Posted on 03/02/2018 12:32:37 PM PST by Hulka
This vanity post describes my fascinating journey towards becoming a semi-cripple for the rest of my life.
A week ago last Saturday I was replacing smoke detector batteries in my home and fell off a ladder
I’ve been to war, flew fighters and was a Texas police officer and I make it through relatively uninjured, but falling off a ladder does me in.
Yup. That simple and that silly.
And all my fault.
There is a long recovery ahead, with full recovery not really possible.
I may need a walker, may need a cane for the rest of my life.
Best wishes for your future.
That’s the best vanity post I’ve ever read.
Great reminder for us getting on in age to stay off ladders and keep cell phone with us at all times.
I promised my sister I would not get on a ladder again a few years ago, but when you live alone, sometimes you have to do things you know you shouldn’t do.
I have a good feeling you will do well in the future. :-)
Dang! Good attitude, God bless.
(((On Halloween, my wife found some 6 inch rubber sharks...She hung them by thread from a pair of shorts I had and I left my prosthetic in the car...Painted my nub red....And went as a “shark attack victim”....
I won the contest!!!ROFL)))
LOL....That is funny!
Great Vanity!
My Bathroom light burned out last night and I was going to change it tonight ... think I will wait until tomorrow and have my Cell Phone with me... it is located in a place where you have to lean to get to it ... it is also going to get an LED.
Thank you for your Service, the levity and for possibly saving me from an Ambulance ride.
Keep us updated please
TT
Prayers up for a FULL recovery my FRiend ! And, thanks for the interesting story of staying positive in a not-so-good kinda situation.
Snoot ;o)
Prayers up. You might surprise yourself on your recovery. Listen to your FR buddies and do the work in your physical therapy. I broke my elbow really bad in 2000 and was told I’d never be able to straighten out my arm all the way ever again. Well BS on that. After two surgeries, I followed instructions in PT and doubled down on the work. Now, not a trace of disability except for discomfort when the weather changes. It did take a number of years—like 4 or so. (Ironically during my recovery, being off work and beyond bored, that’s when I found Free Republic.) Blessings.
There isn’t a law that keeps MEN off ladders but there should be. We wives can scream to the rafters - WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT LADDER - only to be met with a stare! When are men going to listen? When are they going to admit that WIVES are needed to keep them from hurting themselves - a necessary component of their life without which would mean more injuries.....
You have my prayers, sir for a fast and long lasting recovery...
Next time - LISTEN!
Yes ma’am!
Will do.
I am no longer surprised by the depth of experience and solid judgement of FReepers.
Ping to 6PPC
It gets better but it takes a while.
Very painful so biggest risk is opiate addiction.
I went cold turkey after 1st week post op.
Sucks and hurt like hell - but better than alternative.
Resist any suggestions or pressure by Docs to fuse ankle into club and get multiple opinions.
Docs are very pessimistic on outcomes. I was told not to expect to walk again but walking normally has not been a problem. Can even run surprisingly well if necessary, but don't want to do further damage so heavy running or twisting is not recommended
Sorry to say, but recovery and rehab is long - 18+ months.
After a year or so, flying not a problem, but climbing up on the aircraft can be problematic.
Good luck and best wishes for a full recovery.
Best healing prayers and wishes for you. Love how you messed with your neighbors’ heads. Ha!
Perspective: the ultra famous LA Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn did the same kind of ladder maneuver on his patio and ended up dead.
Go overboard with your physical therapy, work it like the tough guy you are. My favorite doctor had her thumb basically severed but she took one year off and worked it like a boss and got full functioning back and was able to stay a surgeon! It meant everything to her. You got this.
Thank you, sir, for you words of encouragement. I noticed docs are generally pessimistic about recovery time, if they even entertain the thought that recovery is a possibility. Maybe it like this: set expections low and then doc looks like a hero when you heal faster than doc originally said, positive reinforcement to keep up the rehab, perhaps.
Prayers for your recovery.
Prayers said for you and for your recovery.
What you wrote is a word to the wise.
At 64, I have become very careful about steps/ladders/curbs.
Before I could just bounce back, literally.
Now, not so much.
I have three steps in my garage. One day, I absent-mindedly missed the last one and jammed my whole body from the unexpected impact.
Nothing happened, thank the Lord, but it was a wake up call to be more careful and more deliberate in my actions.
I now understand the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Indeed.
I applaud your sane approach to aging.
If we all took precautions like you, me included, we would be a lot better off.
Praying for you to be able to recover.
Thank you very much.
The power of prayer is amazing and inspiring.
Prayers up - my heart and prayers for enough healing to dispel the pain and the attitude to enjoy being around to praise God....even through clenched teeth.
I hope your recovery goes well. Not quite sure why you specifically pinged me.
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