Thursday, January 19, 2012

January - Trying to Get Through It

January of 2012 seemed so promising on its second day.  I had high hopes for the day, for the month, for the year.  And, then, in just an instant, everything changed.  I fell down the basement stairs.  I didn't fall far, but I fell hard.  Since that time, I have been mostly absent from life as I knew it.

I have not driven.
I have not read.
I have not written.
I have stayed away from the computer because I cannot tolerate the light from it, 
nor can I tolerate the text I see written on it.  
I do not watch television.
I cannot watch movies.
I cannot tolerate crowds of people.
I cannot tolerate noise.
I prefer darkness over light.

I have focused on getting through each day.
I have focused on believing that I would see light coming through the dark clouds that seemed to always be overhead.
I have tried to hang on to hope:
hope that I would get better,
hope that the pain and dizziness would go away,
hope that I would be myself again.




Today, I had the best day that I have had in 17 days.  I am finally feeling better.  I am finally believing that I will be better.  We have an action plan as far as how to deal with this injury, and I am sure that in time, I will be better.

My husband has been my constant encourager.  He has allowed me to sit quietly in the dark for hours on end so I could give my brain time to heal.  He has downloaded stories for me to listen to on my iPhone.  He has driven me to get my hair cut so I would feel better about the way I looked.  He has driven me to doctors.  He has been patient.  He has, as always been my champion.  I don't know what I would do without him.

Yesterday, my dear friend from college days told me that her mother always said, "If you can make it through January, you can make it through anything."  True.  January can be so bleak at times.  It can be a harsh month to get through.  I am working on that right now.  I am working on getting through January.

I have missed my blogging friends, but I am not quite ready to read blogs again.  I will check in as I am able.

Writing this post is an accomplishment.  I hope to be back going full steam soon.  I hope you all are well.  I miss you.

33 comments:

  1. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a complete recovery!

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  2. Sally, I was thinking of you today, wondering how you are. I heard on the news that there were high wind gusts in your area. Two weeks of healing probably seem like a year in your usually active life. But, easy does it when the body needs to heal. You're learning to listen to your body carefully and you're learning what it needs to feel better. Thank goodness for your husband! It's always easier with someone who loves us in our corner. I'm glad you could write this note and that you felt a glimmer of your old self today. Keep getting better!

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  3. Bless your heart, Sally.. I'm so sorry that you have had to go through such a terrible month.. I am glad that you are feeling better though... Just continue to take it easy --and only do what you can...

    Prayers and Lots of HUGS..
    Betsy

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  4. Very glad to hear that you are feeling better today. Healing does take time, and you are probably right on schedule.

    January will be over in 12 more days.

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  5. Sorry things are so difficult for you, but I am glad to have this update. Continue to take good care of yourself and come back when you can...we'll be here waiting to throw a welcome back party.

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  6. Dear lady, it is good to hear from you! But don't stress yourself. Take it easy and let yourself heal. We'll wait. :)

    Peace and prayers for your healing.

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  7. "Retired English Teacher" has been included in this weeks Sites To See. I hope this helps to attract many more new visitors here.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2012/01/sites-to-see_20.html

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  8. Dear Sally, that was a dreadful start to the new year for you :( It must have been so difficult for you over these past few weeks, but how lovely that your husband has been so sweet and encouraging. He certainly is a keeper! (I'd never heard that saying before until my American friends started to use it). That was an achievement indeed, for you to have written this post, so well done you. Let's pretend that your new year is going to start in February, and that it will be all good from then on. I pray that it will be my friend.

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  9. I'm so sorry to hear this important business of healing is taking so long. I'm glad you're giving it the time it needs. Keep doing that, please, so you can return to us as good as new.

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  10. You were missed. I am so sorry to hear about your fall. Prayers for a full recovery and full points for your loving husband.

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  11. Oh yes, you'll need mending, and only time and patience can accomplish that. Glad to see you are blogging, even a bit, reaching out to normalcy. I do hope you're not in too much pain. Let everything go and just rest, rest and rest.

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  12. It was good to see you come up on the blog list but I am so sorry for what you have been going through and still are.
    Please just take it easy and get totally well soon.
    We will be waiting and sending prayers.

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  13. I am so sorry you have been going through this terrible time. I hope the last days of January bring more healing and that you will soon be feeling like yourself again. Please continue to take good care of yourself.

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  14. So very good to hear from you, Sally. I am so glad to hear that you are on the mend. Sometimes it's even harder to have a "minor" incident because we expect so much from ourselves. You are indeed fortunate to have your wonderful partner who is caring for you as you deserve right now. I am so glad you were able to post an update. Please continue to take good care of yourself and realize that your blogging family isn't going anywhere. :-)

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  15. I have been missing in action and so sorry about that nasty fall, but encouraged to have the update. Will be waiting for you. In the meantime will be praying for you and you husband. It is my turn to send positive thoughts and prayers to surround you. You have certainly done that for me and it has made such a difference.So glad you are blessed with a husband who is your champion in this time of healing.

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  16. aw honey hugs my thoughts and prayers are with you

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  17. Glad to hear from you and looking forward to your regular posts once again.

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  18. Hi Sally,
    It was so good to see a post from you in my que. I am terribly sorry that it's taking so long for the healing. I can hardly imagine how awful it has been for you. I know how impatient I can be when I was healing, yet, I at least could read and write.
    You will be doubly in my prayers for healing.
    Bless you husband!

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  19. Are you getting the same miserable weather that we have here in Oregon? Trust me, you don't want to go anywhere. I fell yesterday in the Costco parking lot. Fortunately nothing was damaged but my pride. I had to ride home with a wet butt. Get well soon.

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  20. It sounds like you have a wonderful companion to support you as you move through this challenge. Be Well! I'm happy we have found each other....

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  21. Thanks for the update -- was wondering how you were doing. Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better, and I hope it gets a little easier every day.

    And, yeah, kudos to your husband. You see, we men are not all completely useless!

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  22. I can empathize. My cast came off on Mon. I haven't driven since Dec. 5th, I am constantly trying to chase away feelings of being 'bummed out'.
    I hope better days are comimg relatively soon. [for both of us!]

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  23. Oh, Sally. I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. Sending you prayers for complete healing and that you'll find some light in this current darkness.

    The quote about making it through January was exactly what I needed to read today - thank you for that. Even though I'm not outwardly wounded, it's a very difficult month.

    Take care of yourself.

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  24. Indeed it seems to have been a hard month. Still albeit slowly you are on the mind. My spouse three weeks from a double masectomy. The prognosis is excellent although her home nurse/homemaker was merely adequate...:) Things are looking up.

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  25. Oh my goodness, Sally. I've been away from Blog visiting also because of my scanning project and house painting project.

    I am so sorry for all you're going through. Thank goodness your husband is being such a wonderful helper.

    Your writing about this experience is reminding me to be more careful when I go up and down our stairs. Take care, Sally... Let yourself heal. Sending you lots of love from Hawaii.

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  26. Sally, as January comes to an end, I hope that you will continue to feel better and better. Know that I'm thinking of you. I wish I could do more, but know that I will continue to visit you and encourage you as I gain encouragement from you. Hugs and prayers to you, my friend.
    Jackie

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  27. I am so glad and relieved that you are feeling better and can blog a little at last. What a nice hubby you have! He is a keeper.

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  28. When I saw your comment on my blog (Thanks!) I realized I had not heard form you for a while. I have been trying to catch up on blog reading today.
    So I am late in saying how sorry I am for your injury! Too many of my blog friends seem to be victims of falling lately. You must have suffered a severe concussion. I'm so glad to see that you are now able to blog again.

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  29. I didn't see a mention of the doctor or did I read so fast I missed it. It's good to see you, but it would be good if we had a doc report to go with this. Hugs.

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  30. I found it. "Doctors" you said. I'm just so glad they let you come home and be miserable in your own home.

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  31. Oh dear, Sally, what an ordeal you have been through! Your husband sounds like such a dear, and thank heavens for audio books. I hope that each day finds you feeling better, and that February is a brighter time--in so many ways--for you.

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  32. Oh Sally I hope and pray you make a complete recovery. What a wonderful husband you have. He is so thoughtful to think of the things that will make you feel better. My mom took a fall back in September and is still struggling. The first part of your post was so sad and then I read the second and as always your posts leave us with hope. January is a rough month for sure I am glad it is almost over. My prayer is that you feel better soon. Thinking Spring-filled thoughts for ya!
    Blessings, Joanne

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  33. I've said bits and pieces of congratulations in my other comments. All I can add here is that I look up to you as such a role model for healing and for surviving against a great trauma. You have no idea how much I respect you and how convinced I am that you will soon be trying to remember what it felt like after the fall.

    You really are the best and such a model for us all.

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