November 5,2019
Last week, I slipped and I fell (literally)…………….
There is a point to sharing this story so bear with me.
I brought my 92-year-old mother from Georgia to spend time with me. I hired a care-taker to be with her during the days while I worked. I am very nurturing by nature and try to do the best for others.
This particular evening after work, I prepared dinner and put my pajamas on prepared for a relaxed evening of conversation and song with MOM, followed by a soaking bath. Mother and I walked and marched around the house, full of energy. She stopped at the bathroom. While in the bathroom sitting on the toilet, I observed her close her eyes. I called her name with no response. I moved her head to try and arouse her to no avail. Her mouth fell open with drool, then a few moments later her hands fell limp at her sides. I checked her pulse and made sure she was still breathing. She still had a pulse and shallow breathing.
Now, I am panicking because my phone is in the other room. I quickly got the phone and called 911. I was instructed to unlock the door and return to her side. I didn’t want to leave her on the toilet seat fearing she might fall. But I had to leave her side a second time to unlock the door. I quickly ran to the door, slipped and fell as if I was sliding to home plate for a home run, hurting both knees and hands. As I lay flat on the floor, I thought to myself, YOU must get up, she doesn’t know how to use my cell phone number or might not realize where she is and could might fall and hit her head. I knew that I had to get up.
Fortunately, by the time the paramedics came, she had come back to normal. The paramedics said he was common to have syncope, a simple case of fainting while bearing down to protect her organs. When she came to herself, she smiled and said “ITS COMING! I was happy it was just the urge to push that caused her brief moment. Mom sang a song for the paramedics and laughed as though nothing had happy.
My lesson was two-fold.
- Remember to take care of myself in order to help others. That could mean having the caregiver stay later so that I could relax at home or stop on the way home to do something needed before coming home, instead of rushing to relieve the caregiver.
- It also reminded me that rushing only delays the process. I have noticed that when I am calm and take life in stride, I accomplish more of what is really needed.
- And lastly, don’t run through the house in socks on hardwood floors.
- It’s ok to ask for additional help when needed
I did not realize the extent of additional care my mother needed since her last visit with me. My lessons allow me to share my slips so that others might not have to. I can laugh now, even though in the moment, I was scared.
P.S. I did get my soaking bath as planned after putting her to bed, but this was a need (to keep me from being so sore the next day) instead of my usual relaxation soak. I took the time to soak longer grateful that all worked out during this simple (yet not so simple) life event.