We laugh loud and long at America’s Funniest Home Videos of kids and adults tripping, stumbling, falling head over heels while doing ordinary activities such as pushing a trash dumpster. In that one the woman seems to stumble and fall into the downed dumpster.
In the past I laughed. But not this week. This week, I lost a battle with our dumpster. I could say it was a windy day. After all, the entire street was lined with wind fallen dumpster after the weekly trash pick-up. Usually the bins hold their position at the end of the drive, waiting to be returned for the next week’s collection.
I could blame the wind, but there really wasn’t any. All I know is this. Nothing changed from any other week that I did not leave the task to Hubby. I went out and grabbed the mail with one hand. With thd other hand I hoisted the dumpster off the ground to its wheels and began dragging it back to the house. I turned it around and shoved it into position, just like I had many other times.
Only this time, the dumpster rebelled. It did not bounce into place and sit there, waiting for another week of trash. Instead it bounced back and knocked me down. From the bruises on my right side, apparently the lid whacked me in the shin. I stumbled and it scraped my arm, leaving an astounding skin tear. It tipped me over so that I felt sure I would land inside the dumpster. But no, not me. I am too tall for that. Instead, my head whacked the dumpster, and I landed hard on my right hip, defeated by a dumpster. By then, of course, the dumpster was also on the ground, so maybe I defeated it as well.
I did not jump up and run into the house for first aid. I felt too woozy, sore and helpless.
I hollered for Hubby. He moseyed to the back door, opened the garage door, saw me on the ground and said, “I heard you, but I could not see you. What happened?”
Feeling dizzy, I laid there and explained.
“Can you get up?” he asked.
“Yes, nothing is broken, but I need your support to get in the house.”
I painfully rolled over on the cement, touched my arthritic knees to the cement and stood up as quickly as I could. I may not be able to steer a dumpster, but I can still get myself up off the ground.
He offered his shoulder and arm to me. I hobbled into the house, where I collapsed into the nearest chair – Hubby’s lounge chair. He didn’t need it. He had an appointment with the doctor.
“Do you think you need to come with me and get checked out?”
“Naw, I can move everything, and I did sort of walk in here.”
I took the rest of the day off to rest, watch TV and doze.
The next morning, I hurt less, but still felt like I had severely sprained my hip. That’s a weird way to describe it, but it works for me. I pulled out a walker we have ready to send to Love Packages. I needed the extra support for balance. I felt better, but just to be certain, we had an x-ray done. Seemed to look fine, I just need rest and time to allow the tissues to repair themselves.
I have no idea of the injuries suffered by the woman who fell into the dumpster. Yes, it looks funny, but believe you me, after this week it does not feel funny, not one little bit.