First Fall

[marennorge]

I fell today for the first time. Slipped on a wet spot in the bathroom and both legs went out from underneath me. I managed to grab the vanity so I landed softly on my rear end. My Scottish Terrier, Piper, thought I had come down to her level to play. I was alone in the house and no one was expected for at least 4 hours.

Yes, I could reach a phone, but no one came immediately to mind who would be readily available to come over to help me up. Except for 911, and I didn't think this qualified for that kind of emergency call since I wasn't injured.

I pushed myself across the hall on my back to a bedroom but soon realized from floor level that the bed was too high for me to use to haul myself up. And, if I grabbed onto the dressers, I could easily topple one over on top of me. Try as I might, I could not get on my knees, even with a pillow underneath.

So, after lying there considering my options, I rolled over on my stomach and leaned my left arm on the pillow and did a swimmer's sidestroke down the hall and into the living room. Then, I flipped over onto my rear end and worked myself backwards across the rug so my back was up against the sofa, which is against a wall. After resting a few minutes, I pushed myself into the bridge exercise position and walked myself up onto the couch on my back.

So, now I know that as long as I'm not hurt, I can get up. Not easily, but doable. And there's no doubt that the leg exercises helped me achieve the upright position.

 

[Peta]

OMG - are you sure you're okay?? Well done for not panicking........(I'm not sure I wouldn't have) and I can only imagine how relieved you are! Good to know those exercises did the trick - but promise me you're not going to make a habit of doing this!
I'm so glad there was a happy ending - as I was reading your post I was getting more and more worried, wondering what the outcome was!

Peta

 

[Judles]

Yikes!!!! It DID sound like it was a 911 emergency! You must have totally scared the heck out of yourself! And thank heavens you got yourself up! Are you bruised? A little ice & Advil may help! Before you take anything, I think a nice glass of wine may help settle you down!
The bath is definitely a danger zone! SOunds like you need a grab bar or two in your bathroom,, to pull yourself up if that ever happens again! Hope you're feeling better! If you're sore in the morning, you'll know why!

 

[Josephine]

Phew - that made me go cold all over! I've been in one or two situations like that but not right after surgery! Sometimes the only thing you can do is stay put and consider your options. I think your use of the pillow to 'swim' to the sitting room was medal-worthy! Well done!

 

[calling_all_angels]

So,
Happy you were able to get yourself up. I have been told by friends that their family members that have had both knees replaced can not get up after they have fallen. And that has scared me alot. But now that you have showen me anything is possible. Thank you!! I hope that you are not to sore tomorrow. Take care
^i^

 

[JudyS]

wow that was scary to read . I am so glad you got yourself safely to a good place. Be careful
Judy

 

[Jamie]

Marennorge, what a frightening experience!!! I'm so glad you shared it with the forum because it shows what a person can do in an emergency (yes, it WAS an emergency) situation if they stay calm and just keep at it. I agree that your exercises must have really helped you have the strength to work your way up on the couch. Thank goodness you weren't hurt, but please take care of yourself. You'll no doubt be sore for a couple of days! Take something to keep yourself comfortable.

 

[Josephine]

Well, it got me thinking and I decided to put in some safety things similar to this. I have some webbing like they use to secure loads on lorries so if I put some loops in a couple or three places - well, you get the picture .... Plus this one has a max weight of 200lbs but the lorry webbing ~ well!

 

[Sandy R]

Yikes! After surgery, I think a fall is all our fear. Sounds like you really did well in a tough situation. I think I might have called 911. If I had just gotten out of the shower and completely naked, then maybe not! How are you feeling today? Are you in any pain?
Sandy

 

[Judles]

That was my next question,too,,,,Sandy! Marrenorge,,,,,How ARE you feeling today?

 

[Doug]

Marennorge,
I'm a retired cop. I have been sent to many a house to help folks. One lady had a toe stuck in the tub faucet..I've carried them upstairs, downstairs, found the cat, and chased off a possum..It's part of the job.
While your plight isn't quite an emergency, you could dial the regular number for either the police or fire department. They'll come. I would submit that being on a cold floor during the winter could turn into an emergency.

 

[marennorge]

Thanks for all your kind words and concern. No, I am not sore at all. I really did manage to catch myself on the vanity. Because I have good upper body strength, I slowed the fall so that I landed gently on my rump. And, no, I wasn't naked.

I remember now that my at home PT had suggested at one time that I should get down on the living room rug and practice getting up using the couch as leverage. The PT even demonstrated it for me. I never did try it (until I had to).

A big fear for all of us is falling and not being able to get up. Maybe it is worth practicing getting up using that method or something similar to help alleviate that fear. That incident has given me new confidence about my abilities, and that's a good thing.

 

[Judles]

Phew! So glad to hear you're OK Marennorge! Was worried about you!
Is THAT why they call it "vanity????". Just be careful!

 

[backbay38]

Marennorge -- VERY scary to read -- but very reassuring that you worked your plight through so well to get to a place where you COULD get up -- and that you had the uper body strength to do it!!! I gather you had both knees replaced. Doubly scary. I got down on my LRfloor on my own about 10 days or so after my surgery -- planning to use a couple of steps (it's a "lower" living room) to pull my self up with my arms like a reverse push up. But found I didn't have to -- I was able to use my good leg to push into a Yoga "dog" pose and then walk my hands to my feet and stand up (I;m very limber, luckily.) Looked really stupid with my rear end in the air most of the time but it works. I am still doing a modified form of that to get up. Very smart of your PT to tell you to practice using the couch too. Even if you didn't do it -- the idea and the demo were planted in your mind and you could try it when you had to.
But your calm and logical thinking are really impressive!!! Well done!!!!

 

[Nursepair]

Sorry to hear about your fall, you must have been terrified. Well done for getting up again, guess that old adrenalin kicked in eh? Hope you are OK today. Take care. (((HUGS))) Sue