Unexpected Dismounts

Michael told me this morning that this was the third in as many years. All unexpected, all necessitating a complete stop to hunting 😒 and all a complete bummer. And always "could have been worse"! So I am camped on the first floor ( in front of liquor cabinet 😀) and 6 days into recovery and off the narcotics, so I can drink soon!

Not that I drink much. I was worried I would die of an overdose as the EMT's kept spraying Fentanyl up my nose in the ambulance . Definitely helped with the pain but as a lightweight I was groggily afraid it would be too much. It wasn't. Last Sunday, on a beautiful morning at a nearby foxhunting fixture, my horse scrambled to save himself in an unstable crossing. New trail, below an old drainage pond, it looked fine, but in a blink of an eye it went from OK to disaster.  As I watched his shoulders get above my helmet and I was now behind the saddle, I opted to bail off as he continued to struggle up the bank. Felt my left ankle go 90 degrees to the left and knew it was bad. I don't know if I landed badly or maybe he kicked my ankle as he made it finally up the bank. Horse took off and I howled.  Afraid he would come back immediately, and run over me sprawled in the trickling stream, I thought maybe I should start crawling out! Luckily, a young apprentice whip was with me this day and he radioed for help and rescue began. My wonderful husband arrived on scene to literally carry me out of the stream and the gracious landowner friend arrived with the 4-wheeler to get me up to the ambulance. Several friends were very helpful with all of this and I am deeply grateful to all. My horse was found and all arrived home to barn. I went to ER.

As I had noticed blood dripping out of my left riding boot, I suspected it was a bad break. I told the very young, very nice EMT's to NOT take off my boot as it was holding my leg together. They looked undecided, saying they should stop the bleeding, while I said DO NOT TOUCH MY BOOT.  I have learned from others injuries and knew that I needed the boot to stay until we were in the ER and ready to stabilize leg.  This was the point the Fentanyl started helping.  I realize that one never remembers the ambulance drive. I asked Mike if we had lights on and went past cars. He laughed and said yes.

Had surgery Sunday night, screws and plates etc. Hard cast. Non-weight bearing. Saw the nice ( I think) surgeon briefly who said no walking, no weight-bearing for 6 weeks then reevaluate.  Maybe a shoe by January. At least this is what I remember. Pain drugs tend to make me foggy. This brings me to the picture in front of liquor cabinet because I really want a glass of wine! So trying hard to get by on Tylenol, I hope to have a glass tonight! I have driven my wonderful husband crazy by doing logistics, which is what I do when stressed. Made him clean the windows, dust the furniture, polish the table ( because people will see my house). I miss feeding my horses, I miss feeling their breath on my cheek, I miss riding, I even miss mucking stalls!  Thank you to all who helped. Thank you for all the cards and food and well-wishes. It takes friends for sure !!