I don't even want to admit what a dumb thing I did today....I really DO know better....I decided it was about time to take down the icicle lights from around the front porch, so I got the ol' step-ladder and proceeded to do just that...by myself. It's a beautiful day in western NY....high 60s to 70 degrees out....finally! Anyway, I got to the end of the lights and was just untying a string that we (my son and I) put up there to secure the last section to the hook; that little step ladder started wobbling, and I felt myself falling...caught myself with my hand on the porch railing, but not before I konked my thick head on one of the posts, and twisted my back. Thankfully, I'm ok and nothing broken....guess I will be getting rid of that stepladder. I'm sure I will be hurting tomorrow! But I realized that it could have been much worse for me if I hadn't caught myself....a fat lot of good I would be to anyone especially my DH if I had sustained a spinal cord injury...ending up in a wheelchair and needing a caregiver myself! I really need to be more careful! DUH!
bella I think at this point of our lives we have all done something similar. The frightening part is that if we become injured we blow the who ballgame. No one will be there for us. I think about that whenever I over reach while on the top step of a ladder.
Our son worries that I will fall or get sick and that DH will not be able to help. He doesn't know what a phone is to call for help. I too am very careful about what I do and chances I take.
A few months ago, both flood lights above the garage door were burned out. I thought well, between us we can do this chore of the type he always did alone. He is too shaky for a ladder and I am afraid of heights. Okay, I will get on the ladder, he will hold it, hand me the lights, and I will not look down. Problem solved. Noooooo! Right after I get one bulb installed, he walks away and into the house and I'm on the ladder! Yikes! Calling to him did no good because of his hearing loss. He finally came back and I got down. Seemed like forever, but probably only 5 minutes or less. Next time I will wait for one of the grandkids.
Yes, I've been doing much more lately, well, especially since he's now in a NH, but I'm really nervous that I'll hurt myself and noone will know. "I've fallen and I can't get up" syndrome. Actually that happened this winter when I was shoveling a path on the deck for the dog, and I fell, Not hurt, just couldn't get up... I crawled into the house, and hung on to a chair to boost myself up. Thank goodness it was snow i fell on.
Glad to hear you are ok. bella,,,,,, I understand what you mean. As caregivers we are torn between all the things we have to do which is everything. Most of the time we try to be sensible and think about being safe but sometimes having to do things we know need doing overrides and we don't really think things thru. My dh would not know what to do or how to contact anyone if something happens to me. Even if he could use the phone he could not convey what he needed. Please be careful and who knows maybe the lights were pretty up there.... and you would not have to re-install them this next holiday season.... Take care and have a great, safe, Mother's Day.....