Dangers of dogwalking

Roger Tulk

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3,018
Location
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday morning I went out and bought a takeout breakfast and later walked the dog. As we came back up our street, I saw a man with a small dog walking towards us. Pepper snarled and barked and pulled towards the dog, as she does even though she only wants to play. I had taken her off the sidewalk and onto the street, but the street was icy, and Pepper pulled me into the swale beside the street, where I fell heavily on my left arm, compressing my ribs. I got up easily enough, but needed a hand to get out of the swale. I know the man and his dog slightly, so we wished each other a happy new year and continued on our ways. My side didn't hurt too much at first, but became quite painful, and I thought I may have cracked a rib or two. I went to the hospital Friday. they did X-rays and an ultrasound to see how bad the damage is. Although I didn't break any ribs, I did some minor bruising to my organs and the bottom of the left lung. The doctor says it will get better with time, and to make sure that I breathe deeply, stay a little active, and go back to hospital if I have any breathing or bleeding issues. He says it will take 3 to 4 weeks to heal. He prescribed some painkillers. I've been through this sort of thing before, so I know that in a few weeks this will all be a memory. Until then, I just have to live with it.

I still love my dog.
 
Ouch! :eek:

There are few things more painful than bruised/cracked ribs and I can't figure the organ bruising helps any either. Until then try not to watch any comedies or cough!

For something more fun on a quasi related note, walkin the dog:
 
Being moderately uneducated and from the lower, lower 48, a swale?? Glad you're in one piece!!! Have some easy breathing stuff you can do to insure success in recovery!
 
Being moderately uneducated and from the lower, lower 48, a swale?? Glad you're in one piece!!! Have some easy breathing stuff you can do to insure success in recovery!

A swale is a shallow ditch with sides that slope at about 45º, usually has grass growing in it, and runs down the side of the street. It's purpose is to collect rainwater off the street that then soaks into the ground and doesn't fill up the sewage system. It works well keeping the sewage drains for sewage. I am only in semi-major pain at the moment. I'm staying home from church tomorrow; can't have those old ladies makin' a fuss o' me.
 
Went to see the doctor today just to make sure I wasn't developing a problem with my breathing. The doctor sent me for new X-rays. After the tech got finished, she said, "Oh, your ninth rib is broken." Guess that's why it hurt. Today is the least pain I've had since it happened. I stayed home for about 10 days because I was feeling miserable, but now I'm pretty much back to my usual self.
 
and just to rub it in...

I went to see the doctor about the follow-up X-rays, and he told me I have three fractured ribs, and one of the wires used to sew my sternum back together after my bypass, is broken. So, I have to go to a chest specialist to determine whether they should leave that wire alone, take it out, or weld it back together. Just kidding about that last option. Meanwhile, I'm feeling much better.
 
Gee Roger, when you fall, you don't mess around, do you? :eek: Glad to hear you are feeling better. I hope you're back to 100% soon. :thumb:
 
Holy mackerel Roger! Two sets of X-rays and at least several sets of eyes. Are you content with how your diagnosis evolved? It seems they didn't know the true extent of your injuries until after you were feeling better. 'Tis truly the season for falling. Friends from northern New York went to the hospital to see a friend who had fallen on the ice and broken her hip, only to find another friend in the next bed who had done the same thing. Two days later a third friend moved into a bed in the next room. You guessed it. Slipped on the ice and broke her hip.:eek::eek:
 
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