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Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 06-25-2018, 05:26 PM:

I took a hard fall yesterday. My daughter and grandson were working on a project using chicken wire, on my carport. I didn't notice the wire and tripped on it. Landed hard on my left side on the concrete driveway. Skinned up my elbow, wrist and just below my knee, and have all sorts of bruises. Even hit my head, but didn't even break the skin on my hard head. Can't sneeze, cough or breathe deeply without pain on the left side of my chest, so I probably cracked a rib too. Fear not. I'll be okay. Just be advised, when you are 83, it's best to watch where you are going! No, I didn't go to a doctor. They can't do anything for a cracked rib anyway.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 06-25-2018, 05:39 PM:

Dang Norm! I guess you were lucky not to break anything else.

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 06-25-2018, 09:30 PM:

I hope you heal up fast.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 06-26-2018, 10:28 AM:

get well Norm and look down when walking!

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 06-26-2018, 11:49 AM:

Whew! That cracked rib (or ribs) will be painful for a while. If you are having difficulty breathing, I would definitely recommend go check to make sure you didn't puncture your lung.

Get well fast, my friend.

Posted by CatFanInYankeeville (Member # 2025) on 06-29-2018, 09:59 AM:

Feel better, old buddy!

Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 06-30-2018, 01:32 PM:

Truly sorry to hear that Norm....did my face-first-
into-the-concrete driveway last year...I don't care how old you are.."dat sh!t hurts"

Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 06-30-2018, 02:05 PM:

Norm, please do all of us a favor and get yourself checked out unless you are completely well. We don't do anything for a rib fracture anymore but you are at risk for a lung injury or even pneumonia. When I was a young doctor (about forty years ago)we taped chests to give some pain relief from a rib fracture. However, that treatment caused more problems than it helped! I doubt that is done anymore. Please keep us up-to-date.

Posted by Bigcatdaddy (Member # 21) on 06-30-2018, 04:12 PM:

I second the doctor visit motion. Hope you’re up and trout fishing soon.

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 06-30-2018, 06:09 PM:

Had a bruise shaped and sized like the case of my iPhone, under my left breast pocket. I think I am improving day by day. (the phone is fine)

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 06-30-2018, 08:01 PM:

(the phone is fine)

Thank goodness.

Posted by CatFanInYankeeville (Member # 2025) on 07-05-2018, 10:57 PM:

clydeh, I remember some of the older guys talking about putting sand bags or other weights on a flail chest to 'stabilize' it. I guess those times are 20+ years behind us now, but the thought of weighing down ribs, especially ones broken in multiple spots, just strikes me as a poor idea!

Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 07-07-2018, 04:02 PM:

Cat,
I often tell my patients that the treatment can sometimes be worse than the disease! I was never taught the sand bag treatment, but I suspect it did increase the frequency of pneumonia by limiting the lung expansion.

Posted by GA Cat (Member # 642) on 07-10-2018, 10:16 PM:

The older we get the less we bounce!!

Glad that it was not worse and praying for a speedy recovery.

Two days ago, I shot a nail from a nail gun into the middle finger of my left hand. Somebody asked me how bad it was, and I said it would have been worse, but the bone stopped the nail from penetrating further. [Smile]

Sore, but no worse for the wear.

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 07-11-2018, 06:27 AM:

Well, I hate to report this, but I fell again last Saturday, 13 days after the last one. I did fall on the other side this time, so I am trying to be fair and balanced about it. This one hurt pretty badly, and I did go have it checked. They found no broken bones, but I am virtually certain that my right collarbone (clavicle) is no longer attached to my breastbone (sternum). The left one goes across and is smooth and flat, but I can clearly feel the end of the right one, and it is as sore as a cancer on a cat's ass. I was removing nails from some lumber my son and I were recycling to build a deck on the back of our guest cabin, when I lost my balance. It is near completion by the way. Only the flooring and steps remain undone.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 07-11-2018, 08:06 AM:

I'm a little younger that you Norm but my balance is starting to get a little suspect. I have some other health issues that do not allow me to be as active as I would like and I'm sure that contributes to the problem. I fell last winter and messed up my back, I've been pretty careful ever since. Getting old sucks. Hope you heal quickly

[ 07-11-2018, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 07-11-2018, 05:04 PM:

Guys, when I said "dat sh!t hurts" I wasn't trying to be funny. My fall resulted in a concussion, broken nose, and a dislocated shoulder...along with several scrapes and bruises....it was dead ass serious...could of killed me as easily as it didn't.

Falls number 1 cause of fatal injuries

LINK

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 07-11-2018, 06:28 PM:

All I know is, 2 hard falls in 13 days make me feel really, really old. I hate the way it feels to watch my brother and my son do volunteer on that deck, and I can't do a damn thing to help. MM, I KNEW you weren't trying to be funny. I almost never swear, but my daughter said I "spoke in tongues" that first time, and I know it was even worse this last time.

Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 07-12-2018, 12:35 AM:

quote:
All I know is, 2 hard falls in 13 days make me feel really, really old. I hate the way it feels to watch my brother and my son do volunteer on that deck, and I can't do a damn thing to help.

You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about Norm...take time to heal and be more careful while "on the job" in the future.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 07-12-2018, 08:04 AM:

The thing I hate most about getting older is requiring help for things around the house or hiring them out. At least Norm it sounds like you are still trying. I always said I had/have many faults through out my life but being lazy was not one of them. I can't even say that now. I really admire guys like SCWC, ukcatfannfl and others I know in my personal life that remain physically active through jobs or other activities.

[ 07-12-2018, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 07-13-2018, 07:09 AM:

I know what you mean hc. I spend most of my days in my woodworking shop piddling around with small craft projects or furniture pieces...wife stuff mostly. However, I had to recruit some help for a small deck I added to the house about a month ago...just can't handle 4x4's, 2x12's etc. like I once could...hard to accept and pay other people for things I know how to do but just physically can't manage any more.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 07-13-2018, 02:59 PM:

Dang Norm that is rough. Prayers of healing on the way.

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 07-13-2018, 04:28 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by MountainMafia:
hard to accept and pay other people for things I know how to do but just physically can't manage any more.

Exactly!!!

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 07-19-2018, 09:26 AM:

It is taking me a lot longer to heal up from this dislocated collarbone, than from the previous fall. I am basically one armed, and it is not the right one that I use most. The four things that are hardest for me to accomplish, are putting my socks on, brushing my teeth, combing my 42 remaining hairs, and yes, wiping my butt! I bought a sling, but it wasn't worth the trouble.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 07-19-2018, 09:33 AM:

Try using the sling to wipe your butt.

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 07-19-2018, 10:01 AM:

Well, it wouldn't be a lot more expensive than toilet paper has gotten!

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 07-19-2018, 10:07 AM:

I spouse you could wash and dry the sling after each use.