- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 3,933
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2017
- Country
- US
- State
- OR
- City
- Southern Oregon
Yesterday I had my first fall as a fairly new PALS. Here's a bit of background and the story.
My passion is playing the bassoon with a very good orchestra. I know my bassoon days are numbered, thanks to ALS, and I've arranged to have a backup player assist me with some of the pieces to help me conserve energy and also to pinch hit for Lou Gehrig here if needed.
Yesterday we were playing a concert (a Mozart piano concerto and Mahler's 5th Symphony). Walking from the parking area to the auditorium while carrying the bassoon, but without ambulatory aids, my toe caught the uneven edge of the sidewalk, and down I went into a face plant. I lacerated my chin below the jaw line, and blood was everywhere. With the help of colleagues who lended me bandages and a hanky, I pulled myself together and actually managed to play the Mozart piece. However, I continued to bleed and felt lightheaded, so I had my assistant step in to take over the Mahler for me while I had my partner pick me up and take me to the ER (good call). I needed sutures and a CT of my jaw which fortunately came out clean.
So other than a sore jaw and chin, my pride is wounded, and I am starting to see my fate under ALS. Normally I wear AFOs and use a cane, though I don't think they would have prevented this type of fall. A walker definitely would have helped, and of course a wheelchair would have avoided the whole thing. I realize the walker and wheelchair are coming, possibility sooner than I had hoped.
What gets me is the lack of control and lack of power I feel in this disease and the sheer sadness of seeing my body decline and knowing it's only going to get worse. How do other PALS deal with this? Thanks for your support.
My passion is playing the bassoon with a very good orchestra. I know my bassoon days are numbered, thanks to ALS, and I've arranged to have a backup player assist me with some of the pieces to help me conserve energy and also to pinch hit for Lou Gehrig here if needed.
Yesterday we were playing a concert (a Mozart piano concerto and Mahler's 5th Symphony). Walking from the parking area to the auditorium while carrying the bassoon, but without ambulatory aids, my toe caught the uneven edge of the sidewalk, and down I went into a face plant. I lacerated my chin below the jaw line, and blood was everywhere. With the help of colleagues who lended me bandages and a hanky, I pulled myself together and actually managed to play the Mozart piece. However, I continued to bleed and felt lightheaded, so I had my assistant step in to take over the Mahler for me while I had my partner pick me up and take me to the ER (good call). I needed sutures and a CT of my jaw which fortunately came out clean.
So other than a sore jaw and chin, my pride is wounded, and I am starting to see my fate under ALS. Normally I wear AFOs and use a cane, though I don't think they would have prevented this type of fall. A walker definitely would have helped, and of course a wheelchair would have avoided the whole thing. I realize the walker and wheelchair are coming, possibility sooner than I had hoped.
What gets me is the lack of control and lack of power I feel in this disease and the sheer sadness of seeing my body decline and knowing it's only going to get worse. How do other PALS deal with this? Thanks for your support.