Lady Violet makes it look so easy, walking and talking, exchanging wisdom and wit with whomever is at her side, all while walking with a cane in hand, which she uses like a pen, scripting exclamation points with a flourish here and there. She leans on that cane as she graciously rises from a chair and knows right where to put it when waltzing with Branson; after all, he knows how to steer a car.
I’m no Lady Violet. I might have a bon mot or two, but, I usually remember them an hour after the conversation has ended.
As for brandishing a cane, well, let’s just say that I gave the technician in the ER something to talk about during his break. He wrapped me up with a compression bandage, then velcroed me into a stabilizer, and handed me my weapon, er walking aid, as he released the brakes to the chair. He looked at me in shocked surprise as I tried to walk two feet to the wall. Tom was trying not to laugh as he watched, but, in the end, we all had a good chuckle. Remember, dear one, I’m the gal who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.
“Okay, Penelope, let’s try this again. Put the cane in your left hand. Use it to take the weight off of your right knee as you stand. “ .
I’m fine, just having a bit of a bother with my knee and some pain medication that has me more than a little drowsy.I slept all afternoon.
My Antler Man and I were at the Morton Arboretum, enjoying the view of the lake, while sipping on coffee and munching on muffins. We had stopped there after church, something we like to do on a Sunday morning. As we walked back to the car, my knee suddenly gave out, with a hearty helping of pain. I nursed it back home, while Tom nursed me; you know the routine, Advil, a bag of frozen vegetables, and elevation. As time went on, it became apparent that I needed more than a frozen bag of peas, so, off we set to the ER. After a few x-rays and a lot of questions, I was released to go home to rest, with some pain medications, an elastic wrap, a bulky stabilizer, and a cane.
With a bit of arthritis in the knee and some fluid, I should be fine after a spell, but, have a plan of action of I’m not; a bridge to cross with cane in hand if need be. The realities of the aging process, and a car accident some years ago where my knee and dashboard met are the culprits. I don’t even have a Perils of Penelope story to tell, just a reality of life.
In-the-meantime, I’m really quite fine, just having a bit of bother and a crash course in caning. My own reality check after photographing this couple walking around the lake at the Morton from the view of the cafe. They were walking, arm-in-arm, ever-so-slowly in the cold, bundled up and determined, one of them brandishing a cane.
I am so sorry!! I can certainly empathize with your situation. I hope your recovery is swift and that surgery is not needed. start eating oranges for fiber and of course drinking water or tea.
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. General Colin Powell
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I’m sure you can, Jan. I hope so, too, and now I’m going to go eat an orange. Thank you.
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Oh no! Penny I am so very sorry and understand how you feel. What rotten, rotten, rotten luck. Everything becomes a challenge when we are incapacitated. Even a shower is a pain in more ways than one! I am sure you have been referred for follow-up so keep us informed.
At least you didn’t trip on a flip-flop trying to get to the window to see if there was a cat fight in the drive. There was not. I did end up with 3 broken bones in my wrist and a soft cast though. I felt like a fool explaining that in the ER!
I am sending you all manner of good thoughts and wishes for healing. Things do seem to happen for a reason but it isn’t always easy to see it. Take care.
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Tomorrow, I attempt the shower. It’s that step over the tub to get in. I’m feeling better, much, much better, and mostly sleeping (thank you, pain meds). I do have follow up depending on the next few days. I think I’ll be okay in the short run, but, the long run, well, age is not on my side.
Your accident sounded bad, Marilyn. Those wrist injuries are nasty, taking a long while to heal. I’m glad you got through it. As clumsy as I am, this just happened. No tripping or slipping. Sigh.
I’ve caught your good thoughts and wishes, and appreciate them very much.
My gift of life today was seeing Midnight slinging through the snow. How did the cats do with the cold this weekend?
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Canes are cool. I bet you look just as elegant as dear old Violet (she’s my idol).
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She’s my favorite, too. Alas, I’m in sweats and socks and the only hat is my hair, which is looking pretty unruly tonight. I am practicing holding my cane while sitting. The dowager look. 🙂
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You’ll get it eventually. 🙂 My hair’s in need of a makeover. Trying to grow out hair dye is tough. Ugh. Hope you feel better soon!
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Feel better soon, dear Penny! Sending hugs and a garden of good wishes for a complete recovery. Do let us know how you are feeling! ♡
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Thank you, Dawn; will do. I’m feeling better and the pain is abating, so, hoping to be back to normal soon.
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First of all. Hooray, I am online. For now anyway. Glad to be back.
Now, about that cane. Take care of that knee and tell Tom to steer clear. This could be dangerous. I can’t really understand a cane. How does it really help? I never see anyone who seems to put any weight on the cane and I don’t understand how it helps keep a person from falling. I’m sure I could fall cane and all. When I went from two crutches to one, the one didn’t seem to help. My coordination or lack of just doesn’t seem to work that way.
Now, I am going to read some past posts on the “big screen” so I can see the pictures better. I will try to resist temptation to comment so late after the fact.
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Yahoo! Mouse online and back in touch. You made my day. 🙂
He knows me enough to keep a wide berth. hehehe
Actually, now that I’ve finally “got it”, I “get it”. I use the cane on my left side to take the weight off of my right knee. So, it takes the pressure off of the knee, letting it heal, and not hurting. Sort of. If I pay attention and take smaller steps, it all feels better. I have tripped over it a few times, so, I’m working on pacing. You know me. You can imagine how I must look. Oddly enough, the cane is easier than crutches.
I also used it to get something off the top shelf in the kitchen. Dual purpose aid. Hope your computer keeps behaving.
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Glad to know you didn’t have an accident, Penny, but sorry to hear living life is the cause. Here’s hoping you won’t be saddled with that cane for long. Canes really do go with grand outfits and statement attire. I refuse to believe yours will be for every day. xo
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Thank you, Andra. I think I’ll be fine – just as soon as I find the right outfit. My biggest hurdle is the stairs, so, I’ve been camping out in the B&B. Ha
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Oh Penny! I’m so sorry to hear this. I know you’ll be fine, but pain while on the mend can still be exhausting! I think you just must continue to channel Lady Violet, hold your head “just so” and maybe wear a fabulous hat while you maneuver with the cane and you will at a minimum amuse yourself! You have the perfect reason to stay indoors–so I’d recommend staying home and nursing the injury until it’s a good 30 degrees warmer! 🙂 ox
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Ha! Lady Violet and a jaunty hat; perfect remedy for healing, Debra. Can you feel me channeling? I’m lucky in that I’m sleeping pretty well (meds) and have an attentive nurse in Tom. Thank you, Debra.
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Oh Penny, what an alarm for you. But you have the best of role models, and your sense of humour is definitely not in need of any props. Just think of Lady Violet and you will walk with dignity. Hope you heal soon and meanwhile read some more wonderful books.
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Books are at my side, Juliet, and keeping me company. I keep “nodding” off, which I suppose is good and letting my body rest. I’m on the mend and we even had a day of sunshine here yesterday.
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Ouch!! So sorry, Penny, although I must admit to chuckling at the visual you presented about your first struggle with the cane.
I’m relatively certain our knees and hips are simply protesting the miserable cold they’ve been required to endure this winter; and, it’s nothing to do with the advancement of time. 🙂
Sleep much, read much, and get back on your feet – sans cane – soon!
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I’m so pleased that you chuckled at the visual, Karen; my hope was to bring humor into the story. Thank you.
That’s it. The miserable cold is the culprit. You always talk me down from the aging wall I perch on. 🙂
Taking your advice, sitting here, propped on the couch, letting the meds take effect. Thanks, Karen. You are the best.
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I am sending you a virtual bouquet of jonquils and iris to bring in some rays of sunshine. How are you this afternoon?
You always make me happy when you mention sweet Midnight. He and Oscar Mayer would have such fun together and make a fashion statement. Oscar is pure white with a black tail and one black eye. Those fur coats they’ve been given are fantastic! All the tribe did fine during the cold nights and we were spared the snow and ice to our North. Thanks for asking.
I wonder if you saw Sunday Morning about Collean Moore’s Fairy Castle? It sounded like a place for you and Kezzie to go on a future road trip. Wow!
Thinking of you and wishing I could bring you something wicked to eat!
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I can just about smell the jonquils and love, love, love iris, Marilyn. Thank you.
I’m doing much better, thank you, and I’m so glad you saw that Midnight was around. My, wouldn’t they make quite a pair. Oscar sounds like a gent in a tux with somewhere to go. 🙂 So good to hear that the “tribe” did well. You are so very good to them.
I did see the segment, Marilyn and would love to take Kezzie to see Colleen Moore’s castle. When I was a girl, the Museum of Science and Industry was often a place for school field trips. The boys would head over to the submarine, but we girls would visit her castle. It takes up a whole room and is so filled with fantasy. Amazing. It was so lovely to see the segment.
Thank you, my friend. I appreciate your good thoughts.
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Strange how you had just photographed the man with the cane. I was sorry about your knee but glad to hear it is not a more serious injury. I hope you’ve mastered your cane and are starting to feel better! Meanwhile, at our house Eoin is heartbroken over Derrick Rose’s most recent knee injury – that poor guy cannot catch a break!
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it was, wasn’t it? I’ve been wondering if anyone was photographing me. 🙂 I’m getting pretty good at steering with a cane, Janet, and feeling much less pain. Thank you.
Ah, poor Derrick Rose. I feel for him even more now, and I hope Eoin at least got a good night’s sleep. He’s really a fan, isn’t he? Love it.
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Oh I am so sorry about your knee. Ouch. I’ve missed few days of catching up with my virtual friends, so I hope you are better by now. Bill has had several bouts of caning. The last time he finally tired of the standard Walgreens issue and bought a handsome one from an online store . He used it for a month or so, got better and hasn’t needed to use it for over a year now. We hope it stays in the closet! I don’t think the cane cured him, but you never know )).
Get (or stay) better!
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I appreciate your concern, Sallie, and kind words. Thank you.
I am much, much better. Just one of those things and now we will wait and see what comes next. I’m still using the cane but, mostly for going up and down stairs and walking outside and it is hospital issue, so, you can guess how classy it is. 🙂 If I find I need a sure cure, maybe I’ll ask Bill where he got his.
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O,h poor Penny! Knees can be so painful and restricting, as I well remember from the time I pulled a knee ligament badly. I love the way you’ve woven your knee problem so gracefully into this delightful post and now have a wonderful mental image of you wielding your cane in the manner of the Dowager. 🙂
Take care, dear friend, and I hope your knee heals soon.
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Thank you, Perpetua. It is likely the meniscus, which I tore in a car accident some years ago, come back to haunt me. I’m much improved and being gentle with my old knee. Our poor knees and hips; they take such a beating through our lives, holding us up and moving us about.
Just think of me as Lady Penelope. 🙂
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