Smoke for my sister

Thanks for the well wishes, help and offers for help, and prayers. Honestly, it wasn't my time yet. But if Whiskey had horns, I wouldn't be here. He basically was "goring' me, but didn't have horns. That is why I will never owned horned cattle. Cows are capable of this too if provoked. But, of course, bulls much more so.

Typing is easy, but I'm exhausted and hurt all over, so I'm hoping I'll be more up to it later. Whiskey was just being a BULL. It's like when lions and tigers attack and the owners always don't want the cat destroyed. They are only doing what they do, people need to be cautious and know what they are doing. I was lax, let my guard down by taking his good nature for granted, for the first time didn't have my Hot Shot on me (I always do, but was in a hurry to meet some friends), and the Perfect Storm was complete with the fact that Cookie apparently is in heat for the first time since calving (so I didn't know the date she would). She was riding Maya tonight, although wasn't earlier today. This was the situation that I've read about bull attacks over and over, the exact scenario in retrospect. They let their guard down, got between a bull and cows, and didn't have a back up weapon *just in case*. It's not that he's a Dangerous Bull. It's that Bulls Are Dangerous. Period. My fault. This is why the cowboys love to ride them and show off, the ultimate danger/testosterone. Only my clown bullfighter was nowhere to be found. Mom did her best, running like a madwoman across the pasture when she heard me screaming. I can't imagine what she went through wasn't probably worse that what I went through.

I will be fine. But, I cannot do anything. I can't walk at all without help. My mom will have to dress me and help me to the bathroom, get out of bed. I have chest trauma and my right knee was injured. They xrayed the knee and it wasn't broken, but they said they don't have an MRI, so they couldn't check for torn tendon/ligaments, so I have to call my PCP tomorrow and arrange. It bends fine, but I can't straighten it without a lot of pain. It's sprained or something, hopefully that is all. My chest was sort of crushed. At the sternum up high and on my right ribs. They did a cat scan because they were worried about organ damage or collapsed lungs. So, they ruled all that out, but couldn't tell me if I possibly have cracked ribs (likely) since that doesn't show up. So, since cracked ribs can't really be treated, I'm just living with it. They said to be careful to breath deep (ouch) or I'll get pneumonia soon. I am supposed to be icing these things, but I cannot walk to the freezer, get the ice, put it where it needs to be, etc. So, that's not happening tonight.

The main mobility issue is my left hip. Many of you know that I have a degenerative joint of bone on bone and will need a hip replacement, this I've known. I live with it because they don't want me to get one so young or it will wear out and I'll need it redone. It's not that bad, but now it's excruciating. It couldn't be iced if I wanted too, it's too deep. I cannot support my weight at all on the left leg due to that right now, so my injured knee, well, you get the picture. I can't walk or stand. And even when I'm propped up with crutches and shuffle along, I can't twist or reach for things because of the torso injury. If I didn't have a bad hip prior to this, I could limp or hop around a bit and be 100% better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hey there. Update for you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I have been taking Vicoden to manage the pain, so it's okay. My chest/sternum/ribs are improving, but knee is worsening. It's swollen, and so is the lower leg (drainage). I had 4 doctor appts yesterday, got my MRI last, so I'm hoping my doctor will call with an orthopedic surgeon appt for me today.

Once the initial stuff is all taken care of, I think things will settle down. Doctors worry about pneumonia (I have to breathe in a thingy to monitor that), pulmonary embolism, and diverticulitis developing this first week.

My doctor just called with MRI report. I have a complete ACL tear and two compression fractures in the back of my right knee. The difficulty in walking is that my left hip gives me so much trouble, so I can't bear weight on either leg. The ER xrayed my knee and said it was negative for breaks, but he said "compression fractures" are more of a crushed bone than a break. Nothing can be done for them, they will have to heal on their own. But the ACL tear will probably be repaired with orthoscopic surgery. I am waiting for a scheduler to call for an appt hopefully on Monday with my orthopedic surgeon that diagnosed my hip.

My friend that is a cardiac ER nurse is giving me an incentive spirometer, she said she was surprised that the hospital didn't send me home with one. To help me breathe deeper. My chest and cracked ribs are less tender as time goes by. Most importantly, I'm glad I'll heal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's unfortunate that she'll require arthroscopic surgery, great to hear that all the injuries are reparable. It'll take a while though.

I just noticed your avatar -- I'm currently reading the 4th book; it's been a pretty good series. They keep selling out at my local WaldenBooks -- it would be interesting to know how much impact the HBO series "Game of Thrones" had on book sales -- I'm guessing a LOT.

I am plugging along, getting around better with a walker, getting a routine of helpers for the milking and chores around here. I can't even vacuum... Amazing friends I have through the cattle. Like an old fashioned barn raising. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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