Yesterday, I felt lightheaded (bloodpressure was high) and shaky. Later in the night, when I went to say my nightly prayers, I felt a bit dizzy. I tried to walk over to the bed to sit down, but instead, I fell. Fortunately, I didn't hurt myself or get bruised or anything. Yet, it was a sobering thing to happen. Suddenly, I realized that I was alone in the house and should anything serious happen, I didn't have a phone handy (I hadn't taken one in to the bedroom, with me) and, with the security chain on the lock, etc., people wouldn't find it easy to reach me.
Today, I felt well enough to drive myself to get my blood tests done this morning. I took a bag of freshly picked lemons with me to give to the staff at the lab, as promised. They were so happy to receive the lemons.
Later, I did a load of laundry and washed the dishes. Also did some office-related work and sent that off.
But, by afternoon, I realized that I really wanted my daughter to come home this weekend. Earlier, each time she asked if I wanted her to come home this weekend, I had said no. After all, she had only left me on Monday evening and she needed a weekend to herself to work on her thesis, etc. But, this afternoon, I called her and asked her to try and get a flight home today. Luckily, she was able to do so. At this point, it doesn't matter how much it is going to cost. Right now, as I type this, she is waiting at the airport, waiting until it is time to board her flight.
Tomorrow, daughter will drive me to my hydration and we will discuss this latest turn of events with the medical staff.
Today, I am grateful for:
- the fall was relatively minor - I didn't get hurt or bruised, nothing broken, etc.
- finances allow for the occasional splurge of a last minute flight
- daughter was clever enough to organize her classes so she has Fridays and Mondays free to come home for the weekend
- I felt well enough today to do what needed to be done
- Neighbor across the street called to say she was bringing me more of her homemade soup
How was your day, today?
It's scary when you fall or have medical challenges and realize you're the only one there. When I had my open heart surgery and other heart related illnesses and surgeries I was panicked at times when alone. I tried to make myself more secure by doing things like carrying a cell phone around with me in a very small cross body purse. After a while you don't even notice it and your hands are free. If you fall or get dizzy the phone is right there with you. Maybe hide a key outside in case you have to call someone to get into your house to help you. I would also call a friend when I would take a shower because I usually got dizzy in there. Had a shower chair to sit on but if she didn't hear back from me by a certain time she was supposed to call me. Made me feel more secure. My advice is to do whatever it is to make you feel safer and more secure. Glad your daughter is coming so you can talk it over with her. She sounds like an amazing girl. You raised her well. Take care. (P.S. Hope this didn't sound bossy as that wasn't my intention)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal. No you didn't sound bossy. :) Good points to consider. I should get a set of spare keys made and give to my neighbor, just in case. And to think, just last week, I was climbing on my kitchen counter to clean my upper cabinets without a worry!
DeleteOh my, Bless, I'm glad you're OK! You are right though... maybe it's time to organize a system of friends/family who take turns checking in on you every day and who have access to a key to your home should you not be answering phone calls. It might be uncomfortable to potentially lose some privacy, but you never know what could happen. I wish you the best and I'm glad your daughter was able to make it this weekend on a short notice. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYes, I spoke with my cousin and with a neighbor; I will give them both a set of spare keys so that they can reach me in case of an emergency.
DeleteThat is very scary! Hope you feel better soon and that it is just a temporary blip. Sending hugs and prayers! x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sybil.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your fall, Bless, and very thankful that you didn't break anything. I can understand your feeling of vulnerability right now. Hugs! I hope that the medical staff will be able to advise you so that this lightheadedness and dizziness doesn't recur.
ReplyDeleteBushlady
Thanks, Bushlady. I was told I should eat more! I don't have an appetite and I haven't been eating enough. Need to make it a point to eat more.
DeleteDo you know for sure that your blood pressure was high when you fell? Do you check it at home? It sounds more like it was too low. You need to keep your phone in your pocket and preprogram an emergency number in, such as a neighbor with a key. Also have a system that will tell a neighbor when you go to bed and when you get up, such as a raised/lowered shade or open/closed drape.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't know for sure; I had high pressure in the morning, but it might have been low by evening. Dr. thought it was due to not eating enough, so my sugar might have been low. I do call and let daughter know when I go to sleep and when I get up, etc.
DeleteBless, Can you ascribe dizziness to anything specific? A side effect of one of the drugs? when had you last eaten? a precipitous drop in blood pressure? blood sugar [diabetes]? over tired? more than typical exertion? ear issue? do you test your blood pressure or blood sugar? Have you ever had a vertigo attack?
ReplyDeleteAre you willing to use a lanyard on your phone so it can be worn around your neck if the garment of the moment has no pocket? get an emergency alarm bracelet & service [I've fallen and can't get up commercial]. Is it reasonable to give across the street relative or neighbour of choice a key to a door without an internal chain? Chain cutter [they are easily cut] should you feel light headed! What is best, immediate procedure if you feel dizzy? Sit down in place immediately, whatever the room?
Hon, thank you for all the concern. I guess I hadn't eaten enough that day and that was the cause for the fall. But I will certainly give my cousin a key to the door, just in case.
DeleteBless, I am so very sorry this happened to you. Happy that no bones were broke. Hope the doctors can advise you of what you need to do.. [I saw in one of the post, you said, you were not eating enough..Know this is difficult.. Pray your appetite is better real soon.
ReplyDeleteI am so proud your daughter was able to come home and will be with you this weekend. Know I am praying for you..
ps.. I have been worried about you. hugs
Thanks Judy. It's hard to eat when you don't have an appetite and nothing sounds good; I've been having fruit juice, but that's not the best for me because of the diabetes. Too many things to juggle!
DeleteBless! I'm glad you are okay and that daughter is able to come home. Please be careful and try to keep your phone on you just in case you have some kind of emergency. Or whatever other system works for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess. I will need to learn to carry my phone all the time.
DeleteHugs to you Bless! Have been thinking of you and your sweet daughter. Hoping you're able to eat a little more but know it must be difficult. Sending happy thoughts your way!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolyn. I was able to eat a little more today - it's easier when there is an anxious daughter hovering over me, ready to bring me whatever I please to eat, etc.
DeleteI am relieved to read that you did not hurt yourself and that you can take necessary steps to be safer. By now, your daughter is with you so I will be patient waiting for your next updates, without worrying too much.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Otir. Daughter is here and taking very good care of me. She spoils me when she's here, waiting on me hand and foot - bringing me my food, my medicines, a drink of water, etc. No wonder I miss her when she's gone!
DeleteAre you using your nutrition drinks? The ones you were told about at first?
ReplyDeleteI take them some days. Ironically, the day I fell was one of those days when I took a nutritional drink. I am being more conscientious about taking at least one protein drink each day and eating something every 3 hours, even if it is a couple of crackers or a fruit cup, as the dr. recommended, and not just drinking fruit juice because it is easier. Eat snacks, I was told; not to worry about a full meal.
DeleteOh my, Bless. I am so sorry this happened to you. I really wish I lived closer to you. I hope you are OK and I am very glad that your daughter was able to come home.
ReplyDeleteWhen my grandmother was living with us we were able to get a device called 'Lifeline' through our local Office of Aging Department. It was a button she wore around her neck in case she fell or was in a situation where she needed help while I was at work. When the button is pressed it immediately connects to a dispatcher who routes the emergency to the proper place (ambulance, police, etc) and also immediately contacted whoever is listed as an emergemcy contact (family member, friend, etc.)
Because we went through the agency I don't think there was any cost to us for this service but otherwise I think it was around 20-30 dollars a month. I know that sounds like a lot, but if it would help it may be a good thing to look into. I will pray that you do not have any lasting physical effects from your fall and that you are able to find support of those around you who maybe can look in on you.
Sending hugs and many many prayers your way, my friend. Please give your daughter a hug from me too. XOXO
Thanks, Dawn. Hopefully, this was a one time thing and I will not be taking too many falls in the near future to need such a service, but it is something to keep in mind for the more distant future.
Delete