Thursday, February 18, 2010

Knocked For A Loop...

The day before yesterday I had a bad fall and I am feeling a bit out-of-sorts. It's amazing how a fall can really knock you for a loop. There is a sidewalk here in Vancouver that had been paved with uneven flagstone-type tiles, and I caught my foot on one and went flying. Within three hours, the City of Vancouver had replaced the flagstones with slip-proof cement. The only person who helped me was a homeless man on the sidewalk in front of the store. He was so sweet, I gave him a $20 bill. In the meantime, I hurt in places where I didn't even know I had places...! I'll be fine in a couple of days, and I'll be back.

Cheers,

52 comments:

Land of shimp said...

I'm sorry that happened, Jo! I'm glad you're all in once piece though. Well done to the city for acting so quickly, after all, they've got a lot of out-of-town foot traffic right now, too.

Advil and plenty of fluids. Ice for bruises!

I'm glad you gave the homeless man something. It's rather amazing the amount of empathy people in even the worst circumstances possess.

The Bug said...

Oh no! I agree with Alane - advil & ice are the way to go. And maybe just pamper yourself while watching the Olympics on TV (which has been a LOT of fun for Dr. M & me by the way...).

Jo said...

Alane, yes, I phoned someone right away, and I got ahold of an Olympic security person (by accident) and that sidewalk was fixed pronto. Meanwhile, I am black and blue all over. *heh*

And yes, the homeless man was very sweet.

Cheers,
Jo

Jo said...

Bug, I'm SO glad you are enjoying the Olympics. Maybe you and Dr. M will come up for a visit. I would love to give you a tour of our beautiful city.

:-)

Cheers,
Jo

Laurie said...

Take care, Jo. "Black and blue all over"...ouch...I feel for ya.

Jo said...

Laurie, thanks. :-) Oh, gosh, even my chin hurts.

Land of shimp said...

Oh no, did you hit your face? I figured it was "solidly on the rump" sort of wipeout. Not, mind you, that falling on your rump is pleasant, but hitting your face is always particularly sore, and painful.

Then you have to explain what happened to almost everyone you meet, too because your face is bruised, and they assume your imagined-as-abusive partner spends his or her time drop kicking your around. So you have to explain how that's not the case.

Really, falling on one's face is the gift that just won't stop giving. Ow.

A human kind of human said...

Oh dear, that is bad and I hope you heal very quickly. Make the best of it. Stay put and enjoy the Olympics.

Carol E. said...

Oh,gosh. That statement carries a punch: the only one who helped me was a homeless man.

This world can be so mixed up. But thank goodness for him.

I hope you will be alright.

Jo said...

Alane, yes, the first thing I did was to check that I hadn't broken any teeth. I am bruised all down the front of myself from chin to knees, and my left wrist is very sore. It really shook me up!

Anna, yes, I am going to visit some Olympic pavilions with the Munchkins on the weekend. I can hardly wait. I think I will be mobile by then. :-)

Carol, thank you. The homeless man was very sweet and kind. It quite touched my heart.

Sunny said...

Sorry to hear of your mishap, take care.
Sunny :)

Jo said...

Sunny, thank you. I'm on the mend. :-)

Cloudia said...

Wishing you well, Jo!

A great testimony to your City govt. Honolulu is the pothole capitol of the Pacific.

Amazing how those who have the least, are often the most genuinely humane and generous...


Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

Brenda said...

Well....I would be mad about that. Especially since you are black and blue from it. I am not sure who I would be mad at....but I would be mad just the same. Hope nothing bad comes of it. Good for you for staying positive!

Carol said...

Sending healing thoughts your way Jo. Wish I had a magic formula for you to heal fast, but alas I don't. Hope your able to enjoy your time with the munchkins!

Anonymous said...

Jo, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I hope you have a speedy recovery and feel better soon!

Canarybird said...

Sorry to hear of your fall Jo, but lucky you had sympathetic help from that man and also good for you to contact the city and tell them about the dangerous pavement. Also good to hear that they repaired it right away.
Hope you enjoy your time with the grands and that you'll be feeling a lot better by then!

Anonymous said...

Talk about getting into the Oympic experience, going for fall, I think watching all those skaters, skiers etc slipping and sliding you will be identifying with their pain. Sorry to hear about your accident and hope it all improves quickly.

Marguerite said...

Oh Jo, I can so relate! I hope that you're feeling much better, by now. I had a fall exactly like that in January and could not walk for 3 days and could not dance for a month! That was the worst part. I caught my shoe on a cement block on a parking lot and went flying, (literally). My foot was badly sprained, swollen, and black and blue for 3 weeks. A man also helped me into my car and I considered him my white knight in shining armor. I'm also happy to hear that the city fixed the problem so quickly. Take good care of yourself You will be in my thoughts. Hugs! Marguerite

Nicole said...

I'm so sorry to read about your fall! I hope you'll be feeling better soon! Time for a hot bath. I'm glad that the homeless man helped you but isn't it sad that no one else did?!

Jo said...

Cloudia, yes! I have decided, if I am award any compensation through the Risk Management Department, I will share some with that homeless man -- if I can find him. *heh*

Brenda, I received a call from Risk Management saying I could file a claim, so I geuss I can be mad at them. :-) I will keep you posted.

Carol, thank you. Sspending time with the Munchkins is just what the doctor ordered. :-)

Dudette, thank you. I'm sure I will be feeling better in a day or so. :-)

Sharon, the Munchkins always make me feel better. And yes, that sidewalk was repaired immediately. I was surprised! It's in front of a London Drugs.

Book Pusher, LOL. At least we are having unseasonably warm weather right now, and the sidewalk was not icy. It's the winter Olympics, and we have magnolias blooming.

Marguerite, omigosh, I cannot imagine you not being able to dance...!!! I'm glad you're feeling better now, though. A black and blue ankle is not exactly a fashion accessory is it? :-)

Nicole, thank you! Yes, a hot bath and a hot toddy -- in that order. *heh* And yes, the homeless man was very sweet.

houndstooth said...

Oh, ouch! I'm sorry you took such a nasty spill! Take care of yourself.

I also like your e-mail idea, but I'm late in replying!

ivan said...

Whoopsie.

Glad to hear nothing broken.

DJan said...

How wonderful that you are recovering so quickly, and that you probably kept someone else from getting hurt worse. Whew! Keep us posted on your progress...

Amy said...

Oh, Jo, falling is no fun at all. It will probably take you a few days to feel "normal." A little over a year ago I fell walking my huge dog - he was attracted to a "lady" dog approaching us and veered suddenly towards her. I "flew" and not only broke a tooth (expensive), but I also broke a bone in my right hand.

Do have fun this weekend at the big event - I'm envious but very happy for you!

Marcos Vinicius Gomes said...

Iam sorry Jo, I hope you come back sooner...

A.M. said...

Thank goodness you're alright! Well, you know what I mean. You have my telephone number so if you need anything call me! REST! Sorry this happened to you and thank God somebody was there for you. Sweet man indeed.

SparkleFarkel said...

So sorry to here you took a spill! Hope you're in the fast lane on the road to recovery. And here's A LITTLE SOMETHING I guarantee will make you feel a smitch more comfortable. PLEASE NOTE: The reason it doesn't feel warm to the touch is because it's actually filled with vodka. Follow these simple instructions: Screw off cap and insert straw. Drink as necessary to ward off those aches and pains. Be better soon!

Alissa Grosso said...

I hope you heal quickly. What a nice story about the helpful homeless man and your generosity, though.

My uncle had a bike accident not too long ago, and the only person that helped him was a teenage boy, which I appreciated since people are always writing off teenagers as being self-centered and lazy and such.

SparkleFarkel said...

What a dodo I am! That's suppose to read "hear", NOT "here".

Jo said...

Houndstooth, thank you. I am feeling a bit better today, albeit a bit sore. I think people like replies on the blog posts, so I'm going to stick to that. :-)

Ivan, thank you. Nothing really hurt except my pride. *heh*

Djan, thank you. I went past there today, and it has been repaired. Phew! :-)

Amy, a broken tooth, gosh! That is expensive, and inconvenient too. I'm glad you're okay now. I'm feeling better too. The nurses at work gave me drugs. *heh*

Marcos, I am feeling better today, thank you. :-)

Anne-Marie, mental telepathy...! I was just thinking about you. :-) I fell on that tile in front of the new London Drugs. If you're ever over there, take care! I'll phone you. Cheers!

Sparkle, you ALWAYS cheer me up. You're the most fun of anyone in the blogosphere -- bar none...! *heh* And I knew you meant "hear"... :-)

Alissa, I hope your uncle is okay now. And yes, help comes from where we least expect it, right? That homeless man was there like greased lightning.

Susan said...

I am surprised you just didn't take flight, Jo. I'm certain you could.
Next time, remember to spread the wings!

myletterstoemily said...

oh, so sorry. glad you didn't break
anything.

take it easy whle you mend!

Jo said...

Susan, oh, I think I was actually airborne, for a few feet. *heh* Not gracefully, though.

MyLettersToEmily, thank you. I must admit I am feeling a bit sore this evening, but ... this too shall pass. :-)

Cedar said...

Sometimes when you fall it is a nice idea to oh I dunno go see a doctor and see what is going on behind the bruises and stuff...you have health insurance dontcha? Don't make drive up there...I don't the right paperwork to get across the border.

Mia said...

Why is the girl in the picture wearing takkies without socks?

roxanne s. sukhan said...

Ouch! Rest and recover.

It doesn't surprise me that a homeless man was the only person who came to your aide.

Take care, ok?

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I feel for you! I tripped on flagstone in December and feel and slid in the gravel. My carry-on luggage was in front of me or I am sure my chin would have hit the ground. I "caught" myself with my hands and my arms were really sore for several days. I was on my own property and the only compensation I got was sympathy!! I was happy I didn't break anything. Happy for you, too. Hope you are back to your normal self soon.

Mac the Mom said...

Mom I know your pride was hurt more than anything, but this is really not a good thing. Did you get things looked at? Don't go falling on the sidewalk anymore, it wasn't even raining or icy or anything, granted a faulty sidewalk but still...

Wolynski said...

Ooh, so sorry to hear that. Hope you're feeling better.
Must be the spirit of the Olympics - saw a lot of the skaters take a tumble as well.

the walking man said...

Not that you fell as much as it was only a homeless guy that was willing to reach out a hand to help you back up is this a sad story.

Heal well Jo.

Katy said...

Wow. Sorry to hear about your fall, but glad to hear you are OK and that there was someone there to help you.

As a side note, the sidewalk is already fixed AND they actually told you to file a claim with Risk Management???? What am I doing south of the boarder? I totally need to move to Canada.

Jo said...

Ris, *heh* okay, I'll see a doctor. Actually, I work with doctors, so I see them every day. My boss hurt his back the other day too -- get out of his BMW. True story!

Mia, I wondered that when I looked at it too. And I thought her dress was torn, but it's her purse.

Tinkerbell, yes, and he was very sweet. Be careful of the sidewalk in front of London Drugs near Cambie!

Kathy, omigoodness! It's a real shock to the system when that happens, isn't it? Are you okay now?

Mac, I told the doctors about it when I got to work, and they gave me extra-strength Tylenol and said I would be sore for a few days. But the good thing is, a lot of people had tripped at that same spot, and now it's fixed. And the Risk Management people are City Hall are going to compensate me. Good thing I have built-in padding. ;-)

Wolynski, thank you. And yes, the skaters didn't do so well, did they? I felt very bad for them.

Mark, yes, and he was so happy when I gave him $20, he blessed me. I wish I could have given him more. Maybe if the city compensates me, I will find him and share it with him.

Katy, thank you. And I think the City Hal is being nice to me because it's the Olympics right now. Once everyone has gone home, it will be business as usual. *heh*

kenju said...

It is just as bad as being in a minor car wreck - and since I was just in one of those - I know how you feel. Ice first and then hot water in the tub!!

Jo said...

Kenju, yes, I must admit my back is a bit sore today, but on the mend. A fall can be quite immobilizing!

Susie Hemingway said...

Do hope today finds you much better from your fall - and wishing you well.

We have so been enjoying the Olympics from your part of the world - it all looks so beautiful and I love to imagine skiing as they do, down the wonderful slopes admiring the beauty all around. Take care and no more falling.

Donna B. said...

Hi Jo, so sorry to hear of your fall. I hope you are feeling better very soon. I had a slip and fall last July at one of the local casinos. I am still having trouble with my left shoulder and left arm.
Being an older gal now, I don't "bounce back" as quickly as I once did!

PinkPanthress said...

I'm sorry for your unfortunate fall & wish you as soon as possible of a recovery!

And it's been really nice of you to do what you did for this man in such cold & hard times, for being so helpful even though he didn't have to...
After all there are so many privileged men walking on those streets, and none of them could take the time to help a Lady???
I'm ashamed! :(

Jo said...

Susie, I'm so glad you are enjoying the Olympics, and can see how beautiful Vancouver is. We must apologize for our gorgeous weather, however. *heh*

Donna, oh, gosh! I hope you're starting to feel better. I bounced (*heh*) but only because I have a little extra padding. :-)

PinkPanthress, that poor unfortunate homeless fellow was so sweet, and so chivalrous, I wish I could do more to help him. Just goes to show, hey???

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I hope you're feeling better. Maybe your fall in the greater scheme of things was so that a homeless person could eat for a night or two. So sorry it had to be you, though.

Jo said...

Susan, that occurred to me too. I have looked for him since then, but I couldn't find him.

Paula Slade said...

Ouch!! So sorry Jo!! Hope all those places you didn't know you had are feeling better. That homeless fellow is a kind soul - thank goodness he was there to help you.