Rainy Saturday morning October 22, 2005

Hello everyone.
Well, first of all I apologize for not doing my blog for a while until this morning. I had a little accident a couple weeks ago this past Thursday.
I was on the ladder trimming the hummingbird vine on the arbor near our pond out back. I turned on the ladder, sideways to the left and to step down, but the ground was just a little farther down than I thought. When I landed on my left leg, the momentum carried me downward and I landed (bounced) on my left hip, threw out my left arm to stop my fall, (why do we do that?) and the cross-cut saw came with me. At first I was shocked that it happened, and as I laid there trying to figure out which hurt the worst, I felt the stinging sensation of my finger and then saw the blood. Well, there was just a little blood flowing quite nicely from a slice/flap of the skin, but didn't look that bad. When I landed on my left leg, I felt three scrunches in my left knee as I was going down. I laid there for a few minutes, trying not to be sick and pass out at the same time. When I finally got up, I hobbled to the house to get the bleeding stopped first on my finger. My left arm hurt, but not that much at the time. My main concern was my knee throbbing now, and my hip.
While I was in the house taking care of my finger, I felt the need to sit down quickly as the room started to spin. I knew that was not a good thing.
After a few minutes passed, I got an ice pack out of the freezer and went in and sat down in the family room. I propped my knee on the stool, put my arm on a pillow with the ice pack under it.
Well, okay, now the good news.
When I went into the local emergency Stat Care facility, (2 1/2 hours-not sure why they call it "Stat Care"), I was assessed by the Doctor as having a "strained knee, bruised hip (nice size bruise), and a broken left radius near my wrist. Okay. I tried not to get to alarmed with the strained knee, but was concerned as it was the one I had torn up pretty badly years ago and had arthroscopic surgery on it to get it back to normal (?). The Doctor suggested I see my Ortho Doctor for further assessment.
They put on a splint/cast on my arm, a brace from my hip to my ankle and released me. When I got home, the pain started to escalate. I can deal with pain to a certain extent. Been there before.
I got into my Ortho Doctor on the following Tuesday, (he just shook his head) and I was relieved when he checked my knee and said it was not torn anywhere, but badly strained. I was given a much nicer urethane brace that pulled on like a glove. Then I had a new "designer cast" put on. Very nice. I choose a very pretty blue to match my jeans.
Well, you know, things happen. The lesson I learned through this is: If your going to be on a ladder, and you are over the age of 50, check what rung you are on before you step down. Plus, stop and give the brain neurons a chance to connect. As I have gotten older, I realize I can do some things, and some things I have to be every so careful doing. My husband has been very nice and helpful through it all, but I have been given strict orders to not be on a ladder if he is not around, or, ask him to do it. Yes, sir. That will be considered.
My typing has been a little slower these past two weeks as the cast does interfere somewhat, but I am glad I now have some dexterity and movement of my left fingers.
My husband's brother has arrived from Missouri and he and hubby's Dad will be coming Sunday. My hubby is going to make his wonderful, delicious spaghetti. I will do the salad.
It is so nice to see the fall colors and smell the smells of autumn. Although winter is not that far away and the snow will soon be flying.
Herman, the little turtle seems to be doing well. Sometimes he basks in the sun on one of the logs I put in the pond.
The yellow finches have their winter-colored coats now and seem to be going through the thistle feed quickly.
I still have bulbs to plant, and hopefully will get them in the ground soon.
Another hurricane coming. My goodness. The people in the south sure have had it rough this year. I just hope and pray no lives are lost and the destruction is minimal. Keep them in your prayers. I called my friends in Melbourne, Florida, (she has M.S. really bad) and they were getting ready, again, for whatever comes their way.
My boss's sister has finally got her Irish website up and running. Check it out! There are a lot of nice Irish things to purchase. It is: aweebitoireland

Until nex time,
Peace, Love, and Laughter!
Becky