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nocoincidences

(2,452 posts)
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:24 PM 3 hrs ago

My unfortunate 78th birthday yesterday

I was looking forward to a birthday dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse with my roommates, but when I got out of the car I lost my balance and fell hard. Some kind people who had just arrived to have dinner helped my roommates load me in the car and off we sped to Patient First for treatment. I was in severe pain and found out I broke my clavicle. I finally got back home, had more trouble because I was one-armed, ended up in the floor, had to call the Rescue Squad for a assist and tried to sleep at my desk because I knew I would have to go to the bathroom and wouldn't be able to get up off the couch.

Not exactly a restorative night of sleep, but I got enough ibuprofen in my system that I could work around the pain. I finally got to sleep on the couch this morning around 5:30. I am completely black all over my chest from the bruising.

What a memorable birthday!!

43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My unfortunate 78th birthday yesterday (Original Post) nocoincidences 3 hrs ago OP
Damnation !!!!! Karadeniz 3 hrs ago #1
Sorry to hear this NJCher 3 hrs ago #2
Never a good time to fall, but birthday makes it extra hard. quaint 3 hrs ago #3
Wishing you a speedy recovery. sinkingfeeling 3 hrs ago #4
Oh geeze! 2naSalit 3 hrs ago #5
Happy birthday anyway The Blue Flower 3 hrs ago #6
Ouch, sorry to hear about your bad luck. Hope you heal quickly and are able to get some walkingman 3 hrs ago #7
Good lord, broken clavicles HURT! LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #8
Oh, darn it. I'm sorry to hear that. At least someone was there to take care of you. Some birthday. NT mahatmakanejeeves 3 hrs ago #9
Happy belated birthday gademocrat7 3 hrs ago #10
I am so sorry LetMyPeopleVote 3 hrs ago #11
Oh! Sorry. Happy bday anyway BlueWaveNeverEnd 3 hrs ago #12
With all my Medicine, way in the back, Zackzzzz 2 hrs ago #13
Yikes broke mine finally a surgeon repaired it Historic NY 2 hrs ago #14
Well that just sucks! Resolve to plan your birthday celebration after healing. CousinIT 2 hrs ago #15
A quick healing to you. mwmisses4289 2 hrs ago #16
I'm sorry that happened to you! yardwork 2 hrs ago #17
Now that is a memorable birthday.. Permanut 2 hrs ago #18
Oh no! I'm so sorry this happened to you, nocoincidences. MIButterfly 2 hrs ago #19
I am so sorry!! essaynnc 2 hrs ago #20
Sounds horrible and traumatic people 2 hrs ago #21
Please mend yourself well and a belated happy birthday. TexasTowelie 2 hrs ago #22
Thank the heavens you didnt break your hip! BradBo 2 hrs ago #23
I'm sorry your birthday was so painful. I hope you heal quickly and get to enjoy a belated LoisB 2 hrs ago #24
I am so very sorry, nocoincidences Grim Chieftain 2 hrs ago #25
Sorry to hear you fell Marthe48 2 hrs ago #26
One good thing....today has to be better, right? democrank 2 hrs ago #27
I am so sorry. nocoincidences. debm55 2 hrs ago #28
Healing vibes on the way to you SheltieLover 1 hr ago #29
Wow ! cate94 1 hr ago #30
That is terrible on any day, but, on your 78th birthday its just wrong. 1WorldHope 1 hr ago #31
What a nasty birthday present! 70sEraVet 1 hr ago #32
Wow, that sucks IndyPepper 1 hr ago #33
Damn. That sucks. Take care! And on another note: Happy Birthday! GoneOffShore 1 hr ago #34
Set a rain date Dear_Prudence 1 hr ago #35
poor thing! Jean Genie 1 hr ago #36
Well, that's the good news, nocoincidences. calimary 1 hr ago #37
so sorry markie 1 hr ago #38
I am so sorry Nocoincidences, I hope you get better and get to Longhorn! JMCKUSICK 1 hr ago #39
Happy Birthday despite it all, TBF 56 min ago #40
Wishing you a full and rapid recovery orangecrush 50 min ago #41
So sorry for your Birthday misfortune lindalou65 46 min ago #42
Don't Take No (Birthday Steak) For An Answer FrankTC 36 min ago #43

quaint

(4,601 posts)
3. Never a good time to fall, but birthday makes it extra hard.
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:27 PM
3 hrs ago

Hope your pain has lessened and is manageable.

2naSalit

(99,803 posts)
5. Oh geeze!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:29 PM
3 hrs ago

Wish I was nearby, I has remedies for bruising and some of the pain.

If you can get some arnica salve, it will help the bruises go away faster.

Hope you heal up quickly so you can enjoy the rest of the year!

The Blue Flower

(6,314 posts)
6. Happy birthday anyway
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:30 PM
3 hrs ago

I'm 76 and find it too easy to lose my balance, so I sympathize. So far, I haven't gotten hurt, but who knows? Get as much rest as you need. You're fortunate to have people around to help you. I live alone in a house. Maybe you can find some balance exercise videos to strengthen you. I hope you heal quickly, or at least get past the pain quickly.

walkingman

(10,269 posts)
7. Ouch, sorry to hear about your bad luck. Hope you heal quickly and are able to get some
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:32 PM
3 hrs ago

sleep. Accidents seem to always happen at the most inopportune times (never a good time).

Happy belated birthday ☮

LuckyCharms

(21,503 posts)
8. Good lord, broken clavicles HURT!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:32 PM
3 hrs ago

Hang in there...you'll feel better.

And birthday wishes to you (I'd tell you happy birthday, but you probably don't feel very happy right now).

I'm so sorry about your injury.

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,078 posts)
9. Oh, darn it. I'm sorry to hear that. At least someone was there to take care of you. Some birthday. NT
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:33 PM
3 hrs ago

gademocrat7

(11,794 posts)
10. Happy belated birthday
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 12:44 PM
3 hrs ago

Sending healing hugs and good wishes to you, no coincidences.
Sorry you had a fall.

Zackzzzz

(252 posts)
13. With all my Medicine, way in the back,
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:08 PM
2 hrs ago

I have thick pads for just these kinds of occasions.

I broke my left, and I'm left handed: couldn't sign my name.
I had a frozen shoulder, but Physical Therapy cured it.

I touch the walls & furniture to keep my balance as I go from room to room.
.....Just go slow. It is hard to do.


Historic NY

(39,588 posts)
14. Yikes broke mine finally a surgeon repaired it
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:11 PM
2 hrs ago

but still it was weeks. Did they give you a decent sling to immobilize it? I had to wear one 24-7, it helped.

CousinIT

(12,174 posts)
15. Well that just sucks! Resolve to plan your birthday celebration after healing.
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:19 PM
2 hrs ago

Seriously - you triple-deserve it now!

Flip the bird to Fate and goddamned do it anyway after you're healed up.

Permanut

(7,951 posts)
18. Now that is a memorable birthday..
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:42 PM
2 hrs ago

But in 20 years you'll be laughing about it.

Does that help? Didn't think so.

Best wishes for your recovery.

MIButterfly

(1,951 posts)
19. Oh no! I'm so sorry this happened to you, nocoincidences.
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:44 PM
2 hrs ago

I hope you recover quickly and can go out and celebrate your birthday properly at a later date.

Healing vibes from the great state of Michigan are being sent your way. Feel better soon!

essaynnc

(969 posts)
20. I am so sorry!!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:46 PM
2 hrs ago

Hopefully your days will get better soon, and you can celebrate your birthday late! Heal quickly ...

people

(827 posts)
21. Sounds horrible and traumatic
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:47 PM
2 hrs ago

If you need help around the house please be sure to ask your roommates to help you. Getting old is very hard. You will heal and this will pass.

TexasTowelie

(125,213 posts)
22. Please mend yourself well and a belated happy birthday.
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:48 PM
2 hrs ago

It sounds like you have the same luck as I do. I ended up in the ER with heart failure on my 60th birthday so I know what a bummer it can be to suddenly have plans change.

I'm a bit surprised that they didn't hold you for observation one night.

LoisB

(12,278 posts)
24. I'm sorry your birthday was so painful. I hope you heal quickly and get to enjoy a belated
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 01:59 PM
2 hrs ago

celebration.

Grim Chieftain

(1,162 posts)
25. I am so very sorry, nocoincidences
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:00 PM
2 hrs ago

Dang! You deserved better than that, especially on your birthday. Fortunately, you had good people around you who stepped in to help. Take care and know we are thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Belated Happy Birthday.



cate94

(3,046 posts)
30. Wow !
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:12 PM
1 hr ago

That really sucks. It would be bad enough on a regular day, but particularly awful on your bday. May the coming year be better in every way for you, and yours.

1WorldHope

(1,838 posts)
31. That is terrible on any day, but, on your 78th birthday its just wrong.
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:13 PM
1 hr ago

We all need padded suits to protect us when we fall, because, it's almost impossible to stay vertical sometimes. I hope you have someone to help you. Blessings to you. 💙

70sEraVet

(5,214 posts)
32. What a nasty birthday present!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:18 PM
1 hr ago

Frequent falls are part of the plague of getting older. I try to be vigilant, but, in times of excitement or anticipation (like looking forward to a juicy steak!) its easy to get in a hurry.
You will be more careful in the future. And that steak will still be waiting for you when you're ready!!
Happy birthday, nocoincidences!

IndyPepper

(60 posts)
33. Wow, that sucks
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:21 PM
1 hr ago

I'm so sorry about your fall, especially on your birthday. It sounds like you had quite the ordeal. Here's hoping that you heal quickly and fully and eventually get to have your birthday dinner. And, yes, Happy Birthday!!

I'm 74 and I recently fell while walking my dog. Hit the sidewalk pretty hard, but luckily I only suffered some abrasions on my hands and a couple bruised ribs. As we get older those kinds of incidents are even more fraught with danger, aren't they? Take care and keep us posted on your recovery.

GoneOffShore

(17,974 posts)
34. Damn. That sucks. Take care! And on another note: Happy Birthday!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:22 PM
1 hr ago

I fainted three weeks ago, crumpled to the floor and ended up with a cut on my chin and one above my eye. Luckily, no other problems. I now have a couple of interesting scars, which, at my age, I'm calling 'distress marks' because I'm definitely an antique.

Dear_Prudence

(1,031 posts)
35. Set a rain date
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:37 PM
1 hr ago

You deserve your birthday celebration. With the amount of pain, maybe have dinner delivered? I am glad that you lived your tell! Take care.

Jean Genie

(534 posts)
36. poor thing!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:39 PM
1 hr ago

So sorry. What a rotten way to celebrate your birthday.
Recuperate, and then when you're up to it, have one HECK of a belated birthday celebration!

calimary

(88,910 posts)
37. Well, that's the good news, nocoincidences.
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:40 PM
1 hr ago

You’re still here! Wishing you a happy birthday and swift healing.

JMCKUSICK

(4,983 posts)
39. I am so sorry Nocoincidences, I hope you get better and get to Longhorn!
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 02:52 PM
1 hr ago

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year

TBF

(35,516 posts)
40. Happy Birthday despite it all,
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 03:10 PM
56 min ago

I have to admit this is very relatable to me. I was really pretty clumsy and wiped out a lot when I was younger and insisted on continuing with my biking/long distance running. Now that I am entering the "older" era of my life, I am a lot more careful especially when it's dark or I'm walking my dog. Stepping off slippery curbs, hitting ice, a squirrel darts out and my dog takes off, etc. It all becomes just a little more treacherous. Take it easy and hopefully you will have smooth healing!

FrankTC

(260 posts)
43. Don't Take No (Birthday Steak) For An Answer
Sun Dec 28, 2025, 03:30 PM
36 min ago

I suppose the philosophical view would be that life’s like that — we often don’t get what we want or deserve or are looking forward to. But I hope you will turn the tables on life, at least this time, and soon be feeling good enough to return to Longhorn with your posse and enjoy a birthday steak dinner without mishap!

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