oh dear, im sorry to hear about your accident! I have been lucky in my currant garden , but when i was younger my gram had me pulling weeds from her driveway retaining wall. It is very high, as her driveway goes up a hill. Every weekend i had to pull God-awful ivy out, as they were choking her other flowers. I pulled super hard on a tough vine, fell over the edge backwards, and rolled down the driveway!
I always keepmy cell phone nearby, but because if i dont, inevitably i miss a call. If i keep it with me, noone calls, if its in the house, i miss a dozen!

Oh, Jan! What a scary thing. I seem to get more accident prone each year. My last was running the large riding mower under the edge of the picnic table. It dropped back down on my right shin pinning me down. Couldn't get the thing off me. No cell either, AC was on in the house so DH couldn't hear me yelling. I finally managed to prize it up enough to slide my numb leg out. That has finally almost healed.

The next one was not garden related, but outside related. My milk cow kicked my left leg..........badly. It is just now healed enough that I can stand on it without it swelling double. I have a knot you wouldn't believe. My DIL just saw it and had a fit.....she just knew I should be in the hospital with IV antibiotics......it isn't that bad but she wasn't convinced.

I am waiting for the third thing to happen....being very careful and trying to remember to take the cell with me every single time I go out.

You be careful. I am so glad you didn't get a serious injury. I do not climb anymore at all unless DH is with me. I have developed a balance issue over the years and don't trust myself in lots of situations.
I have pitched forward into the flower beds a few times. No injuries but I do laugh at myself. It seems funny to just fall forward like a dummy.

Oh, Gramma Jan that's just trouble! I am so glad it wasn't much more serious.

I thankfully haven't had anything more than bruised shins from getting over excite with my hoe. I live in a rural secluded area and stay at home with our two year old. So I am very careful about what situations I put myself in when my husband isn't home. If something were to happen to me it would put her in a very dangerous position. It's just not worth the risk.

Gldno1-I hope you are feeling all better very soon.

Take Care Too All,
Carrie B.

GJ - That was scary! I'm so glad that all you got was a bruise.
Gldno - That mower accident is another scary one! I know what a cow (or horse) kick feels like, too! Ouch!

Cameron
PS Good reminders to always keep a cell phone on you in the garden. I wear cargo shorts in summer in the garden and keep my phone in the low outside leg pocket.

Have I fallen? Yes.

I was standing on the tall 8' step ladder trimming the privet hedge around the stone courtyard, the feet of the ladder had been placed on uneven ground (I found out) and me and the ladder fell sideways onto the stone pavers. It was like it was in slow motion. Missed the teapot topiary and a large stone by inches! Amazingly, only a bruise on my shoulder.

Next, standing at the top of the one sunken garden I went to push the service berry shrub upright, it leaning on account of wind damage, I missed the branch and fell head first down into the garden. Luckily, it was only a couple of feet but I ended up with a terrible black eye.

Also, in the other small sunken garden I got my foot wedged between the stone retaining wall and a flower bed and fell in between them (similar to gramma jan)The space was so narrow that I couldn't get back up right away.

My mom worries about me all the time and keeps telling me to get a medical alert bracelet to wear when I'm gardening!

I crawled back to the house after my lawnmower threw a rock at me that nearly took my leg off. It's been over 3 weeks now and I still don't get around as fast as I used to. I'm trying not to overdo it. My cell phone was on my desk up stairs.

Wow, it sounds like you had quite an ordeal. Glad you didn't break anything. And token, I always worry about the lawnmower throwing rocks, fortunately I haven't had that . . . yet. You remind me to be more careful.

I haven't fallen this year.....but last year I fell on my face. lol I was moving 2 bit cement blocks. The ground was just a little bit wet from the rain and I slipped. I managed to get the blocks out of the way, one on each side and fell on the ground. Not exactly soft but softer than the blocks. Ouch. I got up as fast as I could, hoping no one saw me. lol. My knees were a little battered and my shoulder hurt for a few days. My chin was a bit muddy but not even scratched.

Glad you were not hurt to bad GJ.

Sierra

Sorry, about everyones accidents and am glad you are all on the mend or long mended.

Yes, I ALWAYS carry my cell now, have gotten rid of all pants without pockets, except for a few that I wear with jackets that have pockets for my cell.

I used to forget to charge it. Now, I keep the charger cord right on my dresser where I unload my pockets at night-cell, emergency meds, credit cards, tissue and keys. In the morning, it all goes in my pockets-don't carry a purse anymore. I plug the cell in every night, whether I think it needs it or not, so it is always ready during the daytime.
I have the balance problem too. Anything to keep from falling and breaking bones one after another, like my mom at this age. Just thot, the one place I am not "celled" is in the shower, where I nearly fell in our last trip. Guess I'll set the cell by it from now on--while I'm showering of course.
gramma jan

I stepped on the bottom of a rake and slammed the side of my face with the handle (upper cheekbone) and nearly saw stars - but luckily, although it hurt really bad, I never got a bruise...

Everyone please be careful and token, I am so sorry that you are still hurting...

Carrie

Oh if it weren't all so painful, this would be funny. The things we do for our gardens. Several years ago now, at the old house, I was trying to clean out the eaves troughs. Small trees were growing out of them, and I determined to save money and not hire anyone. Like Schoolhouse, I was on uneven ground and out of eyesight of my neighbours. Just like slow motion - I felt the back right foot start to dig in - I had one hand full of lilac branches and the other holding on to the eaves trough. Suddenly, the bill for the eaves trough flashed - I kid you not - before my eyes, and I let go of everything, slowly falling backwards. I thought I had landed flat on my back, and stood up, embarrassed, seeming to be no worse for the wear. The next day I could not move my left arm. Long story short: Hiring someone to clean the eaves would have been about $100.; Physiotherapy to get my arm and shoulder back to normal - $300; lesson learned about hiring someone, well, it would be priceless if I had actually learned it! I cleaned the eaves at the new house this Spring. lol.

Nancy.

How scary! all these accidents.
I hope everyone is now on the mend.

Oh yes, I have fallen several times. But the scariest and most painful was when I sat too close to the end of a rolling garden cart, about 4 months ago. It rolled out from under me and I fell backwards on the concrete patio. I have screws in my back with very little muscle over them. I was screaming like crazy. It was weird, I kept thinking quit screaming, but I could not help it. Once the initial bump was over I was ok. Just a tad sore for a couple days. See the x-rays below and you will understand why I was screaming like a crazy person.

Some of you that have been here a while know that three years ago I had reconstructive surgery for scoliosis and kyphosis. I grew 3 inches on the operating table, once my spine was straight.

{{gwi:746681}}

Gramma jan, so glad you came out of it with just a bruise, it could have been so much worse. I really did a number on myself a couple of years ago just about this time of year, rather than boring everyone with repeating my incident I've given a link to mine if you haven't already read how stupid I was.

Kathy I can relate to your pain, having plates, bolts and screws in one of my ankles which by the way I forget they are even there. Let something bang it, let me tell you it more than smarts so I can only imagine the pain you must have felt.

Geez we seem to be an accident prone lot don't we, the one thing I'm going to have my DH make me is a modified ski pole thingy, something with a big spike on the end that I can stab into the ground, when I'm trying to weave in and around different plants I can steady myself so I don't step on things. I think it will also be good support when stepping down off rock walls etc. I'm much better at getting around now I've had cataract surgery but I dreamed up this new gadget because I'm not as sure footed as I used to be.

Annette

Here is a link that might be useful: Jeez.......

do be very careful grandma. Breaking bones at this age is particularly serious - they don't heal as well and can lead to more problems such as blood clots and strokes. Anyhow, glad you are okay.

Glad you are okay Gramma Jan! You took a nap! I love your spirit! What a way to make lemonaid out of lemons.
And everyone else, be careful! Gosh, that ex-ray looks so painful Kathy!!

Nothing serious this year. Just a funny episode, when I was planting Cilantro seeds in the veggie garden this spring. I was planting and I stepped on a mammoth rose thorn (remember that OT thread about shoes? Yep, I am one who goes around without shoes on, lol!). I pulled it out and went on with my buisness. All of a sudden my freind, who happened to be visiting, shreiked "Your bleeding"!! I looked down. Sure enough, there were several LARGE puddles of blood on the sidewalk. Needless to say I planted the rest of my Cilantro before going inside to get a bandaid. You think I would have learned my lesson with thorns, right? Wrong. A few days later I stabbed my finger on yet another rose thorn. It doubled in size and turned black and purple. That was a rare case when a green thumb turns purple...;-)

Last year I had, or came pretty near, to having heat stroke. My neighbors were on a long summer vacation and asked me to weed their veggie garden while they were away. It was summer and really hot out. I had been doing a lot in my own yard. I always try to get my obligations done asap, and was working a long time in thier garden as well. I was drinking lots of water, but didn't give myself any breaks. That night my stomach hurt and had a killer headache. I kept vomiting all night, almost every fifteen minutes. I had cold chills and then felt burning up, even my eyes felt like they were on fire. I suppose I ought to have gone to the hospital, but I didn't. I think sometimes I just like to prove to myself that I am tough enough. To make a long and graphic story short, I survived. You might have figured that out though, LOL!!
CMK

Kathy, I didn't know about your back surgery. You need to be doubly careful.

I solved the gutter problem! I had my nephew take them all down. They were always filled with miniature elm and maple trees. I decided we were too old to be climbing ladders for such nonsense.

I am glad you are not hurt more than you are. Earlier this year I decided to put in a perennial garden. The deer ate my roses to the ground this spring. I put in a 32x7 bed, amended, bought plants. I was ready to go. Planted a couple, dogs broke them chasing cat outside of chainlink fence. My DH put up a 2' fence around the bed to keep dogs out. I came down with bronchitis for 5 weeks. My 20 plants sitting waiting to be planted. Finally I was sorta well enough to start planting. I got 10 in the ground. Going over the 2' fence, my pants got caught on the stake. I had a plant in one hand. I could not get my balance. There was a shovel, blade up laying in the garden. I fell hard. Put my right hand down to keep from landing back first on the shovel. I missed the shovel, saved the plant, but broke my right hand. Of course I kept planting, but my DH made me stop. I kept saying ow. He planted the rest of the plants before I agreed to go to the hospital for x-rays. It was just a hairline fracture, but slowed down my gardening for a month. I did find a homemade deer deterrent on the internet. Now I have beautiful roses and I have put in 3 additional perennial beds.

rainy, sorry you are out of work, unless of course you planned and want to be home. I'm glad you have the phone on your list. Best of luck if you are job hunting. gramma jan

Seems like riding mowers, rocks, ladders, getting on the roof, tools, uneven ground, hard surfaces, wet surfaces, imbalance, cows, always wanting to save a buck, trying to prove we are strong/good enough to ourselves and others and doing things we should NOT be doing. Lastly are our short memories about carrying a cell, wearing a med alert bracelet or hesitancy about using a walking stick in the garden are particular dangers for us out there. These are things we must remember to keep mothers from worrying, children protected in our care and us safe in our own and otherÂs environments.

Fudge, just came back from watering some pots and here is my cell on my desk chair-fell out of my shallow pocket. I guess it will be cargo pants for me too. Where did I put that catalog?

My oath: I will not be penny wise and pound foolish, mow, climb ladders without a handle and a spotter or get on the roof. I will carry my cell, watch for uneven ground, try to get more level walking paths, pay attention to things in my path and the handling of my tools. I am please to have lived this long. I will admit I am older, weaker, wobblier, but I am not ashamed of it and will try to behave accordingly.
All this I will do for the well-being of my loved ones and myself.
gramma jan

Gosh Gramma Jan, Glenda, Token and everyone,
I hope you fully recover soon. My foot (not a garden accident) is pain free at present, but thats elevated and no weight-bearing. MRI I had yesterday will tell next week if there is hidden damage.
But please do be careful in the garden, in the house and on the road too! Don't let your guard down (estd).
Thanks for the tip. I just told my DW to please keep her phone with her when she's out mowing or working the garden.
Thanks!
Duane

Count me in to wish everyone speedy recoveries -Some of the accidents mentioned were downright scary - so we all should take extra care and prevent any others from happening.

Happy Fall Gardening!

Carrie

sacre, glad you told your wife and hope you are pain free real soon.
rie, Yeah, real important now with all the fall work ahead of us. I thought to how impo are coffee breaks are to keep us from working through the tired times like when we were young. Now. it is when those accidents happen. So be careful, be safe, and be joyous. gramma jan

I was watering this summer, and slipped on the deck, made a great, big wide airborne arc, as I went sailing down the steps. They're a bit too steep, I have pitched off them before. Nearly broke my leg/arm/back this time. Fortunately, during the slow motion phase, I listened to the voice that said "Relax, and you won't get hurt as bad" but I was bruised so badly, I looked like I was in the Roller Derby. I still have one deep bruise on the back of my calf, it has been over 2 months, going on the hunt for some arnica cream. The skin is getting a little hardened, DD startled and concerned. Has that happened to anyone here before, the bruise is healing, skin just feels tough?

Yes, prairiegirl, I got what I guess was some soft tissue damage on the ball of my foot from laying pavers. I was crouched down on that same foot for days laying those things. It was just a big soft hematoma-looking thing. So, I had to start wearing flat shoes to work because I couldn't put any pressure on it. Long story short, I didn't go to the doc - it finally just turned into this hard callus thing. Arnica cream should help and maybe an anti-inflamitory for a few days. Maybe you should take Arnica internally, also. One of my friends was told to take it become she has some cosmetic surgery.

Our garden is on a downslope so have had two accidents so far. One was minor, fell backwards a short distance but on concrete. Gave myself a mild hematoma on the back of the head but no headache, swelling disappeared in 1 day so everything was okay. My sister is a critical-care nurse so I'm careful to observe symptoms and get to the doctor when needed.

Second was major: fell backwards off a short concrete stair, but angled just right so that the stair edge broke both bones in my right leg, just above the ankle. Of course I was recharging my cell phone at the time! The break was so close to the ankle joint it also dislocated my ankle, although I didn't know that until they told me after surgery.

I really, REALLY didn't want to crawl to get to the phone, but had no choice. There was no one around (my neighbors had all left for work) so I crawled across a long gravel path, made my way up two flights of stairs, crawled the length of the house, grabbed the cell, and sat on the sofa until rescue arrived.

Needless to say, I now never go out without my cellphone! It's been 5 yrs and the ankle still gives me trouble (leg healed fine), I did a lot of nerve damage to it and it swells up if I do too much. I started doing yoga a year ago to help my balance and build up some strength, and it's helped a lot, I think.

Not a garden accident, but a yard accident. I had a burn pile going and had the water hose stretched out going to the burn pile. I'm always afraid of accidentally catching something (like the house or shop!)on fire. So when I was carrying an armful of stuff to the burnpile, I tripped over the waterhose and did the splits. I've never been able to do the splits, even when I was younger. I fell flat and started praying because I was in so much pain. My husband was not at home and wouldn't be for hours and at that time I didn't have a cell phone.

When I got up, I couldn't move my right leg. I had to grab my front of my jeans and pull it forward to make my leg move. I managed to get into the house and lay on the bed until my husband got home. He took me to the hospital where I found out my pelvis was broken in two places. I don't know why I didn't just call an ambulance, but I didn't know how really bad I was hurt. I'm fully recovered now. This happened about three years ago.

So watch out for waterhoses too! Sounds like we all need that insurance. You know the one where the guy on the falling ladder is going backwards in slow motion.

Y'all be careful!