So I'm not in my happy place right now... a week ago Thursday night, I fell and hit the back of my head really hard on our driveway. I was holding Monty on a leash after his neutering, and I looked away, and right then he yanked on the leash a surprisingly small amount, and I was apparently standing on ice hidden by slushy snow. I fell backwards flat on my back, and hit my head before I even knew what was happening. I didn't even have time to brace myself; my neck and back don't hurt. I heard a really sickening noise when my head whacked the ground, and then I saw red and blue stars.
I felt dazed and upset but in the end didn't go to the ER (probably foolishly, but I couldn't stomach another ER trip after my horse fall a few months back!) Gordon did keep an eye on me, and I was okay except for a bit of a headache. I proceeded as normal Friday and Saturday. I even finished writing a poem last Saturday night! Then on Sunday I just crashed. Headache, dizzy, weepy, couldn't think straight, slowed down, struggling for the right words, and most of all, exhausted. I was also sleeping 12 hours a night which is not me. I was supposed to go for a trail ride Sunday but fortunately was smart enough to cancel that and stay in bed. I still didn't want to go to the ER, so I got an appointment with my doctor for Wednesday. He checked me out... so yes, I have a concussion. I will be okay, but I need to rest my body and brain, which I have been doing, although I find it really difficult, as I am always on the go and I suck at resting. But I am doing it, and doing extra meditation. I can't drive for a week or two and worst of all, I can't ride my horse again until June, because the doctor doesn't want me bouncing my brain around too much (or falling off!) That upsets me more than anything, but of course I will follow his advice.
So, the girl who wears her helmet religiously for riding horses and bikes manages to get a concussion standing perfectly still in her own driveway.. . story of my life!
I am immensely frustrated. I keep bursting into tears for no apparent reason, which I understand is a side effect of concussion. The doc said I could spend some time reading and on the computer but not to overdo. I do go outside for a bit every day. I am really careful walking, but I am afraid of falling. Chloe ran headfirst into my leg this morning and nearly knocked me over outside, and I was standing on bare ground. :(
But apart from that, the dogs are being very good nurses...
Dodger and Chloe. Gigi was at my feet!
Wearing my "Crazy Cat Lady" shirt from RC Tees
And Toni from RC Tees just sent me this sweatshirt as a gift! Gordon did something nice for her, so she did something nice back for us. Gordon got an awesome "Catman" shirt. This cheered me up! Toni is the best and I love her shop. Check it out! RC Tees
Okay, off to lie down for a while. Gordon will be home soon to dote on me. He is a very good and kind nurse. Doc said I can't take anything for my headache for another week in case it gets worse. He wants me to be able to tell if it does. So I have a heating pad which is helpful!
Meanwhile, don't you think Gigi bears more than a passing resemblance to a fruit bat?
Have a great weekend and feel free to share your concussion advice/experiences.
I'm really sorry to hear about your fall. Falls can happen so easily and have very nasty consequences. I hope you will have the patience to follow doctor's orders, hard as it can be. Don't want to mess with your brain.
ReplyDeleteI do think Gigi looks a lot like fruit bat :)
Wow. Sorry to hear that but it could have been so much worse. The smaller animals will be happy to have you lying around for them to lie on though. Take care.
ReplyDeleteOh no!
ReplyDeleteTake it easy.. a doting husband is the best. Enjoy it while it lasts..
Geez, I wish I lived closer, Natalie. I would be there every day helping out.And...making sure you got your rest...and tea. Take care, please.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, so sorry about the knock on the head. You are doing the right thing listening to your Dr. So hard to slow down when you are such a busy person. Snuggle with the babies and enjoy your fun cat shirt! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your accident! Can imagine how frustrating it is when you can't do all the things you normally do and enjoynine addition to dealing with the pain. Guess the cats and dogs will have to keep you entertained as you recover. Glad you have such a wonderful live-in nurse. Prayers for a quick recovery.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your accident. A brain injury can make you very emotional, we see this all the time. I am surprised that they didn't suggest a CT scan just in case. If your symptoms change you need to go back to the Dr.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe it is a chance to rest and take it easy, something you are not used to doing.
Julie and poppyq
Xxx
And you follow the doctor's orders! Do get well soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your fall, Hope that you feel better. Maybe try stabilicers on your boots/shoes-I live where it is snowy and icey, and always wear them. LLBean sells them,as well as other places. Hope you can enjoy cozy naps with the kitties and dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry about your fall. Take care of yourself. Sure hope your headaches goes away soon and you feel better. Reminds me of the day I was standing holding Eli's leash as we watched Poppy...all of sudden Eli saw Weetie, took off after her and jerked me completely off the ground. I landed on my side.
ReplyDeleteI have done it 3 times myself. It takes 1 to 3 months for the brain to calm down. Just go with the flow and rest. You have earned a rest.
ReplyDeleteOh sorry Natalie! I'll keep you in my prayers for a quick recovery. Please go to ER right away when a fall like this happens. The results could have been so much worse, and the tell-tell signs of a serious damage aren't always apparent. Please rest and take a good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
I'm sorry to hear about your fall. I hope you make a very complete recovery. When you're old, like me, you tend to fall backward and stiffen up and land on your back or head. the other thing about falls is that you lose confidence and it takes a while to get it back.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you went to the doctor but I'm so sorry for what you're feeling. Helmets can be very chic when worn for those times you're standing still. Life is filled with ironies. I have a friend who is an acrobat. She loves to bungee jump and sky dive, too. She got out of bed one morning, tripped over her dog and broke her ankle so badly that they had to put it back together with titanium screws. The screws are all now loose. At least you don't have a screw loose. So glad you have your menagerie for love and affection. That fruit bat/Gigi comparison is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Natalie! Looks like you have wonderful nurses, feline, canine and human. And yes, Gigi does look like a fruit bat!
ReplyDeleteBe well.
So sorry to hear about your fall. Follow the doctors advice and you will be fit as a fiddle in no time. I am sure all your furry babies will help you get better. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG praying you are ok!!! Please take it easy! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your concussion. I'm relieved that it wasn't worse, and I wish you a speedy recovery. Take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteHate to hear you've fallen. I've had a couple bad falls and whacked the back of my head. Didn't feel so great afterward but never worsened. I didn't go to the doctor...just told my sister when I go senile she'll know what caused it.
ReplyDeleteGigi does have some fruit bat resemblance. Pets are great bed buddies when one is ailing
Oooh, that's sounds painful. Glad you got to see the doctor and got checked out. It sucks you won't be able to ride for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI've not ever had a concussion thankfully. The worst I've suffered from a fall is whiplash.
Rest well, and take care of yourself. I love the tees!
Get well soon.
ReplyDeleteSilly girl for not seeking medical advice sooner after a head trauma. You remind me of my mum who refused proper medical treatment after she was knocked to the ground, hitting her head as she landed.
ReplyDeleteTake care and get well soon xx
I had a concussion last year after falling off a step stool I had climbed to get a box. I did go to the doctor's since I lost consciousness and also banged my shoulder. Sadly, it lasts at least a couple of weeks and I kept saying I can't understand how these football players want to go back into the game. The disorientation was the worse! Please take care, my friend, XOXO
ReplyDeleteOh, no! So sorry to hear this, Natalie! Like you said, it's so ironic that you take proper precautions when doing something active only to fall when you're just standing there. I had my "Death by Birkenstock" moment (my husband calls it that) about 20 years ago when I was standing at the top of the stairs to our wooden deck after it had rained. I was waiting for our little dogs to "do their business" and just shifted my weight onto my left foot. My Birkenstock clog's sole was worn down to the cork and...whoop! Down I went, hitting every stair edge with my sacrum, until I ended up spread eagled on the concrete. No head injury, thankfully, but I still suffer the consequences today with a permanent dent in my behind and arthritis.
ReplyDeleteSending positive thoughts your way! Be well soon.
Natalie, please please please take care of yourself and follow the doctor's orders. Head injuries are nothing to mess around with. I'm sending positive healing thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this. My sister has fallen twice and had a concussion each time, so I feel for you. I hope you heal quickly
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry about your fall. I fell in October and I'm still feeling repercussions...luckily I did not hit my head, (because i take coumadin, they worry about bleeding) but compressed three vertebrae. I wish you a speedy recovery
ReplyDeleteWhat an ordeal. I'm glad you're on the road to recovery!
ReplyDeleteJust read about your fall. So sorry about the concussion. Yes, I had a concussion once...when I was 9 and a horse threw me. My cousin and I were riding double over to a place to pick up a second horse and for some reason our horse started bucking frantically and threw both of us into a ditch. I landed on my head and when I woke up in my aunt's bedroom, I could remember faces, but couldn't remember my aunt's house. Recovered fairly quickly, but often wondered if that fall had anything to do with my migraines later in life. Take care and don't overdo too soon...
ReplyDelete