Sue heard a crash at 3AM and hurried to the bathroom to find AC lying on the floor with his head on the heater that he had knocked over.
It was pretty well a repeat of what happened just a few months ago. I had been feeling very unsteady and reached to stabilize myself on the counter, but I toppled over instead.
Like the last time, I was pretty helpless. Sue instructed me to just lie there while she got a pillow, but I wasn't computing very well and, somehow, managed to pull myself up against the counter. But then I was stuck and could barely even lift my head for quite some time. Well, it seemed like a long time, but it probably was no more than 10 or 15 minutes.
We have a walker in the basement for an expected surgery that never eventuated. Sue brought it upstairs, and with supreme care and effort, I made it to the bed.
I think that this fall occurred because back pain drugs were affecting me. If I had been more coherent in the middle of the night, I would have recognized that as soon as I got up. All I had to do was lie back down and let the dizziness pass.
Instead of using what little brain that the divine has granted me, I proceeded to the bathroom and ended up landing very hard on the left side of my rump. I can tell you that I am pretty sore there in the aftermath in addition to dealing with my already aching back
Back in bed, I pretty well fell right back to sleep, but poor Sue had quite a time settling down after being well-shaken from her deep slumber
No, I didn't go to the doctor. I did that last time in August. They checked me out thoroughly and found no cause for alarm. While this sort of thing isn't exactly common, it is not all that unusual either.
I shall have to be more aware and vigilant in my nocturnal ambulating. When I fell, I seemed to come alarmingly close to hitting my head on the corner of a little cabinet. Indeed, my fall actually jarred the cabinet a little, but I managed to avoid severe damage. If I am not more careful, I might not be so lucky next time.
Yikes. Be careful, my friend. Falls are rugged and heads are valuable!
ReplyDeleteThis may be tmi, but -- why not get a urinal, to avoid having to get up during the night? I did that after hip surgery, much safer. That said, I'm sorry about the fall. And I feel for Sue. Hearing a crash and having to go see what happened is stressful.
ReplyDeleteOh, it has crossed my mind.
DeleteThis is frightening for you both. Boud has a good suggestion.
ReplyDeleteOh no! So sorry that happened. And you added bruises to the back pain too! But falls are certainly to be taken seriously...whether you think it's from the pain meds or not...a Dr. visit might still be worth considering, says this elder!
ReplyDeleteOh my, AC. I can only imagine what it was like for each of you. Boud’s idea has merit. Take care, my friend!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I am very sorry this happened again for you!!! Are the back pain medications something you will be taking long term or is is temporary? If long term, perhaps dividing the dosage across the day or something similar would be helpful? Or perhaps taking them earlier than you do now would make it less likely for the strong effect in the middle of the night?
ReplyDeleteNaw, they're temporary, and I am quitting.
DeleteOh no! Thank goodness it was your rump and not your head. Although the soreness will probably be terrible for a bit. We all agree with Boud, it's the safest plan.
ReplyDeleteEven without back pain meds, I feel wobbly when I get out of bed. I do everything very slowly. What a scary fall! Perhaps as my mother did, you should have the walker close by and use that to do your nocturnal visits. Get better soon, John! And NO more falling, please.
ReplyDeleteMy dad did almost exactly the same thing. He did go to the doctor. After a few weeks of various tests, he was diagnosed with a nerve and muscle problem and put on prednisone. In 48 hours, the weakness disappeared. On a minimal dose of prednisone, it never came back. I am thinking it would not hurt to get a medical opinion. Hmm? If only to keep Sue from having to scrape you off things. My man has had two of these falls, and I called an ambulance on one of them and the neighbours to help me on the other. We did not get a diagnosis, sadly, but I did try.
ReplyDeleteVery scary for both of you.
ReplyDeleteThat was a frightening ordeal, and I’m glad you avoided more serious injury
ReplyDeleteOh my. Maybe sit up in bed, settle you feet on the floor and steady yourself before starting the walk. I have to do that.
ReplyDeleteYou could think of a commode next to the bed. Sounds unpleasant, however, it kept my husband from many falls in the night.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you are doing much better.
I hope you are better now, dear friend. Yes, sitting on the end of your bed for a couple of moments before getting up is advised, as it gives us bearing before we stand up.
ReplyDeleteScary stuff. Maybe keep the walker by your bed for night time excursions...
ReplyDeleteYou're very fortunate that you didn't do damage to yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, that is not good. I am sure you are sore today. You and Furry Gnome, tumbling about and scaring us all! Poor Sue must be do worried. I know I would be.
ReplyDeleteDitto to all above. Bedside commodes new are $75; baggie/liners can be placed in the bucket part to absorb your contribution and diminish odour. Makes for easy clean-up too. A walker will remind you to stand and march in place for a while, and if you're ok, then you can use the walker to lead you to the outhouse. Attach a hanging light to it. A urinal is grand too: make sure it's expensive enough to have a rounded lip/edge on it so you don't cut your parts. They do have short bed railings that have a built in motion detecting light for we elderlings, about $70. I've left mine in place even after my shoulder surgery. Don't continue your same pattern, which most likely guarantees some sort of repeat fall, eh? I'll look for your response if you want the purchase/brand info on my items. Keep breathing too. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your knowledgeable suggestions. I will bear them in mind.
DeleteI am so glad you are okay. That was scary for everybody involved.
ReplyDeleteBathrooms are not the best room in the house to fall AC. They always seem full of hard objects. But I'm glad you didn't get hurt with your daredevil attitude.
ReplyDeleteFalls seem to be following us around! Hopefully Lady Luck keeps following too!
ReplyDeleteI would recommend a walker at night. Ye gods, how frightening! Yes. You were lucky!
ReplyDeleteWe know you're not scared of the Boogey Man, but might consider night lights on the path to the bathroom, and in there. Even those bright Christmas lights would be dandy!! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. When you are in the moment, it's difficult to think clearly. Poor Sue as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible experience, for both of you. I hope the aches and pains have abated somewhat now, and Sue's nerves have settled.
ReplyDeleteScary! We have a small hole in our bathroom door from a similar fall around here. The hole was made by my head, and I had a shiner of a black eye. And 2 days later I had to go to my husband’s holiday party. NOT IDEAL.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you’re OK!
Good gosh, John! I'm glad you're sort of OK and haven't broken anything. I'm hoping you will heal quickly.
ReplyDelete