Elizabeth Suzann Florence Pants (gift from ES to review) | Large, short (old sizing)
James Perse slub long sleeve tee
Han Starnes alpaca rib knit sweater (purchased with credits at garmentory) | medium
Vince Warren sneakers
We’re home from whirlwind travels across the SE US, we enjoyed 80 degree weather in Florida and 9 inches of snow in Atlanta within days of each other. Fun! 🙂
But after we got home Sunday night, I had a little accident, fell, and fractured my jaw.
Yeah.
So here I am on the way to see the oral surgeon for him to tell me what has to happen (comfort is key!! physically and emotionally…). On Wednesday, I will have my jaws wired shut for about six weeks.
When I fell, I split my chin, probably on the full water glass I was carrying, so I have a cut there as well. The ER doctor was able to glue it instead of stitch it, which I’m thankful for. I also bruised my left knee and sprained my right thumb. Haha. What a mess.
My jaw is fractured in a “good” place for a fracture, generally, so all they need to do is wire it shut so it can heal. They don’t need to make any incisions, or put a plate in or anything like that, which I am also thankful for.
I did not hurt my neck, or hit my head, or break any teeth. And there weren’t any underlying health issues that caused this to happen (every test I could have done, I did). Which I am also thankful for.
We drove back from Atlanta to Dallas on Saturday, splitting the trip in two 7 hour trips on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday we drove for about 7 hours and were home around 2:30. When we got home, I set out cleaning, unpacking, and specifically decided to work on getting my jetted tub ready to use (you may remember I mentioned that it was really grimy when we moved in). I worked really hard, probably not drinking enough water, and maybe inhaling too much bleach fumes (although the bathroom is well ventilated). Then Leo and I ate a pizza and drank some whiskey, watched Vikings for a little while until I went to take a bath around 8.
I ran the bath, poured in about a cup of epsom salts and got in. It was really hot, and after a little while I started sweating, which is what’s supposed to happen in an epsom salts bath. I take them all the time. I got out, toweled off and proceeded to commence my other sunday night ritual of shaving my face. When I was finished with that, about 15 minutes after getting out of the tub, I started to feel pretty light-headed so I went to get some water. I usually have water in the bathroom to drink after getting out of an epsom salts bath, but forgot this time. Sometimes I forget.
I walked to the kitchen to get water, all the while still feeling more light-headed and nauseous. As I was walking to sit down, I tried to brace myself on a high-back chair, but before I could get there passed out and woke up 5 seconds later on the floor, bleeding, lying in broken glass and water.
Maybe there is one simple reason I blacked out and fell, or maybe there are too many to list. Who knows. All I know now, is that when things can change, they will. And quickly. Little changes, big changes, things are changing all around us, every second of every day, and all we can do it embrace the now, however that looks or feels.
Now doesn’t feel so great, but it’s not so bad either. I haven’t taken any pain medication (all I will take is Tylenol anyway, I’m allergic to ibuprofen and have never needed to take anything more), but the Dr. told me I’d need to after the jaw-wiring surgery on Wednesday. We’ll see. I feel fine, and besides being sore, and besides a fractured jaw, would have been nearly normal today, except for the jolt back to reality – and the re-affirmation that the only thing that truly ever matters is NOW; that you are happy and content now, with yourself, and with the people you choose to surround yourself with.
I could not be more happy than I am right now, for my life, my husband and family (Leo was wonderful during the whole event, in spite of the fact that I know he was as scared as I was). Fractured jaw and all.*
All of this is to say that I had lots of things planned to write about this week, but I’m not sure how much of it I will get done. Perhaps now is a good time for a home tour (I loved Michelle’s) ?? And just getting back to writing, if I feel coherent enough to do so.
And if anyone has any amazing smoothie or soup recipes for me, I’d appreciate them 🙂 I’ll get tired of my old standbys on a six week liquid diet…
*I wrote this post yesterday (Monday) and am still feeling the same way, but maybe a little less charitable about my injuries LOL. I’m starting to get scared of the surgery tomorrow, what it will feel like with all that stuff in my mouth and not being able to move my jaw. But I’m managing that…trying to stay grounded in the moment, and not let fear or worry take control. And Leo went and bought me a great variety of vegan soups, miso paste and I’m ordering some Strawgrace reusable glass straws to have plenty on hand 🙂
Oh my god. I’m so glad you are all right. But breaking your jaw is a big deal. I’ve seen a lot of people come through the hospital falling/fainting after being in a heated environment. Heat makes your blood vessels expand in your arms/legs, drawing blood from the brain, especially when you stand up and especially if you’re dehydrated… One woman I saw fainted while under the hair dryer chair and apparently that’s a common thing.
Holy cow! You poor thing. So sorry to hear about this and I wish you a swift recovery. You seem to have a good attitude about it, that’s key. Everything will work out OK. Our capacity to absorb change and trauma is incredible.
Oh Grechen! I was dreadfully sick and dehydrated at Christmas thirteen (wow!) years ago and fell, breaking my jaw and splitting my chin open with my bottom teeth. Not fun! It’s a surprisingly painless injury to withstand, though the time of recovery is frustrating. Wishing you comfort of mind and body, and the warmth of supportive family and friends. And of course plenty of satisfying liquid meals 🙂
This smoothie is wonderful. Rich, filling, not too sweet. Just right on winter days.
http://veriditasblog.blogspot.com/2015/09/carrot-cake-smoothie-with-ginger.html
And this is a great jumping off point for soups. I’m also a big fan of roasting seasonal vegetables (cauliflower, onions, squash, etc) and combining them with a good broth for an easy, deeply flavored pureed soup. At the very least this will hopefully be a time of kitchen exploration, and joy in finding new recipes you’ll keep loving for a long time after this.
https://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/thirteen-great-blender-soups-you-can-make-tonight-recipe.html
Oh goodness I am so sorry to hear about your accident… things certainly can change so swiftly in our lives, you just never know. Good luck with your surgery recovery and I’ll be sending healing vibes to you from the West Coast!
Smoothie-wise, I’d recommend anything by Angela Liddon who did the Oh She Glows cookbook. I love her recipes so I think her books are a good purchase in general, but her smoothies are especially good! Her blog usually has the recipes while she’s hashing them out, but I find her cookbook recipes to taste much better ?
(Supposed to be a smiley face, not a question!)
Oh Grechen, I’m so sorry and hope you can recover quickly. My husband did something similar earlier this year after getting up quickly to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Apparently, it can happen to men after they urinate standing up (who knew?) and he was still taking the same dose of blood pressure medicine after losing weight. Bad combination. I saw him fall and it was terrifying.
Anyway, I wish you a quick and relaxing recovery. Take care of yourself and rest, rest, rest.
Shit Grechen! I’m so sorry to read what happened. I use to do bikram yoga and the first couple of times I nearly fainted while transitioning from the hot room to the change room. It took awhile before I got use to it and super grateful that I never blacked out, which could of easily happened. Sending you good vibes for your appointment tomorrow.
Sarah Britton has some amazing receipes for soups and smoothies in her books “My New Roots” and “Naturally Nourished”.
Oh my gosh I’m so SORRY! Best wishes for the surgery, and I hope the time passes quickly as you recover. All the best.
thank you!! i hope that too 🙂
Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry this happened to you … that’s one of my fears, falling on my face. We once lived in a house where the stairs were tiled – I was always very careful going up and down them. I wish you all the best for your recovery, especially for dealing with the wired jaw.
Oh Grechen I’m sorry to hear that! Hope the surgery today went as smoothly as humanly possible. I have learned the hard way too that when I feel light-headed I need to sit down RIGHT THEN, even if it is on the floor. Have completely had that experience of “Oh, I’ll just go to that chair…” nope. (luckily for me with less injurious results!)
Wow! Good thing the hubs was there! I can’t believe how good you look after all that! When you have your jaw wired can you talk? Do you have to take all your meals through a straw? Happy you are okay and did not do more damage. Happy healing!
To (over-)clarify, the sitting helps reduce the chance of fainting as well as chance of injury in case you do, as there is less distance to the floor. Of course there was the time I sat down on the toilet seat only to wake up with my head in the tub >.< But still no injury!
I went through a period of fainting spells and once landed on my chin. I didn’t split or break anything but I had a very disturbing bruise for several days. Good luck with the surgery and recovery period. Be gentle with yourself (and those around you)!
Grechen, I’m so sorry and I’m wishing you all the best for a speedy and easy recovery!!
i was thinking about this last night – why didn’t i just go and sit down, instead of go to get water? i guess the answer is that i just thought i needed to drink some water and i would be okay. i didn’t think i was going to pass out…
hindsight is 20/20 and i’m trying not to engage in it, but i will definitely sit down immediately, on the floor, if i EVER feel the slightest bit faint again! lesson learned!!!
yes, it was a very good thing!!
i will be able to talk, just with my mouth clenched a little. i probably won’t want to talk much LOL, which will make leo happy 🙂 just kidding…
i will have to drink everything through a straw, yes. even last night, with my jaws NOT wired, i tried to eat yogurt and couldn’t – anything that requires moving my jaw/mouth around at all is impossible right now – and will be also when i have the wires on.
I’m so sorry that happened to you! I hope your jaw and thumb heal quickly and you get plenty of rest. I’ve been really dizzy getting out of the hot tub a few times and was told that it might be due to lack of iron, but I’m sure you were tested for that.
we have all tile/wood on the bottom floor now; not great to fall on your face on a tile floor, now i can attest to that!!
i can’t imagine what my husband thought when he saw me lying on the floor. at least he knew i was conscious at that point, since i yelled for him!!
Oh, how scary! I’m very glad you’re ok. Here’s hoping that you’ll heal quickly. I have a soup recipe that I think might be useful while your jar is wired. It’s a super green, hippie soup that is quite versatile. For extra protein and satiation, try adding some cashews or blanched almonds while it cooks. They should puree right in and make it a bit more filling. http://foodinjars.com/2015/01/veggie-stuffed-hippie-soup/
Ha!
*Jaw, not jar. Freudian slip, there!
THANK YOU!! love those recipe suggestions 🙂
and I appreciate the camaraderie …
thank you!!
wow.. i’m surprised to learn how common it is!
thank you for the well wishes 🙂
it really is…
thank you!
I’m so glad you’re ok and I’ll be thinking of you and hoping for a quick recovery!
Oh, that is tough. I tripped and fell flat on my face last year (end of December) and broke both wrists and my nose. I’m still dealing with issues with one wrist (the other healed fine) and fortunately the nose healed easily. Recovering from a fall-caused injury is NO FUN!
I’ve had 3 surgeries this year and find the first one is the easiest–the 2nd & 3rd were to remove the hardware and fix the tendons and it was hard to voluntarily go back in a cast!
I couldn’t chew for a month a while back when I had all my wisdom teeth out at once and lost a lot of weight because I got so bored with eating pureed things. But that was back in the day before smoothies were invented 😉
I hope the 6 weeks will pass quickly and you don’t suffer any complications!
Also, take them seriously when they tell you to start taking the pain meds right away to get ahead of the pain! It really makes a difference in my experience. Just for the first few days.
Oh no!! Good luck with the surgery and healing!
Grechen– I’m so sorry. I will be sending positive thoughts your way for the surgery and a speedy recovery. If you need any good smoothie recipes, just say the word. Beth
I never write anything, but hearing about your jaw made me want to reach out. I fainted, fell and broke my jaw and split my chin open, same as you, about 5 years ago. I too had to have my jaw wired shut for 4 weeks. I was terrified in the hospital the night before surgery. I am claustrophobic and the thought of my jaws being wired shut kept me up. Things to know: you will wake up from surgery looking for wax to put on the wires and brackets on your teeth where they are rubbing on the inside of your mouth. You can talk through clenched teeth, but it’s exhausting- just get a white board. Ensure became my friend. I only lost about 10 lbs. which I hear is good. I didn’t need to lose any weight but it does comes back fast! Soups basically need to be puréed because if you suck in any food, it gets stuck in the wires and brackets. See your dentist who can give you a special rinse for your mouth as you cannot brush your teeth and how well you took care of your teeth will show when the wires come off. Also, when my wires came off, my brackets had to stay on for at least 6 weeks (think braces) in case there was a setback. Gretchen I know will you will get through this with flying colors! I hear the fear and trepidation in your voice and I know what that is. I am praying for your quick and successful recovery. When I felt my lowest, I reached out to God. Remember He is there for you always!!
I feel for you… A few months ago, I fainted while deep cleaning my shower cabin after taking a hot shower, same feeling of lightheadedness, just enough to start crouching against the wall and feeling so weird afterwards… luckily no injury. Got checked by doctor a while later, but nothing obvious, maybe a spell of very low blood-pressure.
My favorite soup recipe : In a deep pan (or pressure cooker) cook a large diced yellow onion in some olive oil without browning. Add whatever combination of veggies you have available (carrots, zucchinis + 1 turnip, frozen petite peas, a bit of brocoli if available, one leek, green onions, some squash, dandelions from the backyard, always one potato, but no more, just avoid beets or rutabagas, too sweet) roughly 2 lbs. of veggies in big chunks. Cover with water, salt, pepper, cook until tender (8-10 min with pressure cooker). Mix in blender like a smoothie and enjoy your French “velouté de légumes” ! (even better with 1 tbsp of whipping cream).
Wishing you all the best.
I am glad that you are OK considering how serious the accident was. Speedy and easy recovery!
Sending you very best wishes Grechen for a speedy recovery from a lurker flushed out by your misfortune! I really enjoy your words and your style – thank you so much for what you do.
Grechen, I was going to say exactly the same thing that joannawnyc said. Get ahead of the pain — that’s so important. Several years ago I broke my wrist while walking on ice. I had surgery and a permanent plate installed. For me, the worst part of the whole experience was not being able to have coffee that day until after the surgery which was scheduled for 2 pm. !
We all do things like walking on ice ( or not sitting down immediately when feeling lightheaded) and for the most part nothing happens. Best, as you said, not to keep going over it–although in the future, now you’ll know! Anyway, wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery!
Oh no! Wishing you a speedy recovery Grechen! Virtual hugs and prayers to you.
Such a bummer. I have low blood pressure so I get light headed very easily and can pass out if I’m not careful too (hydration and nourishment are definitely key).
So sorry, Grechen. Not fun at all – darn scary! Best wishes for a speedy and pain-free recovery!
This is so scary to read, Grechen. I’m so sorry. I haven’t commented in a while but wanted to wish you well. May you feel the light and love of your online community. My husband has been making some Jamie Oliver soups that are puréed. Looking forward to hearing your soup and smoothie adventures.
Grechen, I’m so glad that you are okay, for the most part. Sorry to hear about your jaw. I wish you a speedy recovery. I tend to have low blood pressure and twice now I have fainted after having some pain. I have had what is called Reflex Syncope https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflex_syncope. It was very scary both times. Please take care of yourself and get well soon.
Grechen, thinking of you today as you have your surgery. I know you will be A-Okay and just know all of us are pulling for you and sending you positive thoughts!
Oh no, you poor thing! I’m so sorry this happened to you and I hope you heal up quickly.
Semi-related, I basically fell on my face last night trying to take my boots off and have big bruises on both my knees. Way less scary than a broken jaw but it still shook me up. Like, what if I’d hit my head on the way down? Sheesh. Getting old sucks sometimes.
I haven’t commented in a while, either, but I’m so sorry to hear about your fall. A few years ago, I fainted and fell on the glass I was holding — severed artery in my leg, yada yada — fortunately a friend staying with me called 911 and got me to the hospital quickly, but it was super unsettling. The only good thing that came of it (and I hope this silver lining works for you, too) is that it put into perspective all these little annoying work-related things that were taking up more of my attention than they needed to. They just didn’t matter any more. Anyway, heal fast, go easy on yourself, and we’ll be rooting for you. Oh and for smoothies, this Australian food writer, The Blender Girl, has a range of ideas that could help: https://healthyblenderrecipes.com/