Pride goeth before the fallI

I've been feeling pretty good lately although the bursitis in my left elbow has again flared up.  In fact it hurt enough that I went to the doctor to get a shot of cortisone like I did almost exactly one year ago.  But the shot hasn't seemed to do anything this time.  I've needed to be more protective of the left arm because of the elbow pain.

Well, yesterday  evening we were scheduled to host a choir party.  Carolyn had spent many hours straightening, cleaning, and decluttering the house.  Edward, Tiffany, and their boys had come over to help and had left after lunch.  We were down to the little things.  I was in the living room putting away non-Christmas music and straightening the Christmas music around the piano.  Of course I wasn't using my walker since there's so little room to operate behind the piano bench.  And of course my feet would at that moment decide not to cooperate with a step I wanted to take.  Thrown off balance, I reached out with my left arm to steady myself.  The left arm gave notice through a tremendous jolt of pain that it wasn't about to be used that way.  Encouraged by the pain, my elbow buckled.  And down I went. I felt my knees go about the same time and thinking that was smart of them.  Now I wouldn't have so far to tip over.  My side hit the soft padding of the piano bench pushing it out of the way and apparently causing enough noise that Carolyn could hear me from the kitchen.

Carolyn was showing our youngest son Steven and his  wife Lisa how we made a hot, spiced drink from apple juice, cranberry  juice, and orange juice.  I heard her say, "Uh-oh, Dad just fell."  I didn't yet know what shape I was in but I still relaxed a little, knowing that help was on the way.  While the three of them came into the living room, I assessed the damage.  Nothing hurt enough as to signal a broken bone.  I hadn't lost consciousness.  The piano and music cabinet appeared unhurt.  Carolyn suggested that she and Steven help me up but after a brief attempt, I suggested we wait a couple of minutes while I got a damage assessment from my body parts.  I quickly determined that lifting me by my arms was not going to work.  But an underarm lift first to a sitting position, then to my knees, and finally to my feet worked quite well.   I have no idea what we would have done if Carolyn and I had been alone.

Carolyn slid my walker to me but even before I took a first step I knew that I couldn't  use a walker just then.  The pain in my arm from any pressure was just too great.  I asked Steven to retrieve my power chair while Carolyn moved away the walker.  This was only about the second time we've had the power chair in the house and it felt weird.  I discovered that I could negotiate every door I needed to as long as I kept my left arm securely inside the chair arms.

We continued with our plans for a choir party (about 22 people) at  our house that evening.  I wasn't much help but at least I could participate.  I don't think I'll be using my walker for the next few days.