Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Mom: Back In The Hospital

     Mom took a nasty little fall yesterday morning; she called me right before shower time.  I asked if she'd called 911:

     "Oh, I don't think they could get in; I locked more than just the lock they keep a key for."

     "Call them anyway!  They'll get in.  I'll bring Tam and she'll guard the house if they have to break in." 

     Mom was kind of uncertain about that plan, though she did say she'd call.

     I threw on clothes while giving Tam a quick update; we left in haste.  Sure enough, Mom had locked  both locks on one door and had the chain on the other as well as the deadbolt I have a key for.

     Those chains?  They're really more like a hint.  One solid sole-of-foot kick from a worried middle-aged woman in average health and they pop right off.

     Mom was in bed, having got there from the site of her fall. (!)  She was in good spirits, alert and oriented but  had not called 911; in fact, her VOIP phones, damn them, just go back to spitting out dial tone after the last "1" when you try.  (WTH, AT&T?  I thought you solved that?)  Her cell phone was right next to her; I used that and the usual first response guys arrived in record time.

     The bottom line: a couple of cracked bones in her lumbar spine and a damaged rib.  She'll be in the hospital for awhile.

     Whether you call it "prayer" or "thinking good thoughts," I'd be obliged if you spare a word for her.  Does it work?  Hey, it can't hurt.
at

28 comments:

  1. Fuzzy CurmudgeonNovember 5, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    All good thought for Mom X. Hope she gets well quickly.

    My mother has balance problems and falls once in a while, but not like that.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Prayers sent....

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  3. AnonymousNovember 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Prayers sent and all the best wishes.

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  4. Tango JulietNovember 5, 2013 at 8:29 AM

    MomX is TOUGH! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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  5. BGMillerNovember 5, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    The line "I'll bring Tam and she'll guard the house if they have to break in." made me chuckle for some reason.

    Fingers crossed for MomX and your good self. I'll rattle the drawers before I leave for work and I've got some sausages at work that should meet with approval.


    BGM

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  6. ogNovember 5, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    You remain in our prayers.

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  7. abnormalistNovember 5, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    Thoughts for Momma X

    Side note, those chains are tough, but only as tough as the screws that hold em in. Replace them with some seriously long/strong screws or lag bolts, and they can keep out a motivated never say die 220lb 6' man for at least 10 minutes until I split the door frame.

    Yes this was me at my house and the 1yo locked me out of the house on accident

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  8. JulieNovember 5, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    Hope your mum is up and around again in record time.

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  9. AlienNovember 5, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    I've wondered from time to time about the value of the combination deadbolt locks, which can be opened with either the correct pushbutton sequence or a key. Combinations can be relayed over a telephone in an emergency, and then changed if necessary. I'm just not sure about the level of security they provide; equal to or better than a hardware store or home center generic deadbolt, probably, but perhaps not as much as a really good lock like an Abus or Medeco. I need to research it more, but I can see a use for them.

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  10. BobNovember 5, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    Tell her to watch her nurses closely and force them to wash their hands before they touch her. You do NOT want her to get one of the infections common in hospitals these days.

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  11. BobNovember 5, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    FYI, if you have a set of bolt cutters they will make short work of door chains and metal door bars - - that's how maintenance men in hotels enter a room that has the door bar on.

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  12. AnonymousNovember 5, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    DONE!

    gfa

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  13. MattNovember 5, 2013 at 10:06 AM

    Just before thanksgiving two years ago my Mom (75) had a ruptured appendix. Got the call as I was helping lay a tile floor at my son in laws house. Learned three lessons from this. 1) Women are still hella tough. 2) having a bug out bag in the truck is good for non-SHTF too. 3) Having a freind along with his BUG to watch Mom and Dads place is a big help. Didn't have to stop to grab anything on the to the emergency room.
    Praying for your Mom.

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  14. Shane WNovember 5, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    Thoughts and prayers sent.

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  15. Matt GNovember 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Frustrating that she wouldn't stay put where she fell, isn't it? My father, who worked his way through high school and much of college as an ambulance crewman and a medical tech, insisted on trying to get up rather than accept the ambulance after breaking his hip. This took AN HOUR. I've never really torn into him over that... maybe he's reading my screed now.

    I hope that her pain is abated, and her bones mend, in a hurry!

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  16. AnonymousNovember 5, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    All here praying for a speedy recovery fort MomX . And having Tam for security!! Now that is defiantly like having a Momma grizzly looking after the den!!

    Walt

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  17. rickn8orNovember 5, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Good thoughts your way for Mom X and all concerned. Tam sez burnt offerings have already been made, so I'll refrain from sending a covered dish.

    And alien, thanks for the steer re: combination deadbolt locks. Since my medical adventures, I've had to overcome a lifetime of programming and UN-lock a door before I shower.

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  18. RandyGCNovember 5, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    Best wishes to her for a speedy and full recovery.

    And don't worry about the EMS crews getting in, they WILL. Of course making it easier for them does prevent major unplanned renovations after they enter.

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  19. CincinnatusNovember 5, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    Best wishes, shot out.

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  20. Sdv1949November 5, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    My Mom is recovering right now from a fall. She had a compression fracture of the T12 vertebrae which was repaired via kyphoplasty. The pain from the break stopped almost at once, but she is taking forever to recover from the deep bruising.

    HTH

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  21. The JackNovember 5, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    Here's hoping to a well recovery.

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  22. Old GrouchNovember 5, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Good thoughts 'n' all that...

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  23. fast richardNovember 5, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    I hope she heals and recovers well.

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  24. Old NFONovember 5, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    Thoughts and prayers for her speedy recovery.

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  25. Hat TrickNovember 5, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    Hoping for a speedy recovery.

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  26. Comrade MisfitNovember 5, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    All good thoughts I can muster heading for Indianapolis.

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  27. Greg TagNovember 6, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    Prayers and good thoughts as well sent Mom-X ward.

    And a side car for you, too.

    Regards

    GKT

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  28. Roberta XNovember 6, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    Thanks to all!

    --And Greg? A sidecar? I don't usually drink cocktails but I'll have a sip. ;)

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