Feeling Pretty Down and Out :(

[Kim_in_TN]

For several weeks now I have felt like I've been at a weightloss standstill. I haven't weighed since my last DE appointment but I could tell I hadn't lost any more and might possibly had gained a bit back. I did realize that it was my bloated time so I tried to just get through it. I continued my walks of 2 miles at our Greenway.

I don't know if some of you remember or not but I joked a few times about my weak ankles and how certain types of exercise I had to avoid for fear of re-injuring them. Well, this past Tuesday I was out in my front yard .... I was crossing back through our landscaping to our sidewalk .... as I stepped onto one of the stepping stones, I rolled my left ankle outwards and sprained it! Apparently as a reflex, I immediately shifted my weight to the other leg and then proceeded to roll my right ankle outwards and forced all of my weight onto it! I heard something pop as I fell to the sidewalk. I screamed and said "oh, no!" as I turned both ankles because it's been a looming fear of mine for some time!:( I skinned my knee and my right hand has a pretty deep scrape and is bruised and sore as well.

I lay crying on my sidewalk until my neighbor finally heard me and came over. He brought another hefty male neighbor who then lifted me up into a chair. Meanwhile his wife had called the paramedics. I was so embarrassed when the firetruck then ambulance pulled up to my house! :o (all because I am a klutz!)

The ambulance took me to the ER and I had both ankles x-rayed. The tech didn't see any broken bones and the Dr. said that I likely had a tear in some ligaments due to the swelling. I was sent home with an ace bandage wrap and crutches.

CRUTCHES? With TWO weak and sore ankles and a sore right hand when I am right-handed??? Um ... NOT! :eek: I nearly broke my neck trying to use the stupid things so I have just been rolling around in a computer chair to get to the bathroom and short other distances. However, yesterday my chair slipped out from under me and I fell pretty hard on my rear end too. Had some sort back muscles after that for a while too. :confused:

I made an appointment for Tuesday with an orthopedic. I just want to be sure there are no breaks since the surgery I had on my right foot 8 years ago was a result of going MONTHS without knowing I had two fractures and a bone fragment floating around in there. The foot was so swollen that the regular physician didn't see it on the x-ray. I went from boot, to cast to boot to finally surgery over the course of nearly a year! I do not want to go through that again.

So ... needless to say, I am very upset about this. I had finally felt like I was doing something positive and walking 2 miles at a time was a huge accomplishment for me. I finally felt proud of myself. Now this! :( :( I guess I'll gain all of the weight back now with sitting in bed all day, no exercise and probably comfort -eating.

Thanks for listening.

[Aurelius]

Kim,

With you being one of my inspirations on this forum, I am sad to hear about what happened. I wish you a speedy recovery. Take it easy for awhile. We all could use alittle rest once in awhile.

[calmali]

That was quite a fall :eek: Hopefully, your orthopedic Dr. can confirm that nothing was fractured and with a little rest, you can get back on your diet and exercise program.

Good luck at the orthopedic Dr. and I hope you are back on your feet soon :)

[notme]

Hang in there Kim. I thought that I would gain a lot of weight when I had foot surgery last year. I didn't. Be careful about your eating and you can still do passive exercise. Swimming is always an option as it is almost summer. Check out your local YMCA and get in the pool.

Sorry you twisted your ankles...what a bummer.

[mzteacher]

hi kim,
i too am so very sorry to hear about your fall!!! you have done so well and put so much of yourself into better health...i some how have faith that you will not be satisfied with too much bed time....i just read on another post about doing exercise in a chair...you may think about trying that...even with some light weights....i think there is a tv show or dvd about chair work....if you have access to a pool that sounds like good advice...i have a hot tub and water paddles for arm work and can also flutter kick in it....the ymca or a friend may have a hot tub you can use....i am soo frusturated with weight gain that stated after i was put on 2 1/2 of glipizide 2x a day....i am pretty upset about it...but i guess we just keep on going!!
so sending good thoughts your way!
susan

[shake_sugaree]

Drat! Sorry to hear about the tumble!

I wish you a super-speedy recovery, but remember, when you get your "ok" confirmed at ortho on Tuesday -- just don't rush back into full-speed-ahead mode!

...And don't worry about a coupla pounds -- there is a lot of difference between a little weight picked up during a mandatory time-off for healing and throwing in the towel.

Anyway, I would be very surprised if a temporary setback would cause you to completely lose your motivation?! I mean, it might hinder the forward progress for awhile -- but cause you to give up the good fight entirely -- I'm guessing no! :)

Good Luck! ...and affirm that you can handle all changes that come your way!

[jacobsam622]

Sorry to hear about your fall hope you feel better soon. Hey you can try doing sit-ups that might help keep the weight off my diet has been screwed up this week because of passover. Just remember we are here for you.;)

[Hammer]

Hey there Kim! I'm sorry that so much misfortune has come your way. I do hope you won't let it get you down. Heck, you are such an upbeat lady that I don't see this setback getting you down. You're such a cheerleader for the rest of us, that we hate to see you having these problems. We're cheering for you now to get better soon.:)

Don't worry about your weight right now. That's something that you can control on your terms. Do what you have to in order to let your injuries heal properly. Once they are healed, you can again take control and do what you need to do about any weight you might gain. And you never know, you might not gain anything, so don't worry about something that might not happen.:)

[Jan B]

Kim,

You klutz!! What did you go and do that for?! I thought the little trampoline was dangerous but it sounds like the ground was! I am so sorry this happened. I'd been missing you, but have also been out of sorts . . . and a general mess. Do I need to come over there and walk your dogs for you?! I bet your sweet animals don't care if you don't keep losing weight at this time. They love you just the way you are . . . but then the pups probably want you to get better so they can drag . . . I mean walk you around!

I'm glad you finally showed up again. People come and people go, but you are definitely one who better get your ___ back around here because you are a dear soul. Sorry again you had this awful luck and pain. I'm sending you a really big hug.

[Lulika]

Oh Kim....I am so sorry that you decided to bounce yourself off the ground. But I just know that you will bounce back too.
Dont get all twisted out of shape if you dont lose weight for a week or two.Its not the end of the world, I truly understand your frustration because I am the same way. But at the end of the day, this will be a little setback on the road, not a dead end ok?
I have been losing weight steadily and also came to a bit of a halt recently...but its moving again. Patience is the key and also knowing you have people who care about you and are there for you to lean on.....Big hugs....xxxxxxxx

[adiantum]

What a likely story !!!
You had me downloading the Beijing Disabled Olympics, Synchronized Swimming team & Wheelchair Derby & mini trampoline displays looking for Kim_in TN, but the entries arn't final yet. :D
Huge hugs to you mate & I hope you recover quickly .
How about hiring a wheelchair to get about instead of going to bed.

[Holly]

Hope you recover quickly. I found crutch walking surprisingly difficult when I needed them in my late 50's. (I use to teach using them and then found them impossible when I needed them!)

[Penny]

I'm sorry this had to happen, and I hope it all goes away soon. Maybe a laugh will help. The computer chair incident reminded me. I was sitting in mine, decided my feet were cold, so bent over to put my socks on. At the same moment, my chair "flipped" over, I heard Hubby yell, "I'm going next door". Next thing I knew I was sitting, doubled over (as much as possible for this little old fat lady), with this tall backed chair on top of me. My first reflex was to push it up and off, but that just trapped the back under the computer table. The right side was jammed up again the TV stand and the legs of the computer table. In other words, I was stuck! I could not roll out on my left as there is a file cabinet and my really bad hip makes rolling impossible. I screamed at my daughter who was asleep downstairs, but nothing wakes her when she is napping. Twenty minutes later Hubby came back and actually had the nerve to laugh at me after he saw I was OK.....which I was, but sore for several days. The worst part of it was having to listen to Hubby retell the story to everyone who would listen! :mad: I know it doesn't seem like it Honey, but it will get better.

[Kim_in_TN]

Thank you all for the kind support and the giggles too! ;) I'm sorry to be such a "downer" with my negative attitude. There are a few other underlying components to my attitude that were already pulling me down before the fall. I'll just briefly say that I am seriously regretting having told my father about my weight loss and exercise. It's a lifelong story but now I will never hear the end of it if I don't continually succeed. :(

My first mistake was in disappearing from DF during my initial depressive state. What was I thinking? I should have known that my wonderful friends here would pull me back up and keep me going on the right path! You all are so much a part of why I ever got started on that path to begin with and I truly appreciate you so very much!!!

When I go to the orthopedic this Tuesday, I am going to ask for some sort of walking cast or boot to get me moving again. Whether there is a break or not, I want to be able to put weight back on my foot so I can be mobile again. Who knows, maybe it will feel so much better by then that I won't even have to go to the ortho!?

Jan, I'm sorry you have been in a bad way!!! (((HUGS)))

[minah009]

Kim I am so sorry that you are having to deal with all of this. I will keep you in my thoughts. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Huggs,
Mariah

[Jan B]

Oh no. Kim, I get more of some of the things I need from my online friends than I get from some close family members. It's so easy to be sad for the horrible lack of support from one you wish and think you should trust & should love you. But we have to try real real hard to not let them bring us down; instead, turn to those amazing online friends (or other friends) to give what you need (support and understanding). I am so thankful for you and so many others here.

We need you here.

[davef]

Kim,

First of here's a hug from a big Irishman - ((HUG))

Its sounds like you had an awful fall, I can't believe you hurt both ankles, your knee and hand.

Try not get too worked up about the weight loss, this "break" might even work to your advantage as you may eat a bit more than you have been doing so it might kick you metabolism up a gear. Either way it's not the end of the world, the suggestion of renting a wheelchair sounds like a good one if you can't walk, way safer than rolling around on a computer chair.

I have been missing you on the forums, now you are back, don't go away again or else I'll send my brother around!

You take care of yourself, don't beat yourself up (anymore than you have) especially about weight loss, you have done really great and you will again. It's a speed bump, not a road block.

We're here for you,

[Kim_in_TN]

Oh no. Kim, I get more of some of the things I need from my online friends than I get from some close family members. It's so easy to be sad for the horrible lack of support from one you wish and think you should trust & should love you. But we have to try real real hard to not let them bring us down; instead, turn to those amazing online friends (or other friends) to give what you need (support and understanding). I am so thankful for you and so many others here.

We need you here.

Thank you so much, Jan! My Dad has never gotten over the fact that I am no longer his "little (meaning thin) Kim" anymore. Unfortunately he is very "looks" oriented and at 83, I don't think there is any changing him. :(

Kim,

First of here's a hug from a big Irishman - ((HUG))

Its sounds like you had an awful fall, I can't believe you hurt both ankles, your knee and hand.

Try not get too worked up about the weight loss, this "break" might even work to your advantage as you may eat a bit more than you have been doing so it might kick you metabolism up a gear. Either way it's not the end of the world, the suggestion of renting a wheelchair sounds like a good one if you can't walk, way safer than rolling around on a computer chair.

I have been missing you on the forums, now you are back, don't go away again or else I'll send my brother around!

You take care of yourself, don't beat yourself up (anymore than you have) especially about weight loss, you have done really great and you will again. It's a speed bump, not a road block.

We're here for you,


Dave, it's nice to think that I was missed and thank you for the hug! Can't get too many of those! I don't think a wheelchair would fit through my bathroom door ... it is so narrow.

I will definitely get back to being regular here on DF as I am more sure now than ever that my true friends are RIGHT HERE!

Love you all!

[buddy7]

Hey - Kim!!

I'm so sorry to here of your current problems, it would appear you had a very nasty fall, a further complication, I'm sure, you can do with-out, I wish you a speedy recovery, get well soon!!

B/7 ESSEX UK.

[Kim_in_TN]

Hey - Kim!!

I'm so sorry to here of your current problems, it would appear you had a very nasty fall, a further complication, I'm sure, you can do with-out, I wish you a speedy recovery, get well soon!!

B/7 ESSEX UK.

Thank you, Buddy ... and all! My spirits are much improved just from sharing this with everyone here!:)

[kmlpag]

Kim,
I am new to the forum but I hope you make a speedy recovery! I've read some of your posts and appreciate the time you take to help others out!

[Kim_in_TN]

Kim,
I am new to the forum but I hope you make a speedy recovery! I've read some of your posts and appreciate the time you take to help others out!

Thank you very much and WELCOME to the forum! You'll love it here!!!

[adiantum]

Kim, I'm wondering if the falls &/or severity are related to the D.
It took a friend to comment on the amount of falls Ive had . One just picks oneself up & moves on ( eventually ) without analyzing . I'd had 4 falls in a month & blamed the things that were in my way yet wondered why I couldn't save myself & correct my position.
I believe my low bg was to blame, but these falls were pre dx so cant be certain. I now know that I'm very unsteady when having a low.

[Kim_in_TN]

Kim, I'm wondering if the falls &/or severity are related to the D.
It took a friend to comment on the amount of falls Ive had . One just picks oneself up & moves on ( eventually ) without analyzing . I'd had 4 falls in a month & blamed the things that were in my way yet wondered why I couldn't save myself & correct my position.
I believe my low bg was to blame, but these falls were pre dx so cant be certain. I now know that I'm very unsteady when having a low.

The ambulance paramedic asked me if I thought I had fainted or blacked out from a low. He also tested my BG and it was 132 at the time. I'm guessing it was "up" a bit from the stress. I had not eaten yet all day ... it was around noon, but I felt fine. I know for a fact that my foot rolled off of something as I stepped into the landscape. I can almost say with certainty that it was the stepping stone. Now whether or not my BG might have made me a bit more clutsy, I really don't know. I've never had very good balance, even when I was cheerleading in high school. So, I don't know but you were right to question that! ;)

[Tashia]

Kim I'm so sorry to hear that. I had a chill go down my back when I read what happened.I too am am prone to ankle sprains.... and like many have already said I wish you a speedy recovery.


http://d21c.com/tas/mtag3/o47_hugs_2_u.jpg

[Kim_in_TN]

Thank you, Tashia! The sad part is that I was wearing athletic shoes, not heels or sandles or flip-flops which I usually "live in" during the warm months. I don't know what type of shoe I could possibly wear to completely protect my ankles ... maybe combat boots? LOL!

[Alice]

Kim! I am so sorry this happened...just now catching up on postings. I know exactly how you must feel...as I was enthusiastic about my new exercise "boot camp" and ended up with a stress fracture on only day four! You really suffered a double whammy with your wrist being injured...those crutches were both a blessing and a curse for me! But, after one week, I felt better...two weeks...even better...and almost back to new in three. So, just take it day by day. I found it most frustrating waiting for the ortho appts...I was practically healed by the time he said "stress fracture"...but like you, I wanted to know what I was dealing with...ligments, tendons, or what...

All great athletes have setbacks...this one is yours!

[Scrabblechick]

Hey Kim! I wondered where you've been! As a veteran of a bad sprain or three myself, I sympathize!

One was when I was going to work one morning. I stepped off the curb to cross the street to get to the car, stepped on some wet leaves and went tail over teakettle in the road! I was yelling, it hurt so bad. Fortunately, a guy was out walking his dogs and went upstairs to get my DH! Bless him!

I'm so sorry this happened but you'll get through it, I know. And you may just have to say to your dad, "Look. If you can't support me in this, I don't want to hear another word. Period." I had to tell my mom that about my hair last fall. She'll be 80 in September, so I know where you're coming from!

You've done so well in taking control of your health. A couple of pounds gained doesn't mean you've failed in that goal. When you are back on your feet, just work back up to your walking and those pounds will drop off in no time!

Lifting you up in prayer! :)

[beau91]

Dear Kim ,no wonder you feel down .I'm here reading your story and I say to myself this is the end but NO ,the misfortune carry on .Maybe you're a Klutz ,but the people at the emergency must a thought she's on something .Well with all happening at the same time you'l be accident free for a while i'm sure .Take care of yourself .You'l lose those pounds another time .Now you have to think about walking with crutches . Keep us posted .
Bye Ricky

[barbieguy]

Hi Kim,
Sorry to hear about your fall. You are an inspiration to me and I missed you.
Remember: baby steps. Take the time to get well.
Barb

[natayo]

Kim,

sorry to hear about your fall, weak ankles and bruised pride. From your posts, it seems like you are going about your dlife as honestly and hopeful as anyone can. You are someone that people naturally want to root for. So even though I said bruised pride, I hope you will make that just a short term thing.

I might recommend trying to get in and see a sports medicine doctor. Usually it takes awhile to get in to see them. But they might be more helpful with your ankles since your goal is to exercise. They might have more of an idea of what rehab you need and how to strengthen your ankles.

Maybe also just keep your ankles wrapped up as much as possible, even when doing everyday things. I know that could be a problem if your D has caused circulation problems or if the wrap or brace chafs or causes blisters. But it might be worth trying.

How about high-topped tennis shoes or hiking boots? I know they aren't much of a fashion statement, but they might help.

Finally, maybe find an exercise that takes your ankles out of the equation as much as possible. I like to use a rowing machine. Another possibility might be water aerobics. I know these things cost money, but if you can afford to join a gym or the Y, it might be worth a shot.

I hope at least the ambulance or ER crew were some Brad Pitt lookalikes or something. My one time to the ER was for kidney stones. They gave me a narcotic pain killer. I then proceeded to make a fool out of myself by asking a nurse out for ice cream. I didn't remember a thing.

Take care,

Mike

[Kim_in_TN]

Thank you ALL so much for the kind words of support and being sympathetic to my injury! It truly means so much to me and has helped me to not throw in the towel!;)

I went to an orthopedic today and he put my right foot / ankle in one of those huge black plastic boots that make me look like a sci-fi creature (lol) and also a black lace-up wrap on my left foot / ankle. So, I really look like a klutz with two "decorated" feet!:T

Anyway, he wants to see me again in 2 weeks. After that, he says that I will probably start physical therapy. Guess I really will be doing my own "baby steps" program after all!:eek: ;) He even said that my feet were so tiny that they just might not be big enough to hold me up .... then he laughed, but I've always said that ... well, since I've put on too much weight! :o

So, I am just happy to be mobile again ... no computer chair and no life-threatening crutches! (I expected a body cast after trying those things ... lol)

Thank you all again! Now I can get up and move around instead of feeling like all of my food is settling in while I lie in bed all day!:D

Natayo: Thank you for the kind words, it's nice to have you here on DF! I love the name of your kitty! I am a big cat lover too! We have several here on DF!

HUGS to all my DF friends!

[davef]

Hugs right back at you!

Glad to hear you are up and about, stick to the baby steps, you'll definitely get through this and back on track in no time.

[Lulika]

Kim its great to see you are sounding alot chirpier and that you havent lost your sense of humour...how about posting a pic of your fab new fashion footwear?! :D

[Kim_in_TN]

Kim its great to see you are sounding alot chirpier and that you havent lost your sense of humour...how about posting a pic of your fab new fashion footwear?! :D

Ok, here ya go! ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y244/kimlovescats/Kim%20and%20Jerry/Kim43008003.jpg

:T

[shake_sugaree]

Well to be perfectly honest, Bruno Magli's they ain't... :D :T

...Anyway, glad to see you "cheering up" a bit! :)

Continued Best Wishes.

[Alice]

Manolo's they aren't either! But I think beauty is in getting better, right? Good luck!

[Penny]

It's the perfect look for us Klutzes! :D

[pokie]

I have sported both of those lovely foot fashions before! I broke one foot a couple of years ago (hence the boot) and have the ankle brace for the other one to alleviate pain. I hope your ankles get better and that physical therapy helps (I went for my broken foot, after the bones started to knit, and it was great) I have painful, stiff ankles that might have something to do with neuropathy, might be arthritic, not sure; so I literally feel your pain!

[Staceyy]

I'm sorry this happened to you too. The same thing always seems to happen to me also. Whenever I take steps (no pun to you, intended) to do something positive for myself, something always seems to happen to derail my good intentions. Perhaps we overdo things in our zeal. I really don't know why this happens, can't quite figure it out.

Stacey
The Diabetic Pastry Chef (http://www.diabeticpastrychef.com)

[adiantum]

I'm sure Imelda hasn't got a pair like that :D

[jacobsam622]

Wow nice shoes:D I could have been worse a lot of time falls like that would leave a person with a broken wrist. Look on the bright side Black goes with everything:T

[ant hill]

Kim, I know how you feel like 31 years ago I was dancing in these shoes and I don't miss wearing them again as I had myself on my toes and rolled my ankle and that was indeed a short class. :mad:

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PF_NEW%5C09_14_2005_A/PF_1233194~Ballet-Slippers-Posters.jpg
I don't want you in these shoes Kim as they're are horrible. :(