We were home in Livermore at about 10pm that night. The next day was to be a hot one so I went for a walk with "Jack" early. Still filled with good feelings and happy memories of our trip out east Jack and I ventured on our regular route. About half way through my life suddenly changed. A simple crack in the sidewalk concrete had bulged up about 1 1/2 inches or so, not much, right in front of my right foot. I did not see it but my foot met it, tripping me. I can remember those very few moments or it was just a second or so when I was precariously going in the wrong direction, down. I thought about breaking my fall but saw there was no way to do that and boom I landed on my right side. It felt like a hard fall but it did not hurt. I just instantly realized it was not good. I said quite loudly, "Ow, Ow, Ow!" I had let go of Jack and as I rolled onto my back I reached for his leash and my phone which also had fallen. After a quick assessment I knew that I was not getting up on my own. I was not sure what happened but something did. Instantly I called Doug, "I fell on my walk. I need you, come and get me. I probably broke my leg." I gave him directions on how to find me lying on the ground a bit hidden by landscaping on either side of the sidewalk. Not to labor with too much detail about this incident I was rescued by Doug and the paramedics who lifted me gingerly with a scooper onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. I love paramedics, just saying.
Keenly aware that I could not move and would not move it was obvious this was not a simple break. At the hospital I was xrayed and examined. I met the orthopedic surgeon on call that morning. He told me I had "broken my hip"! Really? Well then, since I can not move, and please do not make me move, what are you going to do about that? Since I broke the ball on top of my femur he decided the best course of action was to replace it. Oh sure just take it will you please and get me back to my healthy state of being so I can walk again. I was ready for this plan to happen. It must have been some of the drugs, but I just knew I had to do what ever had to be done to get to the other side and no resistance was the best policy to get there.
That was over 4 months ago now. I have had a major surgery, half hip replacement and am at least 92% recovered. There is more to go. Must say that percentage estimate changes from day to day. Some days are better than others. But I can go for walks again. I am walking again in Maine on the same streets but now with a reconstructed leg part and in a different season. It was beautiful here then and it is beautiful here now.
This garden is up the road as it was in Summer and is now in Winter....I noticed the two chairs have not moved. The seasons have changed but they are still there inviting you to sit for a while. Isn't that what we learn when big change happens? Or is it what we are supposed to learn?
Hmmmm last time I was here I was me and then now I am me too, even though a lot has happened in between. Yes, something to contemplate. Not sure of the realization I should have but I am happy I am still here even though I changed in a way I never expected when last here. I appreciate the great good fortune of my life to have good medical care and a loving husband to get me through. Love those chairs up the street. I hope they are there when I come again in the Spring.
I am so glad that there are two chairs in that garden because life is so much better when you observe and participate and appreciate with someone else, a friend, a partner, a daughter, a son in law or I can not wait, a grandchild.