Better Care is a Must

     

Photo from pexel.com

     So about Mothers Day...

     All my optimism for getting my outside shaped up, a garden planted, and healthier behaviors was hit with a big pause sign on Mother's Day. I still don't quite remember how or exactly what happened. One minute I was carefully trimming around the new (last year) hostas planted on the side of the patio, and the next I was falling backwards. Perhaps I tripped on the subtle step up to the patio, merely inches, catching a foot. Maybe I just tripped over my own feet. I fell hard, hitting my head and getting the wind knocked out of me. 

     Fortunately I wasn't alone, but my poor daughter finding me laying there as I was trying to get my breathing regulated was sure scared. I got a lump on my head and a cracked rib, but no other damage but even days later, a lot of pain in certain positions or movements. I've been moving slow all week and it'll take weeks to heal properly. I couldn't start PT for my hip, so that's delayed a couple weeks but I'm trying to lightly do what I can. Coughing, sneezing, and even blowing my nose is uncomfortable. Sleep is tough as lying on my back is a no go. On my left aggravates my hip and on my right aggravates the ribs that were battered. Tuesday I got out of bed early and just slept sitting up for an hour or so. The cats thought that was a good position to join me.

     I need to take better care, better precautions. I was lucky my daughter was there. Living alone again soon, and doing something dumb might have me stuck for hours. Being out of shape, a lack of balance, and being too heavy likely contributed to not just the fall but the impact. Eating poorly may have caused some lightheadedness. I've gingerly done light things this week, but have felt old and feeble. It's a glimpse of what I'm heading for if I  don't take my health more serious.

     Maybe my klutziness was a wake up call to really, and I do mean really, take care of myself. The last thing my kids need is to worry about me living alone. I have years worth of  yards to mow, vegetables and flowers to grow, and home projects to manage and I can't do this if I'm living older than my years. I want to age not just gracefully but slowly and be strong and steady, able to enjoy both the ordinary and special times. I feel like this week was wasted.