Monday, June 8, 2009

Note To Self...

When you add forty years and forty-+ pounds with muscle memory that has Alzheimers and competitive spirit that should slowed down it adds up to P.A.I.N.

I went to my niece's yesterday afternoon for hamburgers and swimming and visiting. I shoulda just stuck to those things, but they had set up a volleyball court in their back yard so they could play with their friends, their kids and grandkids and even an old aunt who should have just sat and watched.

But, no, I had to decide I couldn't stand to watch. After all, it was one of those sports I was (was being the 'operative' word) good at in school, forty + years ago. Not one minute into my playing time, our side was trying to get the ball over, there was a mis-hit and I went to save it. First upon turning quickly to try get to the ball before it hit the ground I stubbed my toes and lost my balance. Things went south from there.

I fell. I fell all over the place. I did a great landing with my left arm under me. You get the idea that you might have done a super "oh, no" when you actually hear a popping noise at the same exact time that pain rips through your body... I did manage to get up and my niece was like,"Aunt Helen, are you okay???" I told her I was okay but that I needed to sit for a bit and went back to my chair and sat.

I turned to Bro, who was sitting by me watching all the going's on, and told him I either separated a rib or broke a rib. We sat and watched the youngsters and visited for another hour. Bro drove us home and I hit the muscle relaxer and the pain meds. I did get some rest last night, but I'm here to tell you that I won't be going to make the big save any more.

I might have been able to be the she-ro when I was way younger, but I've got to figure out some way to shine that is age compatible now. Because it's not fun to hurt like this. So take heed, my friends, because one of these days there will be a time when you say, "I can do that!" that you really can't, despite what you think.

29 comments:

Tatersmama said...

Hun, that day is already here...
Last week, I tried to sit on the floor and touch my toes to my nose... something popped and I almost had to call the fire department to get my leg back down.
Can you imagine if I HAD called for help? Then everyone would know what an old loser I am!

I've turned into a real floozy nowadays because I sleep with Ben Gay when ever I can.
I can't believe that I smell like my grandmother!!

Staci said...

Dang it Helen, I know exactly what you mean. I've thrown my back into a curve it wasn't meant to be in twice in the last year, requiring much medical treatment and heavy drugs, just by trying to roll up the garden hose. It's put a damper on my "farmin'"!

Hope you heal up quick!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

i has a cast for 8 weeks on my right hand and thumb and that was my wake up call... i can not play some things any more... and that is all i will say about that... hope you mend fast... i still owe you a phone call....

Twisted Fencepost said...

Atleast you know what caused your pain.
I've had a problem with my knee for about three weeks now, and I don't even know what caused it.
Getting old is a bitch!

farmlady said...

My time has come too. It's the knees and feet for me..., and I don't even have to be she-roic. I can just walk or hike or garden too much. It's awful! Aspercream and Advil are my new best friends.
You take care of yourself and don't try to be 25 yrs. old ever again. As Twisted Fencepost says "Getting old is a bitch."

Michel said...

Damn!! I'm sooo sorry you got hurt. Shit man!

However, this is why I continue to tell you that NOTHING GOOD EVER COMES OF EXERCISE RELATED ACTIVITY.

Why won't they learn??

Sharon Rose said...

Oh Helen. . .so sorry to hear about it. . . but just think, even in the accident, you will go down in history as THE ONE who got "into" the game with your family!
That'll be a story told for years to come!

hetty said...

Sorry to hear about your pain, Helen! I hate those reality, wake-up moments. The mind is willing, but the body, well, not so much! Take care and see you on the sidelines, looking on!

Unknown said...

The important thing here is you weren't sitting on the side line. You got out there to show them youngsters what for! I am like that too with my nieces and nephews. I think they all think I am nuts but what a way to be remembered, the FUN and CRAZY AUNT~

I hope you heal soon and get to feeling like the old Helen!

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Kudos to you for trying!! I am NOT going to embrace the day I CAN'T anymore well at all. (said after just running up my office stairs 3 at a time!!)

Hallie

Anonymous said...

Are you ok? How's the rib?

I'm already there - almost 50 and already there. Of course I was never very good at sports to begin with so that part isn't a loss, but I used to be able to go, go, go. Not anymore.

Aleta said...

Ouch! But oh man, isn't it awful to think of youth and what could be done then. Makes me wish there was a way to travel in time and keep the body in the future!

I hope you feel better today!

Brenda S Okie in Colorado said...

Helen, I am so sorry to hear you are in pain. Better get some xrays of that rib. I am 58 and live with pain 24/7. 2 bad knees, one is a replacement and hurts as much as the one that hasn't been replaced. Tatersmama sleeping with Ben Gay, how can that be? He sleeps with me!
As for shining, you shine bright for all your blog friends everyday! Take it easy and feel better soon.

Robynn's Ravings said...

You GOOFBALL!!!

And I'm right there with you. I love volleyball but on the rare occasion I play and I hear somebody shout, "Sacrifice your body!" I tell them I all that have to do is look at me and they'll know I sacrificed my body a long time ago. I had to replace it with this sad thing I picked up at the second hand store and it's gotta get me through til judgment day!

Rest up, woman, and give that bad rib back to Adam!

Roslyn said...

Ouch,Oh no, woman, volley ball is not for us at our mature age-it actually never was for me, I "jammed" a finger every time I tried this sport. I always sucked at it, needed a hockey stick or a racquet-some kind of weapon- in my hand!
Use ice, & rest-maybe an adult beverage?!

Roslyn said...

PS, maybe,take up quilting, it's a slow paced sport,lol!

Debbie said...

Oh wow, I give you major credit for trying!!! I would not have even tried!! I am sorry you are hurting, as that is no fun!! Feel better my dear friend, and take up something not so dangerous!! LOL.

God Bless~
Debbie Jean

DocSly said...

Oh-Oh! Nothing worse than a sore rib. I hope you feel better soon. We just aren't what we used to be when it comes to jumping around. Take care and rest!

Nola said...

I used to FAKE an injury to get out of playing sport!! Now I would give anything to be able to play it....we just can't win:)

GingerJar said...

Hope you get to feeling better. I WATCHED my 11 year old grandson playing volley-ball...and prayed they wouldn't ask me to join....prayed hard!!!!!

Tipper said...

Thats one of the things that sucks about getting older-thinking you can still do the things you can't.

Anonymous said...

Ouch! I feel your pain, but you are the heroine of the day! Of course, sitting with a heating pad and taking aspirin is no fun. Hope your rib is better, take care and just think, the audience has someone to talk about for a while!
(smilin with empathy!)

Unknown said...

love.this.post!
I'm glad you were not injured, but tickled that you are still in the game. I too, forget how old I am...until my body reminds me.
~AM

Caution/Lisa said...

I don't know which impressed me more: your willingness to play OR the way you keep quiet about the pain and just went home and took some pills. You are an amazing lady, I do believe.

Unknown said...

Hope you are feeling better. Haven't seen you on here for a few days. Don't worry us!

Mary Ellen said...

I was kind of counting on being rich when I got old, so that I could be the grandma who always handed out cash (they always LOVE that grandma!) but that plan is not currently working out. I see from your story that my back-up plan of playing with them in the backyard is probably not gonna happen, either. Shit.

Hope you're feeling better now!!

Anna Lefler said...

Oh, no! I hope you're feeling a bit less beat up by now.

I have to say, though - I think it's great that you played. (Really.)

Wishing you a mellow and recuperative weekend...

XO

Anna

Lonicera said...

Hey Helen, this isn't like you to be silent for so long - do hope it's not because you're still feeling rough. Can't you sit at the keyboard tell us about it? How brave of you not to show you were in pain. Like Nola I always exerted myself to get out of sport, but I continue to do so I'm afraid... The only thing I'm willing to throw myself into for exercise is water.
Caroline

Debbie said...

Lawsy, I get it. I had that job at the jail and hurt my shoulder/chest from lifting. We just ain't the same any more are we? You are braver than I am. I would not have played. I hate you're in pain, hon! Geesh. With all the gardening and stuff, I would have thought you could have been a she-ro! LOL