Grannymar

In August 2005 I fell and broke my right wrist, or should that be the wrong one, since I am right handed! It was certainly a learning experience for me, but it could have been much worse. Another four inches to the right and I might have split my skull on the edge of a flagstone step or broken my spectacles and ended up with an eye full of broken glass.

It was a bright summer day and I fell in the back garden as I was collecting my washing from the clothesline. For once I was wearing a skirt – bad idea since it had no pockets. I am sure I blacked out for a moment and came too as I approached the ground because I landed on both hands. There was no mark on my shoes so I know that I didn’t trip. I have the habit of un-pegging a couple of items from the line before bending to put them in the linen basket on the ground. The sudden movement of my head down and then up again may have been the cause.

Now the first rule of falling is NOT to jump up! The shock of a tumble can hide the pain of injury. Knowing this I rolled over on to the grass after a minute or two. I lay for a few moments and then sat up slowly. Nobody came to my aid, but then nobody knew I was there. If something serious happened I could lie there for days. I live in a frost pocket and for this reason I never use my back door in wintertime. This was summertime and I was wearing a skirt with no pockets. No pockets meant my mobile/cell phone was sitting on my dining table and my GTN spray was keeping it company. That was the end of skirts for me I resolved to only wear trousers with pockets from then on. That way I would have the spray and phone with me at all times.

I was not sure that the arm was broken, but it was very painful. I knew I would not be able to wrap a bandage round it properly so I soaked a face flannel in white vinegar, squeezed the excess out the best I could with my left hand and put it round the right one. I used a couple of rubber bands to hold it in place, no worries they were large enough to hold the flannel yet not interfere with my circulation. This I hoped would stop it from swelling. Since I don’t drink tea I managed to make a weak coffee with plenty of sugar. While I sat drinking this a friend called unexpectedly. She insisted on taking me to the hospital, where we took our turn at A&E.

Examination and X-Rays proved that I had a hairline fracture, it could have been so much worse. I was a very lucky lady. When I returned to the waiting area it was 10.30 pm and I was sporting a cast from my knuckles to my elbow. When we reached home I assured my friend that I would be fine and sent her on her way. I had ruined her evening and didn’t want to detain her any further as she had a days work to face in the morning.

Once home I phoned Elly and she offered to travel up from Dublin there and then. I told her not to attempt to move that night and that I would phone again in the morning to tell her how I was.

I quickly realised that living alone with my ‘major’ arm in plaster was fun. Undressing, showering and washing my hair with one hand etc was interesting… I tossed and turned all night trying to find a comfortable position. Resting my arm on a pillow gave some relief and the painkillers began to take effect. By morning the rest of my body was screaming for attention and sympathy. I needed stronger painkillers so phoned the Health Centre where the ‘On-call Dr’ said he would leave a script at reception for me. That was handy, I couldn’t drive with a plaster on my hand and the thought of walking the mile and a half to collect it, before going to the chemist and then a mile and a half back uphill was not on. Looking out the window I saw a neighbour reversing his car out of his garage. I called to ask if he would take me to the health centre. He did, and waited while I collected the tablets at the clinic before taking me home again. He said that if I needed anything to call on them. I didn’t call nor did he or his wife ever check to see how I was managing.

I knew Elly was worried so I took a photo of myself with the arm raised and emailed it to her. Immediately came her reply ‘I see you managed to put on a bra one handed!’ I did with difficulty, and succeeded in cooking my meals, washing my dishes as well as all the other chores about the house. I missed driving so contented myself at home, my left-handed mouse skills improved quickly and a multitude of other skills with it. I had made a start on Elly’s wedding outfit but had to leave it on hold for the duration.

I bought two sponge balls the size of tennis balls and used them to exercise my fingers every day and I went for walks. I taught myself to use PowerPoint and prepared a presentation for a family gathering. Two ex-work colleagues, one was the girl who took me to the hospital, came a few times and brought dinner clearing away the dishes before they left. They took me grocery shopping and out for the odd evening.

When I was due to return to the hospital Elly insisted in travelling up to take me for the appointment. The plaster was removed and replaced with a splint. The sight of my wrist and palm was a shock the bruising ran from my fingers and half way up my arm. The Consultant repeated over and over that I was a very lucky woman! When we left the hospital we went for a coffee and then travelled straight to Dublin. Elly thought that a change of four walls was what I needed. I stayed 10 days and it did me good, Elly and George took me back up the road once more doing a big shop for me on the way. While Elly packed everything away in one portion sizes George cut the grass and generally tidied up for me.

I appreciated all that Elly, George and my two girlfriends did for me and will never take my right hand for granted again.

As the year draws slowly to its close, we all regardless of age seem to look back over the events of the past year, remembering lost loved ones, re-live our celebrations, rejoicing over achievements, tiptoe past disasters and move on to plan for the year ahead.

At first glance sewing seemed to overtake if not punctuate my year at every available space. In fact it was actually a year of great variety. In March I attended the Irish Blog Awards in Dublin, where I had the opportunity to meet with other Bloggers with amazing talent. A week later I turned sixty and officially become a senior citizen.

Over the months many hours were spent talking to Elly simultaneously on the phone and internet working through suggestions, ideas and plans for the wedding.

Moving forward to May I was approached on Skype and asked to help a young man in Italy to improve his English. I almost said no, but now we talk regularly and I think at this stage he can be counted as a friend.

The Wedding in June brought family and friends from across the globe to help celebrate and witness Elly & George’s Special day.

The weather was kind and Elly looked happy and glowing in her outfit. She said that it was very comfortable to wear and gave her the freedom she wanted.

The train of her outfit was detachable and was removed for dancing.

The end of May was rather scary with an emergency trip to hospital but thankfully I have recovered, and learned yet again to listen to my body! By the end of September I had sufficient energy to attend Podcamp in Kilkenny. It gave me the opportunity to learn and share, while renewing old friendships and making new ones.

November saw the passing of Cherry the mother of my new Son-in-Law George. I know that with Elly by his side, and the love of his father and siblings to share the great loss, George will feel the smile of sunshine on his face once more and hear and enjoy the birds singing.

Back in July I quietly marked the 30^th anniversary of the day I married. Sadly, and not by choice, I have been alone for a third of that time. When Jack was alive our world was wonderful and I am thankful for warm loving memories.

The mention of marriage reminds me of a radio interview I smiled at over the holiday, an 80-year-old lady was the focus, because she had just remarried — for the fourth time.

The male interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband’s occupation.

He’s a funeral director,’ she answered.

Interesting, the young man thought. He then asked her if she wouldn’t mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years.

After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she’d first married a banker when she was in her early 20’s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40’s, later on a preacher when in her 60’s, and now in her 80’s, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained, ‘I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go.’

Keep improving Elly! Rest well and come home soon.

Well Elly did he have one or both?

Love you loads.

I feel like I have a swimming pool of water in my ears. The left ear is worse than the right one. Last week when I was out and about I met an acquaintance, and we stood in the street to chat and catch up on each others families etc. The usual traffic was passing by and I realised that I was concentrating on her mouth. OMG! I was trying to Lip Read! This is a recent phenomenon. In fact I have only noticed it since my last stay in Cardiac Care.

In Message in a Bottle Part 2 I mentioned that event and how I was in the early stages of Hypothermia. My temperature was checked every 15 minutes by a contraption that was stuck in my ears. Now I wonder if that had anything to do with my problem, or is it yet another side effect to a new medication added to the basket full I already have.

I spoke to my GP about it and she examined both ears. She said I had plenty of wax in there so we started with drops to see if they might dissolve and solve the problem. They didn’t! Next stage is to have my ears syringed on Wednesday next. This is a warning, if you see me wobbling about the street I will be ‘jober as a sudge’ and not under the alfluence of incohol! Nothing louder than a whisper will be allowed around here for the remainder of the week.

Excuse me! I apologise. I have burped! My mother would be horrified; she always told us it was impolite to burp. I will try not to do it again.

As I put my hands back on the keyboard I realise they do not match today. The right has a long scratch that has formed into a scab while the left one has a multi-coloured bruise. These blemishes are my reward for a few hours in the garden the other day. I only have to think about touching something and a bruise appears. It is enough to make me shiver.

It set thinking. Why do we shiver, bruise, form scabs on scratches burp, or have excessive wax in our ears?

Why do we shiver?

When we shiver, our bodies are doing the opposite of sweating. Sweating cools the body by putting a layer of liquid on the skin. Shivering tightens the skin and shakes the muscles, a process that conserves and generates heat. You can stop your shivering by bundling up—just like your mother says.

Why does a bruise turn colours?

A bruise is actually a pocket of blood under the skin caused by a broken blood vessel. It changes colour and fades as the body reabsorbs the blood from the bruise.

How does a scab form?

Scabs patch up holes in the skin. Certain cells in our bloodstream recognize when our skin has been broken. These cells, called platelets, start patching the break in the skin and call in other blood components to help complete the process. They do an amazing job. Don’t make your platelets work overtime by picking your scabs!

What causes a burp?

When we eat, we swallow air with our food. Our stomach already has air in it from bacteria that produces gas and from chemical reactions caused by digestive enzymes. When there is too much air to fit in our stomach, we force some out in what we call a “burp.” It’s funny that something considered impolite occurs so naturally.

Where does ear wax come from?

Ear wax is made by skin glands near our ear drums. The wax protects the ear canals and acts as a barrier against bugs and bacteria. Only in cartoons can it be used for candles!

So now you know!