After a Nasty Fall, I Think of Those Who Came to My Aid
(Graphic by Jean Mellano)
“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
Fallen, again
Not even two weeks after I put the finishing touches on my walking with mindfulness column, I had a very nasty fall. My first fall occurred in July 2017. Since my left foot tends to drag, I find I must focus on how I am walking so that I don’t trip. As I was heading to my car, my mind was going a mile a minute thinking about what I needed to do that day. I was not remaining in the present moment.
Lost in thought, I was not mindful of my walking, tripped, and did a face-plant on the sidewalk. As I lay on the ground wondering what just happened, I remember hearing voices asking if I was OK. As I sat up, blood poured from my face and I found myself surrounded by concern and compassion.
What do I remember?
Most of what happened in the moments surrounding the time I fell is still a blur. What I do remember is a few people crowding around me. There was a police officer, a local postal employee who also is an EMT, a man who gave me his handkerchief to stem the blood flow, and someone who ran to the drugstore to get bandages and peroxide. I am still overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of these strangers. I will say it once again, kindness matters. It was such a time of great vulnerability for me, and through the caring and concern of these strangers, I did not feel so alone.
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” –Scott Adams
Emotional and physical pain
As I drove myself to the emergency room, I broke down in tears. This was partly because of the pain, but more due to the fact that I believe my Parkinson’s disease may be progressing. Luckily, I only had some minor swelling, a few cuts and bruises, and a chipped tooth. However, my emotional healing is taking longer than my physical recovery from this fall.
Lessons learned
- Practice what I preached in my previous column.
- Remember the kindness of strangers that day, which has helped me to physically heal.
- I am not alone.
- I need to accept the fact that my mind moves a lot faster than my body and I no longer can multitask. I must pay attention to the task at hand.
“If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
About the Author
Elizabeth Delisi
I had a bad fall where my (artificial) hip was dislocated. I was at home alone, not near my phone, and had to shout and scream for help for more than an hour, until my neighbor came home and heard me. I will never forget the relief at hearing her voice, especially knowing she was an EMT. The fall has made me more aware of keeping my phone within reach as much as I can, and trying not to make sudden moves or turns, where I'm apt to lose my balance.
Elizabeth,
It is so frightening when we fall. It seems as though with the disease, because of what abilities we lose, we must constantly improvise. I do keep my phone by my bed and my life alert type device in the bathroom. And yes, no more looking around while I am walking or no sharp changes in direction.
Elizabeth Delisi
If only I could focus steadily enough to keep my eyes on the "road"!
Elizabeth, therein lies the challenge
Helen Ellevsen
Hello
I, too, have falls. Many many falls. Fall upon fall even. This morning, waking up, after second fall for the day yesterday, I didn’t think I’d be able to move.
When I’m down I cannot get up so have to rely on Emergency Services. The Paramedics were compassionate and calm and got me up. Each time I have had them attend, I’m encouraged to be taken to the hospital and each time I have refused. Now, I’m fully aware of the consequences and will go with them, if it happens again.
I’m waiting, at the moment, for my daily routine of Madopar to swallow. Anxious to get on with it which is my problem. I’m trying to do what I used to do before PD. How do I not do it. I can’t live in untidiness which is how I see it the moment my eyes awake. Crumpled bed sheets I hate so make up the bed again, hanging onto it’s edge as I iron any crumpled fold with my hand.
This PD has taken control but I’m still determined which ultimately could be my fate.
HI Helen, I am so sorry you are falling so often. I hear you when you say: "I’m trying to do what I used to do before PD".It is so hard to accept that we have this disease and must constantly change our habits and patterns we have developed over he years to accommodate what we have lost. You sound feisty,which I believe will serve you well in battling this disease.
Jodean Bullock
Today was the first hard fall I’m 59 diagnosed February 2019
Trying to accept it all... I was able to get up by myself, hubby was mowing the front yard, I fell in the back. I didn’t tell him right away , he was not happy with me..
Balance and slurring has progressed, I’m used to walking by myself, but now will wait for hubby.
I will survive this!!
Jodean,Acceptance is something I struggle with, but it is so important in fighting this disease. You WILL survive!
Raina
Hi Jean, I happened on this post while researching falls. My dad, who now lives with me, has been falling a lot the past few months. He has been taking Gocovri for about 2 years now, in addition to other meds. I read that falling is a side effect of Gocovri. Was wondering if you or anyone on this forum takes Gocovri and has more real time experience with it's side effects?
As a background, his thigh and back muscles are weaker, and he does suffer from acute fatigue, especially when he overdoes exercises (barely 15 minutes). We've noticed that he does better when he eats more, so these days am focusing on feeding him various foods to increase that intake.
Much thanks for your thoughts and feedback.
hi Raina, I do not take Gocovri. I too suffer from extreme fatigue and I am wasted after 15 minutes of exercise. However, I do believe exercise is the best thing to fight PD symptoms and progression and I am able to draw on my past discipline as a former athlete to get me through my workouts. I am on carbidopa/levodopa and use neupro patch. I have not fallen again since the episode I wrote about. I find I must really focus on heel-toe when I walk. I also practice balance exercises several times/week, go to physical therapy once a week and do Rock Steady Boxing 2x/week. unfortunately PD is progressive and in many cases what worked for us in terms of meds and therapies in the past may not work as well as time goes on. Any changes in your fathers symptoms should be discussed with his neurologist or movement disorder specialist.
You might also want to pose this question in our forum to see if anyone else has used gocovri.
here are links to the forums:
http://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/forums/forums/forum/parkinsons-disease-symptoms/
http://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/forums/forums/forum/parkinsons-disease-medications/