Broken but not done!

[DeniseLB]

I have not posted for a while now as I was pretty down and I think we can scream and shout, but all we really want to hear is the positive side. As a few of you will know I did have a moan after breaking my right ankle and it did send me into a bit of a spin. Tying to get the help you need without being made to feel either stupid, useless or then so full on that if you could you would just run away. In my head I have done both. Oh actually in my head I am still running.

You have to make all those calls as they take time; on an upside for me my ankle has the all clear so I just have to learn to walk again. For me it has highlighted how bad my Ataxia is on my left side and I can’t quite work out if it has got worse since I broke my right ankle or I was always over compensating. It would be good to hear from any of you that have been through a similar thing. I still have no idea why I have Ataxia and apart from the tests they do to prove it that I still don’t understand it is still up to me to explain it.

I am not going to deny that the greatest thing in the world to me at the moment has been to get back on my feet no matter how wobbly they are and I do reach out to those of you that can’t do that as I really do understand now.

But, I also want to reach out to those of you that have been in the same situation as me, that if not for family and friends I would have been stuck in hospital for 4 weeks to sort out a wheel chair, 6 weeks to get a rail down my stairs, that was meant to have happened 3 years ago and the reason I fell. 5 weeks to get any care assistance.

Sorry I hate being down, I always crawled well.

But for me the bottom line is I am on my feet and I will push it as much as I can.

If any of you are going through any of this and do want some help I am open as I think I have spoken to everyone so I guess I know what to do.

Oh and for B I am making a fruit cake tomorrow!

Denise xxxxxxxxxxxx

[peterallison]

have a tendency to write.... a lot, so will keep it very brief. I am on my own, and have this feeling, of being isolated, as I do not work now, and as a result, use the Universal Credit System, I write long messages in my "online journal", that make War and Peace, seem small. What the people at the DWP) think of them, god only knows. Suffice to say, after one of "my tomes", I seemed to give out the wrong message, and as a result, a chap at the headquarters rang me up, primarily to check on my state of mind..... say no more. It was nice to know, that people DO read whats written, and do care

[DeniseLB in reply to peterallison]

I really do understand, I write a diary or at least try as if I said everything I think at the time I actually think it I would probably have been locked up years ago, thrown away the key and all! I tend to message on this when I have some control again and can say something positive so if you want to talk anytime just message.

[neta]

I did not break my ankle but fell in NYC and anded up with a very bruised head and owl eyes. It does heal. I, too, landed up in the hospital. Your spirit is amazing xxxz

[DeniseLB in reply to neta]

I think you are amazing too, I once did the owl thing too and really don't think it will catch on, but who knows!

[pollybanana]

Your determination and positive attitude are great. We can all wallow in self pity sometimes, myself included. I don't know why I have this either. I hope you carry on in your recovery. I am sure you will. 😄

[DeniseLB in reply to pollybanana]

Thank you and I will keep trying.

[DeniseLB in reply to pollybanana]

I think to carry on is built in us, but when that doctor said to me that my ankle is fixed I knew from then that the rest is up to me, it took a lot not to kiss him and even more so as he was rather a looker. I am going to try really hard now and maybe more so than before.

[Rankin63]

I didn't break my leg but broke my wrist and I was amazed by what I couldn't do.Even simple things like going to the toilet was almost impossible but that was almost 6 months ago and you do get better.I have MSA-C and sat the moment am mainly bothered by my balance and hopefully won't have more serious symptoms for à while.

Try to stay positive, if you can. Good luck

Rankin63

[DeniseLB in reply to Rankin63]

Thank you, balance is my issue, it seems a lot worse than before but my right leg (the ankle I broke) was my balancing side. So I have a bit of work to do, but now I am confident that I can use my weight on it, it already seems so much easier.

[cocoa in reply to DeniseLB]

You need physio and should be able to self refer.

I broke my arm when I was first diagnosed and I learnt then you have to ask for everything.

At my local hospital they used to run classes to help with balance problems but not sure if they still do.

Good luck with your recovery.

[DeniseLB in reply to cocoa]

I have been getting physio , but to actually get the all clear from the doctor at the hospital as I did on Friday I pretty much know what to do. I am keeping hold of the wheel chair for a while and leaving a few seats in odd places so I will at least try to work myself back to where I was before. Next for me is actually trying to get out of the house on my own.

Denise xxx

[wobblybee]

I’ve always admired the resilience and ingenuity of those who’ve coped with the aftermath falls 👍 Just last week, I had a taste of it myself. No breakages just badly bruised tissue. My husband suggested I hop and hold onto him 🤨 Ataxians can’t hop😤 The first night we slept downstairs on sofas. Not wanting to wake him unnecessarily, I somehow shuffled on my bottom to the toilet, not thinking through how I’d actually get up from the floor when I got there😑 Later we devised a way of me being pushed on my rollator😉 I can definitely see the attractions of a bungalow 👍 For Denise ☕️🍪 😉 xB

[DeniseLB in reply to wobblybee]

Oh I would love to live in an bungalow, if only! Sorry about your fall and I wish you a speedy recovery. I really did nearly kiss the doctor on Friday when he said my ankle was healed and the rest is up to me and by the way he really was quite good looking!!!

I just have to build up to getting myself out of the house on my own I am hopefully going to test it out on Tuesday when a friend is coming to lunch and try and make it to my local shop. I think that has been the worst part as I had already devised cunning ways of getting around the house, but there was never anyone around to help me get out of the house so I have been a bit stir crazy. Oh well onwards and upwards is the only way. My cake was pretty good too!

Denise xxx

[Litty]

I am sorry you hurt yourself and unfortunately we all seem to tumble regularly. A fall always knocks my confidence but you must try to safely get back. It takes time though x

[Jakeyboi77]

Hi 5 to all that I hear ya, be well xx