Photos by Elizabeth Lolarga and Marissa Ileto
Falls are the nemesis of senior citizens. We are always reminded to be aware of our steps lest we suffer a costly twist or trip , but sometimes we forget these precautions in the mistaken illusion that we are still 20- or 30-somethings trapped in 70-year-old bodies—the way I did on what I thought would be an uneventful Wednesday.
My writing colleague Cynthia Alberto Diaz and I booked a Grab sedan from my phone after we met up at Starbucks Shangri-la in Mandaluyong. We were scheduled to interview two guys for a book project out in Pasay City. When my phone alerted me that the car was nearby, we hurriedly rose and headed for the exit. But silly me didn’t put my phone down as I pushed open the exit door.
I fell hard on my right foot. The world blurred momentarily. My phone flew out of my hand, picked up and handed back to me by an incoming customer. I insisted on being helped up my two feet by the security guard who, by the way, broke my fall. I could’ve hit my head on the pavement.
Thinking that it was only my ego that was bruised, I dusted off my dress, and noticed a grazed knee which I thought of cleaning with dabs of alcohol once Cynthia and I reached Pasay. Inside the car, I rotated both feet clockwise and counterclockwise to check if they were still flexible. They were!
We proceeded with our interviews for more than two hours straight, me taking frantic notes while Cynthia left the recording device on. I slipped off my Skecher to allow my affected foot to rest. At noon, the hard, painful throbbing began. I needed to pee but could barely stand. My unshod foot could scarcely fit into my shoe, because it had become swollen.
I borrowed the cane of one of the gentlemen interviewees, and walked to the toilet and back with gritted teeth. When I returned to our venue, I announced that I was interrupting the interview, requested a reschedule, and asked to be brought to Medical City Pasig.
Our coordinator, Edison Chua, volunteered to drive me in his vehicle. Traffic was light, and we made it in 45 minutes. I was amazed I could engage in small talk despite my discomfort.
Edison and his wife Carla kept me company at the emergency room (ER) while we waited for my sister Suzy to arrive. The efficient residents interviewed me, applied an ice pack on the sore area while I computed in my head how much this ER stay would cost me without medical insurance and with just a debit card, a PhilHealth membership, and senior citizen cards to get by.
At the risk of being scolded by my husband Rolly in Baguio, I delayed disclosing the news to him. I eventually did, and he just reminded me not to be in a rush all the time. Later, he kidded me that if I had just stayed home in Baguio, we two would be enjoying merienda together just like we always do.
Came the time for a series of x-rays of the whole right leg, then different closeups of my foot, and the tender area. Earlier, the male nurse injected me with an anti-tetanus shots on both arms. He reminded me to relax and inhale and exhale so the needle could go in easily. I take pride in the fact that I’ve always been a cooperative patient.
The x-rays showed a “nondisplaced complete oblique fracture of the fifth metatarsal base” and some swelling of soft tissues, apart from spurs that come with ageing. The camera doesn’t lie.
The x-rays showed a ‘nondisplaced complete oblique fracture of the fifth metatarsal base’ and some swelling of soft tissues
The attending resident doctor at what’s called the Casting Room, Julian Mendoza, arranged an L-shaped splint on the affected leg/foot, wrapping his handiwork with two rolls of bandage. His orders were to return for follow-up consultation that coming Friday with my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jose Miguel Lumawig.
Rolly again joked that the hospital might not release me if my debit card didn’t have enough funds. Thankfully, it did with the payment from the book project and my Diarist.ph fees. Grand sum was P14,123.28, excluding my painkillers and other prescribed medications.
Came Friday and Suzy wheeled me to Dr. Lumawig’s Medical Arts Tower clinic. Although I was number 8 on the patients-to-be-seen list, his secretary let me in first, cutting down my waiting time after one look at me in the wheelchair. My right foot was not only heavily bandaged; Suzy wrapped it in clingwrap and transparent plastic bag to protect it while in the hospital premises.
This footwear, called an AirCast Boot, protects the leg or foot after a sprain or fracture.
Dr. Lumawig said I should be on crutches, the afflicted foot not touching the ground, or using a walker. In the absence of those, he recommended an AirCast Boot. He immediately helped me get in touch with the source who arrived at our house the next day with a size 9.5 boot, according to my specification.
Doc told me to wear the boot for six weeks or until my fifth metatarsal heals naturally. My boot, which my Pasig family has taken to calling part of a Star Wars Storm Trooper’s costume, keeps my foot steady and immobilized. I keep said foot raised when I’m seated or lying down with a pillow underneath.
As for partial mobility, I take baby steps around the bedroom and inside the house, aided by a cane.
The financial setback is, yes, a costly lesson in awareness. The boot costs P9,500. But I was given another senior discount so it amounted to P8,750. I was all out of cash by now, but my hardworking little sister Gigi came up with the amount, with my eldest daughter promising to reimburse her.
The Thursday following the accident, my childhood friends Lulu Camello Pasamba, Marissa Ileto, and I earlier planned on a long ladies’ lunch at Greenhills Mall. Frantic to see their well-loved faces, I said, let’s do lunch at our Pasig home instead since I was on strict house arrest. They agreed to bring the roast chicken and cakes from S&R while I ordered sotanghon, puto, and empanaditas from a neighbor.
Lulu, a physician, promised to bring her acupuncture needles so she could treat me for any discomfort or pain. In our excitement to see one another and chat almost at the same time, we completely forgot about that acu session.
I am due for biweekly x-rays and consultations. Meanwhile, do I hear the John Williams theme of Star Wars playing as I step out of the room?
And to think I carry this novena to Our Lady in my wallet!
Take my hand, O BlessedMother,
Hold me firmly lest I fall.
I grow nervous while walking
And humbly on Thee I call.
Guide me over every crossing;
Watch me when I’m on the stairs;
Let me know that you’re beside me;
Lead me to my destination safely.
In every undertaking, my duties for the day, till evening creeps upon us, I’ll never be alone.
Once again, O dearest Mother,
Take my hand and lead me home. Amen.
