Prayers & Suggestions

Published:

Hi, everyone.

I just got out of the hospital, so forgive my post if it's a bit incoherent.   On Monday I went to buy my Fantasy 5 ticket and my life changed in 30 seconds.  I was leaving the store when I felt a hard bang on my hip & right thigh, sending me flying.  It's all a big blur to me, but I must have lost consciousness when I hit the floor.  I remember hearing a man apologizing and saying he wasn't looking, but all I was concentrating on was getting off the floor and I couldn't move.  Then there were paramedics all around me.  One put a collar on my neck and then they put me on a stretcher and into an ambulance, started an IV, took blood, etc. 

I'm too sore to rant & rave about the days I just laid in bed waiting and waiting and the lack of care.  I lost my health insurance and I'm convinced my case was handled very differently because of it.  But, honestly, I'm in too much distress to debate health reform.  The X-rays showed no breaks at first, so they wanted me to get up and walk.   On Thurs, after begging for 3 days to talk to an orthopedic surgeon, an MRI was ordered because I kept grabbing my lower abdomen each time I tried to sit up which is indicative of a pelvic injury.   An LPN told me that a fracture can't be very significant if it takes an MRI to find it.  I'm not sure that's true, but I'm sure glad I didn't give up complaining.  The results were positive for pelvic fractures. 

I have a wheelchair and a walker (not through the hospital) so for now I'm getting around in the house independently and, if absolutely necessary, I guess I can pay someone to do errands.  I know an HHA who will charge me $10 an hour, which is reasonable, but it will add up to a lot of money and I can't work, so the care needs to be well organized without a lot of small talk. 

Well, I thought I'd stop by LP and ask for 2 things:

(a)  Your prayers.  Send good vibes my way, please!  I am frightened out of my mind.   I'm so relieved to be out of the hospital, however.   I'm able to cook a little by lifting myself slowly out of the wheelchair and I even bathed..well, sort of.  I just got sick of stinking like a gas station restroom, and nobody in the hospital bathed me.  It's also nice to be off the bedpan, no matter how much it hurts to stand.  I washed my hair too, by standing over the toilet and pouring a bucket of water over my head.  I'll never look at a person in a wheelchair the same again.  Wish I had a walk-in shower.  Never thought about that before, but it really makes a difference when someone is injured. 

(b)  If you have firsthand experience with this type of injury, please share it with me.  I'm so confused, because every website states to keep your body weight off of the fracture, but I was told to walk as much as I'm able, although even a small step is very difficult   I was also told there isn't anything I can do except wait until it heals.

A note to post-menopausal ladies reading this blog entry.   Please make sure you take care of your body by eating right, taking vitamins & minerals, getting a bone density test and exercising regularly.  The crash into my body was very forceful, so I probably would have been injured anyway, but I now realize I'm in terrible shape.  People often say I look great because I'm naturally slender and have few wrinkles, but that's only skin deep.  Last year I broke a couple of toes and, when my baby toe didn't heal, I stopped my daily walks, but I should have continued light weight lifting and stretching exercises.  Trust me - you need to stay strong in case you have an unfortunate accident like mine.   If I had more upper body strength, I'd probably be able to use the walker a little more, but I look like a stick figure.  Of course if your weight is unhealthful, listen to your doctor, but be happy if you have a little meat on you.  The anorexic-looking models do not represent real women with curves so enjoy your pasta tonight!

Entry #205

Comments

Avatar jarasan -
#1
I will pray for you. I assume a car hit you, get his insurance company to pay for your care or sue them yesterday.
Avatar MADDOG10 -
#2
Sorry to hear about your ordeal, I wish you a speedy recovery...
My sister's friend fractured her pelvis and she was told to walk as much as she could.
Again, I hope everything works out for you. Take it one day at a time.
Avatar joker17 -
#3
Sorry to hear of this Justxploring. I hope you recover quickly. Since you've been away or not paying the LP any attention, I'm actually pacattack05, just in case you didn't know.

I don't live in Bonita anymore, I'm in the cape now. YUK, but saving a lot of money. In any event, I have more time now with my summer schedule. If you need any assitance, don't hesitate to ask. The cape ain't too far from you, so let me know.
Avatar pumpi76 -
#4
wish you a speedy recovery and sorry to hear that...
Avatar JAP69 -
#5
Have a speedy recovery.
Avatar LottoVantage -
#6
So sorry to hear of your misfortune justxploring. I wish you the very best in your recovery, and you are in my prayers...
Avatar justxploring -
#7
Thanks, Pumpi. Hope you are keeping your spirits up!

Joker17, I had no idea. Very surprised to hear you are on the Cape, almost as crazy as me thinking about moving there too.   Thanks so much for offering your help.   I will keep you in mind. Of course I'd cover any gas expenses or tolls. I am so grateful that I have cable TV, the internet and lots of books & movies, or I'd be going out of my mind. At least I have a very pretty view. :-)   

I wish I had the guts to try going over a step, because I miss sitting outside, but I might not be able to get back inside.   I'm going to ask someone to cash a check for me, so I can get some food delivered like pizza or Chinese food. I know I can use a credit card, but sometimes the drivers don't get the tip.   I cooked a TGI Friday's skillet meal tonight. It was very good.   

Maddog, good to hear that walking helps and is recommended. I am trying one extra step each day. I'm probably not using the walker correctly. Maybe I'll try a few more steps tomorrow. As I wrote above, it's very helpful to have a wheelchair because I can do most things around the house that don't require stepping or lifting. I also don't want to fall so I'm being extra cautious.

Jarasan, I have an attorney and he faxed a letter to the store, requesting a copy of the surveillance video. (yes, they have it) No, it wasn't a car. It was one of those supermarket dollies. Actually, the only reason I even called an attorney was because the store manager tried to get into the ambulance to get my cell phone number, then I got a call the first morning very early just after a shot of morphine and even after that someone from customer service came into my room with a release form to sign, and I asked her to go away. That wasn't the end of it, because I got a call from the corporate office, so I hired an attorney. At that point I was in panic mode and just wanted the doctors to find out what was wrong and how serious my injury was.   Money was not the first thing on my mind, but of course I want my bills to be paid and I might be in pain for a long time, but I didn't call a lawyer until the store began hassling me.

So I guess what they say about the odds of getting into an accident are greater than winning a jackpot. I only went inside to buy a lottery ticket, ended up fracturing my pelvis and only got 2 numbers.
Avatar justxploring -
#8
Thanks JAP69 and LottoVantage.   

Hope everyone is well.   This has been a tough year for so many people.
Avatar truecritic -
#9
So sorry you got hurt. Get better! Email if you need something, I can do.
Avatar Tenaj -
#10
Wow Nancy, I'm just seeing this. Get better soon. You are in my prayers. I am sending good wishes toward your way.
Avatar rcbbuckeye -
#11
Nancy,
I've been thinking about you. I just saw this today, and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I think of you often and hope that you are doing ok.
Don't let them pressure you into doing anything. Take care of yourself and focus on getting better first. There will be time to go after them to get your bills paid.
Avatar Rick G -
#12
Hi Nancy...I just saw this today too. My thoughts are with you and I wish you a speedy recovery. I'll be sending good vibes your way. Take care!

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