Sunday 19 April 2020

Glück im Unglück (A Blessing in Disguise)

Oops, there she goes, falling like a sack of potatoes, spilling herself all over the stairs.

After a day spent largely in the garden, evening came with its normal quota of tiredness. Happy and contented tiredness. Eleven at night and time for bed. Had I shut the shed and garage? Better check. Yes, all safe and sound, no need to worry. Locking the inner door to the shed was the last thing to do before climbing the stairs. I hadn’t bothered to take off my thick-soled, non-slip trainers; that was my downfall. Literally. Turning on my toes my right foot refused to move, my left foot was in too much of a hurry, stumbled over the right and there you have it, I shot forward, unable to brake and came to rest on the stairs, my chin hitting the step with an enormous crack. Instantly blood came gushing out, with me in serious pain.

Eleven o’clock at night, on your own, is not a good time for an accident of that nature. In the mirror I saw that my own teeth had cut my lower lip from inside to out. I googled “how to stop bleeding of the face and mouth”. Ice packs should do it in twenty minutes, Google said. Three ice packs later I was still bleeding. It was two am by now. I decided to ring 111 for advice, the service for non-emergency help. Initially I spoke to someone non medical, after a whole raft of questions they referred me to a nurse, who actually rang back a little later. Another raft of questions which I answered honestly, without making too much of a meal of it. All I wanted was advice on how to stop the bleeding. Halfway through the call the nurse said  ”the ambulance is on its way, you shouldn’t have to wait too long.” What? Hospital During The Time of Covid 19? Not bloody likely! I’d rather bleed to death in the comfort of my own home!

Anyway, the ambulance did indeed turn up fairly soon. The paramedics weren’t even inside the house yet when I informed them that they had had a wasted journey, the bleeding was lessening and under no circumstances was I going to hospital with them. “There there,” they said, "first let’s have a look at you.” They did what they called ‘obs’, (my blood pressure was off my personal scale) wrote it all down, both of them sitting on the floor, operating their various machinery, attempting to calm me down. We actually had quite a pleasant chat.

By about three am the bleeding had most certainly lessened. Finally, the paramedics agreed that there was no immediate need for me to go into any hospital; instead they advised me to visit the local minor injuries unit the next day. I didn’t even do that. I’d rather spend the rest of my life with a deep scar on my lip than contract the virus and have no life left.

Before they left they admitted that I was doing the right thing. “To be honest”, the female paramedic said, “before now, we have taken people to hospital for different reasons, without a fever, and the same people have come out with a high temperature.”

Today, two evenings on, I have recovered somewhat from both the accident and the shock. Yesterday I spent the whole day dozing, taking painkillers, not even getting dressed. Today, I am feeling much better, I did a bit of gardening with Paul, and tried to eat on one side of my mouth. But the fat blue lip has already gone down, there is a bloody scab closing the wound, and I am hoping that there will be no inflammation. I might ring my surgery doctor for some advice on how best to avoid that.

Wish me luck.




40 comments:

  1. I am most certainly sending bucket loads of cyber luck dragons your way.

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  2. I'm sorry you went through all of that...Scary but your instincts were and are correct. So glad you are mending. Take care.

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  3. What a miserable accident. Very sorry you had to go through that. But you're wise to weigh the risks and not fly to the hospital. And you did get pretty good first aid assistance. Takes a lot of poise to think clearly at a time like that. I hope you heal quickly.

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  4. A good thing is that you "got back on the horse" so quickly. You have already gone back to your gardening. You were thinking clearly in choosing to stay away from the hospital. But, then, clear thinking is your M.O. I'm sorry you fell. Hope all signs of it disappear soon.

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  5. keep feeling better, please.

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  6. Oh wow! That was quite an unpleasant experience. And I am so glad you didn't have to spend any time in hospital. I'll bet that lip is quite a sight. How's the shin? Obviously it got bruised but the lip was the main injury. Get well soon!

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  7. Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. Everyone who lives alone worries about something like that happening. And wouldn't you know, it happened to you at a very inconvenient time. Glad you didn't have to risk catching the virus by going to a hospital.

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  8. Ich drück' Ihnen die Daumen! It does seem wise to avoid going to hospital at all costs these days.

    Heal well. x

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  9. Friko, I’m so sorry about your fall, but I had to laugh when I read your “not bloody likely etc” as that’s exactly my feeling about going to the hospital these days. There’s no way. You did the right thing. Hope you are healing well.

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  10. I can't imagine the fear and panic you must have felt, especially when it first happened and you didn't know what damage was done. As paramedics here say, it is our job to decide if you need to go to hospital. While there were a number of infections picked up in hospitals, this has well and truly stopped here now. I think you were right to be reluctant to go to hospital and it sounds like the paramedics supported your choice.

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  11. Sorry to hear about it. Gute Besserung! Valerie

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  12. Dear, oh dear. I'm with you on wanting to avoid hospital if at all possible, at the best of times, but especially now. Thank goodness that the paramedics were there to reassure you. If it's not too insensitive a phrase at the moment, keep your chin up - and stay safe!

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  13. Hi Friko - so glad you're 'up and about' and able to relate the story. It sounds really horrid - but your wits were about you ... and thank goodness 111 and the ambulance all worked out - once you'd got it under some degree of control and stabilised yourself.

    Also - wise not to go to A+E ... I'm sure the doc will have fitted you in for a quick once over - hope so. Just a shock ... and then the horror of clearing up, not able to to go to bed, and then the shock setting in - but sounds like the day of 'rest' helped.

    I'd love to know what Paul said ... ?? Anyway it does sound as though you're on some sort of mend ... a while to heal up completely - but all the very best - and yes take care - Hilary

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  14. so sorry, healing wishes sent your way.
    this one has fell a few times, it is frightening.

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  15. I remember two of my sons 'putting' their teeth through their lips when they were little and how much blood there was. One of them did end up needing stitches and help to stop the bleeding but the other didn't. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Good for you resting the next day and then getting back into the swing of things.

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  16. Scary! But glad it turned out okay. I bet you're going to have a little scar there -- a reminder of the days of the Coronavirus.

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  17. What a horrible shock...thank goodness the back up worked so well for you. Quite agree about avoiding hospitals!

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  18. Friko, I'm very sorry! you did everything right, the lip will heal over time. You can pick up any infection in the hospital and be treated for a long time. Of course no one is safe from such a fall, your legs may not obey you. It’s good that the teeth weren’t hurt. I wish you recovery, although it may not be as fast as you want.

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  19. I agree. Not a time to go to the hospital if you can avoid it. They sounded very nice and helpful and I'm glad you are feeling better. Yes, watch for infection, but it sounds like you should do fine. Asking them what to do to prevent that is a good idea, too. What a scary thing to happen! Be extra careful and safe, Friko! :)

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  20. I was thinking about such matters when I read your post. About being so extra careful with everything, including our bodies, during this time. Hospital is the very worst place one can be, and who wants repairs for an accident of some kind (phone, small appliances, etc.). Caution.

    So sorry to hear about this. Mend quickly and safely and healthfully.

    XO
    WWW

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  21. I don't blame you one bit for refusing to go to the hospital. I think a body part would have to be dangling before I would consent to that. but what an ordeal. it does sound painful especially trying to eat. mend well and fast. and you'd think non-slip trainers would keep you from falling! I was helping a friend load his truck and gave a mighty shove to move an immovable object, lost my footing and tumbled off the tailgate of the truck but fortunately grabbed something that held so that I didn't hit the ground but where my hip hit the corner of the tailgate, which tore my jeans and gave me a scrape, looked like the eye of Sauron if it had been deep purple instead of fiery red.

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  22. Ouch. I am so sorry about your fall. What a terrible time to have such an accident. That had to be scary and I would have done what you did. Kind of glad though that the paramedics did tend to you and that they agreed with you. Good idea to see if you need anything for infection. Take good care.

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  23. Friko, sending best wishes for a speedy healing. Seems as if falling has been on the increase of late. Hubby fell down stairs last year. I fell in bathroom last autumn. We really have to pay more attention to ourselves doing stairs. I tell myself that but still behave as if I am young - ah to be a gazelle again??? If only. Pamper yourself and hope your lip heals in no time at all. Hugs.

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  24. Oh my, was für ein Schreck, Du Arme!!!
    I guess all that blood and the sheer shock of the fall would have scared me into dialling the emergency number immediately, but I definitely would not have wanted to go to hospital, either. Hopefully, you'll soon be able to be up and about without too much pain, and eating and drinking won't be too difficult.

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  25. You have just lived one of my biggest fears during this -- an accident that may require a visit to a hospital or medical facility. First of all, I am so grateful that in the big picture, you are all right -- no concussion or broken bones. The face will heal and as you said, a scar beats the alternative. I'm glad you can at least get out in the garden and eating isn't too horrible. Please take care and yes, do check about how to avoid the infection. Perhaps there is some cream or ointment you can use on it to help prevent that.

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  26. Hello Friko - I think that you made the right decision - I too would rather sport a scar than take my chances with the virus. However, I must admit that I am impressed with the prompt and efficient NHS service you received. I have been wondering just how people are fairing during this crisis if they find themselves in trouble health wise, and what you have told us us very reassuring.
    Take care, and look after yourself.

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  27. That's a terrible thing to happen late at night. I always think everything seems worse at night but you obviously have a cool head. Look after that wound - and yourself.

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  28. Oh my goodness. What a shock to your system. I'm glad you were able to stop the bleeding and that you avoided the hospital. The paramedics seemed very kind.

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  29. You did everything right, except, of course, the fall. That had to be so traumatic for you. I am glad that you are doing better now.

    My Retired Man and I were discussing a situation similar to this the other day. I made him promise not to call for an ambulance if anything happened to me, including a heart attack. When I die, I want it to be at home and in peace and not on a ventilator.

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  30. I had a vague memory that mouth wounds heal faster than others, and it's so. This is only the first of a whole list of articles discussing the issue, but it's true, and it's why creams and ointments and such aren't necessary. The mouth seems to be biologically programmed to heal faster than a skinned knee, for example. I really don't think infection will be an issue. Just let your body do what it wants to do -- while keeping an eye on it, of course.

    My mother began falling frequently after moving into a new apartment, and we finally figured it out. It was her shoes. She also had those non-skid soles on her slippers, and they consistently refused to slide on her carpet. Once we got her some smooth-soled slippers, the falling stopped. Non-skid's good as long as we remember to pick up our feet, I guess!

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  31. Poor you - but how good that you had the presence of mind, late at night, to self-minister. It's good to hear that the paramedics were so sympathetic and in agreement with you. Take care, keep well.

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  32. You poor thing. I hope you’re feeling better and your lip heals properly. This is the first time I can post a comment.

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  33. Hope you are all better now, glad you will be okay:)

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  34. My goodness what a fright, but you handled perfectly. Once my baby was eating chicken and dumplings and choked on a stray chicken bone. I reached to grab it from his throat and ripped it, The doctor said, "Water and no milk and leave it alone. The mouth heals itself rapidly."
    I'm sure it was a fright for you though as it was for me back then. Glad you are no worse.

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  35. Regret you had such an experience, but glad you ultimately sought treatment. I, too, would want to avoid going to the hospital now. Hope you’re able to easily resolve any other care you may need. Living alone does present challenges when we’re ill or have accidents as I recall the first time I became sick.

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  36. Sorry, I missed this post, friend Friko. Just noticed it via your next post. Glad you are okay. Hope everybody in your family is still healthy. Love and "social distancing" knuddles:) cat.

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  37. Oh no! But I think you made a wise decision about avoiding the hospital and clinic. There are worse things than scars, that's for sure.

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  38. Well that was even painful as I read your ordeal. By now I hope you are better.

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  39. What a dramatic and traumatic fall and all that blood. I am so glad you did not go to the hospital where lots of Covid virus is.

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