Perhaps I should write and rewrite what I have to say relative to “right to fail” heading but I”ll try low-key even though I”m a 92-year-old “fire funnel” when it comes to the above subject.
I do not heartily agree with comments of Sara Peterson ? perhaps somewhat more personal ? but placed side by side with Ms. Peterson, we are speaking the same language. After a painful accident last year, a fall resulting in hip and femur surgery and a sojourn in a healing hospital. How did I ever make 92 years of age prior to the fall? Now I”m in the midst of home care medicine three times a day.
Then my big Tabby cat rocked my chair I was napping in and I hurt my hands as I hit the floor. I was hurting but I am well and capable. But on meds three times a day? Home care? Yep!
I”m in my little house alone with my cats the house is safe, so I”m reminded to be careful as I move within the confines of my little house. My cats and I are comfortable, home care is excellent, but somewhat confining as I”m not trusted with my car keys. I”ve never had an auto accident, well, not since age 12 when I sneaked my dad”s work truck for a very short ride. I guess I”m still paying for that.
My “right to fail” is really on a thin, fast track And then there was Sadie, my female St. Bernard, who qualified as my caregiver. I was sitting on the floor in front of my TV.
In getting up from the floor, I stepped on top of my right foot and whammo, I landed on the top of both knees. Ouch! Sadie took charge as I found myself sitting on the floor with great pain. Sadie helped with control over my legs; she sat on them.
“You are to stay quiet until help comes,” I thought. I gave it a good try, for four hours she did not allow me to change my position and it was quite painful when I did.
Although I had an alert system available to me, other than Sadie, the system was not working for me. And the pain was taking over.
I called out my front door that faces the highway. A lady passing by heard me and I asked her to call the 9-1-1 code, which she did. The 9-1-1 boys made an appearance and stopped in their tracks coming face to muzzle with Sadie.
I explained she would help, but it did take two strong men to lift her off my legs. And away to the hospital we went leaving my dear friend in her safe backyard as she watched my withdrawal from the scene.
She, Sadie, has made it to the Rainbow Bridge and I cannot withhold the tears when I think of her! We will be together again someday. She will never be far away from me than my memories of her care and love.
Thank you for allowing me to express my thoughts and caring.
Ellowise Sherer
Clearlake Oaks
