It’s the Little Things by Allison Eldredge

PLEASE REMEMBER: It’s theLittle Things

by ALLISON ELDREDGE

This summer started off as a great summer...

This summer started off as a great summer. It was hot earlier than usual, but everyday my daughter and I were getting outside while it was cool. We were gardening and preparing for chickens. My husband built us an amazing chicken coop and we both had helped him get it built and stained. Then on July 11th, my summer stopped dead in its tracks. I suffered an injury. My dog and I collided hard in a moment of being in the wrong place and the wrong time. Before the day was over, everything I had been doing and expecting was neatly placed in a box and put out of sight.

My diagnosis was a Tibia Plateau Fracture. I was sent home from the hospital in a full leg brace and was to be back on the 14th for surgery.

Surgery went well, and I went back home with orders to not place any weight on my leg for 12 weeks.

Suddenly, I needed help to get into the bathroom, to get food, to keep my house in some sort of order, and so much more.

My family, friends, and church family stepped up. I can’t imagine my life without them. Large ice packs were brought over for me to borrow (three months later and I am still using them), food was delivered, groceries were brought, my house plants watered, dishes washed, laundry folded, visits to just sit with me, and so much more.

I had to let people help me. I couldn’t do the things I wanted or felt I needed to do. Being helpless was hard.

I spent most days on the couch feeling like I should push myself to do more. I had tried to push somethings in my healing, and I reached out to the doctor’s office to ask why I wasn’t recovering as fast as I thought I should. Yes, it had only been two weeks, and I was impatient. They kindly informed me that I had had major surgery and my body would recover as it could and that I couldn’t push it any further than it would go.

Now, I am in Physical Therapy and, again, I want to recover faster than my body can. It is hard to be unable to be who you were just a few short months ago.

For those of you wonderful readers who have someone close to you going through something similar, a few pieces of advice in the sidebar to this story.

I asked the nurse in my surgeon’s office, “How do people deal with this type of injury when they don’t have a support system?”

She told me that they must go to rehab. I was saddened to hear this.

For those who are going through something like this, please reach out to your support system. Ask for the little things you need. There are wonderful people out there who want to be a blessing to you but aren’t sure how to do it. It is one of the hardest things to ask for help when you have been independent before this moment, but you can do it.

I am thankful for all the little things that everyone has done for me. This time has really opened my eyes to the little things, and I plan on being a better helper after I have recovered. n

JUST A FEW LITTLE THINGS

THAT CAN BE SO VERY HELPFUL...

• CALL, TEXT, VISIT. Even if they can’t get up and let you in the door, they want to be visited and talked to. It is a lonely time with lots of difficult moments of silence.

• TAKE THEM OUTSIDE. Even on their porch. We need sunshine and to know the world is still outside our door. If they can’t go outside, get them to a window.

• GET THEM SOMETHING FROM THE STORE OR FAST-FOOD JOINT. We all like a treat delivered. My favorite treat from the store was Oreo’s.

• ONCE THEY GET OUT, TAKE IT SLOW. I know I had difficulty with fast approaching animals or kids. I struggled to go fast enough to keep up with those around me and found that I couldn’t do it; I had to go slow.

• THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY APPRECIATES ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE. My neighbors were there for me on the day of injury and have helped with our pets at various times when I have needed them since.

Especially during this wonderful season, WE GIVE THANKS

to The Creator for the beauty of the season and for our families and friends with whom we love to celebrate!

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