Going out this morning around 7 o'clock (four hours ago) for a morning jog along seafront, just before I got to starting point, I don't know what it was that made me tumble, but I bit the concrete with a violence. Bleeding heavily from somewhere I wasn't sure, hurried back home to find that it was both chin (under the beard) and that I'd split the bottom lip in two separate places, and which has now swelled up. But most conspicuously, I've 're-arranged' my front teeth, the four most prominent ones. One of the incisors has been pushed right up into the gum looking as though the bottom half has snapped off, though I can still see it. The adjacent front tooth has been skewed into a diagonal position, and a third is protruding forward. In addition, there's a large bruise to the side of my right eye, now turning purple. It is not a pretty sight. Oh Lordy! My face looks pummelled as if I'd just been in a pub brawl.
Rang the doctors even though it's hard to speak (my whole face looking like that of someone who's just had a stroke down one side) and explained what had happened and whether I should report for a tetanus injection. Surprised to be told by receptionist, who rang me back after consulting nurse, that it wouldn't be necessary, even though my last such injection was 30 years ago.
Anyway, I'll let that simmer while I think about making an appointment to discuss options for dental repair works, which is no way going to be cheap.
Still shaken by it all. My need is to go to bed and have a couple of hours blissful sleep in a world where this never happened. But I can't yet - Noodles is hungry and he's letting me know it!
Holy Crap! Ray! This is awful and I'm so sorry it happened. Hope you get medical treatment ASAP!
ReplyDeleteThanks, S/b. Your words are a soothing salve in a horrible time. I'd post a picture of how I look but it would freak everyone out. It's bad enough fr me to look in a mirror. Anyway, I've started moves to get someone professional to take a look at the damage. Cheers.
DeleteOMG RAY! If you dont feel well or are sick or dizzy you get to hospital ok! I am sorry that you have fallen. Myself I know the feeling of not wanting to go out. After my accident I didnt want to go anywhere till 2 months later and that was only to family. It really shakes you up. do you have a friend who can ferry you around? What an awful thing to happen. you get better soon ok.
ReplyDeleteTa, Sol. I'm fairly sure that the only real damage done is to the teeth. The bruise on thh side of face seems to b no more than t being visible. I can touch it with only a little pain. And the swollen lower lip looks ghastly but I think it's starting to go down. As I say, it's the teeth that look hideous - and I now can't bite either.
DeleteA friend to ferry me around? I have no 'friends' full stop, not even one to talk to - only my blog pals. Can do nothing but to soldier on.
Oh, Ray - words can't fully convey how extremely upset I am to hear this! You definitely need to get medical attention - I hope you will be able to see a doctor as soon as possible.
ReplyDeletePlease, please take it easy and keep us updated frequently about your condition. I wish I could be there to help.
Falls are EXTREMELY dangerous. My back is permanently injured from the several falls that I had on the ice last winter. I am nearly crippled from it and couldn't afford to go to a doctor.
I hope there is someone who will be able to assist you. Living alone is frightening in these situations (I know from experience).
Take care!
Jon, thank you for those words. Your story is indeed a cautionary tale and, miserable as mine is, I don't think it ranks with the horrible effects of your similar experiences.
DeleteFeeling slightly better this morning, but it's only by a very tiny bit. Still look as hideous as ever. I shall be extra careful in going out - I've got to do some shopping in an hour, my first time out since. Will indeed take care and will let you and others know of progress. Thanks again.
Please do keep us updated. I'm very concerned.
DeleteWill do, Jon. Tried to ring emergency dentist this morning, just so that someone has a look, but gave up after hanging on and on and on. Thanks very much for your concern.
DeleteI am so sorry this has happened Ray. I don't normally read your blog, in fact I think this is the first time, but for some reason tonight I was drawn to it. I hope you are feeling a little better tonight and your blog friends visits will help a little. Rachel
ReplyDeleteThanks to you too, Rachel. Last night was so emotionally drained by the whole affair that I retired at 7.45 with the aid of a sleeping tablet. It was good to be in a world where this never happened. But reality is back this morning - though I am indeed cheered by the messages of support such as yours.
DeleteWas going to say
ReplyDeleteChin up
Not the best phrase
Eh?
So sorry matey
Horrible time, J.G. Horrible time. Thanks.
DeleteOMB, RAYBEARD!
ReplyDeleteI wanna reach across the cables connecting our computers and hug you tight! pet the pussies for some comfort. if we can do anything for you, please let us know!
Most grateful for your kind thoughts, A.M. As if this wasn't enough my Blackso's now been missing for about 14 hours. Not unprecedented but certainly very unusual and considerably worrying. As though there wasn't enough on my plate!
DeleteI'll keep you informed on recovery and mending, which I hope will be rapid - and expensive to correct (ouch!)
come home blackso, you naughty pussy! daddy needs you!
DeleteHe returned after 20 hours way, A.M. - his longest absence ever. And was he pleased to be back? Only to fill his tummy. I tried to lock him in but he was straight to the window crying for freedom again. So I gave in and he's gone! Honestly! Some guys have no appreciation for the valuable things in life!
DeleteMy 'Elephant Man' face still alarming in the mirror but I feel sure the swelling of lips and the bruise are going down. hen I can open my mouth properly without pain I'm off to the dentist, prepared to hear the worst.
Yeow!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that happened and, again, YEOW!
Feel better -- I swear, I almost wrote "fell better" -- take care, and enjoy some kitty love while you mend.
Sending all kinds of good vibes across the pond!
My antennae are tuned in to receive your healing vibes, Bob, so thanks for that. Unfortunately, as you can see in my comment just above, one particular pussy is adding very much to my concern. But I do appreciate your message.
DeleteHope you are able to get some help, Ray. I read your blog always (but never comment)...I was so sorry to hear about your fall, and wanted you to know someone was thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteElle
Thanks, Elle. I can do with all the positive thoughts I am getting, and am particularly moved by your breaking your 'silence' for on the occasion of my mishap. Gratitude and much thanks.
DeleteOh shit! That is awful. I am so sorry! What a truly rotten thing to happen. Please get medical help ASAP. I am thinking of you and sending good healing vibes from New Zealand...like Anne Marie in Philly I wish I could give you a hug.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks indeed, Judith. I surely will be absorbing your healing vibes - in lieu of a physical hug, which I wish I could also receive. But things being as they are, with no one here.....
DeleteAaack! Falling is bad stuff, all around. Take care of yourself and heal. I see a trip to the dentist in your future. BTW, I have a front tooth that is skewed in the diagonal direction as well. But I didn't come by it violently. It grew in that way. Never had it fixed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Walt. I spoke to the dentist's receptionist yesterday - with great difficulty as talking is hard - telling her what had happened nd that with the lip swelling I couldn't open my mouth very far. She told me to book an appointment when the swelling abates, which I'll do. Meantime, it's a matter of waiting.
DeleteDidn't know about your own mouth features. It's particularly aggravating in that whenever I speak to someone close up I tend to look at their mouths, rather than their eyes as one should, which makes them do the same thing. Currently if they do that they'll have a hideous scene before them.
I'm sorry! It sounds just awful. I hope you get fixed up soon. The sooner you get medical help, the better!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly been a life-changing experience, Jennifer - at the moment more visually than anything else, as my face has become distinctly lop-sided - though still feeling sore in various locations. I'll do what has to be done, though the costs involved are quite another problem, even on our National Health Service.
DeleteThanks for your sympathy and concern, which I accept with gratitude, while wishing I didn't have to.
How are you today Ray?
ReplyDeleteIf I'm feeling better, Sol, it's only by a tiny bit. The incident has really knocked the stuffing out of me, taken its emotional toll, and I'm spending much of the daytime sleeping, exhausted. But progress there definitely is, though still an awful long way to go. Thanks for your concern.
DeleteHow are you today, Ray? Update us when you can. You have many concerned virtual friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Judith. I've an appointment with the dentist next Mon by which time I hope to be able to open my mouth wide enough for her to assess the damage - and, gulp, the costs to rectify. Not looking forward to that one bit. Otherwise the facial swellings are showing signs of receding, though the bruises still look worse than they actually feel. But what can one do but soldier on! -Even though not in the mood, I'd whistle if only I could.
Deletehow are you feeling today, dear?
ReplyDeleteStill all shook up, A.M., but can't just sit and mope. Not exactly 'cheerful', I must admit. It's my blogpals - and you are at the forefront - who are the people more than anybody else (there IS nobody else!) who keep me in fighting fettle and determined to stay in the fast lane to progress. However, I fear the visual disfiguring evidence of the incident may be around for longer than I'd wish.
DeleteI change my portrait picture every year around my birthday, which is now just 2.5 months away. It could well be that something of the mini-disaster will show when it's done this time, though I hope that most will be gone by then.
Thanks to you also for your concern. I'm truly deeply touched.
Still thinking about you. My cats go away for days on end in this hot weather. I used to worry sick about them but now not so much, more used to it. One who never went off before went last week and came back at the end of the week. I was very worried.
ReplyDeleteMy furry trio put years on me with their antics, Rachel, especially the eldest Blackso who now must be about 17. Until this year he never went for more than a couple of hours at a time - and certainly not spending whole nights out. Now, for some reason, he's doing just that. I should have thought he'd be much too old for 'sowing his wild oats', so goodness only knows where and why he disappears. It worries me to distraction.
DeleteI don't know how I'd survive B or one of the other two disappearing for days on end. Imagination at the lurid things that might have happened to them is so powerful.
It's comforting to know that I'm not alone - far from it, I'm sure.
Thanks for letting me know.
Oh dear Raybeard....it sounds just awful!!! I sure do hope your taking care and the outcome will be a good and positive one. I tell you, when it rains, it pours. Take care.
ReplyDeleteGrateful for your kind words, M.M. It's been a truly dreadful days. Looking forward to when I can look back at it with a smile, though that's going to be some time away yet. Meanwhile, the very last thing I need is to tumble over again, so it'll be short but sure steps forward from now on.
DeleteTa again.
Ray! I was casually reading your post and was shocked to realize that you had an awful accident. My first reaction was "I am so sorry." But what I'm gong to say is that please, please be careful. I heard something a few weeks ago on advice for reaching a grand old age "Don't fall." It si so true. Of course I realize that this was an accident and you probably couldn't have prevented it but still please, please be careful. I have had my falls, including the one where I tore my left leg quadricep muscle, these past few years. A couple of years ago I injured my left arm bracing myself when I tripped over a ledge. I've also fallen a few times where I didn't injure myself. You falling "eating the cement" reminds me of the time my Mother fell while getting the mail. She fell on her own feet and fell face down in the road. She came up with two black eyes and a very bruised face. We took her to the hospital and I know they suspected me and my brother of beating her because she looked that bad.
ReplyDeleteI hope your recovery is quick and not too expensive.
Ron
Thanks, Ron. My 'consolation' can only be that, bad as it was, it might have been many times worse. At least I'm sure I haven't broken anything - apart from the dental damage, which is bad enough.
DeleteI'm very nervous of when I have to go out now. I'm looking where each step goes and checking that my shoe laces have been tied properly. Another such fall before I've recovered would just about finish me. The shock alone is crippling.
My facial bruises are becoming less conspicuous now and certainly the face doesn't look anything like as lop-sided as it did hen I looked in the mirror the morning after. If I keep my mouth closed people would not think there'd be anything wrong, I think. But the emotional toll of it all is heavy.
I know how your own falls have been much more life-changing experiences than mine have been, so for that at least I ought to be grateful. Trouble is, at our age, and the age of your mum at her experience, recovery takes so much longer and the effects more permanent.
Getting really nervous about Mon's visit to dentist and, apart from the financial assessment, getting some idea of what it's going to take in the way of repair works, with all the pain that it'll entail. If I believed in prayer that's what I'd be doing right now.
Ray, I'm here from Jon's. Slamming a tooth up INTO your upper gum is nothing to grin and bear. The pain is atrocious and needs immediate help before the pain gets to you. I know, for I've been in such pain from a tooth accident (caused by a dentist) that, at times, I fear going 'round the bend mentally.
ReplyDeleteL.J. You mention something that I was conscious of but didn't like to dwell on. That front tooth rammed up into the gum is - at the moment - painless, though I suspected and feared it wouldn't remain so, especially from the time the dentist starts working on it. Even now I can't cope with just thinking about it. But it can't be left as it is, conspicuous for all to see. Your own experience forewarns me that it's not going to be a bundle of fun. I'd better start loading up on the ultra-strong analgesics.
DeleteThanks for your thoughts.
Good luck at the dentist on Monday, Ray! I will be thinking of you & keeping my fingers crossed for good news.
ReplyDeleteElle
Thanks, Elle. Nervous about tomorrow, understandably, not only about the pain from any poking around but also the damage to my bank account. I imagine it'll be just an exploratory assessment of what needs to be done and I'll surely have to return several times, but there's no alternative but to go and get the cycle of appointments started. (I say through gritted teeth - OWWWWW!)
DeleteI'm sorry - I couldn't read the post after you mentioned the teeth. That is my weak point - and possibly my biggest fear. That is not to say I don't feel for you or your pain. I hope that the story got a little better as you told it. If not - I do hope you the quickest of recoveries.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Blobby. It's a subject hardly any one of us like to dwell on and I perfectly understand it being one of your ultimate phobias.
DeleteMost of the pain so far has been in the cut lips, oddly (mostly self-repaired now), while the broken teeth remain relatively pain-free, but it's not going to be like that once the gums start being probed. I'm NOT looking forward to that one little bit. Can but hope with crossed fingers (and legs) as to what tomorrow might bring, both immediately and for the remedial works programme.
I haven't read blogs in a few days and I come on expecting another movie review when lo! I read this
ReplyDeleteI too am sorry about the news and hope it works out OK enough
Thanks to you too, Dr Spo. Not at all a happy time. The last thing I need is to keel over yet again before the darned thing is fixed so I'm going out and watching every step I put forward, just like the shambling, senile old fogey that I've now turned into.
DeleteHey Ray, just checking in. How are you feeling? I hope the cats are giving you lots of love.
ReplyDeleteVery grateful for your continued concern, Sol. I wish the pussies had as much concern for me as you are showing. As long as I continue to feed them they don't give a hoot as to my condition.Ah well! let's see what the morrow brings.
DeleteGet healed fellow bearded one.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Jono. I fully intend to keep up the reputation of us be-whiskered folk with resolution ad fortitude.
DeleteThanks also for your visit here. I've just had a look at your profile and, interestingly (or not) a brother of mine has just returned from his very first visit to Iceland. Pity we have very infrequent contact but I might persuade him to send me some pics. I've never been - yet - though would love to.
(The less said about England v Iceland in the euro cup, the better!)
Oh my, do take care. People who have not fallen don't really understand how painful it can be.
ReplyDeleteNor did I, T. I'd have hoped that after my like experience two years ago the lesson might have been learnt. Can only hope that that this much more painful one with far-reaching effects will do the trick. If I take another tumble before I'm fully over this one I think it would finish me off.
DeleteThanks for your visit and comment, though.
Oh, Ray, I am so sorry to read this and to be so late to do so. Somehow I completely missed this post. My heart and thoughts are with you. I hope you're already at least feeling a bit less miserable. So sorry about the pain, the trouble, and the expense. Hope the recovery is quicker (and cheaper) than you expect. Sending gigantic hugs!
ReplyDeleteThe hugs are accepted with gratefulness, Mitch. It's just what I need right now and will need even more tomorrow.
DeleteSince it happened my appetite and stamina have all but disappeared. But eating is such a troublesome process now in any case, that the first loss is not great.
Yet another reason to wish I was younger. The body's self-repair mechanisms definitely become sluggish for us at the far end of the scale. But what alternative is there but to carry on as best one can?
At least I'm lifted (usually) by reading the blogs of others, so people like you are helping keep me afloat.
Thanks for your comment and sympathy. Greatly appreciated.
I had heard rumors that you had a terrible accident.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, way worse than I had imagined.
Fearsome and myself send you all of our love and care through this blogosphere that your recovery continues well. A kiss and a hug!
Very grateful indeed for your kind words, FB. I'll try to hold onto the soothing effects for when she starts poking around on Monday. I think I'll be clinging onto the arm-rests for my life's worth when the pain really comes through, and even moreso once the numbness from the injections starts to wear off. But thinking of all the sympathy and positive vibes I've had, now including your own, will help me through it. Thanks again to both of you.
Delete