Thursday, January 7, 2016

Shocking How a Split Second Can Change Everything!

Here it is Thursday already.  I last posted on Monday.  I had planned on doing some organizational "tuts" for you, but something happened that has put me on a totally different track.

The WORST part of the whole thing is I have to be STILL or I hurt.  It is not easy for me to be still. Tomorrow at 4:00, I have to have an MRI and from what I hear, I have to be PERFECTLY STILL for 30 minutes while lying in a tube the size of a straw.  H E L P !  I told Jerry that I want a steak dinner when it is over.

So WHAT happened?

This did:

This was yesterday, the day after I went to ER and got stitches.
This was this morning.  It looks even more lovely than yesterday!

And this lump on my arm has gone down a bit, but my whole arm is sore when touched.
Terry was quilting a quilt on the longarm, and I was attempting to redo the black/blue blouse, which I'm not sure I've shown you yet.  I remembered that I had ordered some beads for a project I was working on, and I decided to run downstairs and walk up the looooooong ROCK driveway to our mailbox.

My next decision is what caused the incident.  I decided to take the dogs with me.  We have two big 80-pound dogs -- as you know -- Jackie and Josie.  I always put Jackie on a leash and let Josie run free because Josie will not run away unless Jackie can run away too.  I always wrap the leash from my left wrist around my back on into my right hand.  I felt like it gave my whole body the ability to hold Jackie instead of just my wrist, and I have done it several times in the past.

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, this time proved to be a real bad mistake!  We had walked a short distance when I realized I was lying on the ground, and the ground was wet under my face.  Jackie was still attached to the leash.  I had NO memory of actually falling.  I knew I was in trouble, so I reached up and unhooked the leash from Jackie.  She and Josie took off.  SUCH LOYALTY!  

I did not have my cell phone, so I knew I HAD to get back in the house and get Terry's attention.  I grabbed my unzipped hoodie front and held it up to my face to catch the blood, and I went into the house.  I got to the bottom of the stairs where I had to scream for Terry because the longarm was running and the radio was on.  It is a miracle she finally heard me.  

Terry FIRST prayed for me, and then she helped me to my bedroom where I laid down.  She called Jerry at the store, and Jerry dropped what he was doing and came right home.  

We don't have much to pick from in the way of hospitals where we live, but I figured our mini-hospital in Madill could at least sew up the gash in my face.  Jerry took me to the ER.  They weren't busy, and they took me right in.  There was only a P.A. on duty and a nurse who talked kind of funny.  Both were very nice!  The P.A., Karen, said that I needed to have my head x-rayed (HOW many times have I heard that!?) because it sounded like I had passed out.  They wanted to rule out a brain bleed.  I thought it was silly, but ....

Evidently, the mini-hospital didn't have the world's brightest Radiologist on duty.  The x-ray of my head showed a mass of some kind.  He determined it could either be a non-benign meningioma OR a brain bleed.  Next thing I know, the nurse comes in and tells me to remove my blouse.  She puts a hospital gown on me.  Then she sticks a needle as big as an ice pick in my arm!  Jerry is sitting in the corner, and he is staring at me and I'm staring at him.  Jerry says, "WHAT is going on???"

The nurse tells us that they have called an Ambulance, and that I'm going to be transferred to another hospital in Oklahoma City.  They tell me my brain might be bleeding and I might die if they don't get me there soon enough!  

I KNEW I was okay.  I felt perfectly fine except for the SCREAMING PAIN in my vein from the ice pick she had just shoved in me.  

THEN, we waited.  My gash was still open, and nobody was paying the least bit of attention to it.  I was there SIX hours!  Jerry left to go home and find the dogs.  Terry came to relieve him.  Terry was there when Karen came back in to finally sew up my gash.  ANOTHER NEEDLE poked into the wound FOUR TIMES!  Finally, it was numb and sewn up.  I'm praying it doesn't leave a scar that makes my eyebrow appear to go all the way to my cheek!  I was having enough trouble with my eyebrows as it was!

Karen, the P.A., was beside herself.  She had spent most of the hours ON THE PHONE trying to figure out where to send me.  Mercy -- where I wanted to go -- would not take me.  It seems that Obama decided to make a law that you have to go to a certain place that is "on call" when you have a trauma incident.  Nobody could figure out WHO was on call or WHERE!

After 4 or 5 hours, Karen was able to reach the on call location where she was able to talk to another Radiologist who -- I guess -- was able to look at the picture of my brain.  He told her immediately that it WAS NOT a brain bleed.  The Neuro doctor told her to send me home and have me go to my own doctor and order an MRI.

I'm really fine.  I only hurt if I move.  My arm and my chest and my face.  No broken ribs.  I am very lucky.  I think of soldiers who come home missing limbs and even their minds, and I can't imagine how horrible it is for them and their families.

The dogs are gone.  I returned them to my daughter and her husband, Len, from whence they came.  Len sold them both this morning.  Each one went for $500 to a very good home with well-to-do people.  I feel like the fact that they paid for them is a sign they will really love them as we did.  They won't be together any more, and I imagine they will both be a lot calmer alone than they were together.

Won't keep you.  That was a looooooooooooong story!

Hugs, Joy

19 comments:

  1. Joy I pray that you will get better. Good decision on letting the dogs go. I know you loved them both. I know first hand about being knocked down and dragged by a dog on a leash. Not fun at all.
    Charlotte

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    1. No, I couldn't keep them when I am now afraid of their strength. We have decided to stay dogless.
      Hugs, Joy

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  2. OH MY! You must have had a terrible fall! sorry to hear that you had to get rid of the dogs, but it is probably for the best....as to the MRI....close your eyes ...breathe deep and think of a beautiful place. That's what I do. and I have had a few of them! It is a small space, but there is a fan, so you won't overheat and a panic button if you need it. sending good thoughts your way! Get well soon!

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    1. Thank you so much for the tip. Wish it didn't take 30 minutes!
      Hugs, Joy

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  3. I don't write here often but I read all your posts - they're just wonderful! Praying that all will be well with you - try not to worry - hugs from Ontario, Canada.

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  4. Joy, I've only had 2 MRIs but each time I used the time saying scripture and singing hymns--not out loud! Know the peace of His presence will enfold you.
    Sheila in GA

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  5. Joy, I'm so sorry you were hurt. Sheila is right---I use this time to pray and it helps a lot to make me calmer and the time seem shorter. I hope you heal quickly.
    Barbara

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  6. On dear. I hope that you heal quickly and that the MRI isn't too bad. I would close my eyes and plot and scheme about my sewing projects.
    DH took some music with him and they played that for him.
    Hugs
    skye

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  7. Hi Joy'
    I am sorry to hear about this bad fall. I hope the MRI shows everything is alright and that you will "mend up" quickly. I have had MRI's taken and I know how uncomfortable it can get when you feel you need to change position. Just let your mind wander and think about happy memories. Think of it as taking a breather. No coffee!...:-)

    Danielle

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  8. Joy, I am so sorry that you fell down and hurt yourself! I will pray that there is nothing serious that caused you to black out. I am sorry that you had to find new homes for your 2 dogs. Yes, 80 lb. dogs can be strong. I wonder if you somehow tripped on the leash or tripped because of the dogs? Good thing Terry was there to help you.
    Hope you heal fast.
    Margaret from Canada

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  9. Joy, I hope you recover in full soon. The MRI sounds a lot worse than what it is. I hate confined spaces and underwent a MRI recently. Closing your eyes and a deep breath is good advise (Patti Ann's comment) I prayed when it seemed to be taking forever and it felt like I was getting anxious. Our Heavenly Father will sustain you. May He bless you, Lynda

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  10. oh dear Joy, we all hope and pray that our "best virtual friend" is all right. Please let us know how it all turned out. Take care of your cut & bruises. God bless you!

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  11. May the peace of the Lord enfold you and carry you through. Sending prayers of caring and healing. Kathleen

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  12. Joy, I am praying for you. I am sorry this happened. When I had a MRI, in order to lay very still, I counted & it worked. Please keep us updated. Teresa in WV

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  13. Goodness...leave it to you to start the New Year with such excitement. I too have had a "face plant" moment. My kids were first shocked to see me then could not stop laughing at my battered and bruised face. Now, I can laugh about it... for the MRI, I had the technician place a cool, damp cloth over my eyes and, like everyone else, I prayed! You are our rock Miss Joy. We put you in God's hands. He will take care of all of this!!! Much love and prayer for your healing. Debora from NM

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  14. Dear Joy, I am so sorry for your ordeal and I hope you heal quickly. Falls at our age seem to hurt more, I know as I am an expert on falling but at least we do heal. I've had a couple of MRIs, and like the other responses, just go to your happy place, think about your next sewing or quilting project and all the steps in the making of that project and your time will go quickly. I am sorry to hear you got rid of the dogs but it seems to be the best solution. My mom's dog tripped her twice sending her to the ER with broken bones that never quite healed properly and her dog was only about 40 lbs. take care, we love you and will pray for you each day for a quick recovery.

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  15. You are such a precious gift. So sorry to hear about your ordeal. I hope you feel better soon an heal scarless. Blessings to you and hubs.

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  16. So sorry this happened to you, Joy. Please take care. Hope you heal easily and soon.

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  17. Dear Joy, what a shock to read your blog today. And what a tremendous shock you've gone through. Trauma like this can often take time to heal, though our bodies are amazing in their ability to recover. Wes and I will add you to our prayers for a speedy recovery. As for the MRI, I am claustrophobic - the last time I had to have an MRI, a little valium went a long way to calm me down and it was over in no time. Take it slow and easy during this healing process.

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Hugs, Joy