Had a bad and painful fall today

As I was entering the local VA office today at the County Building, I stepped on one big mat, opened the glass door, and then stepped onto a second mat.  As soon as my right foot touched the ceramic tile beyond the mat, my right leg immediately flew out from under me, and down I went.  I felt something waxy or oily on the floor, but it was too late.

I hit hard on my right knee cap, and came crashing down to the floor.  Since I had my cane in my left hand as usual, it did me no good, and it flew right out of my hand.  After my knee hit, I collapsed on the hard floor entirely on my right side.

I couldn't get up at first. Sprawled out flat on the floor.  I lay there for a good 2 minutes or more, and no one was in sight in this long hallway.  Finally, I managed to turn on my other side, which also hurt, and slowly got back to my feet.  Still no one around.  I went to 3 different offices in the building, to find not a soul.  Finally, I retraced my step and went into the Voter's Registration office and rang the bell.

A worker showed up at the window, and I told him what happened, while grimacing in pain.  He called the Safety person.  They soon showed up with a camera and took a picture of where it happened, and of me, and took down all my information.  Wanted to know if I needed and ambulance, but I felt I didn't, and didn't think anything broke.  Told me to call him back, if any further damage manifested it self in the days to come.

All this, to find out the Vet's office was closed for an early lunch, so I still had to come back 2 hours later.  My fear, was that another person would slip in the same spot.  So they mopped it up, and put up some warning signs and exchanged the floor mats by the time I got back.  Before I left, you could still see my foot prints on the tile where I slipped.  Pretty convinced that it was left over floor wax I slipped on.

I have had so many close calls lately with my hips giving out, but as I said, can't blame it on that this time.  But making me very nervous, so afraid I am going to break a hip or worse if I fall.  Going to see if my doctor will prescribed a walker for me, don't think I will have any problem with that.

!3 hours later, I still feel so banged up, took all the pain meds I could, plus Advil.  My right knee and right leg still hurt the most from this fall.  Not a bruise on me, I almost never bruise no matter what happens to me.  Hoping it won't feel worse in the morning.  Sometimes, the second day out is worse, hoping not to be the case for me.

David

I also found myself cringing as I read what happened to you.  Dear God, that's so traumatic!

Like others here, I've had a number of falls, nasty ones, that just messed up what's already an unstable frame.

I also walk close to walls, and I agree that one area I feel the "sturdiest" is when I'm holding onto a shopping cart.  Unlike a walker, which can get stuck or topple, the movement of the shopping cart gives support and lets you move.

My stomach did flip-flops as I was reading about that ordeal,...and to be alone?  There was no one around?  That's horrific and negligent, especially in a public building.

Cover your butt, fill out all the paperwork, and follow up for anything and everything.

I've usually found things get worse as the days pass,...when we fall, we torque and stretch our ligaments as well as impacting our bones.  That's so much trauma for your body.  I don't think I would be able to remain as composed and contained as you seem to be.

Please take care and keep us posted.  Well-wishing thoughts your way and prayers for healing.

M.