A small taste of what life COULD be like.

What the fall more than likely looked like, but with more flailing.

Almost 4 weeks ago
my wife took a nasty spill in a moment of grace while stepping over our indoor dog fence that keeps the pups confined to the areas we want them to be in. Right foot went over, then as she lifted up her left leg to get over the fence and head to the kitchen... disaster struck. The foot caught the fence on the way up, she lost balance, and landed face first on the floor. In the process, she tried to stop her fall by grabbing on to the kitchen counter top and a close-by dining room chair. The result: she bashed her left knee in to the floor of the apartment and immediately heard a pop and was screaming and crying in pain.

I've been there. I've had my moments with this fence. We've done battle. I almost landed face first in to the glass top coffee table we own because of the kite eating fence. It has no remorse and it gets you when you least expect it. Funny part is, it has a door on it that we just don't open because stepping over it is easier and faster. Well, now we always use the door or move the one end to get through. No more stepping over.

Because of this, her knee is toast. More than likely ACL/LCL damage and a possible cartilage tear. She is just NOW able to walk (hobble, really) without crutches but she still uses them regularly because it's easier to get around.

The whole experience has been a HUGE eye opener as to what it would be like if her MS progresses.

Here is a list of the things she couldn't do on her own the first week of the incident:

• Get off the couch
• Get on the couch
• Get to the bed
• Get her food
• Take her dishes to the kitchen
• Get water to stay hydrated
• Use the bathroom
• Take a shower
• Walk
• Go down the stairs
• Walk the dogs
• Feed the dogs
• Drive
• Dance
• Help with cleaning
• Laundry
• Grocery shopping

That's just the start of it. Those are all things I either had to do on my own, or assist with. Even now that she's moving around a bit better, she still can't head down the stairs and take the dogs out. Bending down to feed them is a chore as well. She did it one night, but getting the dishes to the floor when you have jumping dogs is no easy task.

Since the incident I've had to re-adjust my schedule. I go to work, stay there until noon, head home, take the dogs outside, make sure she has food/water/whatever, and then head back to work by 1pm and spend the rest of the work day there and then head home to walk/feed the dogs and make our dinner. I also have to help her with the shower a bit still, do dinner and the chores, but she's improving daily.

I'm glad that she's getting better from this injury and hopefully this won't be what it's like for us down the road. But, if it is. I know I'm ready for it and I'll be able to still take care of her.

This is why I ride. For those that can't, for those that are unable to walk, take care of themselves, and for those that take care of their loved ones.

If you haven't yet, please donate to the BikeMS ride I'm in, links to everything are down at the bottom of the post and you can see our progress to the lofty $4000 goal I set for myself this year!

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