On a beautiful Friday evening in the middle of summer, I was invited to listen to live music from a friend’s front porch, with the promise of sparkling wine to accompany this delightful affair. What a wonderful idea! I dressed in my best informal black outfit as I understood the music would be classical.
Ready to quaff and listen with good friends, I arrived at the top of the stairs. As I turned to retrieve something from my bag, I turned too far and ended up tumbling down six stairs to the walkway below. Evidently, I bounced a couple of times as there was rich, red blood pouring from the back of my head upon my landing.
I did not partake in sparkling wine or fine music that evening. Instead, I was treated to a ride in the back of an ambulance and a wait in the emergency ward of my local hospital (no music or wine!). Worst part, my glasses went flying (still missing in action), so I was unable to see the screen on my phone properly. My text messages were strange, to say the least!
Friday evening is not the time to hang out in an emergency ward. Especially during a pandemic. My excellent EMTs tagged me and settled me into a wheelchair. From there, I watched as person after person came into the hospital. I went to the desk to suggest that maybe I could go home as there seemed to be others who were worse off than me. The nurse checked my name and advised me to sit down as there were stitches in my future.
Final tally, seven stitches in my scalp, a sore (but not broken) rib, bruised and bloody knees, and possibly a broken little toe. Sounds worse than it was. Happy I was wearing black; the blood did not show.
Ten days later, my stitches have come out, and I’m feeling fine. My knees look like they did when I was 10; I always had bandages on my knees as a kid. Does this mean I am reverting to childhood?
In the end, the experience has made me so grateful for loving friends, awesome EMTs, superb nurses and docs. I am fortunate to live where I live with the medical system we have.
As for the concert, I have been promised a front-row seat for the next one. At the foot of the stairs.
Stay well, everyone.
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Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Connect with her at mpatnichol@gmail.com.