Friday, February 20, 2009

My forehead hit a tree trunk while out walking and I fell down and rolled into the street!


Fortunately no cars were coming in the lane, and a gentlemen stopped and helped me up. I did not think I broke anything so I declined a ride somewhere and continued to walk down the street. If anything was to blame I was looking down as I walked down a sidewalk which I have traversed many tines, instead of straight ahead and had no idea a split trunk of a tree was leaning way out in the sidewalk. I hit it so hard I knew I could not stay on my feet even though I pedalled backwards desperately striving for balance. Nor after I started going down, could I keep from rolling off the sidewalk into the street! My purse went way out there. Let's see, I scraped my elbow, and stort of strained that one arm and shoulder which I used to break my fall. I thanked god I have been carrying so many packages for years on my walks that my arms were strong.
The city streets are hazardous, and you do have to keep your eyes peeled at all times for unexpected hazards like raised sidewalks! Oh and these brick roadways--before I got used to my walking path, I nearly fell down twice over the same raised brick. I am mighty careful now when I walk on cobbled streets and sidewalks. But I just did not expect that damned tree to be leaning way out in the pathway! I felt like calling the city and telling them to cut that hazard to walkers down, but doubted if anybody else was going to miss seeing it entirely, practically knocking themselves out.
I decided not to tell Doc today that I fell down. We had been talking for weeks about my sister Linda's bad fall and hitting her head on the edge of a sidewalk, wondering if this might have pinched a nerve in her back and caused her hands to start going numb. And congratulating ourselves on our great nimbleness and ability to keep on our feet even when practically tottering. She still has not been able to get to a specialist and get her numb hands checked out She also says now she might have twinged her back swinging a pick to break up hard ground and put in a garden, but I tell you right now I don't do pick and shovel. But this fall has convincd me I had better quit carrying quite so many groceries at a time. And make more trips. Although I was carrying nothing to speak of when I fell.
I told my daughter when I happened to be talking to her, and she was alarmed, but she told me I was better off to keep walking anyway, than to quit, or my muscles would atrophy for sure. I know that. So I will try to look for big trees in my pathway. I have vowed I will rise my eyes from time to time to see what is up as well as what is down!

14 comments:

ADB said...

That was a nasty accident, Gerry, and I'm happy to hear that you're none the worse for it. It could have been so much worse!

Helen said...

I am glad that you were not seriously hurt. I ran into the back of our car one day while coming back from the mailbox reading the mail. I felt really silly when it happened. Helen

Anonymous said...

It does become a strange issue. can't quit walking as one need exercise. Afraid to fall and break something. Glad you were not hurt badly and plan to keep going down the path. Carrying things will thro me off balance especially walking up my steep drive way so I seldom do that.

Missie said...

I'm glad you're okay!

Paula said...

I'm so glad you're okay Gerry.

kanyonland King 2.blogspot.com said...

I finally caught up with your story. When I fell over the board by the garage that Tom puts up to stop leaves, been there for years, I didn't chalk that up to good memory. I know I could have run into a leaning tree that was unexpected. Keep your eyes moving up and down and all around! You will no doubt be very sore for some days. It took me a month to get rid of all my bruises. Be extra careful so you don't fall again. The older you get, it seems, the harder you fall when you do fall. Take care.

Bohemian Cowboy said...

Mom, I'm glad you are alright. A fall can happen at any time I agree, without warning. I've learned I have to be very careful with a hip that doesn't always do what I want it to do. Glad that you are back up right.

DB said...

It's the uneven sidwalks that trip me up, and I don't like the brick sidewalks. They're very quaint and treacherous. It's a quiet town, without much traffic, so sometimes I walk in the street. It's safer (???!!!).

Yasmin said...

glad your ok gerry

Yasmin
xx

Anonymous said...

Glad you are ok. This reminded me of an Uncle Starns story. He said the fall wasn't too bad, it was the sudden stop and the end that was the problem.

Gabrielle Howard Gengler said...

Gerry,

I was so sorry to hear of your fall. Take care of yourself.


Gabrielle

Carlene Noggle said...

Oh Gerry,
I am so glad you did not break your arm and wrist as I did when I fell...or anything else for that matter. God bless you...I wish you lived near me and I would take you to go get your groceries in my car....you wouldn't have to be carrying them home that's for sure.
The city needs to fix that tree leaning into the walk area! You take care now and watch out ok???
love ya,
carlene

Pamela said...

I'm so glad you didn't get hurt worse. You were very lucky. I hope you do call the city and tell them of it. They should cut it down. They won't want to be sued.

Be careful. You gotta come out here and see Raymond's play!

Connie said...

I am always whacking my feet into things and breaking toes..I must walk like a duck,LOL..I can be looking where I'm going and whack my hip into a counter,wall,anything..I always say outloud--well tomorrow I'll know where that bruise came from...guess I'mm a clutz ..
Luv ya!!!


Herrad

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