I have just entered into the “I have Fallen and I Can’t Get Up Club.” All because of a sneeze.
I was at home walking in my hallway and sneezed. At that moment it felt like a machete had just cut my legs off at the knees. Same amount of instant pain in both knees. I went down like a ton of bricks – B A M!!! There was nothing to prevent me from falling, nothing to hold on to and thank God I did not hit my head. I don’t even remember if I fell on my knees. I was kinda lopsided on the floor, mostly on my stomach. I straightened out and just lay there in disbelief. WTF? What just happened.? HUH? As I laughed I thought, “oh, so this is what happens to seniors. Much like a toddler just standing and suddenly falls to the floor. Once an adult, twice a child.” Ugh!.
Good thing there was nothing to reach out and attempt to stop the fall. That could have been more of a problem than help. I remember thinking, wow, “what an experience.” I pressed my knees into the floor to see how or if they hurt. No pain. Ok. I did not try to get up because there was nothing there to assist in the effort. I already knew that direct contact with my knees to the floor would hurt. So, I lay there.
I had just picked up my husband from the airport and he had left the house to go get his truck. After 20 minutes my cell rang. Oh, good it was close. I snaked about 5 ft over to get the phone. No one there. No problem. I called my husband. Damn it!!! I could hear his cell ringing in the bedroom. Crap! Why have a phone if you don’t take it with you? Ok, no problem. I made myself comfortable and sat up. Another 20 minutes and my husband came home. He got a pillow for me to put my knees on and held a chair steady for me to pull myself up. Whew! I made it. This could have been so much worse. I am thankful for my circumstances.
I called my “body mechanic” (aka masseur) to see if I could get in to see him right away. He advised that was NOT a good idea. No one should do any body work on a person who has just fallen. I should wait a couple of days and let my body settle down and discover what is damaged and what is hurting. Body work could exacerbate the problem. Good to know that.
Well, within 4 hours my knees we REALLY swollen and I was starting to feel some discomfort. Thank goodness I had taken some Aleve when My husband came home. I was feeling rather stiff and went to bed. I had a fitful night. The discomfort kept waking me up. At some point I thought about something to rub on my knees. I discovered I still had a bottle of some “stanky” Chinese herbal rub. I put it on. This morning upon awakening – no swelling in my knees. However, I now feel discomfort in one of my legs, hip and back. So, tomorrow I see the body mechanic. He will give me more information on my body condition. Then I will make an appointment with my doctor with the intention of getting a referral for water therapy.
Moral of the story – carry my cell phone with me even in my house AND go sit my ass down when I have to sneeze!!
MarshAgogo – gone
