So today started out pretty well. I had heard good things about Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and wanted to check it out and enjoy some of the mild weather we’ve been having. The park doesn’t really have much in the way of trails – about two miles or so – but it’s an extremely pleasant walk featuring Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point in Orange County at all of 867 feet.
So the first quarter-mile of the trail was fine. Then I came to a spot where the trail went up a small embankment. I put my foot at the top of the embankment…and slipped. WHAM! I landed right on the bottom of my rib cage on my left side. Ouch. Damn, that hurt. I was able to get up, dust myself off, and slowly pick up the pace again, though my left side was now quite tender. I wound up hiking the entire loop trail as well as the spur up to summit without too much problems, besides the lingering soreness.
When I got home I was able to sit comfortably in the living room, though I noticed that coughing while in a sitting position was rather painful. When takaza got home, he asked me to lay down on the sofa so he could check to see if of my ribs didn’t feel right. As I was laying down I got a stabbing pain in my side, at which point Dan decided I was going to see a doctor now.
So, an hour and a half at Rex Urgent Care in Cary gave us the good news: I have fractured my tenth rib on the left side, though I did no damage to the chest wall, fortunately. Well, doesn’t that just suck.
On the bright side, it doesn’t really hurt to breathe, or take deep breaths, or even yawn. Coughing is a bit painful, though, and lying down is rather exciting. I think I’ll be able to get comfortable lying on my right side, but lying on my back is out of the question. As long as I don’t have to sleep sitting up, that’s fine by me. Unfortunately, treatment for a rib fracture is pretty much to just leave it be and let it heal on its own, which is going to take a few months. In the meantime, I’ve got a nice little bottle of Vicodin with my name on it and I’m not afraid to use it.
Erf!!!
*hugs gently*
I’m sorry to hear you got hurt.
Although, I didn’t fracture anything, I was in alot
of pain the day I fell off some rocks at the Falls of
the Ohio in Louisville. Kodian still likes to tease
me about that 😛
{*snug*} Thanks, foxy! I’m sore, and moving a bit slowly, but it could have been a lot worse.
And yeah, isn’t nice how some of our friends hold our worst memories for us, even when we try to forget them? 🙂
*shrugs* Actually, I haven’t made fun of the incident for a number of years, and when I did it wasn’t to be cruel or tormenting.
Ouch! Glad it isn’t too painful for you!
I should have know Monday would be bad when my coffee erupted in a gyser when I put the lid on the travel mug this morning…
At least I had help falling on the ground from an obnoxious horse! Though I hurt my shoulder and hip and ankle. I’m fevently hoping nothing is fractured!!!!!!!
Sooooo, let’s see. You just finish telling me about how great the hiking trails are…then you go out and bust your rib on one.
Hmmm.
well, it sucks, there’s no denying that. Hope ya feel better as soon as possible, though.
And here I thought we might be able to take the husky out for a walk when I visit in three weeks. Ah well, just have to rely on our collection of card and board and party games instead.
Hey now, don’t write me off so quickly! I’m sure I’ll be up for a little hiking when the time comes, though games are always fun too.
Yeah, well – just watch your step, is all I’m sayin’!
Thanks, though. I’m sure a week or so of taking it easy will help matters a lot.
My father managed to fracture three ribs on the right side, just below the shoulder blade and where the ribs attach to the spine. He said for the next month or so, lying down from sitting or sitting up from lying down was a good five-ten minute exercise.
Slightly relevant anecdote over. Sorry you’re in pain, hope you get well soon. Take it easy much longer than you think you’re healed, by the way.
I think I got off pretty fortunately – it’s just the lower rib, so breathing or most movement isn’t impeded. Lying down sucks, though, and having to sleep in one position all night long left me kind of sore. More Vicodin for me tonight!
Oh shit! I’m glad you are ok, well as ok as you can be. Erf. 😛 *hug* Just take care! Make Takaza pamper you 😉
Oh, I’ll get through this OK. And Taki is more than willing to pamper me (“I’m not an invalid!” “Well, neither was I but that didn’t stop you!”).
Seriously, though, I’m glad he pushed me to have things checked out last night. If nothing else, it’s good to know what’s causing the pain, and knowing for sure that there are no other complications.
*ouch*
Hope you get to feeling better soon!
At least you got to get out and about…this job stuff really cuts into a fella’s free time…
Thanks! And that’s true about the job thing, though the paycheck is a nice consolation prize 🙂
Glad to hear you weren’t more seriously hurt, Dunc.
I didn’t know they MADE hills in your neck of the woods?
(ducks)
Loxley
Well, if I were still in Illinois, that would be true. and I are in North Carolina now, though. Granted, we’re on the western edge of the piedmont, so we’re only just where the hills start – about three hours west of here is where the mountains really start!
(Don’t feel too bad, though; it’s been a while since we’ve seen ya!)
Oh dammit dog! Watch yourself! I really don’t want Taka to have to take you out back with the shotgun….
*winks and snugs*
I hope you get to feeling better babe. I’ve had a few of those from soccer related mishaps….and they are no fun at all.
Get well soon.
{eeps! and hides his copy of “Ol’ Yeller”}
Yeah, it’s one of those things that just kinda sucks – not a lot to do for it, just suck it up and take the pain meds when you need to. Thanks for the kind thoughts!
Oh, and sorry we missed you last weekend. As Takaza said, we were just a few miles from there. When the guy organizing the event cancelled, I thought that cancelled the event itself – evidently not. Ah well, maybe next time.