So for Mother's Day my daughter and I were going to go for a horseback ride.
Well, I did get on the horse. Unfortunately, the horse had a panic attack, ran backward, and fell down.
Horses are not designed to run backwards, and often fall down in the process, so I tried for an emergency dismount (in which the rider lands on her feet) and got it about half-way right. I think the horse added some kinetic energy to the event with a buck. Anyway, I landed on my left buttock (fortunately, not my head) and then my left shoulder. I had enough presence of mind to keep rolling away from the downed horse, to avoid getting rolled on or stepped on.
Usually, the unpleasant sensations from falling off subside in not too long--5 minutes, 15 minutes. This time, the unpleasant sensations had not changed after two hours, so off to urgent care we went.
I have a cracked left ischium (part of the pelvic girdle). Arms and shoulder girdle are ok, but the ribcage -- well, I feel like I took a strong blow to the left side, and my sternum's sore, too. In other words, if I am supine, sitting up takes some grunting and grimacing, and taking much weight on my hands and shoulders isn't that pleasant either.
As far as the left and right legs go, passive range of motion is ok, but it smarts quite a bit to actively flex my left hip, and abduction and adduction are also not very amusing.
As far as possible, I'm not supposed to put any weight on the left leg (and I am assuming, the left sitzbone either). I'm most comfortable supine or partly reclining in bed.
Crutches are out of the question, as it hurts the chest too much and the hopping part of weight transfer jiggles the deep bruises on my butt.
I have a walker and can get from the bed to the throne, so that part of self-care is OK. Yesterday (Monday) I used the walker to stroll around the house several times, taking all the weight on my arms for the stance phase of the left leg. I think I overdid it, or the bruises are just continuing to do what bruises do.
This morning I switched from vicodin to ibuprophen. The bending and stretching parts are a little more comfortable but movement in my left leg still produces unpleasant sensations..
I'm getting lots of help from friends and family, but an emergency is about to happen: I'm almost out of books I want to read.
Feel better soon, Liz!
Posted by: Todd W. | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:44 AM
(((())) I hope your recovery is quick and smooth and that the pain meds make it as painless as possible.
Posted by: KWombles | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Liz! I was giggling at the start of your post because your word choices were excellent. Then the injuries cropped up and no more giggles. Do you have a e-reader? Can you download books to read? Sorry to hear of the breakage and bruising, sounds awful.
Posted by: Trish Parnell | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Almost out of books?
Baen.com's SF e-books (many of them free)
Posted by: Tsu Dho Nimh | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Hope you feel better, Liz. I too have fallen off a horse, and it is not a good feeling. They're taller than they look but low enough to not give you time to brace yourself.
Posted by: René "Epi Ren" Najera | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Oh Leetle Sister--horse wrecks are wretched and resulting injuries just a royal PITA--in this case literally. OUCHIE
Will be by Thurs. with food, books and whatever else you need. XO
Posted by: Susan Ditz | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Owwww! Oh, Liz, get well soon. Anything I can bring you?
Posted by: Barak | Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Order the iPad or Kindle and get reading. Try 'My Life' by Keith Richards. It's very long. Sorry to hear of your 'accident'. Reminds me of a fall I took back in aught whatever off a bareback horse who tripped over a tether out in the orchards behind your Los Altos house. Mother had to come and get me in the station wagon. I think Joe led that wild pony home, or something. It hurt like h-e-double toothpicks for weeks. I feel your pain!
Take it easy and feel better soon.
Posted by: Lorri | Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Ow, ow, ow, ow!
Almost out of books? Oh, no!
Actually when I am in pain I find it difficult to keep holding a book (I fell on stairs a couple of months ago and bruised my ribs). That is when I listen to audio books, which I can check out and download from my library. You can also download books here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Ah Liz, you have my sympathy!
I've never broken anything in an "unplanned dismount" from a horse, but I've gotten a moderate concussion and, once, my grandfather's horse (an evil chestnut inhabited by the soul of the Devil) pitched me off the saddle into a patch of prickly pear cactus.
Perhaps those episodes, plus the fact that horses were my "work truck" for chores until my 16th birthday, explain why I've never enjoyed riding. I hope you are able (once you've healed, of course) to get back in the saddle.
Prometheus
Posted by: Prometheus | Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Just now reading the whole story and again send my repentance for now well-wishing you sooner! Oh.my. A fall from a horse. I'm all Texan but urban and un-horsed. I have often thought I MIGHT want to try it one day but oh.my. Not soon now.
I know you are better by now and truly hope you are near-well if not completely.
Posted by: Barbara Boucher, OT, PhD, PT | Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 07:38 PM