Saturday, August 25, 2007

Balance



Life is, after all, a balance of energy. Some good, some bad, some happenings so insignificant that you hardly notice them, some so huge that they change the course of your life forever.

I had a terrible fall yesterday, coming into my house from outside. Somehow, the arm of the Batchair got caught as I was entering the house and was pushed up out of the way. The motion of the chair was altered and as it spun around, I was thrown over the side and onto the floor. I landed facedown, one leg twisted and pinned between the leg of the dining room table and the leg of a chair. My face smashed down onto the rug, my glasses, thank heavens, shot out in front of me and as the dust cleared, I realized I was in a very bad spot. I couldn't move or reach my phone and my caregiver, Barbara, who is not yet on full time, had left and wasn't due back for another hour.

Since my house sits back from the road, yelling was futile. In an effort to keep panic at bay, however, I hollered for help every five to 10 minutes and focused on taking deep breaths. I spent the time trying to keep the pain in my leg at a minimum, my head as comfortable as possible, tears in check and avoiding eating rug dirt. As I lay there I couldn't help but think about balance and how much I would appreciate something happening that would make the whole experience worth it.
Which brings me to what this post is really about, for not two hours after Barbara arrived and called 911, my caseworker called to tell me that we had been accepted for assistance. Barbara, who I will tell you about in another post for she is truly an angel, will now be with me 40 hours a week and I will no longer have to worry about my daily care or being alone should I run into trouble.
You see, balance. Usually events that balance each other don't come in succession, sometimes it even takes years, but yesterday I was eternally grateful for such a quick return.
As for my battered body, I'm going to need a little time. My face looks like I have been in a fight, the tendons in my knee have been torn and it is swollen and quite painful and I ache from stem to stern. Do I feel the balance was even? Hell yeah, I now have anangel by my side.
On another note, I want you all to know that I have been reading your blogs every day even though, with all the changes going on here, I haven't always had time to comment. In time we will develop a routine and I will have the pleasure of chatting with you every time I visit. In the meantime, thank you all so very much for your continued visits and support, you light up the good days and help carry me through the difficult ones.

22 Comments:

Blogger Cathy said...

Big {{ Hug }} to my friend who is achieving the balance that we all pray for.

Pam - You're terrific. Barbra will be as enriched by you and your grit, creativity and humor as you will be by her. Yea!

That picture of dogwood blooms brings back so many happy Spring memories.
Thank you, dear lady.

Hope the bumps and bruises are quickly mended.

1:24 PM  
Blogger Anvilcloud said...

I'm glad that you had some good news, but what a tough thing to go through.

4:09 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

Cathy, thank you so much. Barbara and I are looking forward to getting to know each other better. She's got a great sense of humor and it will be appreciated as much as her tender care.

Glad you like the Dogwood, Spring and Fall my favorite seasons.

4:26 PM  
Blogger Alyssa said...

Pam, you are a real inspiration to all of us. Reading about your ordeals I'm learning what true strength and grace are. Yes, there is a definate "yin and yang" balance in all our lives and you've pointed that out so well.

I send you loving-kindness to speed your healing and I'm very happy to hear you'll have a companion. Just one less thing for you and your family to worry about.

The dogwood blossoms are lovely. You did a great job.

9:11 PM  
Blogger Tammy Brierly said...

Oh Pam! That fall and being alone must have been so scary! I'm jumping up and down clapping in my computer chair over God's timing of 40hrs/wk with an angel...Woohoo for you and Barbara!!!!

I love you my cape crusader!

11:52 AM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Just popping in to say 'Hi'. Had to read your post again. Pam, you write so well.

Big {{ Hug }}

Hope the 'ow'ies' are abating.

1:10 PM  
Blogger Maureen said...

pam, i haven't been around much on the computer since we left for our summer study group meeting even though we've been back for a week -- so i missed your blog post on saturday about your fall. the way you describe your experience i can imagine how you felt - both physically and emotionally. you totally amaze me the way even though your body took a dive and a smash-up, your positive attitude survives unscathed. you are an inspiration and i will never tire of saying that to you.

i'm so glad you now have a full time caregiver, and to boot -- someone you get along with well, who has an equally developed sense of humor and cheerful disposition. i hope you and barbara have many hours of comraderie and tenderness together. i wish you also a speedy recovery. get that face back in shape, girl!

fall is my favorite season too. maybe i'll have more time to read blog posts after the busyness of the summer construction season dies down. when that will be, i'm not sure. but soon! love to you xoxoxo

11:19 AM  
Blogger KGMom said...

The very fact that you are able to blog, and even want to, about your fall is what makes you so inspirational.
So sorry for your tumble, and the bruises your body has sustained-- but your spirit is as strong as ever.

8:32 PM  
Blogger dmmgmfm said...

I"m so glad that you were accepted for assistance. So sorry you were hurt in the fall.

You are, as always, in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Laurie

11:43 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

AC, I would've preferred not to have fallen, but am gland I was able to come through it with my spirits intact. Having Barbara here full-time rocks.

Alyssa, thanks for your kindness and good wishes, I'm healing and Barbara and I are grooving.

Tammy, my California friend, good timing indeed. We cheered, clapped and cried.


Maureen, so nice to hear from you, I have missed you. Will e-mail this week.

kgmom, venting always helps, especially when the outcome is good, thank you.

Laurie, thank you and yes, life has definitely taken a turn for the better.

Cathy, thank you and thanks for stopping by again, the owie's are much better.

eg

10:03 AM  
Blogger Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Pam!

:O

:(

:/

and

:)

2:16 PM  
Blogger thailandchani said...

Oh, God! I am horrified at the idea of you laying there for two hours!

I'm so glad Barbara will be there full-time now.

Good grief!

Sending some healing energy your way.



Peace,

~Chani
http://thailandgal.blogspot.com

3:10 PM  
Blogger kate said...

Pam,

You have such an admirable spirit. The fall must have been awful, but you are able to see how something good balanced it. I am so happy that your angel, Barbara, will be there more - life will be easier and you know there's someone at your side at times like this.

And just think of all the stories you can come up to explain your bruised face.

I just hope you recover quickly. I am sending lots and lots of healing thoughts your way!!

9:22 PM  
Blogger Suzy said...

Dear Pam --

I am holding you in the light for quick healing of your bruises and torn tendons.

I couldn't help but be reminded of another story about another fall, where the masked and caped chickie came to your rescue.

<3 Take care!

8:52 AM  
Blogger Pam said...

Pepek, I love the faces, my story and pictures! Thanks!

Chani, thanks for the energy. All the good wishes and energy from everyone must be helping because I'm healing faster than I thought I would.

Kate, thanks for the healing thoughts, they are definitely helping. Barbara and I are grooving along and life has become much easier.

Suzy, alas, no caped chickie to come to my rescue this time. But I am better and our humor is intact.

4:17 PM  
Blogger Bonita said...

Oh my, you recover so splendidly from such topples and insults. I really like your energy, hope-filled and tenacious. Way to go!

5:40 PM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Hi Pam,

Just popping in to wish you a lovely weekend. I'll bet you'll be in good company:0)

11:14 PM  
Blogger Ginnie said...

Pam, if anyone deserves an "Angel" it is you...I know that we all wish we'd been there to comfort you and I'm so glad that the assistance has come through. Lots of hugs.........

3:02 PM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Pam, my friend - it's always good to see you poppin' in on my blog, too.

That rascally Katydid had to be retrieved and placed in the grass because I knew he wouldn't like traveling at 55 + mph as we headed for home.

Your posts are worth waiting for :0)

{{Hugs}}

2:05 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

Bonita, attitude does seem to help, I'm healing faster than expected... ready to rock 'n roll.

Ginnie, my angel has a grand sense of humor and is full of laughter. What could be better for your health?

Cathy, so good to see you again, and thank you for the compliment!

7:23 AM  
Blogger Andrea Frazer said...

Ow.

Thank God you have someone with you now.

But feel better in knowing that even the non-wheelchaired around this joint do stuff like that, too. You're in good company.

8:32 AM  
Blogger Bitterroot said...

Hi Pam - I've been gone for awhile, as you know from your visits to my neck of the woods. I was horrified to hear about your fall, but relieved to hear about Barbara's full-time role.

I've said before and will say again that you are an inspiration to me, as well as to many others. I have a little quote from you residing permanently on my desktop. It's a note that you wrote on my blog urging me on with my photography of western landscapes.

I am grateful for your loving family and the resources you have around you. I do so appreciate your daily visits. I'll try to be worthy of them.

6:16 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home