Though there's told to be Irish among my lineage I was not drunk nor had even begun to drink on the morning of St. Patrick's Day when I took my header.
I was stumbling a bit and a little off in the department of balancing capabilities but otherwise hadn't experienced any double vision for the previous three days. It'd been even longer since any vertigo, dizzy spells, or unequal pupils.
I had woken up, as usual, among those wee hours I sometimes call 'dark: 30' feeling some sort of exhilaration for the day, as if I could feel spring calling me & with my recent encouragements to expedite my recovery, I was intent on retreating to the overgrown garden ledge of repurposed wine bottles in the backyard, as soon as the morning and my body would allow.
As I had began to move about the prior day I noticed being a bit uncoordinated and weak, but I did well once seated in an area for gardening and if at nothing else I felt successful at pulling some weeds. Big things start with small steps?!
Well, as my luck would have it... (Google for Hee Haw's; if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all, for reference)
before I was able to situate myself between the privacy fence & the retaining wall of wine bottles I began installing last year during my short summer remission...
It felt as if I was pushed by some invisible force and all my dead weight flung backwards in the perfect NesTea Plunge (you can probably Google that, too) to land my back and left flank ribcage directly onto the planted bottles, garden stool, & area I had intended to be productive in with great impact making me simultaneously scream out and loose all breath.
And although I have resolved to avoid the medical establishment at all costs I agreed to visit Dr.'sCare for xrays to ensure no ribs were broken or possible endangerment to internal organs. It would certainly help to have a few pain pills to ease recovery and to help ease Kevin's mind and besides he's paying to carry me on his insurance & what harm could come from a quick visit for a few rib snapshots.
It was fairly painless, other than that which had already been self-induced, until the physician entered the room asking if I had ever broken my back?? He wasn't able to determine if it was old or new....
But that wasn't my complaint?? What about my ribs, i asked? There were no pictures of my ribs??? I don't understand the miscommunication here & began to question if I were actually speaking English... Either way, within 45min. we were being referred to the ER with a CD copy of the spinal radiographs & a referral for broken back, at L5.
It wasn't until 12hrs. thus that we were on our way home. More Xray's & CATscan later. I won't regale you further with the dramas therein but to say, although I did appreciate the pain relievers & anti-inflammatories I remain otherwise wholly dissatisfied.
I spoke to everyone about the ribs & flank pain but their attentions were diverted by the referral of a broken back.
I referred to my chronic conditions succinctly as ever with question in regard to Lipoma(s) located in the area of impact and even after outlining all of the Spinal diagnosis I have had since falling out of that car over 30years ago & complying with their protocols otherwise.. (Repeat with radiology dept.) At the end of our extended time together (at Kevin's great expense) I left with the same questions, 2 prescriptions, & a referral which remains unused.
Dr.'s report indicates no acute breaks, indicates at least one of the Lipomas but doesn't recognize it as such or refer further other than contusion while Radiology report doesn't reference Lipoma at all even though it was specifically spoken of and palpated & in fact denies any spondylolisthesis at L5 or otherwise in the thoracic region (although KNOWN to exist).
And when Kevin questions directly about the popping that he himself feels on my ribcage, is told that the xrays & catscan can miss small fractures & separations. In addition to missing the Lipomas!?
What Was The Point?? I Ask!!
So today, approx. 3wks hence I still have the swelling, discomfort, & popping ribs... I'm not without a pillow at my side to hold myself in place if cough or sneeze comes about.
Luckily ?? I have had experience with Thoracic Outlet, Costochrondritis, & Tieze so I will simply continue self-care.
I'm frustrated & I genuinely have requested that Kevin remove me from his policy!!
Weird item to note... Although I typically bruise with ease & anticipated the absolute worst looking pool of a hematoma along my left side.... The bruising never arrived!!
?? It was explained to me that in this muscular area the blood may remain on the opposite side.... But still I expected some mild discoloration if not out right bruising?? Weird!
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