I fell badly stepping out of the greenhouse yesterday evening, and ended up flat on my front on the ground, with arms stretched up. Since then I have been feet raised with intermittent icepacks (in between mixing up sugar syrup for the bees – it’s that time of year – and making drinks and energy-full snacks for Mr BW who has been in full fence mode all week).
I still can’t work out exactly how I ended up in the position I did. I know I caught my toe as my second leg stepped over the ‘unwanted intruder mesh barrier’ across the greenhouse door, but the rest is a mystery. I was very tired and should have lifted the barrier aside, rather than attempt the manoeuvre, but I had a washing-up bowl of freshly picked potatoes and tomatoes for dinner in my hands.
The pain was so bad that at first I thought I’d broken something around my kneecap, but I can (painfully) bend it and just about stand on it, so probably not. Far too much Covid around these parts again to risk going to the urgent care unit at the not-so-local hospital for an X-ray, so I’ll see how it goes.
It could have been so much worse… particularly if I’d had my glasses on rather than my contact lenses in, or if Mr BW hadn’t been within shouting range. But, it does shake you up falling like that, doesn’t it?
I fall over a lot, especially when I am tired, but not usually like this – mostly because I am sensible enough to use a special walking stick when I am out to mitigate any stumbles or trips. Having 3 ‘feet’ the stick is also excellent for balancing on when standing still, or for support when bending down to read low down labels (why do art galleries and museums always put labels so low?). So, I’m calling this my first ‘proper’ fall, which didn’t happen until my 63rd year. It is, of course, now all downhill from here, but thankfully (hopefully?) we future-proofed The Coven as we renovated.
This week’s Friday Question is, have you ever had a fall that scared you, how did it happen, and how old were you at the time?
Gordon
Gosh, I hope you recover quickly, sounds like a scary one!
My ‘worst’ fall was right outside our flat in Glasgow. I was taking our dog Dave out for a walk, and another dog came around the corner just as we got to the top of the path. There was a low (8″ or so) metal rail at the edge of the property and I stepped behind it to keep something between our dog and the other (our dog doesn’t like surprises). No incident between the dogs, I stepped forward forgetting about the rail, Dave leapt over it, pulling my arm and me forward and down I went. Banged my head, cracked a rib and fractured my elbow. My son was all of 6 months old so not the best timing.
It all happened so fast, that was the scary thing. Not really knowing HOW it happened. I’d stepped over that rail numerous times before but down I went. I was 48.
Debster
You didn’t fall over. You had a fall. It’s the start of a slippery slope. I fell all the way down the stairs in 2016 and still can feel the dent in one buttock where I landed on each step on the way down. It was too painful to cry. I just howled like a werewolf.
Anonymous
I was on vacation with my mother, slipped on the wet marble steps at a London M&S and did a somersault aka head over teakettle to the pavement. Broke an ankle and had to have surgery at a London hospital, okayed to be discharged to fly home a week later. Review: English paramedics can be as handsome as some paramedics here in the U.S. English hospital ward with 20 beds in one room are like people watching in a confined space. Horlicks at bedtime can be addictive.
delcatto
That sounds frightening. Hopefully you are on the road to recovery and resting up.
My scariest fall; in a car park whilst at work a few years ago and my leg ‘went’. Mobile smashed but luckily I was only bruised. With my dodgy back, knees and left hip I move slowly these days especially since my left leg occasionally decides to go. It’s a bugger getting old but it beats the alternative!
Compostwoman
Yes, recently.
I walked upstairs to bed, holding a jug of water , fell over my feet on the landing and fell/face planted on the plastic jug, hitting my eyebrow and gashing it and getting a black eye and a huge bruise on my chin.
The first of “having a fall” I suspect.
Tim W.
Hope you feel better soon. I don’t remember a very nasty fall (hope I’m not talking one up!). But I second your use of a stick. Since getting one for outdoors, I have found it invaluable in traversing uneven surfaces and getting up and down a lot of steps.
Darren
Not me, but Dave.
The neighbours lad knocked and said “Dave’s lying in the gutter”. Lad had hold of the dog’s leash. Dave had left the house turned up the street and blacked out. He was coming round just as I went out into the street. This was about 20 years ago, still don’t know conclusively why.