It turns out Dale is not the only one around here who can do his own circus stunts. I was going to write about this sooner, but my humor was impaired.
No, that’s not it. It was something about humor not being funny. Oh, yes, I’ve got it now. My humerus was fractured. Which means I fell and broke my arm.
Sometimes I crack myself up.
I was being Super Caregiver, doing too many things at once and tripped on a power cord that should not have been there in the first place. I knew right away it was bad. Dale still couldn’t drive, so I had to get a neighbor to take me to the ER.
Well, you know how all that goes. I left there a couple of hours later in a sling. My neighbor came to retrieve me, and I was already on the phone with the home health care company scheduling help.
I am one-finger typing, so I will keep it short.
This is awful, but we will survive. Dale’s arms are strong, and my legs are sturdy. Between the two of us, we almost make a whole. The pain is manageable. I’ve got to get some follow-up CT scans to rule out surgery. They don’t think I will need it but want to be sure. All I can say is I sure hope not. But I have made peace with whatever happens.
Dale practiced driving today, if you can believe that. Just in the neighborhood, but he is declaring us mobile again. Our home health aide started today. Four hour shifts, three times a week. She can also take us to appointments, the grocery store, etc.
What a lesson in humility. My able-bodied arrogance was a bit much. Now I’m using shower chair I bought for Dale! Oh, and when everyone told me to take care of myself, I thought that meant massages, facials and golf. What it really means is slow down, be mindful, take care not to hurt yourself.
A little late, but I like to share my lessons learned.
I find myself singing Send in the Clowns.
Isn’t it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground
You in mid-air
Send in the clowns
Isn’t it bliss?
Don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around
One who can’t move
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns
Just when I’d stopped opening doors
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair
Sure of my lines
No one is there
Don’t you love farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you’d want what I want
Sorry, my dear
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns
Don’t bothеr, they’re herе
I clicked the Like icon but I don’t like this at all. Get a maid, a butler and an all-around gopher. You both need a bunch of chill time where your minions take care of you.
I actually find being waited on quite stressful. We’ll see how this goes.
Obviously this is awful. I’m sorry. I’d pour a drink and use my good arm to cheer up. What a shitty thing to happen to you.
I did not take any of the opioids partially so I could enjoy my beloved Jameson Black in the evening. Just a wee one but very therapeutic.
So much to laugh about years from now.
Theoretically.
Ugh, Donna! I am so sorry this happened. Sending positive thoughts for a speedy recovery. You still have your sense of humor, and I love Send in the Clowns. Glad you already had that shower chair. No more clowning around.
Love that — no more clowning around!
Oh no! I tripped over my rollator wheels (it was parked in the kitchen where I find the tray very useful when ferrying foods from the fridge to the stove for cooking). I was also in a hurry but fortunately fell on the soft kitchen floor so only got a small bruise for my efforts. So glad that I chose that floor when we remodeled. Still, I couldn’t believe that I was so stupid to move so fast when there was an obstacle in my way…put there by me no less.
I am so, so, sorry Donna. I’m glad that Dale is recovering well enough to drive now. I hope that he doesn’t try to push it and that your arm does not need surgery. You seem to have found your sense of humor but I know that it’s not a funny thing to go through. Keep us posted. Maybe you can look into those speech into written word apps to help you write your newsletter. I would sure miss having them to read while you recuperate and hate to think that you have to type them one-handed.
Let us know what home healthcare service you’re using if you like them and if they are a national chain. My husband and I hope that we’ll be able to use gardeners, handy persons and home health aides if/when needed, in order to stay in our home for a long time.
Sending fast healing vibes your way.
Dale being able to drive a little is a game-changer. And he is upgrading to a rollator. Same brand you recommended but different model.
I’m actually doing OK with hunt and peck typing. My laptop is also touchscreen, and that helps.
Yay for rollators. Dale will be zipping along in no time. That company makes very modern looking, stylish rollators.
I hope your healing goes smoothly and fast!
He likes the rollator! The PT comes Monday, so we can get some expert advice on how to use it properly.
You are a riot! Heal fast.
Thanks, I shall try!
My ex-husband’s college roommate was killed in Vietnam. The roommate’s mother had the beginning stages of MS but the stress of the death really had a negative effect on the MS. Then she had one thing after another – infections caused by hospital stays, etc. But the family had a good sense of humor which helped them get through everything. On one visit to her, she showed me a pillow which one of her sons had given to her. On the front it said “This too shall pass …” and on the back it said “And something else will take its place.” That’s the first thing that came to mind when I read your post.
I hope the CT scans prove you right. And that you discover some really good books to read and movies to watch.
Isn’t that the truth? I have so much to write about. Just need to get a little better first. A friend of mine says aging is moreabout adapting than recovering.
Lots of good TV but books are kind of hard to manage right now. I am going to experiment some more. It took me quite a few tries to get my pillows right in bed.
Oh, sh*t… what a bummer. I’m so sorry that happened to you. I hope the CT scan rules out surgery.
Me, too!!
Oh bloody hell Donna!
May I commend you for keeping your sense of humour intact and for typing all that out with one finger, which shows a level of determination that is positively epic. Glad you’ve got yourself some help. I hope that, if they’re not any good in the kitchen, your freezer is laden with your magnificent home cooked left-overs, so the combo of you & Dale aren’t having to work too hard in ensuring you have tasty and satisfying food.
As I read your post I recognised that line I often use with Himself – that between us we make almost one whole functioning person. That said, on those days when both backs are bad and we’re both using walking sticks, I know I’m kidding myself.
I know that ‘this too will pass’ is the line; I’m sending you best wishes that it passes quickly. Fingers also crossed for you on the scans and no need for surgery.
Oh bloody hell has to be the best response so far. And I like epic determination.
Donna, this sucks. There’s nothing I can do to make this better but I can tell you a funny story in an attempt to increase the endorphins. My son was an outrider for chuckwagon races. He & his girlfriend came home early in the morning after much celebration following the last race of a big competition to find one of his colleagues (who had dislocated his shoulder in that final race) hooking up his RV. My son was eager to help. His girlfriend said, “What good are you? You’re drunk!” to which my son replied, “Sandy only has one arm. I have to be at least as good as one arm!” Take care.
Thanks for the laugh. My good arm is quite useful!
Always love your way of looking at things and being able to put them in perspective. 🥰
Hope your recovery goes well and that you continue to write, even if you have to do it one-handed.
BTW, my husband and I are a few years ahead of you. My husband (Joe) is very fit and tends to think he is invincible. His game is Pickleball and he is very good for his age (76) which he doesn’t look., or act. But he had to take a break from that recently when HE suffered a bout of plantar fasciitis (I had experienced it years ago), so I was probably more understanding of what he was going through, than he was when I had it. Still on our recent cruise he decided he could (and did) accomplish getting to the top of the climbing wall.
Still, we are all just one illness or injury, which could happen in an instant, from being a caregiver or being cared for. 😬
Remembering this and acting accordingly, however, takes effort and a bit of humility.
On a side note, I’ve always told Joe, that he “is not allowed to die first!”, as if we have any actual say in the matter. 😂 I tell him this mainly because, despite the fact that in my working days I taught family resource management and classes in Women’s Financial Information, I’ve done like too many wives and allowed (encouraged) my husband to take care of ALL of the financial matters. It’s not a matter of trust at all, and I used to always think I COULD pick it up and do the banking, bill paying and investing (not so much) IF I HAD too. However, things have changed drastically in the last 20 years. Everything is on-line, computerized AND password protected! I never was very computer literate, but could do the basics for my job before retiring. However, after retiring in 2013, I no longer had or wanted my own computer, so more and more Joe did everything online and I happily ignored thinking about it, even though I knew this isn’t wise.
Then recently it occurred to me that I could be forced into dealing with the financial responsibilities, even if Joe complied with my demand that he NOT die first. A worse case would be if he were to become disabled and then I had to both care for him AND deal with our finances! So, last month, I asked Joe to allow/MAKE me sit with him when he balances the checkbook, etc. Nearly every bill is set up for automatic payment, but I need to become more familiar with everything, so that it will at least be somewhat more familiar IF I should ever have to take over. Quite frankly, this would be my worst nightmare.
Yikes!! I didn’t intend to write all of this, but maybe it will be a good reminder to another reader, and encourage me to stick with my intentions to do better and be more involved while I still have time to learn and before I might HAVE a to. 🤞🤞🤞
So many things you said are really important. I’m the help desk at our house. Dale uses a computer but let’s just say he’s a novice. That was fine when Dale was the sole patient. Even with all the password hassles, I could do all that for him. But now it is me also making appointments and all that stuff for myself, so my workload doubled. I have a lot to say about this, but it will have to wait a few more weeks.
I told my husband the same thing, but unfortunately, the universe doesn’t work that way. And we had thought we had everything handled, but actually, there were surprise things that came up that you didn’t expect.
Oh no! I’m glad you got home health services in to help. Do let us know the next steps (praying no surgery). Sounds like Dale’s recovery is progressing (driving, if needed!) And happy to see your attitude remains positive.
It really does show us all, you never know what tomorrow will bring.
It is scary. I guess the risk has always been there, but now the consequences seem much more devastating.
Well your headbone – you know, your writing bone is in damn good shape. Nice job covering a tough subject.
Thank goodness neither one of us messed up the headbone. Great to hear from you!
Ohhhh, man.
Everyone has you in their thoughts. This too will pass — incredibly.
Thank you. As they say, we have cancer in our pocket. This is tough but that was way worse.
Oh, no, when it rains, it pours. I think we all at this age think we’re invincable but really we’re just one step away from an accident. I hope your arm gets cast and doesn’t need surgery. I wish I were a tad closer; I’d come over. Good news, Dale is driving, though. Take care!!
You stole that line from my mother! It has come to mind frequently. Thanks for the good wishes. One thing. If you could do something about Trump, that would be great.
Oh no!! My husband, Tim, will have knee replacement surgery this year, so I need to make sure I stay healthy. I’d hate for us to be in the same situation as you. Maybe Dale’s sister will have to come back and take care of both of you!! Here’s to a speedy recovery – for you both.
Yes, when they say take care of youself that does not just mean massages! Be mindful. Slow down. Two down at the same time is not something you want to experience.
Omg, sorry to hear this. Sending positive energy for both of you and hope you can keep that sense of humor! Me? I’d be curled up in a ball crying (at least initially.) I hope Riley is doing well, you definitely don’t need a three ring circus!
Thanks for thinking of Riley! He is freaked out. He just doesn’t know what to make of all this. But he is hanging in there. We need and appreciate the positive energy.