Five falls in seven months

My sister lives in SC-I'm in PA; incidents like last night are why I'm considering moving to be closer. Our parents are gone, or I'd have moved back with them. I moved here two years ago but don't really have close friends here. I take the dog for a walk-or I should say he walks me! On good days, I really don't have problems. The nasty fall I took in August permanently damaged my GOOD knee. But after nearly 14 1/2 years with the MonSter, I feel pretty good. I think I'm at the point where it's winning the war.

Maybe it would be a good idea to move closer to your sister. My partner also walks the dog when I must leave town. He would walk her every day, but she prefers to go out with me when I'm at home, because she's a young and energetic dog and she needs... action. I think they are the perfect match when they walk together. I love to watch them walking together. If your dog is not too energetic and he walks nicely by your side, it's perfect. Usually dogs help they owners make new friends. Haven't you met any other dog owner to go together for a walk with your dogs?

I'm also looking for information on assisted living facilities. I found a chain of them that are MS-specific; however, they're only in Massachusetts and I don't do that well in extreme cold. Yoda (the dog) pulls-he was never trained to walk on a lead properly and I've asked Jim repeatedly to get him training, but there's never enough money. There's a little toy dog, Roscoe, that has gotten loose twice and takes a walk over to our place. He was loose on Sunday, so we brought him inside to warm up (he was all wet and cold). After he had been at our home for a few hours with no sign of anyone looking for him, we took him on a walk. We had even walked by his home, but no one was out looking for him. Finally after about four hours, we began thinking that they didn't even miss him and we might get to keep him! Roscoe was well-trained and cared for, except that he was horribly underweight-the perfect-sized dog for me! But his owners came and took him, but I told them again that he needs tags, like I told her father three weeks ago when Roscoe came into our neighborhood. Next time, I'm keeping him and getting him properly licensed. I feel that Roscoe came here so I can have a dog that I can physically handle. I have met quite a few dog owners here-this is a dog town! But most of them take their dogs on much longer walks than I'm comfortable with. I used to be able to walk much further, but after the fall where I smashed my kneecap, I can't walk nearly as far as before. It'd be great to have a yard that he could play in-he's VERY energetic and needs to get to play more.

Jim is my fiance. We've walked further, but that was during the day and in much milder weather-that was also before all of these falls. It really isn't a far walk, unless you have gait issues like I do (mostly foot drop). I just didn't think he'd actually WANT to walk that far! I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. My closet family is my sister in SC; she's coming north to visit her in-laws, and we're planning to go see her. I'll speak to her again about my coming south and possibly staying with her until I can either get back on my feet financially, or move into community for people like myself.

I asked for advice, and that's what you offered. For me to get upset is rather foolish. I think I'm getting more laid back the older I am. I'm also planning to go to a medical supply store that was recommended to me, and investigate some walking aids (an orthotic to help with my foot drop, a cane, and to be assessed to learn how to be more safe walking). It's a big psychological issue for me-I have to admit that I need help, and to accept it.

Oh scorpio, I am so relieved that you did not get upset with my response because that was really not my intentions.. Thanks for understanding what I was try to convey to you. But I think thats a great idea if you go spend some time with our sister until like you said, you get better control of your walking... Have safe week and take care of yourself...

Jim is my boyfriend. Unfortunately, pretty much everyone around here works, needs assistance to walk themselves, or have young children or pets that could trip me. I don't have friends near here at all-they all live 60+ miles south. I'm going to talk to my sister about moving closer to her-she's in SC.

Oh I can relate to that. Even though my one neighbor doesn't work, she is extremely busy.

Actually, my ankle twisted in the soft ground. I just hate not having full control of my limbs anymore. I'll admit, part of it is psychological BUT this is typical behavior by him. I need to know that I'll be taken care of-and right now, I don't think it'll happen. I asked him again to move us to a community where the sidewalks are cared for properly. He just looked at me as if I asked for a million dollars in cash.

I definitely see your point about him. He should be more considerate of you and your situation. My ex was always way up ahead of me too. He is six foot one inch tall and I am five foot five. It was hard for me to keep up with him on a good day and I don't have MS. We have broken sidewalks here due to so many trees. Alot of men just don't seem to care or take women's needs seriously.

I don't feel that I'm quite ready for assisted living; I was doing research about it after I read this and saw that they are for folks who are much more disabled than I am. But I have finally admitted that I do have a problem walking, so I'll go to the medical supply store that was recommended to me and be assessed for walking aids. I also spoke to Jim more about how I was feeling. This morning, he was taking it as if I'm going to leave him, but I think now he might start to be understanding. It's been harder for me to admit that I finally need help.

We'll see if visiting the medical supply store and see what they have to offer and if it could be beneficial. The local assisted living has a rural setting walking path-hardly something that someone like me could benefit from. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm glad that you've done research and considered the option. I've done research for others, and I have come across some that have impressed me--not necessarily for the "rocking chair" sorts. It is good that he is open to listening to you. He does need to realize that you will put your well-being first--even if that means that you have to leave him. If that sinks in with him, he should change his ways.

I *was* in remission too; I had gone into remission back in 2008, but had a relapse 3 months later. I guess since I moved in 2010 and no longer have access to health care at all, things have just been getting worse for me. I've been under tremendous stress to find a job of some sort that I can physically handle for about seven or eight months-I know stress is the WORST thing for me. I do take the dog on daily walks, though he does a lot of pulling and that does frighten me. Jim won't be able to become my husband (we're engaged), but it seems that he's more about him getting plenty of sleep, or smoking, or trains. I'm just not sure about our future. I'd like to try yoga again. I learned about group of DVDs that is geared for people that must remain seated, or have balance issues. Sounds like something I'd really enjoy.

No, you weren't being judgmental at all; you were merely sharing what your experience with your sister was. I did speak to Jim more today. His ex-wives were horrible to him, especially the last one. As a result, he's started to tune out anyone who has something unpleasant to tell him. There is a local chain of medical supply stores that have special orthotics for people with multiple sclerosis (I learned of them at a booth at the last MS informational seminar I went to this summer). I told Jim that I need to look into getting one specifically for foot drop (my largest problem); they would be able to also assess my gait, and give me tips on walking safely. I did up my Vitamin D dosage daily; I started taking it at a lower dose, but after speaking with another woman that has MS, I quadrupled it. And I'm looking into a much more balanced diet for the both of us. This time last year, the streets where we lived were quite steep, so I couldn't really walk around. My foot drop has gotten more pronounced in the last few months, so I'm finally admitting I need help-it's the psychological part that's the most difficult.

You probably experience some of the same things I do-I made a misstep in the middle of the street and did some weird fancy footwork to stay on my feet! Probably why people think we (MS patients) are drunk-that's how I felt! Do you use a cane when you're out? I was considering one, but now I'm rethinking of getting a motorized scooter. If Jim would hold my hand, I'd feel more confident walking. My shoulders and upper body are really sore now from the impact-if the car hadn't been there, I'm almost positive I'd have fallen into the street and really gotten hurt badly.

Actually, I'm planning to look into getting fitted for an orthotic to help my with my foot drop problem as well as learning to use a cane properly. I was trained before when I received physical therapy, but since then, I've injured my "good leg". I don't know that a walker will help-I'm 5'2" and many of the curbs lack cuts or are extremely high or low. I don't know many of my neighbors, and the ones that I'm friendly with work during the day.

I was so upset that he wanted to walk at night, especially since he knows I don't see well. The portion of the sidewalk that was removed and the ground wasn't even; it wasn't even lit! I'm angry that he continued to walk in front of me, even though I had ask him to walk by my side! I have to disagree about broken bones-I broke my right elbow twice as a kid. As an adult, I've taken some pretty hard falls and the worst was when I fell on the broken sidewalk in August. I think I did do permanent damage to my left kneecap though, but we can't afford to have me go to the doctor to have it checked. I'm going to a surgical supply store I learned about last summer-they sell orthotics designed to help with foot drop. I'll also have to learn how to use a cane; I knew once, but now that my good knee (the left one) has been permanently injured, I'll have to see what they can do.

Hatley, even had I had a cane (which is now a distinct possibility), I'd have probably fallen. The sidewalks are horrible here, and I told Jim that I didn't feel safe last night. I'm seeing my sister this weekend and I'm going to have to talk to her about moving closer. This might be worse than Alzheimer's because I can't really control my body anymore. :(

I'm not blaming anyone for my falls; I know they're MY fault. What I am upset about is his refusal to admit that there is something wrong. This is the most I've fallen since 2010-back then, I fell in the shower twice (in two weeks) and down an entire flight of stairs two weeks later. Its just frustrating to have someone blame ME for my problems!

I agree, but it's not always possible. If I'm going to be out alone, I try to make sure that there's someone about to help me, and that it's light enough for me to see where I'm walking.

we dont want you to hurt yourself anymore.