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Chris tripped and fell a few Sundays back. Her radius and ulna bones broke and the elbow was beyond repair. We were on a little day trip, to visit the Cleveland Aquarium.
Come the next day, the anticipated 2-3 hour surgery stretched to 7 hours. Afterwards, the surgeon, allegedly among the finest in the country for this particular procedure, reported good results. However, coming out of the long anesthesia, Chris had difficulty communicating, so was quickly rushed down the hall for an MRI. The nurses had explained the test was necessary to be certain there had not been a stroke. All Chris heard was the word stroke. When I was finally allowed into recovery, I found Chris, her face all scrunched up, struggling to hold back tears, as she waited for the results of the test. Seeing Chrissy like that made my eyes well up too. Luckily, my marginally inappropriate bedside sense of humor kicked in, and I soon had us both, as well as a couple nurses, laughing through the tears. The MRI was fine, still, our day trip would be extended a couple more days for observation.
So far things are going as they should for Chris, though her recovery will be lengthy.
It was only supposed to be a day trip. We were stuck, 100 miles from home, with no change of clothes, no meds or C-Pap contraption. Thanks to MyChart, meds were no problem for Chris. I went without my meds until I made a round trip home on Tuesday; the only one I really missed was the Rx for my restless legs. For future day trips, perhaps I will put together a go-bag with a few emergency essentials that can’t be easily purchased from a nearby department store.
Accidents happen in a heartbeat. We did okay because we were close to home, but real vacations require a little more planning. Things like proper travel insurance to pay for emergency transport home from a foreign country, or proper auto insurance if you are renting a BMW in the UK.
Dan, I hope Chris is and you are both doing well. Several good lessons we can take from your experience.
Early in our nomadic lives, J fell down some stairs and broke a foot. We were in a small town that we didn’t know, but that fortunately had an Urgent Care. And it was in the U.S., so we had our car. It meant some pain, several weeks of PT, and some derailed plans. We were very thankful that was all; a stair fall is no joke.
Strength and balance training are both important. I think insurance including for medical evacuation is a good idea, as is a go bag. Although in our case anything we would put in the latter is on our backs anyway 🙂
I’m reminded of a patient who began her trip to Italy by fracturing her ankle on stairs on her first day, thus ending her vacation early. I’ve had many other PT patients who gave me a deadline to get them ready for a trip already booked. Their time frame was often not in line with reality. Some went anyway, leaving me wondering what would happen if they had a problem far from home.
Dan, Best wishes to Chris for a full recovery. Living in a 55+ community, I see seniors having falls in their homes and getting injured. This is becoming more common. This week, our neighbor fell down from a standing position while putting on pants. She had surgery yesterday to fix a femur fracture. It is best to be more careful as we age.
Dan, condolences on Chris’ accident and best wishes to her for a swift recovery. I’m sure you will give her superb husbandly care!
I have a longtime habit of carrying a small briefcase with me anytime I’m going to be gone from home longer than an hour. I put my insulin pump controller in it (I’m a type 1 diabetic), and I always have two days’ worth of meds in one of those small plastic pill organizers, plus ibuprofen, loperamide, a change of underwear, a pair of socks, a spare pair of glasses, a few personal supplies, and a couple of energy bars.
The whole thing doesn’t weigh three pounds, but it’s solid gold. Can’t count the number of times it has saved me, especially in the car and the hospital and when I’m performing. It’s my backstage bag and my carryon “purse” on airplanes.
Dan,
I’m so sorry to hear about Chris’s injury. My heart goes out to her—I truly hope she has a smooth and speedy recovery.
Dan, so sorry to read this. That really turned into a nightmare of a day trip.
Hoping that Chris has a speedier than expected recovery, and that you get some rest as well.
Andrew
What an unfortunate end to a nice outing. Hope that you are, or soon will be, safely home again. Best wishes to Chris for a speedy recovery. After reading the comments so far, I like the idea of keeping a few items in the car. I always have a blanket, a couple camp chairs and a jug of water, but I will add a change of clothes and some granola bars.
All the best for a speedy recovery. Being the bad guy on PT exercises when authorised probably your main role (do them religiously but DON’T overdo them). Muscle wastage comes fast.
I wouldn’t overthink the go bag thing. There are very few things a couple of CC/debit cards and an internet connection can’t solve. Plus travel insurance of course if abroad. Rx can be a bit of a pain but can usually be negotiated. There is value to be had in travelling “light and lucky”.
By all means stash a sleeping bag/blanket, torch, water, granola bars, spare underwear, first aid kit permanently in your car.
Dan, wishing Chris a speedy recovery. So very sorry for this awful mishap. But Chris has in you just what the doctor ordered—a cheerful, positive attitude. I know you’ll give her lots of TLC.
Dan, I am sorry about Chris’s accident. I will offer a prayer for her recovery. We were in Cleveland this past week also. Had never been and it is a neat town. Chris
I hope Chris is progressing. I can relate to some extent. Connie does not do well with anesthesia. I remember waiting to see here after one surgery. The planned wait for recovery turned into hours. I was really nervous and couldn’t get answers. Turned out to be the prolonged reaction to the anesthesia.
So sorry about this, Dan. I believe you were a self-sufficient bachelor prior to your marriage? Your skills should serve the family well during Chris’s recovery.
Falls are a significant risk factor when aging. Peter Atttia, the longevity doc, has some good stuff on it. Here’s one: How People Over 65 Can Reduce Their Fall Risk | Peter Attia
Sorry to hear about this mishap. Your “inappropriate bedside sense of humor” should speed up the healing process. 🙂
My 10 year old grandson broke his ankle almost two weeks ago, on a Sunday night, 100 miles from home. He’s getting around on a knee scooter with a cast, but also taking advantage of the situation asking for anyone to get this or that for him.
One thing I won’t attempt again is a hoverboard. Learned my lesson a few years ago on Christmas night and broke my wrist.
Yikes, that’s awful—poor Chris!
Dan, you make a great point that we should think ahead about things like day trips and longer trips, meds, etc. I buy an annual travel policy that covers major medical expenses, emergency transport, and other things. When we travel, I usually pack at least one extra day’s worth of meds and clothes, especially if we’re flying. Just last year, our flight home from Amsterdam got cancelled at the last minute, and we were fortunate to get home “only” 24 hours later than planned and barely missed Hurricane Somebody hitting Houston (our rerouted travel required a connection there). You just never know.
But I hadn’t thought about a day trip bag, and that’s a really good idea. Best to Chris and to you as she recovers, and thanks for sharing your experience.
Dan, I’m very sorry this happened too Chris and I wish here a speedy recovery. My wife has said for along time that falls are what sure her the most about aging – she has seen many a victim inter nursing career. Take care of her and stay away from the wrong side of the road.
Thanks much Rick. I thought you’d get a chuckle from that final sentence.
Wow, sorry to hear about that, Dan. Wishing a speedy recovery.
Your story, I think, is very helpful. It’s difficult to plan for all contingencies, but this is good food for thought.
Hoping for a full recovery and a the ability to recover at home. I’m sure PT will be a major part of your lives for the next few months.
Very sorry to read this and I wish Chris a speedy recovery.
accidents do happen in a heartbeat and I have my own story from two years ago. I was carefully crossing a road to go to the gym when a motorcycle hit me and threw me to the ground. I was in Athens at the time where motorcycles are plentiful and they drive like maniacs. Long story short, I got to experience the Greek health system and I couldn’t walk for almost two months but as the doctor told me I would be in pain for a while but I would be ok. Since that day I have not taken my ability to walk for granted
Nick, I’ve not been to Greece, but I have observed how insane motorcycles are driven in some of the Caribbean countries, especially French St. Martin. I hope you are fully recovered.
Thank you Dan. I am fully recovered.
Along with everybody else in the HumbleDollar community, I wish Chris a speedy recovery. Be sure to also take care of yourself, Dan.
Jonathan, thanks. I’ll be fine, Chris is a good patient and not very demanding.
So sorry to read this. I am coming to the conclusion that balance exercises are even more important than strength or aerobic as you get older. Not only do older people seem more likely to fall, the consequences are much worse. I had lunch yesterday with a friend my age with a badly broken wrist. Another friend, younger than I am, will miss a lunch tomorrow because of a broken shoulder.
I hope Chris has access to really good physical therapy. It can make a big difference.
And yes, traveling abroad you need medical and evacuation/repatriation insurance. Read the fine print!
Amen, Kathy. I do balance work almost every day, usually in the shower where it’s most challenging. So very important.
I was doing that in the shower, too, until I told my primary care physician about it. She was very unhappy with that location, so I do it in the garage now!
We find out Monday how soon Chris can begin PT. I totally agree about balance exercise; falls are a game change for seniors.
Thanks Kathy
That’s an awful ending to what sounds like a lovely day trip. I’m sure it shocked you both, and I do hope for a speedy recovery. You never know when you’ll need a light smack around the head to keep you on track. It would be unfortunate if Chris couldn’t administer it!
Mark, I’m a bit concerned about that hard cast….
So sorry to see this news, Dan. I hope Chris’s recovery is problem-free, quick, and complete.
Thanks 1.