It's been a while since I've been on here. I got laid off my job and have been job seeking and then took a fall, breaking my nose, teeth (moving the upper teeth all over 1/8"), made my lip into puffy mincemeat, huge bruises, cuts, abrasions. Then one week later I fell again, this time breaking my R elbow and injuring my wrist and hands. Of course, when you're laid off you can't afford insurance, so everything is kind of coming in on me at once. I had a job interview five days after the second fall and had my sister drive me to it as I was unable to drive yet, and can you believe they didn't hire me! I think I should have scored brownie points for trying at least!

No I'm not getting old (at least I won't admit it yet), the first time I lunged for my dog, who had gotten out, and he threw me. I landed on my face on a stone entrance and the stone won. The second time I was walking the dogs and I tripped on something on the road, landing on the pavement, and this time the pavement won.

I went in emergency and the doctor instructed me to do ROM exercises immediately, which I just now found out I should NOT be doing as it can cause displacement.

I am learning what it's like to be decrepit and alone. People who have experienced this while married have no clue what it's like to go through it single!

So now there's hospital bills, dental bills, Xray bills, doctor bills, etc., etc. I guess half of nothing is nothing though, right?

Wow Kay, sorry to hear about this, sounds like you had some rough times (understatement, I know). I guess one can hope that things can only get better from here on out, right? I sure hope so!

AGG

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{[Kay}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I am so sorry, Kay!! You will be in my prayers, friend.

Wow, KC. And I thought I'd been having a rough time. I'm very sorry to hear of your current travails, and I will be praying for you. Please take care, and keep coming back!

How are things going today? I hope things are going better for you.

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. I just had another set of XRays and fortunately the ROM exercises did not displace the elbow (thank God or it would take an orthopedic surgeon to put it back together) but neither is it showing signs of mending...and it's been 3 1/2 weeks. So I'm beefing up on the calcium and wearing the protective (dreaded) sling. I have to ice it four times a day.

I had a job interview five days after it happened, needless to say, they didn't hire me...I wasn't allowed to drive that first week so my sister had to drive me, I'm sure they thought I wasn't up to the job at the time but the truth is, regardless of the suffering, I would have done it, even if it prolonged healing, that's just me...I want a job. Lately there hasn't been much to apply for so maybe God wants me to take time to heal? I just hope and pray He finds me a job before unemployment benefits run out...there are no extensions for anyone filing after May 14 so I missed out on that possibility.

I may not have anyone in my life (partner) but I do have some friends and family and even just the little things they do for me here and there are enabling me to survive. (I had to enlist the help of a neighbor to open a jar for me).

Wow! So sorry all of this is happening to you.

I can relate to what you are going through. This time last year I had a crash while cycling causing my jaw to break, a few teeth to be chipped and a nasty gash on my chin. But I have recovered and I'm sure you will too. Hang on in there!

Easy Rider,
Gosh, how did you work? Or did you? How long did it take your jaw to heal? My sister had a broken jaw from an accident years ago and they had to pin it but she was in a coma so she didn't know what was going on...unfortunately, that was the least of her injuries.

It's been four weeks but the X-Ray I had done Monday doesn't show any signs of the bones mending yet. I'm HOPING they knit together!

Kayc,
I've been out of the loop for a while as well. Just checking back in (and I unfortunately have to update my thread with some bad news).
I feel terrible for your current circumstances. I wish I knew what to say except I sure do hope the best for you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Heal quick, and don't be afraid to ask for help; certainly your friends know you'd help them in the same situation.
Opt

My jaw got progressively better over a couple of months. However, I was able to continue to do most of what I wanted to do in the meantime.

Kay, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury.
That absolutely stinks. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you start to mend.

Thanks, GG, I've missed seeing you here. I haven't been on line as much as it's hard to type and my stamina is low.

I had a job interview Friday morning (out of town) and was all excited about that and then I finally heard back from my doctor (I'd tried to reach them all week because I was in so much pain Vicodin wouldn't even touch it) and got the very disturbing news that my elbow is badly displaced due to the erroneous information given me in emergency by the doctor I'd first seen who'd told me to exercise it. My doctor received the report about the displacement three weeks ago but didn't tell me, instead just "assumed" I'd gone to an orthopedic doctor but I hadn't because Radiology had told me wrong information! I spent over an hour on the phone with an orthopedic group trying to get an appointment but the information was already sent to recycling so they have to send for the x-rays and info all over again. I'd also been given wrong information my the imaging technician, who'd told me it was NOT displaced...turns out they aren't supposed to tell you anything, the radiology specialist told my doctor it was and my doctor had neglected to pass that information on to me...I'd been trying to reach her about my pain all week to no avail. I am so upset! Then the unemployment office sent me an email telling me to call them so I can apply for a part time position 80 miles from my home! They say it can interfere with my unemployment benefits if I don't. It looks like I could be having surgery as early as this week. Six weeks of trying to heal for nothing, it's going to cost me a fortune and set me back more precious time and pain. Just wasn't a very good week.

I hit my low Thursday night, it's times like this that it's hard to be single...I don't miss my XH because he wasn't there for me anyway, but I do miss my late husband, he would take complete care of me if he was here, and I miss just having him hold me when life is going like this.

Incidentally, the job interview went well but I didn't get the job because I'm "overqualified" (as in the job doesn't require much so hence doesn't pay much and he's afraid I'd leave it for a better job shortly). He was very complimentary though and told me if he had a managerial job he'd hire me for that. I was wondering why God would give me a job interview and then the news that I'd need surgery, kind of like dangling a carrot and then pulling it back, but this interview did much to boost my ego and spirits, so maybe it was to encourage me that there are employers out there that would appreciate and value my work...I just have to find one.

Oh man, KC. I am lifting up a prayer for you -- I can't think of anything else I can do. Every time I think God has dumped a load on me, I read one of your updates and realize once again how lucky I am when compared to others.

Dear God, please wrap Your loving arms around kaycstamper and hold her, sustain her and comfort her in this time of travail. May she feel Your presence and purpose and know that Your plan is perfect and right, and that she will emerge from this full of Your treasure and promise. I pray this in Your holy name. Amen.

Thank you so much Fred, I think prayer is all that's getting me through this. One guy from my church mowed my lawn and another weedwhacked a couple of weeks ago, but other than that I haven't heard from them except a card...it would be nice to get a visit or a phone call at least. It's hard to clean, cook, do laundry, etc. one handed, some things I just can't do. I had to have a neighbor open a bottle for me and replace a lightbulb...I feel so helpless!

Any news on surgery KayC?
Please be careful around the house. With one arm, your balance is thrown off and you are at risk for other injuries, falls, etc -- the last thing you need right now.
There are a lot of kitchen tools for one-handed folks (stroke victims, amputees); they are expensive but you might be able to improvise as you seem to be a smart, creative person. =-- have you seen an ULU? it's a one-handed knife used in Alaska for centuries. I don't know why they're not more popular here - they are very convenient for anyone.
Also - activiteis you do even without the affected arm are going to cause pain in the arm due to stressful movement patterns. And are you taking pain meds PRIOR to the pain taking hold??
opt

I apologize for not updating this sooner. I saw the Orthopedic Surgeon and he said I do not need surgery, but wanted me to start Physical Therapy. Being out of work I can't afford it but was able to get the stretching and strengthening exercises on line for my type of injury. I started with the stretching exercises and only started the strengthening ones this week (they want you to be able to do the stretching ones without pain first). I still get pain in my elbow but not all of the time. The Orthopedist felt my pain level was normal for this type of injury...it's 8 weeks today. I am using my arm more and no longer need a sling (I graduated to a "sleeve" but don't need it all of the time). Still only very light lifting and no yard work. I'm avoiding jarring movements or anything that strains it too much. I haven't had a pain pill in probably two weeks. It was a relief to see someone who was an expert as the others had all told me conflicting things! If I could give one piece of advice to anyone going through something like this, it's START with the expert!

Hi Kayc, thanks for the update. It's good to hear that you don't need surgery (surgery is NEVER a minor undertaking!). It's a long, tiring process, but healing takes time. And it DOES sound as though you're healing.

How are your spirits? It's important to do things and be around people who will lift them. Healing isn't just physical, you know.

Ahh now, that's the challenging part! It is hard to be alone and looking for work in these times at the same time as facing physical infirmity. I'm doing my best with it. I'll be MUCH better if/when I get a job.

BTW, I think I forgot to update you all on what's happened with my WXH...the OW he left me for (and has remained with these last three years) gained 80 lbs and died of liver failure (she drank a lot) three months ago, he called and told me about it a month ago. He lost his job right beforehand and two months before that his mom passed away. He doesn't sound well. He called me in the middle of the night about a week ago (I thought it was my sister or wouldn't have answered), he sounded lonely and forlorn...not my problem! I was civil but I don't understand how they can call you when they turned your life upsidedown and did you so bad that nothing can ever rectify it. Are exes clueless or what!