It was a cool day in Phoenix, Arizona, which is an oxymoron because it’s a desert that is known for seriously hot weather. I mean if they call it “the valley of the sun” … well, you get the idea. My Dad and I were walking the dogs, obeying the CDC’s guidelines of keeping a 6-foot distance to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. The sun was setting and there was a slight breeze moving throughout the landscape.
Just Walking
My grey sketchers shoes were kicking up dust as we navigated the land. I wasn’t even thinking about where I was stepping, I was just moving. My Dad’s dog was sniffing out the bushes for the bunnies that taunt her on the daily. Deep into her hunt, she had twisted her leash around some of the branches on the shrub. I see my Dad is working on releasing the hound and I decide to move around them, but the only way is to shuffle a path of large river rocks. I didn’t have a doubt that I could manage the difficult terrain. I trusted my body to do what I wanted it to do.
The Fall
Two steps in, I knew I had trouble. I had lost my balance and tried to correct my posture, but my body didn’t move as it used to. I knew that I was going down, but it happened so quickly I couldn’t react. I wanted to tell my Dad something smart like, “Dear Dad, I know this might be an inconvenience to our outdoor adventure today, but it has just occurred to me that I am currently on my way down to the rocks below, would you be so kind as to assist me?” In reality, the only thing I got out was four words…I… AM… GOING… DOWN. Brilliant.
Once my body hit the ground, I was in shock. It’s like I almost didn’t know what to do. I just sat there thinking, “did I just really fall?” I’m trying to push my body up, but I felt weak. My Dad was by my side within a second. He helped me up and that’s when the pain started. I start to take an inventory of my body. I landed on my left side and my left elbow took the brunt of the fall.
I was lucky. Friends of my Parkie community have shared their experiences with falls and they all ended badly. I knew that it was a Parkinson’s thing, but I didn’t think about how much damage falling can do. I’m aware that you can have bruises, cuts, and scrapes, even broken bones but until it happened to me… now I get it. It happened so quickly, I didn’t even have time to think. First I was up and then I was on the ground. I looked like Bambi, shaking and unsure of how to use my hoofs. I guess today was a not so gentle reminder that Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease and this is part of the decline. I need to be more present and aware of my environment. Does anyone have an awesome falling down story?
Yes I have had many falls ,Blood on my brain and bloody elbows and knees and wrists! It isn’t any fun at all ,,
So sorry to hear this Allison but I’m glad your video game thumbs weren’t injured at least. :). Take care!
Allen,
I know right!? Hope you’re well.
Reflexes still catching my 2 to 4 “almost” falls per week. Kinda ominous. Especially considering if it happens in my hallway or out on some trail.
Slow down? Don’t want too.
Randy,
The almost falls are a little frightening aren’t they? But we must not let fear dictate our lives.
Well congratulations – welcome to the “fall club.” With membership I believe you get a card that once you hit your 25th fall, you get a free fro-yo (or maybe it’s only 15). Just kidding 😀. I usually average around 3-4 falls a month, and several near trips on the carpet or a dog toy or a book left on the floor at least once a night.
About 2 1/2 years ago I was kneeling down to put milk in the bottom refrigerator, and I didn’t realize that my wife had swung open the upper freezer door. As I stood up, I ended up hitting my head on the freezer door bottom, and hit square on my DBS lumps on my head. I did not break the DBS wires, but I had a slight fracture where the fixed wires go through my skull. In addition to a concussion and a bloody nose from where my face landed on on the floor. My neurosurgeon and my movement Dr ordered a CT scan and checked the leads. thankfully I did not damage any of the wiring. Afterward I was prescribed a helmet to wear when I am having bad freeze ups or when slippery outside. I really didn’t like wearing the helmet or appreciate the safety the helmet provides until during a wind storm a branch fell from a tree and struck me on my helmet.
I hope you heal quickly.
Thank God that
Chris, oh my gosh! Your fall made me cringe. That is not worth getting a free fro yo! Keep that helmet on…it sounds like a life saver! Thanks for sharing!
I just realized I didn’t finish my last sentence. It should have read “Thank God you were not seriously injured where you would be in the hospital with all of the sickness going around.”
Chris, so true!
I really wish that I had kept a consistent record of my falls over the past 10 or 15 years. I don’t even remember my first fall. There have been a few broken bones over the years, but for the most part it has been bruises, carpet burns, and scrapes. I started wearing a lifeline button after my husband died a year ago. At first, I was disappointed that the fall detector missed about 2/3 of my falls, but as most of them just cause bruises that doctors can’t do anything about anyway, and I am often able to get up by myself. I have been thankful that I get away with not having people come running every time I fall, especially when I fall 2 or 3 times a day. Every time that button goes off, the lifeline operator has to inform both of my daughters, waking them up with the night time calls, and then disturbing them at work the next day with text messages to follow up with how I am doing, and they don’t know. That would be ok if I had serious injuries more often, but the girls are tired of the drill. It’s like crying “wolf!”. I dread the day I will have a serious fall and no one will come.
I’m sorry if that sounds whiny and jealous that no one brings me candy when I fall. There have been lots of falls that have funny stories, like the time I fell backwards onto the front of my walker, and landed with my butt stuck in the basket. Or the time a paramedic came to my new place and said he remembered my furniture but not my name. I do thank God that I haven’t had more serious injuries. He must have a squadron of guardian angels assigned to me.
Karen,
I didn’t know that about lifeline, that they call your 2 daughters even when it’s a fall that you can handle on your own, I can’t imagine falling multiple times a day. You must wake up every morning and think, “ok, what does today hold for me?” Thank you for sharing your story.
Ohh… so sorry you had to experience a fall… wishing you a speedy recovery.
I fell about a year ago – I tripped over my hand weights and landed smack on my right side – breaking my hip. No one was at home but me and my two little dogs. I spent two hours on the floor inching my way into the kitchen to get my cell phone. Needless to say, i now own a IWATCH and where it 24/7 (well not while I sleep)
Stay Safe and Healthy.
Jane
Jane,
Wow! What a story. I am a huge fan of the iwatch. It’s great that you found a solution to help you when you take a fall. Thanks for sharing!
Allison, that arm looks bad.. A few days from now you ought see the internal blood surface so it might look worse before it looks better. Going to a hospital is not what you want to be doing with this virus present;
Quarantine yourself with your parents and we;ll see you in a couplle of weeks.
I wil continue to fall putting pants on, sometimes backwards; Fortunatly the carpet is soft in that walk-in closet, but if I fall and hust myslf that same carpet absorbs any calls for help I might entertain.
Peter,
Yeah, staying out of the hospital sounds like a great plan! Miss hanging out with you… damn your Corona virus!
About a year ago, I was coming out of the Amtrak station in the pouring rain and noticed there was only one cab available. I rushed to reach it like an Olympic sprinter, tripping over a brick that was jutting out in the sidewalk. As I was going down, I negotiated with myself how I wanted to fall. My negotiations were a failure as my head (ouch!) hit the ground breaking my glasses and driving the frame into the bone above my eye. I would have loved to jump up, grab the cab and deal with my injuries when I reached the hotel. But, no. Huge, huge, huge commotion! Lots of blood. Everyone wanting to help.
People picked me up and helped me back into the train station. The station manager rushed over with a first aid kit . Someone called 911. The EMS arrived and insisted on taking me to the hospital, sirens blaring. Four hours later, I reached that elusive hotel room, with broken eyeglasses, a huge bruising knot on the side of my forehead, and a promise to my husband that I would be fine and he did not need to make the three-hour ride in the middle of the night to join me.
Oh, here’s the really good part. The reason for my trip was to speak at a luncheon. I managed to pull it off without glasses to read my Powerpoint screens and with a face that looked like I’d gone 10 rounds with Muhammad Ali.
Mary,
All that and you still managed to do your PowerPoint? Guess you didn’t know you were Superwoman underneath those glasses. Thanks for sharing!
So sorry this happened to you. I’ve fallen several times, mostly bouncing, but with one break (had to wear a brace on my arm for 2 months). I find the hardest to take is the loss of confidence. A physical therapist who knows PD is worth their weight in platinum, but social distancing. In the meantime, try the Otago exercises, https://www.med.unc.edu/aging/cgec/files/2018/09/OtagoExercises.pdf, which really help to strengthen your legs and core so you are less likely to fall.
Fran,
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing the Otago exercises.
I’m early onset and currently 39. I had DBS in October and my balance has been horrible ever since. My perception is fine and I’m not dizzy…I just can’t keep my balance. I have fallen many times…too many to count now. I’ve had bruises on my arms, knees, hips, butt…I’ve not had any serious injuries thank God! I fall into the wall to catch myself. I’ve fallen flat out on the floor. I’ve hit my head a few times. Sad to say I’m getting used to falling… My last 2 flat out falls were on Saturday and again today. Saturday I swung into my office to do a few things…I’m still working full time as a Supervisor for DE DFS – the state child protection agency. I’m an Investigation Supervisor and we are essential employees working mostly from home but the job of keeping children safe will require us to go to homes or in my case, the office to do administrative tasks to keep cases moving. I came back to the front desk from the copier and I was going to sit down…well the chair has wheels and slipped away…I tried to grab onto the desk but no stopping me, I kept slipping down and fell on my butt and the desk edge was just the right height and the back of my head hit it. I was able to jump right up as fast as my body allows now but damn it did hurt. But I was ok. Then today I was leaving my hairdresser’s home from her trimming up and highlighting my new short hairdo that I’ve been rocking since preparing for DBS and it growing back after surgery. I was walking down her steps which has several larger landings. I got to the bottom and she was asking if I had everything. I was trying to turn around to tell her I had everything and there my stumbling started and then I fell out on the bottom landing. I fell on my right butt cheek and luckily didn’t hit my head on the concrete. She felt so bad because she saw it coming but couldn’t get to me fast enough to stop my fall. She helped me up and I told her that’s what it’s like now with my balance and the daily struggle with Parkinson’s. I assured her I really was fine and she knew it was just my balance issue and that I was ok. She didn’t freak out, she just helped me up and supported me at a really embarrassing moment. I appreciate the sharing of the Otego exercises and will check them out. I tried BIG and really didn’t find it helpful. I have a hard time exercising and building cardio strength and any strength at all because not only is my balance off, but I have Dystonia in my right foot that is still unpredictable and my Dr believes it has gone into my knee because I have a persistent toe drag that appears to come from my knee not wanting to bend when walking. I’m honestly scared to get on a treadmill to walk. I’m worried about taking a regular walk and have my foot Dystonia decide to flare up and not be able to get back to my starting point because I’m forced to try to walk on the outside of my foot and try not to fall and break my ankle or anything else. I’m surprised at the # of comments with people having so few falls and that you have just had your 1st fall Allison. I feel like something isn’t right and my balance shouldn’t be as bad as it is…but I also know everyone’s symptoms and progression are different. I had plenty of stumbles and falls into walls and tables to catch myself before DBS but it has definitely been a lot worse since surgery. Hope you feel better soon Allison…no fall is ever pain free physically or emotionally.
Shannan,
You have been lucky with your falls… and when you fell after leaving your hairdresser, you didn’t mess up your gorgeous hair that you just finished getting done. Bonus! Thank you for sharing your story. Be safe!
Hello there Alison.
I have had 2 falls last year. I had dbs a year ago last February and my balance has been challenged. Once while running and another time getting out of bed. I find it very strange how all this parkinsons stuff works .. lately I’m freezing again. Very subtle but every time someone crosses my path unexpectedly and it causes me to pause then I can’t get started again. It’s probably only 1 or 2 seconds but feels like an eternity. Now if I see the person coming I’m fine. I haven’t had to be thinking of this since pre-dbs. I have appointment with my Mds on Thursday. Ill be bringing this up.
We are going to try a phone call appointment and then possibly a FaceTime or zoom because of the Covid-19. I hope you and everyone of your followers stick to the social distancing. Please take it seriously. This real! These are definitely scary times. Adding the stress of this and Parkinson’s is not a good mix.
I hope you heal from your fall soon.
Gary,
Telemedicine has been a life-saver for many of us that are homebound. I hope you can get some relief from your freezing. It sounds awful! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve fallen twice in the last 18 months. Both times there were loose stones involved. I’m doing my best now to avoid gravel and loose stones. Unfortunately, I have a natural tendency to put my arms down to break my fall. This has resulted in a broken wrist. Note to self: Let’s never again break the wrist on the same side as you use your cane. Life becomes a bit more difficult.
On a humorous note, my PCP advised me to stop breaking my falls with my hands. Instead, I should stay loose and “drop & roll.” I can’t even stay loose when I’m not falling!
So sorry you fell!
Tom,
Yeah, just drop and roll… don’t they remember that rigidity is a Parkie thing? Thanks for sharing your story!
Hi Perky – I feel for you and hope you’re feeling better Here’s my story about a bike accident.
Last December I ran into parked truck while riding in the bike lane at near my home. After that I realized that my mental executive functions are declining faster than my physical abilities. Since the PD disability is physically based, I will be more attentive.
What happened: I ran into the back of a parked truck in the bike lane and smashed my face on the pavement. My slow reaction time is related to PD. My wife came, ems took me to hospital where I was x-rayed and cat scanned. 6 stitches under my nose above upper lip, 3rd finger on frght hand was really wide open, but stitched tite, it was damned uncomfortable,Time to talk about alternative transportation.
Now I will consciously behave with my disability in mind and try to match my ambitions to my mental abilities. I will mind my body and listen to my spirit. This is a new journey that I’ll be making as I’ve admitted that my executive functions and cognitive abilities are somewhat disabled and I will change my high intensity physical activity to match them. (I can’t hunch down biking!).
I still have some residual pain that reminds me to take care…
Roger,
What a great way to describe falling… your “mental executive functions are declining faster than my physical abilities” couldn’t have said it better! Thank you for sharing.
I spent two weeks last summer hiking. Whereas the LL Bean hiking poles started out as a cutting edge fashion statement; they have morphed into a tool essential for hiking.
As a preemptive move I now walk with them. They promote arm swing! Consider these as an option. I’m sold on them.
What a great idea! LL Bean hiking poles and I bet you can get them in a sassy color like red or purple! You gave us all a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to read that you’ve had a fall, Allison. They’re not nice are they?. Reading your blog took me back to my fall in 2013.which.I think fits into the category of ‘awesome’. I haven’t had many falls since being diagnosed with PD in 2006 but this one was a ‘real doozey’ It happened when I was on my way to a late afternoon doctor’s appointment in the city. While making my way along a nearby lane way, I went to step off the footpath, not realising that a chunk of concrete was missing from the kerb. I put one foot in the gap which threw me off balance and I went down, flat on my face onto the hard bitumen road. It seemed to happen so quickly and I didn’t seem to be able to stop myself from falling. Luckily, my sunglasses took he brunt of my fall but I still smashed my front teeth, severed an artery in my lip, broke my nose, fractured my jaw and cheekbones and suffered cuts and bruising.(my face was blue, purple and yellow a couple of days later). I was in hospital for several days to have my lip stitched and my teeth wired up (which meant I could only consume liquids for a few weeks). I also had to have another operation (different specialists) later to fix my broken nose. I was off work for 6 weeks until everything healed (and to think that I thought this was a long time to be stuck at home)! This might all sound rather horrific but for some reason, I felt very little pain after the accident. Nevertheless I’ve been very careful where I walk ever since.
Christine,
All I can say is…Ouch! Your cringe-worthy story wins the prize today… sorry there’s no ribbon or trophy. Thanks for sharing your very painful story.
I had a fall a few months ago. My wife and I were going to a restaurant at a shopping mall that I was not familiar with. As we came out of the parking lot we had to walk uphill a little bit to get to the restaurant. Before I knew what was happening I tripped over one of the irregularities in the road and I was too slow to catch myself and so I fell. A contributing factor was the heavy purse on my shoulder. The Combination of slowness, heavy purse, and gravity brought me to my knees, literally. I scraped my left knee and elbow but more than that I felt so vulnerable and humbled by Parkinson’s. I remember thinking it was so personal. Falling could really hurt ME. After that time I walk with more awareness, noticing the unevenness of the road.,I switched to a backpack Style of handbag, and I keep exercising. Glad to read the other posts to know that I am not alone. I am Also encouraged by the fact that even though we may fall we also get up.
Sage,
I am so sorry about your fall. It’s kind of weird to think that we can actually get hurt falling… until it happens to you. I love that you switched to a backpack style handbag… and very stylish and chic! Thanks for sharing!
You totally fell on purpose so I would feel bad for you and send you candy again. Well played Smitty, well played.
I tripped and fell running with little man the other day. I landed in mud and tore off the skin from my knee and hand. I handed my phone to my scared son, got up, and he finished his virtual 5K while I ran another 24 miles to finish my full marathon.
A fall doesn’t know you have Parkinson’s, and it doesn’t care where you land, how much it hurt, how fast you get up, or if you ever get up. Only your will cares and what is important is that you have one… so show it the way.
John, you always have the right thing to say. You had me at candy. Impressive marathon run.
I shot you a message on Instagram. I fear your care package won’t make it to the post office. I separated what’s yours from what’s mine, but what’s mine is shrinking by the second and what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is yours, right?
John,
It’s the thought that counts… I guess. Stop eating my care package. I don’t want an empty box.
Oh my goodness I feel your pain…literally! I’m 52 years old with early onset PD & had my first fall on Valentine’s day. It was a gorgeous Arizona day & I was full of positive thoughts as I walked my dog. I thought nothing bad would ever happen to me, I thought I didn’t need to rely on my medications, I thought I was on top of my PD symptoms, I thought I would never fall, I thought I was invincible. As I fell my world came tumbling down as well. It turns out I had forgotten to take my morning dose of sinemet that fateful day. It has taken over a month to heal my bruised ribs & my wrist that thankfully improved without surgery. Now I am much more aware of my limitations, scared to repeat that day, scared of what the future may bring. I now cherish every step, carefully & thankfully. I now take my medications precisely as directed. I now admit that I am human & I have Parkinsons.
Laura,
What an adventure! It’s so true you become aware of you limitations. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, yes! I’ve handled falls in my backyard like a champ. My most recent fall was inside …3/4 of me landed smoothly but that 1/4 one from the bottom of the rib cage to the top of my pelvis was hellacious. It’s been 2 months and those muscles, tendons, and whatever else lies in between are still causing all sorts of discomfort. The pain keeps my exercising to a minimum. I finally found a great massage therapist whole is putting me back together. Oh, yes…I’ll take scrapes, bruises, and sprains any day over an seemingly innocent looking fall that wrecks havoc. Keep safe out there
Jeff,
I can only imagine the pain that you went through. Sounds awful! Thanks for sharing your story!