Broke my pelvis...+ leg blood clot...I CAN WALK (update)

[CHT]

It has been 1 month since I walked/rode last.

I am over it. DH is over it. I am going to try driving my car around the farm later to see if I can drive and get out and do things like take our cat to the vet.

DH is really burning out. I NEED him to help finish some electric fence for winter, and we NEED to sit down and talk about winter rate changes, overall barn changes, and getting winter help, but he is too burnt out to have the time. (he is at the dermatologist today for a bump that may be the return of a type of skin cancer, and his dad is being difficult, so he has his own issues too). He was away working most of the summer (not my idea) so things got really behind for winter preparedness.

On the plus side, today was the first day that the pressure from my DVT didn’t hurt when I got out of bed this morning. Normally the change from horizontal to upright is bad, but not this morning. I also haven’t felt it pop for a while. Hopefully the worst of it is over - I go from twice a day medication to once a day later this week.

I think I really just need somewhere to vent, so thank you COTH for being that place!

[EADoug]

You are basically in one of the hardest phases. The ‘excitement’ of the initial injury and adjustments are over, now you are feeling much better mentally, physically… you want to DO THINGS, but you still have limitations.

I say this as someone who went on 2-3hr hobbles up and down the ruelles (back alleys) of Montreal pushing a baby stroller with a walking boot to my knee.

As for DH, it’s tough. So tough. After 3yrs of continuous ankle drama, my husband was so. over. it. If I so much as stumble now, he just gives me the evil eye and states loudly “It’s MY TURN next!” Best suggestion is to just be honest. Tell him what you are feeling, tell him what you need, and ask him the same. You both have valid feelings right now.

Stick it out, vent away, and know that one day you will look back on that sh&& fall you broke yourself.

[Erika]

@EADoug

As for DH, it’s tough. So tough. After 3yrs of continuous ankle drama, my husband was so. over. it. If I so much as stumble now, he just gives me the evil eye and states loudly “It’s MY TURN next!” Best suggestion is to just be honest. Tell him what you are feeling, tell him what you need, and ask him the same. You both have valid feelings right now.

Blockquote

I had to laugh at this. I say almost the same thing to my DH. To be honest, he is the more “delicate” of us medical wise. It always seems to be something with him and I am just waiting for “my” turn too!

As for OP, I am so sorry you are injured. It is an incredibly frustrating time for both yourself and your DH. Fingers crossed that healing continues (darn blood clot!) and you are able to resume some semblance of normal soon.

[CHT]

I am trying to teach a lesson a day now. Might do two Saturday. So far just semi-privates. It occurred to me today that I don’t feel safe teaching private lessons unless someone else is close by. It’s not like people fall off often here, but I would be both at risk of a loose horse in the arena, and useless to help catch the horse or properly assist a rider. Maybe I am overthinking it, but I think I am hyper conscious of what can go wrong.

[NaturallyHappy]

I think that is wise.

[dmveventer]

I don’t think you’re overthinking things at all. You’ve already said you aren’t sure if you can trust your judgment right now, so using the buddy system seems like a pretty good idea. It can be easy to talk yourself into doing more and more when the little things go well, just be careful not to push yourself to do too much! Your health and safety come first, always.

[Erika]

I think your plan of semi-private lessons is a good one. Accidents do happen, and you are being realistic on what you can or can’t do to assist in an accident. Better safe than sorry. Listen to your gut.

[Djones]

You need to evict that annoying texting lady. Like, now. What an idiot.

[CHT]

I know, but on the flip side, she is really nice…just a very different person…in her own world? She brought me stuff to the hospital etc and tried to help around the barn. So conflicted!

[Djones]

That’s fair. Perhaps she processes things ‘out loud’ and just needed to express that she would ‘need help,’ while possibly even knowing that none was to be had.

[wsmoak]

@CHT

It occurred to me today that I don’t feel safe teaching private lessons unless someone else is close by. It’s not like people fall off often here, but I would be both at risk of a loose horse in the arena, and useless to help catch the horse or properly assist a rider.

This is entirely valid and reasonable. I don’t ride unless there is a capable adult nearby. If you know you won’t be able to help in an emergency, it makes total sense to arrange things so that someone else is there.

[CHT]

Well, I have now managed to walk four steps at a time unaided (either with crutches hovering, or between tables/shelves in the kitchen for support). I am shorter strided than an AQHA western pleasure horse, but it’s a start. (Why does spell check think “strided” is not a word?).

On another note - this morning DH had a visit from the SPCA about “skinny horses”. Last thing he needed while trying to get work reports done. Of course they couldn’t find anything even remotely skinny, so they thanked him and left, but still one extra thing. Not sure if it is just well intentioned, but ignorant people who saw the fat draft cross with the normal weight hony warmblood and thought the latter was thin by comparison, or if it was malicious? You can only see four horses from the road here, not that any are skinny (Ok, one TB has visible ribs…but he is on a round bale of really good hay and in good condition in general).

Today is the last of the warm. Hoping snow holds off a while longer. Not sure how snow and crutches go together.

[candyappy]

@CHT

It’s funny how progress/healing just happens.

I really think we just adapt after a time. feels so good to do something ( anything!) even if it takes forever to do it. Sounds like you are on your way.

Don’t tell your doctor what your doing

@CHT

Hoping snow holds off a while longer. Not sure how snow and crutches go together.

From my experience they don’t.

[CHT]

What about a wheeled walker? So far I only use the wheeled walker in the arenas - the footing makes it less rolley.

[candyappy]

@CHT

What about a wheeled walker? So far I only use the wheeled walker in the arenas - the footing makes it less rolley.

My FIL uses one around the buildings sometimes and we have gravel, although it is packed down well and not so heavy as to bog down the wheels.

[hut-ho78]

Be very careful on hills with wheeled walkers.

[Jackie_Cochran]

There have been times in which I had to crawl down the stairs backwards, hands and knees. Might be a good idea to get knee pads for this but I did it without pads.

Since you have no rail to hold onto this might be your safest option to getting out of your house.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I remember reading a book about MS by a Canadian doctor.

For show and ice he recommended getting crutches with a spike instead of a rubber end, something that could go into the frozen whatever to get a grip on the ground with the crutch.

He also recommended crutches that have a metal cuff going around the upper arm instead of holding the top of the crutch in your armpit.

[CHT]

Week one of teaching was a learning experience. I definitely need a ground person if teaching inside. It’s a smaller ring, so poop scooper needed. I can kind of do it, but between that and setting poles I pulled something that is apparently across my pubic bone? Not a place I want to hurt.

The lady I have riding my boy is a rehab physio therapist… she feels I am over doing it. Maybe I should listen to her and not be so stubborn…I just hate being dependent on other people.

I had a couple teens who wanted to help in exchange for riding/winter lessons, so will get them out for an interview. Apparently, they helped their last coach when she was pregnant, and are used to doing some schooling of horses. (they moved here from out east). They won’t be able to help with the farrier, but can help as arena crew, changing blankets, and keeping a couple horses in full work.

[rubygirl1968]

I hope they work out and do a good job. Or just do enough. It would be terrible to re injure yourself and be worse off.

Take care of yourself!