord on high, I could not breathe for a few seconds because my ribs landed on the second last step while my hip took the last step and jarred the dickens out of me. You know the the phrase ‘son of a gun’ well this would be more like ‘dad of a gun’. Holy moly it took a moment to even get my head around what happened. My grandson rushes up the split landing and yelled, “Rara are you okay.” Nope I was not but I could not get any thing out of my mouth. Just my right arm waving frantically in mime fashion, don’t touch me. Bless his heart he was my knight in shining armour. Love that boy.
I have never, touch wood many times over, had an injury such as rib cage bang and clang. But I knew in my head as I lay on my side that the rest of me was okay. I slid like a pro. My old coach from my early days of fast ball would have been proud of me. Slide on your side. Yep I did that for sure. However, there would be flat dirt to glide across; not a stair to catch the side ribs then the hip as I landed gracefully?? No it was more of a thump and thud.. So needless to say, socks came off immediately after gasping and grasping for air. It is such a thing let me tell you.
The thing about invisible injuries in which you cannot see outwardly the huge pain and soreness that comes in the wake of a fall. Or a blow like that to the body. It reminds me of sports where athletes, amateur or professional, put their body through pain induced trauma for the FUN of it (or for the big bucks). All I can say is….ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! This is not a booboo. It was a category 4 or 5 hurricane in my body. Aaaahhhhhh.
I am telling you the first few days, laughing was not on the agenda. It hurt to move never mind laugh or chuckle. Honestly I had to chortle grunt a bit just to get through the basic movements of going up, down, turn, sit, laying, repeat. And any language of the normal kind that passed my lips,. I would have to describe it as grunt ohhhhhhh, ahhhh, oh God (I am sorry God). The first four mornings, it was an excruciating chore to get out of bed. I could not sleep on my side only my back. Moving my leg over the edge of the bed to get close to the floor was my main goal. LOL. My left arm had to go up over my head as I tried to maneuver my right arm under me and push up without straining the left side. I thought I was stuck in the bed, no way of raising myself. What good is my dog as she wagged her little nub of a tail, thinking I am playing!!
The old adage of ‘suck it up butter cup’ was not quite working out. I ended up taking OTC pain relief capsules which for the most part I do not care to take anything for anything as I kind of work through it. Nada this time. My other new friend was an ice pack. I know my cousin has been going on about people should be taking cold baths or showers as it is supposed to be good for you. Cold showers, polar bear dips, do not seem to turn my crank!! But I have to say a cold compress, numbing the rib area, allowed me to move and groove. Breathe basically. Oh Magic bag come hither.
What can I say? Don’t sneeze. Don’t cough. Don’t pull. Don’t laugh. Don’t twist. Don’t squeeze. Don’t hug…only air hugs. Ice. Rest. But not too long in one position. Bare feet. Or invest in toddler socks. You know the kind with those sticky little round circles on the soles. One does not know what one does not know. And I could have done without. learning the hard way. My learning curve of recognizing I should not watch anything funny or sad or scary or unexpected. Breathing is essential to one’s day and healthy ribs matter. And maybe don’t squeeze.
Well it is up to the roof top there rose such a clatter, I of course continue to see what is the matter. For what do my wandering eyes see to appear….dirty dishes, make the bed, vacuum, laundry, cook, dog walk, garbage day. That is the drill even if it kills me. LOL. Quasi all better. Just particular now in how what goes where and how and why of my body parts and not taking for granted I still got some moves. Yes a bit staircase shy, twinge and tweak too but hey I can laugh without a snarl. Blessings.
Let us pray for those who are in need of our prayers and for those who suffer and in pain. Amen.
Karenpondering 