Welcome to the Misadventures of Widowhood blog!

Welcome to my World---Woman, widow, senior citizen seeking to live out my days with a sense of whimsy as I search for inner peace and friendships. Jeez, that sounds like a profile on a dating app and I have zero interest in them, having lost my soul mate of 42 years. Life was good until it wasn't when my husband had a massive stroke and I spent the next 12 1/2 years as his caregiver. This blog has documented the pain and heartache of loss, my dark humor, my sweetest memories and, yes, even my pity parties and finally, moving past it all. And now I’m ready for a new start, in a new location---a continuum care campus in West Michigan, U.S.A. Some people say I have a quirky sense of humor that shows up from time to time in this blog. Others say I make some keen observations about life and growing older. Stick around, read a while. I'm sure we'll have things in common. Your comments are welcome and encouraged. Jean

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Don't Make me Laugh!

 It's 6:00 AM and the nurses are getting ready for a shift change. I must say the nurses here at the hospital are so compasionate, young and professional and they don't seem to mind doing the worst jobs. I'm typing on my Kindle with my voice, waiting for a pain pill to kick in because that's what you do when you've got broken ribs and hoping some one comes along with the good drugs. I'm starting this post on Sunday because I think it'll probably take me until Wednesday to get it ready for publication. 

So you are probably wondering how I broke my arm and auto type just typed 'arm' instead of ribs. This is going to be so fun, but I need the distraction other wise I'll just lay  here and start feeling sorry for myself. The night shift just offered me Morphine but I turned it down hoping  the muscle relaxer will kick in soon. Anyway back to how I fell. I got out of a chair to answer the phone hurrying too much for an 81 year old woman who should have known better. Next thing I knew I was face down on the floor, the impact totally on my chest knocking the wind right out of me. I  did the assessment safety classes for old people teach you to do and I realized that I wouldn't be able to  get up by my self so I used the  button I 've worn around my neck for 11 years---1st time ever. Like magic four guys from fire department were here in 15 minute along with our Security guard so they didn't have to break the door down. 

The fire department guys didn't even give me a choice about going to the hospital. While waiting for the ambulance to come those four guys had  me on my feet in a split second. And two of them walked to the bathroom because I REALLY had to pee. I'm not a small person but you would have thought I was by how quickly they made that happen. In the ambulance people kept asking me questions about what drugs  I take, what Insurance I have, and other stuff I don't commit to memory  and I was starting to getting mad about it because I have the ICE app on my phone listing all info but they wouldn't even look at it. I spent so much putting that info on my phone and for what? But getting mad was starting to make me snarly which was making me breathe deeper which was making me hurt more. So I nipped it in the bud.

I did have something funny to laugh at while here. The young anesthesiologist who did the nerve block kept calling my breast 'it' in an embarrassed way when he wanted his assistant to reposition my breast and that struck me really funny. I asked if 'it' was a medical term for breast. He had This big long needle ready to go in between my 6 to 7th rib to block the nerves and the three of us were laughing too hard to do it. Of course laughing really hurt so I was the 1st to stop laughing and we got the job done. 

There is no word count  feature on my Kindle so I don't know if this post is anywhere  near the 800-1,000 words that I like to do. But I'm gonna end it anyway. I'm not sure if I'll be able to answer comments individually. They are starting a Morphine drip soon. But I will try to weigh in  with an update on Wednesday when the post goes live and I'll do it with a comment or two. 

Thanks to all you who are following my blog and any comments made. I probably won't be able To reply individually but I will use these comments to update my situation a time or two. (Pain level on the drip in: 8.)

40 comments:

  1. Goodness, don't worry about answering us! From now on let your answering machine grab the call and you can return it quickly after listening to it. Thank goodness you had an emergency button to us! AND STOP LAUGHING although that was pretty funny. Bet you are extra happy about moving to your CCC! Thinking of you.

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  2. Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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  3. I'm so sorry! Thanks for letting us know. Fingers crossed you get the pain relief you need and get better soon.

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  4. I've broken ribs several times--not good at all. You never know when a particular movement will affect your ribs and then it's too late to re-think moving in a different way. Blessings and healing to you. Tehachap

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  5. I am so sorry you are going through this. I am glad you can find some humor in it anyway. Sending you a big (non-squeezing) hug and wishes for more pain relief soon. It sounds awful. I fell on my face on concrete a few years ago and it is so shocking. I am really glad the fire dept is so close to you and showed up so quickly!
    HopeSprings

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  6. Oh no :( So sorry to hear this happened to you. But it is nice to read that you didn't break your sense of humor. Please keep us posted about how you are doing. Big hugs...

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  7. I am so sorry about your accident and hope your ribs will heel soon.

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  8. Don't worry about replying individually. I'm just glad to hear from you and know neither your smarts nor your humor were impacted by that fall.

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  9. Oh darn. We'll be thinking healthy thoughts for you. Take care and hope the drugs give you some relief šŸ˜®‍šŸ’Ø

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  10. Oh Jean, not many people would be able to laugh in the middle of an emergency, but I'm sure glad you and your caregivers were able to do that. It sounds like you have been receiving excellent care. Over the past few years, I've ended up in the hospital fairly often due to my health issues, and we have been blessed with kind and capable healthcare.

    So sorry to hear of your pain. Generally I don't like to take medication unless it's absolutely necessary, but painkillers certainly are needed for an injury like yours. Bring on the drugs. I've heard that heat is soothing for broken ribs, too.

    Thank you for letting us know how you're doing. Sending you a big hug and hopeful thoughts for your recovery.

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  11. Hoping you feel better soon. I too have had broken ribs and its no laughing matter (pun intended) Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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  12. You've got a village here pulling for you! It's good to hear that your hospital has such compassionate nurses. The news says hospital nursing staff is so burned out by the pandemic that care is hard to come by. Your humor makes you a bright spot in their day, I bet. This post is the strongest case I have heard for getting one of those medic alert necklaces. Very impressed!

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  13. Good grief! Of course don't reply! But do keep us posted. I'm so glad you had your "I've fallen and I can't get up" button and I hope the pain is regulated soon. It sounds grim. Just cyber hugs for you.

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  14. Jean, I am so sorry to hear of your fall/injury and hospitalization! But am amazed that your sense of humor survived the fall šŸ˜Š. I am a retired nurse; many people can attain the skills needed for nursing, but not everyone has the compassion for others that really is necessary for the best nursing care.

    So glad you had the emergency call button. Hang in there. Know that your blog friends are all rooting for you and hoping for a good recovery. The fact that you are able to advocate for yourself is your biggest asset, as you look at your recovery in rehab.

    Carole

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  15. Ooh that's awful. I'm so sorry. Glad you have a great group of medical professionals that sure helps. I've had cracked ribs and that is not fun and yes, laughing hurts like hell. But you my dear are far braver than me. I'd have taken that morphine driip in a heart beat!! Let them spoil you and take care you Jean.
    Speedy Recovery!!

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  16. Oh no! Your good humor comes through no matter the situation though. I am so sorry this happened to you and very glad you got good help so quickly.

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  17. Whew! Trademark sense of humor still intact. I feel better. :) Have been holding you in thoughts and will continue to do so. Yes, blog fodder, but what a way to get it! So glad you were not injured more seriously and that the firefighters were there in a jiffy. Now, rest, recuperate, and let the healing happen.

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  18. Whew! Trademark humor still intact! I'm relieved. :) Have been holding you in my thoughts and will continue to do so. Just glad you were not more seriously injured and that those firefighters were there in a jiffy! Now rest, recuperate, and let the healing happen. ❤️ (If you get two of these it's because I didn't think my comment went through the first time.)

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  19. I'm impressed you were able to put this post together! With the pain and the drugs, you must be exhausted. Sorry you had that fall and hope you recover quickly.

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  20. There are days I've wished I could push a button for pain relief, although no one seems to have developed a drip for non-physical pain and frustration. Carry on, girl. One of these days you'll suddenly realize, "What a minute. I don't hurt any more." I hope it comes sooner rather than later.

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  21. My dear Jean, no need to reply but I am so thankful that you posted (and such a funny one at that! Clearly the opioids have not dulled your wit or humour šŸ˜). Whenever I have had an accident or fall it was also because I was either rushing or distracted or both. I'd like to say I have gotten better at taking things slow and mindfully but frankly, that would be a lie! My newish mantra for hiking is "Toes up, toes up!" because as we get older we start to shuffle and that is deadly out on the trail. Best wishes from me for a speedy recover and respite from the pain!

    Deb

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  22. After 3 recent hospital stays, I learned the only questions I needed to answer were “What is your date of birth?” and “What is your pain level?” Your experience with hospital personnel was similar to mine. Everyone was so professional and caring. Hospital workers have been through Hell and back during COVID. I’m grateful for care I received.
    Best wishes for your recovery.
    ST-in-NM

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  23. Wow…hope you are better soon..Mary

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  24. Wow, Jean. You're like the Post Office. Neither sleet nor snow nor broken ribs can deter you from posting. Hope by the time this was published you're feeling better and in less pain.

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  25. Oh no! This not good news, except maybe it is in that you got help and are in the right place to heal. What a story. Hoping you're enjoying your morphine.

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  26. So happy to hear you are receiving great care, and that your sense of humor is intact.
    Royleen

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  27. I am so sorry to hear that you broke your ribs! I was wondering where you had been since you hadn't posted in while.....heal up soon! Roberta

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  28. I feel for you maybe not as much as Tim with his multiple fractures but still..........

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  29. How awful, that must have really hurt. Hoping you get well very soon

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  30. I do hope your pain gets easier each day. So sorry this happened but so glad you live where you do and help was readily available. Your humor shines through as always, thanks for the “it” chuckle. Rosemary

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  31. Jean, for goodness' sake! I'm so sorry to read of your fall and hospitalization. But I'm so glad to hear that you're recovering and that everything went as it should have with your rescue.

    You're quite the intrepid blogger, writing from your bed of pain! We appreciate you. Take good care of yourself. XO

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  32. So sorry to hear about your fall Jean. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!! BL

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  33. Oh no! So sorry about your accident! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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  34. Finally got moved into respite care on the campus of where I was living in independent living. I literally just got My 1st time alone all day and it's about 7:00 PM. They are working on getting my meds set up from the hospital and I'm voice Typing in real time. I needed a distraction and reading your touching comments was. Just what I needed but Few of you broke the rule and made me laugh. My room and furnview and my furniture, everything ise my brother's

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  35. Sometimes it's just gonna happen! So glad it wasn't worse.
    Speedy healing to you. We'll be waiting. Right here. ;>}

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  36. Oh no! That’s sad news, I’m really sorry to hear this. I do hope that you are feeling well cared for and happier in yourself now. I recently fell and broke my ankle in two places and I couldn’t believe the pain level! But I was SO comforted by the kindness of strangers who stopped to help me. Sounds like you have great first responders there šŸ‘
    Now that you are trapped on bed rest for a while what better opportunity to make some clandestine voice notes on your device to use in future postings. Or, just settle back with a good Agatha Christie novel, the ‘old English’ syntax in them always makes me smile, ‘look here, I say ole chap, it’s jolly rotten luck you taking a fall like that! Bad show old bean!’
    Take loving care of yourself x
    Rose

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  37. So you finally got to ride in the ambulance that comes so frequently and your neighbors got to spy on you? That sucks! Sure hope you recover quickly. I'm so impressed by your positivity. Take care.

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  38. Jean :
    sorry you fell but glad you got help soon & still got that great sense of humor which can put everyone around her in comfortable position. I could imagine my son treating the patient & calling breast it too, lol our son when he was young broke the rib of his uncle when he said hug me tight, & he did & broke one of his rib, & he still feels bad about it & says never hug old people tight lol. I bet time to chill & read some good books
    get well soon since I like to get personalized reply to comment

    Asha

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  39. Glad to hear you are back on campus -- not exactly "home" but close to it. Sending healing vibes. Well, I guess just wishes for good healing. I don't really have any powerful vibes I guess. But if I did, you'd be healed by now! I'll work on it. LOL

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  40. Oh Jean, I know how scary bad falls are and how as you're laying there assessing yourself, you just Hope you haven't done damage that will limit future mobility and independence. Glad to hear you're on the mend, had great Rescue show up quickly and efficiently, and a Compassionate Team there at the Hospital making that stay bearable. Ribs hurt, haven't broken any since The Daughter was 2 and jumped on mine, fracturing some, she's over Forty now, but I do recall how painful that was and how long it took to Heal Rib injuries becoz just Breathing hurts, and forget about Coughing or Laughing... Ouch! Healing Energies still being sent your way, I've been Worried about you.

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