Sunday, March 21, 2010

Elevator Ride of Terror!

Friday morning started out real good.  I have been having so much more energy lately, since wearing my c-pap machine during my daily naps.  I have also been on a diet and eating better. I really thought I was onto a path of health.  Then I stepped into the elevator to take a normal ride up to the 2nd floor and begin work.

All of a sudden the elevator made a weird clanging sound and moved around.  I noticed my feet were about 2 inches off the ground.  I was lucky I had been holding onto the hand rail and my cane before this happened. Then just as quickly the elevator slammed to a stop.  I just dropped back onto my feet with a jolt.  I pushed the buttons to open the elevator doors and nothing happened.  I was stuck in there.  I kept pushing them and also tried out the button to call an operator.  I had always wanted to press that button or pick up the phone in the elevator.  How did that thing work.  I heard it dial out and then a recording came on and was telling someone where the elevator was located.  By the time there was a live person on the phone my elevator door had opened.  I was shocked to see that I was on the basement floor at work - not the second floor as I had been heading.  My elevator must of free falled two stories down.

I felt sore but my adrenaline was running. I walked up the stair to where our company is located.  There was one other girl that would be there that early.  I walked over to her desk and asked her to put some "Out of Order" signs on the elevators.  We didn't want anyone else to take the ride of terror!

At work I took my Ultram for pain.  It helps with my fibromyalgia pain so I usually have it with me. When my managers came in I told them what happened.  I could work even though I was feeling pain in weird places.  My hips, ankles, ribs and neck.  I knew the next day would really tell me how badly I had hurt myself.  It wasn't until that night that the rush of pain came.  My hips and back hurt so bad I couldn't sleep.  I woke my husband up and told him we need to go to the emergency room.  It was better to go now, when they weren't busy, then to spend all morning tomorrow there.  When we got to the hospital I was right, they were slow, and we were seen right away.

They x-rayed my whole spine and found nothing broken.  I was told that during the next 5 days I would feel worse not better. If I didn't start to feel better in a week I would have to come back.  You just can't see hairline fractures until they start to heal.

Saturday was a blur. My headache just made it hard to get out of bed.  Then I discovered if I pushed my shoulders back and straight and tilted my head back that it would relieve the pain. It's just hard to keep them that way.  I recalled having a neck brace from years ago.  My husband dug it out for me and it's been my friend while up and around.  It 5 pm and I am just getting up for the day.  I will test out seeing how long I can sit.

This is such a literal pain in the butt.  I can't wait to get to the chiropractor tomorrow.  I don't think I can even attempt going to work until I have my pain under control.  I know this has nothing to do with genealogy but it is a record of my life right now.  I can see it really is a much healthier choice to not ride the elevator now.

See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!

9 comments:

Elizabeth Thomas said...

Renee, I also have fibromyalgia, use a c-pap machine and have arthritis in my back and neck, so I know how you're feeling, and sometimes it's hard for others to understand. You just have to take one day at a time and do the best you can that day and I pray a lot.

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...

How awful! I'm praying that you have no serious problems from this and that you recover quickly!

my Heritage Happens said...

Seems more and more people have fibromyalgia, so sorry you have to deal with that pain. I sure hope the effects from your elevator ride heal quickly, I believe you already have enough to deal with. Rest and get well!

Anisah said...

Wow, that sounds scary! I hope you get better and nothing serious is wrong with you.

healing hugs!

Anisah

Anisah said...

Cheryl, I don't have fibromyalgia, but maybe it's because there are more people being diagnosed, instead of being told the pain is in their heads or soemthing else.

Your friend, Jim said...

scruscraRenee: Thank you for sharing your elevator experience. We know you are a survivor and will beat this dragon easily!

I have used a c-pap every night since January 1995 and also during the day when I can find some time to take a nap. I couldn't go to sleep without it.

Your pain in yur buttocks may be coming from your Piriformis muscles. Have your doctor check that for you. I had a major back opeation two years ago and still have pain in my left piriformis muscle that is very painful at times. The pain usually is triggered by some traumatic event like a bad fall. That elevator experience would trigger it I am sure. You can find out all about the piriformis muscles on Google.

You are on our prayer list now. God will bless you for all you are doing for Him. We love you!

Bernard said...

I hope you're doing alright! Totally unbelievable.

John said...

Wow! What an experience! Why did the elevator fall? By today's standards they are NEVER supposed to fall more than a few feet.

I hope you feel better soon! Thank you for keeping us all informed.

Renee Zamora said...

John,

The building has had someone out to repair the elevator about every two weeks, for several months now. I don't know what the deal with was it dropping so hard and far. I thought they had safety measures to prevent that too.

I am doing much better and will be back to work Monday. I will be taking the stairs!