A Bad Example
Posted on June 24, 2011
SPICE: Don’t you just hate it when you make a stupid mistake? You do something but the very second you do it you say, “What was I thinking?” Well, that’s happened to all of us, hasn’t it? The unfortunate time, though, is when it results in a physical injury. Sure, it’s all fun and games when it’s on “AFV” (America’s Funniest Videos) but when it’s your own body…not so much.
SUGAR: Okay I’ll admit it. I am the first to cringe then laugh then cringe again at AFV. Why is it so funny? I’m not sure. Sounds as if you may have recently made an attempt at being on AFV?
SPICE: Indeed. And doing something as (seemingly) simple as mowing my lawn. It’s a bit hard to fathom but I drove my lawn mower off a 6ft wall. Fortunatly, I ditched the mower at the last minute and landed safely away from it. Unfortunately, I took a pretty hard fall. And that is where this blog comes in. Falls. Injuries. Ouch! Being in my 40’s, I’ve come to the realization that getting hurt was actually a distant memory. But when it happens, boy, is it a shock to the system – physically *and* mentally.
Somehow, when you’re young and you crash your bike or your brother hits you over the head with a thick, solid lego creation, it’s just part of a day. No big deal. 
But when you’re older, it’s an event! One that requires discussion among other adults – in detail. Everyone listens sympathetically and then they pull out their own stories of trauma. It’s a small, momentary community. And what I’ve also come to realize is this: the injuries hang around. They don’t dismiss themselves the second something interesting takes their place, like they did when we were little.
They sit there, mocking you, for days, weeks, months….
That sprain, that twist, that massive contusion, it says to you, day after day, “Remember me? See me? Ha Ha! Nah Nah!”
SUGAR: Yikes! That sounds just awful. Please tell me you weren’t wearing a pair of your platform shoes while mowing? Nah. I think know you better than that. But you’re right, as we age the recovery period does extend itself. This is not different than at the gym. In the younger days you could skip a few days, (or in my case weeks,) and be right back on track in no time. Nowadays, you skip a week and you are right back to being a gym “newbie.” So how are you recovering? When will you be back in action?
SPICE: Nope. No platforms. I may play the part of a diva at work, but I can be hardcore, too! My recovery, you ask? Well, first I rested, iced my injuries a little bit and took a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory as my PCP advised. But then, she also told me to be sure to exercise again, as long as I wasn’t having pain that prevented it. Nothing strenuous or new to me, mind you. “Just go for a walk,” she said, “But definitely do it.” Apparently, it’s not such a good idea to lay around after an injury and let the muscles tighten up. You’ve got to get them warm and loose. So, later the next night I got my bruised self off the sofa and took the dog out for a slow, gentle 2 mile walk. I’ve done that daily since then. I think it made a difference.
Now it’s been a full 6 days since my “life flashing before my eyes” moment. I’m pain free, one yellow bruise left on my shin and rib cage and ready to tackle my “Brazillian Dance!” exercise DVD again!
Here’s what the experts say: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/rehab/a/rice.htm