Hi! I joined the “couch-bound club” back in June of this year when I fell backwards and landed on my bottom in our yard. That day was followed by 3 weeks of excruciating pain when getting in and out of bed and reaching to put on socks and shoes or bending. Finally the X-ray and MRI of my back showed a fractured L3 vertebrae. Suddenly I could no longer drive, wash dishes, bend, carry clothes from to and from my laundry area or grocery shop in person. A MAJOR life change for me. The back doc saw me in late June and said “it just has to heal”. That would be 4 to 6 MONTHS!!!
Suddenly no driving, housework, doing dishes, going AMYWHERE!
So I have been spending my days primarily sitting or laying on my couch. I began ordering my groceries online to be delivered to my home and I tip the delivery person for bringing them into my house. I set up TV tables by the kitchen counters where the grocery bags get placed so I don’t have to pick heavy bags off the floor. Then I have no problem putting the groceries away.
I have been alone during the days because my husband still works. He does all the days dishes for me at night after dinner. I have a back brace to wear when prepping his lunch before he leaves for work in the am, and for prepping easy dinners in the evenings. My back does get extremely painful if I am on my feet more than 30 minutes. I am hoping the healing will be complete by October 31. Otherwise it may not be until Christmas. Our children are adults and out of the house. We do not have any pets. I miss going to the gym the most. I can’t exercise until my back is completely healed.
I have never watched this much TV in my life. 3 women from our church each brought one dinner for my husband and I but the rest of these 2.5 months I have prepared all our meals. My prayer for myself is that I can live just one day at a time and find the patience to persevere until my back has healed, then find more patience to help me recover my mobility and return to my church and again be “out in the world”. Thanks to all who have so honestly shared their challenges. I, too, had three other major joint surgeries which are being challenged daily. I will pray for all of us. I guess getting old is not as fun as it is portrayed on TV ads!!🫤