Fall Risk

I read a friend’s Facebook post the other day showing her sprained ankle and a hospital issued wrist band that said, “Fall Risk”. She laughingly mentioned that she wished she had the bracelet earlier, before she had fallen.

I recently had a medical procedure myself, and got my own wristband that labeled me a “Fall Risk” because of the anesthesia I had. 

A day later, I was feeling well in the morning, but took a nap before going to my temple shift. I felt out of it during the beginning of my shift and soon found myself about to pass out in the middle of an important task. I informed the person in charge and was quickly (and very lovingly!) sent home. Though everyone was very kind, I couldn’t help but feel defeated, knowing I’d only done a small portion of what I had been assigned to do, and embarrassed for needing special treatment and making a spectacle.

Unfortunately, this is not a new feeling for me. My health often gets me more attention than I want. In fact, before this procedure, my husband – Seth – asked me how many doctor’s visits I’ve had in the past year. So, I totaled them up.

5 Gynecologist visits

2 Gastroenterologist visits with one coming up next week, plus 1 colonoscopy and EGD combo (which happen to be the second upper and lower scoping I’ve had in my 23-year long life)

1 EKG, with another test happening soon

2 Visits for an ear infection

4 Dentist visits, 2 of which were for cavities/installing a crown

Total, that makes 15, soon to be 17. I often joke with my friends and family that I am an old woman, taking pills each morning and powder to help me digest my food. Now I’m a fall risk too!

But somewhere on that drive home from the temple, I realized something. I’m NOT the only one who goes through this. We are all fall risks in some way. The sweet lady at the temple who took over for me had been in the hospital the month before and completely understood. So many people search and search for answers to their health problems and may never find answers, or find hard answers like “you’ll have this the rest of your life”. I may have to take powder to help me digest my food and other medicines to help me feel better, but at least I have those, along with an added dose of sympathy for those who don’t or have yet to find their right medicine.

There are more people out there who need medical help, whether physical or emotional. We are fall risks. But at least we have each other. We can watch out for one another and be there when we fall. And we will. Everyone falls. But we don’t have to get back up alone.

So, if you have a need, let me know. Or at least take comfort in knowing that I have needs to. Many of us have spirits stronger than bodies, but that is not reason to be ashamed. We are all learning here, and our weaknesses and trials are not us, but the refiner's fire outside of us that we go through to become the best us we can. Please don’t be ashamed. Wear that “Fall Risk” wrist band and trust that people care to know how you are doing. Don’t fear judgment. I realized that people are probably not judging, and if they are, it’s not worth worrying about, because their opinion doesn’t matter. They don’t know who you truly are, and who you are is truly all that matters.