My Sad Tale

    So Thursday morning about 6 a.m., I thought I would go out and water the plants on the patio.  We have had no rain for so long and one of the pots was looking very dry.  As I walked out the back door, I remember thinking that I should probably get my cane but decided I could  get stability from the hose!   Stupid thought!   Walking toward the front of the house - west side - I twisted my ankle and fell flat on my back.  I laid there for a couple of minutes, sat up, cursing a little.  Several cars went by.  No one stopped, I guess fat ladies sitting in the front yard is an every day occurrence!  This neighborhood is full of early morning walkers.... but not that day. 
     I got my bearings and scooted back over the mulch to the patio, turned over on my knees - not a good thing to do (fake knees) - and sat on the patio.  Was able to stand, finish watering the plants, but couldn't get the hose put away neatly - Jeff, the landscaper came later in the morning and did that for me.
     My ankle was starting to swell, so I called Diana to tell her I wouldn't be in to work out and she said to put ice on the ankle  for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes.  Well, I tried that but that only works if you have someone to fetch ice. 
      I was sitting in the Computer room, foot on the ottoman, thinking maybe I need to go into assisted living, to old to live alone,  and the phone rang.  It was sister, Judy.  She said hello, and I started to cry,  feeling sorry for myself.  Well, if you know Judy, she didn't let me off the phone until I was laughing and feeling better about things.  As the day progressed, the swelling increased and I couldn't put any weight on my foot at all.  I called my friend, Phyllis to see if she would come and close up my house for the night.  She sent her daughter, Angela and family, Brian and 4 year old, Gabe.  Gabe fetched bottles of water for me, and brought me a cup of M & M's from the Bubble Gum Dispenser in the kitchen.  What a sweetie!  They shut windows and doors and locked me in for the night.   Brian  - and Gabe - stopped again on Friday to check on me.  I had hobbled into the Computer Room and got my Desk Chair  on wheels and wandered around the house on that after I used my cane to move rugs.  The only problem was I couldn't get into the kitchen, the grout lines between tiles prevented that.  I knew I was going to need help, brother, Dick and Karen were in Florida so I called for help from the daughters.  Lora came down, Friday evening and was my 'fetch it'.  When Brian called on Saturday morning, he said to start walking on my foot.  Brian is a Pediatric Intensive Care nurse so Lora assured him she would make sure I did.    And  I did!  It hurt like hell but with Lora along side we got through.  She cooked for me and as the day went along I felt strong enough to ride over to Washington where she trimmed up the Gravesite, we stopped to wish Marge, Happy Birthday and  spent a few minutes at Phyllis and Bill's so Lora could see the layout of their house - she and Randy are getting ready to build a new house.  I was exhausted when we got home - this series of chemo has left me with no stamina.
      After Mass, this morning, I sent Lora home, the swelling has gone down a lot.  She left after watering the yard  one more time.  I am able to get around with a cane.  My friend, Jean left a wedge shaped pillow to keep my foot raised in bed.  Love it!
      So what have I learned from this experience: 
A hose does not give you stability no matter what your feeble brain thinks.
Do not wear sandals to work in the yard. Wear more stable shoes.
Carry your cell phone in your pocket when you go out to work in the yard.
People are amazing and soooo helpful.
and
Best of all, for the third Sunday in a row, a daughter was with me at Church.  Bill Calliss joined us as well.  Life is good!