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STORIES FROM THE FALL, Part 5: We get ice; another person with the story of a fall joins the three of us

February 23, 2024

 

People were being called out one by one and then returned; first to give blood pressure and weight, next for Xrays, if needed, then finally, when a room became available, to be admitted into the hallowed halls of Emergency. Next thing that happened after the third woman with injury from ice fall told Leore and I to get ice, was I was called in for my X-ray. While there I asked for ice, for myself and another person. “I’ll have to go into the catacombs to find ice packs,” the staff person responded, “but I’ll bring them to you.’

20 minutes later, we both had ice, cementing our bond.

Meanwhile, a man sitting out in the main area of the waiting room next to a college age young man with a broken ankle (I had noticed how solicitous he was of the one who turns out to have been his son), got up, walked over to our hallway, and said that his son had also slipped on the ice last night, late, after being out to a bar with friends. That because of his fall neither of them could attend some kind of ceremony that he had driven for five hours south thru the storm for what’s usually a two hour drive. At this point the woman who hurt head and neck from her fall chimed in, said she had driven the normally two hour drive up from Louisville, again, took her five hours, to attend orientation for her only beloved daughter, a freshman at IU. But that was out too!

Thus does a sense of community arise!

(to be continued)

 

Went to a gigantic shoe store today with friend Marita, at her suggestion, to get some “sketchers.” I had no idea what they were: walking shoes that slip on easily. So now I won’t have to struggle five minutes to get on the boots that make me feel like a platypus, sloshing along, for the daily three miles with puppy Shadow. Also, can now floss my teeth, thanks to new splint that leaves more of fingers exposed. And, figured how to zip up my favorite sweater. If I have to spend 6 to 8 weeks compromised, want to do it with as little help as possible.

STORIES FROM THE FALL, Part 4: So there we were, suddenly coming alive!

February 22, 2024

 

See parts 1, 2, 3, last three days.

So there we were sitting in the somnambulistic waiting room, suddenly coming alive! Both of us excited and no doubt, noisy, likely making people nearby nosey.

“You know Perry?” She asked. “She was the one who told me about Jeff in the first place!”

Apparently, Jeff was quite a sight gliding down the law school halls that first semester, this 55 year old man built like a walrus and just as fluid. Brilliant. Wanting to engage with even more learning. Happy as a clam. The young students loved him.

Perry and her husband Herb were the first people I met in Bloomington. Knew her instantly. Jeff had been a fellow student with Herb at Princeton, and ended up a professor at IU.

When Jeff died of a heart attack in the early morning on January 4, 2003, who did I call for assistance? Perry and Herb.

So yes, I know Perry!

Leora then told me she was working at the law school at that time.

We went on and on about Jeff and Perry for quite a while, in same excited tones.

Then, during a rare pause, a woman sitting at the very end of our aisle by the windows spoke up.

“I also fell on the ice. Didn’t break my wrist but hurt my head and neck. I’m a physician, and I can’t believe they didn’t give me a collar to wear while sitting here for hours, waiting to get in. And the two of you should have been given ice, and please hold your wrists above your hearts!”

(to be continued )

 

 

Its only the sixth day of my pecking debilitude and life has slowed so much, with every daily task presenting one-handed difficulties, and having to clomp along on walks with puppy Shadow (three miles today!) in giant boots that don’t require laces, I’m feeling, suddenly, decidedly, and I hope temporarily, OLD.