The Bones You Save May Be Your Own

We are interrupting regularly scheduled blog content for an announcement from the Department of Public Safety of Buttercupland. Almost four years ago regularly scheduled content was interrupted for a bulletin from the ever alert Department of Public Safety concerning a fall which resulted in a broken foot and now, once again, I want to remind all citizens of Buttercupland to focus on fall prevention. Alas, I didn't pay close enough attention to this important safety advice.

 Three weeks ago, just before I left for the airport to fly to Argentina, I was sending a few last minute emails. I closed the computer and quickly jumped up, catching my foot in the non-secured computer cord. I fell right side down, with the brunt of the fall going to my shoulder, and it hurt. A lot. But I hated to cancel the trip for what might simply be a bad bruise. I got myself up, took two aspirin and pulled myself together. My theory was that since I could move my arm -- however painfully -- nothing was broken and I could still go on the trip. I added aspirin and Arnica to my carryon bag and left for the airport.

I did okay while I was away -- a little fall wasn't getting in the way of seeing the penguins -- and saw my orthopedist last week. Diagnosis: I have a small break in my shoulder. Gratefully, it's healing well and I don't even need a sling. I consulted Dr. Google and found that this is a common injury for elderly women who fall. I don't see myself as an elderly woman, but technically -- and somewhat amazingly -- I am a senior citizen. I'm out of yoga for awhile and being very careful about lifting and carrying things.

The moral of this story...actually there are several. First I am really fortunate I didn't break my wrist or worse, my leg or hip. Second, the Department of Public Safety reiterates the advice it gave three years ago, which is to look out for wet floors, icy and/or uneven sidewalks and wear shoes with good traction. The added advice is to secure household wires. Tripping hazards are just about everywhere and the bones you save may be your own.

I took the photo above during a visit to Brooklyn this afternoon. Usually I am at the gym on Monday afternoons, but alas, I will be absent for at least several more weeks. I used the time for a trip to Brooklyn and an enjoyable afternoon book browsing, drinking coffee and taking photographs. This was the view of Court Street while I drank coffee.

As ever, thanks for visiting and practice fall prevention. Your bones will thank you.