NOUVELLE OPTION: Version française
My friends, my loved ones,
I have an incredible story to tell you that, fortunately, has a good ending. But, to do so, you must sit down and hang on for dear life!
Tuesday, I went to my horseback riding class. I was looking forward to it because, the weekend prior, I had attended a dressage workshop where I could only watch in awe of the great talent of the young and not so young riders, encouraging me to continue my lessons.
Onyx was waiting for me with open hoofs and we were cantering beautifully when I made a false move with my right leg which caused me to lose my balance. Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of uttering a light shriek when I feel I’m losing control and it was enough to scare Onyx who cantered even faster. The moment I saw his mane lift with his head rising, I immediately knew I was in for one hell of a fall. I let my body coast to violently land on my right buttocks. The speed and my excess Covid weight did not help to soften the landing.
My teacher was immediately by my side to encourage me to breathe deeply and her magnificent dog also ran towards me to comfort me with two, three licks on my cheek. After a few minutes of finding my bearings, I was able to get up to then sit on a chair and collect my thoughts.
My teacher and her husband drove me home and I was able to camp out on the sofa bed. My friend Madeleine, who lives 12 minutes away from my place, brought me a sandwich for me to regain some strength. I then laid down and was very comfortable watching television. Unfortunately, when I got up with a cane at 11 p.m. to go to the bathroom, it only took a few steps for my head to spin, for cold sweats to cover my body, for sharp pain in my butt to paralyze me and for me to be flooded with nausea such that I had to return to the sofa bed on my hands and knees. I understood that it was time for me to call an ambulance. It arrived at approximately 3:30 a.m. When its lights enveloped my living room, I put in my bra my hormones, vitamins and ear plugs and I went back on hands and knees to go towards the front door. Luckily, it was not locked properly and the paramedics were able to come in and rush towards me. I could not move anymore without their help and when they placed me onto the evacuation chair, the delicious ham sandwich Madeleine had so generously prepared for me came flying out. Sorry Madeleine…
My heart going 150 beats a minute, the trip to the Valleyfield hospital was extremely quick. After a good morphine shot in the arm for the pain, it was time for scans of my head, my hip and my right arm.
Results:
No concussion, no broken arm, only a hairline fracture of the right ischiatic bone requiring no intervention because the bone will naturally mend itself on a three-month period. The concussion symptoms were caused by the fact that all my blood was going to my butt, which caused me do become anemic! The only restriction is to not sit straight as it could put pressure on the bone.
Finally, it is a blessing in disguise and I blame the year 2022 that is not giving me any chance as you have noticed in my last blog!
The only consequence is:
I was released only 32 hours after my arrival and I am happy to announce that my general condition is greatly improving every day. I can already move around very easily with one crutch and I will certainly be able to sleep in my bed in a day or two.
I am already thinking of watching, during my convalescence, the more agile riders and I will ride Onyx again this summer, but I will wait a while before cantering in the wind!
Happy Easter, my friends, my loved ones, and have a great summer!
Big kiss,
Diane