Sometimes I feel like a duck out of water. At least they get somewhere. I seem to take three steps forward and four backwards and it all goes in slow motion, no quicken here.
This morning there was a ring at the door. Ok, no problem, that is what doorbells are for, otherwise you would not find out why the door bell was ringing. I was at the end of breakfast, in the middle of composing an important work on my computer, and there was someone at the door. It was not the immediate door, but the door at the entrance to the appartment block.Mr. Swiss was otherwise occupied in the the bathroom, so I decided to do the honours, dressed quickly in a respectable kaften and see who it was.
It was the postman and as he only rings twice I was glad to get to the door before he rang twice. I was actually expecting him, although had forgotten he was coming in a golden oldie moment. I ordered three months supply of my medicine and it was being delivered. It is always done by special delivery as I have to keep it in a freidge until being used. I have a special fridge in the cellar. I transport it into this fridge to get it out of the way and save time which meant I had to go to the basement: no problem, we have a lift. However it became a problem when I left the life and entered the cellar. I was carrying a large box in both hands, made some sort of silly step when entering the cellar door and the world turned upside down.
I grabbed out as I was falling, but did not find anything to grab, so eventually was sitting on the cellar floor, after meeting a door and a few other objects on the way. I was still breathing, had no real injuries actually, but was a little shaken. Now the next problem arrived. I cannot get up, one of my MS problems. Once I am standing, everything is OK, but I was alone and sitting on the cold cellar floor. Mr. Swiss was in the appartment and did not even know that I was in the cellar.
I had visions of being forgotten, never being found. However, never give up. I sort of managed to half crawl to he staircase.
Yes, this staircase (the lift is next to it). I have a photo of everything. And the lift would have not been a good idea, because I would have to stand to reach the button, and I could not stand. I sat on the bottom step, hoisted myself to the next step and gripped the banister on the side. One step at a time and I was standing, really standin, what an achievement! I was still a little shaken, but was in one piece: not even a bruise. I returned to the appartment although Mr. Swiss met me half way. we collected my medicine from the cellar floor and put it where it belonged. I am now under orders, which was more like a threat, never, ever, again to do these things on my own.
I could have knocked myself out, broken bones, and in the worst case scene, be dead, although I probably would not have noticed that one. I have decided no longer to do “quick” to quicken things up, but one step at a time.
Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss 
I am so glad you are OK. Please don’t let past activity and abilities make you forget you’re a golden oldie. My grandmother had been up and down the cellar steps at her home for forty years before one morning missing a step. She also found all the wondrous things on the way down. SHe got hurt, knocked out. The most important thing she had the life line device we had recently insist she wear. SHe hit the button, rescue people were dispatched and she healed and mended. Do you have a program like that, is that something you should have? Be well. Hugs
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Thanks for the thought, but I have Mr. Swiss. Actually a neighbour did find me sitting on the cellar floor as she was passing through, but she could never lift me up. My dad lived for many years in his house with a medaillon around his neck in case he had an accident. When he at last could move to a care home there was no problem. They had alarms everywhere in his room, and he fell a few times. It is something I will just have to get used to. I never use my cane at home and really try to do everything I always managed to do. I just do not want to give up so quickly, but it is so easily done to miss a step, or trip on something. My problem is that I cannot get up afterwards as my legs will not carry me. Living at home with Mr. Swiss, I would not need anything like that, but there are always exceptions. We have both learned something from this accident, at least I have.
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I understand, I really do. I had to learn the hard way. A fractured hip and a ripped up knee was the last straw. I wish the best for you. I would really miss your daily adventures. The world needs you. Hugs
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I have been lucky, just a broken arm, falling on tower Bridge in London about 20 years ago, and the same arm with a compound fracture, but this time the top half. I now have a bionic left arm with 15 screws and a metal plate, but interesting scars. I just make the most of it. I am really old enough to learn something from this slight accidents. Keep well – yes, life is one big adventure for some of us 🙂
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When my hip was bad — when it first became a serious problem — I was on the floor starting the fire in my woodstove. The phone rang. Back then it was a land line. For the first time I could not get up. The only thing I could have grabbed was the stove and it was hot. I ended up dragging myself to the door jam and getting up. I don’t even remember who called, just how scary that was. Falling with MS is the worst. I was just temporarily messed up, but to get up when your legs are not in your complete control is another nightmare altogether. I’m with Mr. Swiss. Don’t do that again. ❤
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The first time it happened I was speeded off to the hospital. After getting on my feet afterwards it was OK. It was then that my doctor said something was wrong somewhere. No other doctor had ever bothered to examine further. She sent me to a neurologist, and the result was MS. Not so serious, but definite. I had had it for at least 30-40 years and was always diagnosed as something else, but never examined properly. Now I realise it more and more and must be very careful. There is no cure, but thank goodness for the medicine which stops its progress to a certain extent. But I cannot get up if falling, it is just not possible. If I can find something to cling to, I can do it, You put it well, as I know you have experienced the disease with your father, your legs are not in your complete control, absolutely not. I think I have learned my lesson.
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❤
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I’m glad you are okay! I move very, very slowly up and down stairs. I’m at the point you are: a single slip, missed step, and I’m DOWN. And I can’t afford to be down. Garry can’t even hear me if I yell — he’s too deaf. So I move, one step at a time. I really HATE it. Walking isn’t so bad, but still, I need pretty flat ground or it feels as if the ground is going up and down. Bet you know what I mean.
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The thing was that I didn’t fall on the stairs but probably through being giddy and tripping on something stupid.The feeling in my legs is no longer what it was coupled with having a giddy feeling. I can walk ok at home, but outside indeed the cane otherwise it looks a bit funny. I know exactly what you mean.
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Glad you didn’t hurt yourself (or your medication). Those things definitely take you by surprise. Take care!
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Too many surprises are not so good that’s true .
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You were very fortunate to have fallen like that without breaking anything. You are quite ingenious, to use your stairway to get back in a standing position. I may have to build myself a short stairway for the next time I fall, we don’t have any stairs in our apartment. I can not get my legs back under me right.
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It seems I am not alone with this problem and we probably devise our own systems to return to an upright position. I cannot get to a standing position on my own so manoevered myself to the staircase where I could eventually put myself up. I am slowly gathering experience on doing these things.
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Oh my! Glad you weren’t badly hurt by the fall. Maybe you could wear a necklace with a whistle on it. You could summon someone to help you up. 🙂
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Only if the person is strong enough and knows the trick how to do it. I was a first aid Profi myself and you have to know how. I managed to pull myself up at the stairs. Whistle is no good when there is no-one near to hear it.
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Goodness, Pat! Please be careful. I’m with Mr Swiss–do not ever, ever do that again.
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I have learned my lesson the hard way.
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My oh my….. I did two heavy falls within one week last year (due to my v. Bad eyesight) and I am in enough pain to not try to rush things any more…. but it’s a bitter lesson to learn when you’ve been ‘Swift/fast/doing things’ all your life. I’m glad you got away with a light shock. Pls DO take care, I’m sure you will (for a time, at least!!!)
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I have MS and if I fall my legs do not want to stand afterwards. I walk with a cane outdoors and manage OK, but if something throws me off balance then I have a big problems. Fast no longer exists for me.
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