R
rpp
Guest
Yesterday, or rather last night, was a very scary day.
My 83 year old mother, who lives with me, took a bad fall.
She had stepped outside briefly to care for the cat. After petting the cat, she stood up quickly and one knee gave out.
She fell backwards on my front porch and landed on the wheelchair ramp. This wooden ramp has a very sharp corner and is about 5 inches off the ground. She landed with half of one side her bum on the edge with the rest of her in empty space.
Then she rolled into the front yard.
Since she was only going out for a moment, all she was wearing was her nightgown.
This happened early in the evening, well before dusk. And just before I got home from work. (It is just me and my Mom living at the house.)
When I got home, she was back inside. She told me about her fall and explained that she had some trouble getting up because her bum was sore. She explained that she was rolling around the front yard trying to get into a good position to get up. In her nightgown which started riding up. If this were not so potentially serious, it would be hilarious.
Anyway, she seemed okay, aside from a sore rear-end. She could walk okay, she did not have serious pain or anything, so we both just breathed sighs of relief and I continued my evening routine.
But her pain got worse and worse. My Mom became concerned that a bruise might form a blood clot and that might lead to a stroke. (My mother has some medical conditions that make her a bit more prone to this.)
After about two hours, we decided that she needed to be seen by a doctor. I took her to ER. After explaining to the trauma doctor what happened, I went on to say that since she did not have any pain walking, we were certain she did not have a broken bone. We were there out of concern for blood clots.
He said I was wrong. He said that it is not unusual for someone to have a fractured pelvis but not have any trouble or pain bearing weight or walking. He added that breaking the hip is almost always very painful.
Considering how hard she fell, this was absolutely chilling to hear.
While they wheeled my mother to X-Ray, I pulled out my trusty rosary and
prayed like I have never prayed before. A broken pelvis would be a huge tragedy. An injury my very independent-minded mother may never completely recover from. She might be bedridden, for months, perhaps never able to walk again. Her life might be shortened. It would certainly be quite miserable.
I finished the rosary just as she got back. After waiting an excruciatingly long 10 minutes for the doctor, he came in carrying X-Rays.
And a smile.
No broken bones!!! :extrahappy: :dancing:
And blood clots should not be a problem.
My Mom will have a sore backside for a while, but she will be okay.
Now I am saying a rosaries of thanksgiving.
You are welcome to join me!
My 83 year old mother, who lives with me, took a bad fall.
She had stepped outside briefly to care for the cat. After petting the cat, she stood up quickly and one knee gave out.
She fell backwards on my front porch and landed on the wheelchair ramp. This wooden ramp has a very sharp corner and is about 5 inches off the ground. She landed with half of one side her bum on the edge with the rest of her in empty space.
Then she rolled into the front yard.
Since she was only going out for a moment, all she was wearing was her nightgown.
This happened early in the evening, well before dusk. And just before I got home from work. (It is just me and my Mom living at the house.)
When I got home, she was back inside. She told me about her fall and explained that she had some trouble getting up because her bum was sore. She explained that she was rolling around the front yard trying to get into a good position to get up. In her nightgown which started riding up. If this were not so potentially serious, it would be hilarious.
Anyway, she seemed okay, aside from a sore rear-end. She could walk okay, she did not have serious pain or anything, so we both just breathed sighs of relief and I continued my evening routine.
But her pain got worse and worse. My Mom became concerned that a bruise might form a blood clot and that might lead to a stroke. (My mother has some medical conditions that make her a bit more prone to this.)
After about two hours, we decided that she needed to be seen by a doctor. I took her to ER. After explaining to the trauma doctor what happened, I went on to say that since she did not have any pain walking, we were certain she did not have a broken bone. We were there out of concern for blood clots.
He said I was wrong. He said that it is not unusual for someone to have a fractured pelvis but not have any trouble or pain bearing weight or walking. He added that breaking the hip is almost always very painful.
Considering how hard she fell, this was absolutely chilling to hear.
While they wheeled my mother to X-Ray, I pulled out my trusty rosary and
prayed like I have never prayed before. A broken pelvis would be a huge tragedy. An injury my very independent-minded mother may never completely recover from. She might be bedridden, for months, perhaps never able to walk again. Her life might be shortened. It would certainly be quite miserable.
I finished the rosary just as she got back. After waiting an excruciatingly long 10 minutes for the doctor, he came in carrying X-Rays.
And a smile.
No broken bones!!! :extrahappy: :dancing:
And blood clots should not be a problem.
My Mom will have a sore backside for a while, but she will be okay.
Now I am saying a rosaries of thanksgiving.
You are welcome to join me!
