We all told that exercise is healthy for us. Do we all believe this? Do we all embrace this with joy?
As those of you who read my blog last week will know, my answer for this is, ‘No, I don’t embrace exercise’. It is a chore, which I have to do.
When being healthy can be a health hazard
We are trying to go for a walk each day, to get our dose of fresh air, and to remain fit.
On Easter Saturday, we set out for a morning walk around 10 am. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were walking around the local streets of Royal Wootton Bassett.
A couple with their daughter had just stopped a way in front of us to mend her scooter; so we stepped onto the road to pass them, ensuring that there wasn’t any traffic coming.
We carried on, and had just reached about the half way mark of our walk, which in Fitbit terms was nearly 5,000 steps. I was feeling good, and enjoying the beautiful morning.
My foot did that thing where my shoe stubbed against the pavement, and I tripped. Normally I manage to correct myself; not on this Saturday. I fell my whole length, throwing my water bottle into the distance, landing heavily on my left knee and even harder on my right arm, which I put out to save myself.
I swore!
Conrad helped me to sit up and suggested we’d have to go home. My reaction to that was, No! I was not going to walk home, so it was decided he would go back for the car.
The kindness of strangers
The lovely couple that we had passed earlier, mending their daughters scooter came up behind us. I apologised for my swearing. They said not to worry, and asked if we needed help.
To cut a long story short, they very kindly offered to stay with me whilst Conrad walked back for the car. They sat at the sensible distance from me, and we chatted.
At one point, the husband went home to fetch me a glass of water, because I didn’t feel too good.
They must have waited with me for around 20 minutes – it may have been long; it seemed ages. However, they wouldn’t leave me, and were very caring.
A police car did stop, and asked if all was okay, and after some reassurance that I was , left us. (He commented on our observance of keeping the 2 metre distance, and was also very kind.)
This couple needn’t have stopped. They could have carried on quite easily, as many other people did, including the owner of house outside which I had fallen. She walked past us without even looking at us, or asking us what we were doing there.
Thanks to the brilliance of social media, I’ve been able to contact the lovely couple since to thank them again.
The funny sides of the situation
I’m heavily right-hand dominant. When I got home I couldn’t use my arm or hand at all, although, after contacting a medical friend, knew it wasn’t broken.
I found there were so many things that I couldn’t do (and some I still can’t). Some I have to do with my left hand, which is both weird and sometimes difficult:
- Put any pressure on my arm/hand – therefore, can’t help to push myself up in bed, as I normally do.
- Wipe my own backside – using the other hand is strange and far harder than I had expected.
- Use a pair of scissors. Left-handers – I now feel your pain about the majority of scissors!
- Dry myself completely with the towel after showering.
- Typing with my left hand, and far worse, using the mouse with my left hand!
- Lifting anything heavy with just one hand. Therefore Conrad has been doing the cooking, and some baking. The latter, a first in the 27 years we’ve been together!
Vulnerability
Being nearer 70 than 65…. I actually found myself thinking about the complete vulnerability of the situation had I been on my own at this time.
I forget that I’m not still 40. To be honest though, I would probably feel the same. It possibly isn’t just about age – although, falling at 40, you tend to recover much quicker than being passed 60.
I wasn’t going to take the chance of an A & E visit, unless completely necessary, however, had I been on my own, I may not have had much choice. Someone would probably have phoned for an ambulance when I fell.
Yet again, I am grateful for my husband, and also knowing that he will take care of me. He can do all the things I can’t whilst my arm is causing me problems. During normal times, I wouldn’t have to rely on him so much. I would be able to catch buses to places, ask friends for the odd bit of help; but not now.
So the comment about me being healthy is a health hazard, is Conrad’s. Too many times I’ve joined exercise classes, or gyms, and ended up damaging myself…. He’s not sure that I’m safe to be let out!
I can feel a poem coming on about my journey and exercise….