Small Wins Can Lead to Huge Victories

Close to two weeks ago, I woke from a nap, stepped off the bed, and fell over onto the nearby chair. This moment in time has forever changed me. I wondered if I had a mini stroke as I struggled to get up and walk. The loss of control was humbling as I pondered my future.

My legs felt like jello as I held onto the wall and then the stair railing. Twice I fell against the wall and once on the floor, but I got up without injury.

I thought about a former neighbor who was younger than me, who went to the gym but now had multiple sclerosis. She is in a wheelchair and living in an assisted living facility. I wondered if my incident was a sign of MS?

A relative who died from a brain tumor had begun wobbling when she walked. Could I have the same fate? Life can happen to anyone, and I was concerned it was happening to me. 

Each step was a struggle, and it was my own fault. I later learned that I had taken a store-brand antihistamine that was a sleep medication. It was recommended that you sleep at least 8 hours after taking it, but I woke up in two hours because it was the afternoon.

Looking back over that moment two weeks ago, it was as if my life flashed before my eyes. I had read that the side effects of this medication (Doxylamine succinate) could last as long as a week, but for me, it was 10 days. Later research revealed that seniors were at risk of becoming dizzy and falling.

I never felt dizzy which is why I believed I could walk this off and I am thankful that I did. Every morning, I found myself going back to the moment my legs betrayed me, giving thanks when I woke up.

I was more careful about walking and making certain to hold onto something. I drank extra water to flush my system and ate more vegetables and fruits.

The day after the incident, I forced myself to go on a two-mile walk, and I stumbled all the way, wondering if I would make it back home. What if I fell on the ground or while crossing the street? My legs felt heavy when I lifted them, and I considered going to the ER.

The fact that I walked the two-miles and my symptoms were not progressing led me to give it more time. I began practicing deep breathing and checking my blood pressure and temperature more often. I was determined not to have to push up my next doctor's appointment.

People laugh at the television commercial where the woman says, "I've fallen, and I can't get up." I used to laugh too, but not anymore. Each morning for ten days, I relived the moment I lost balance.

I realized the victory of putting one foot in front of the other while waiting for the struggle to be over, and simultaneously wondering if it would. Now, on the other side, the small daily wins turned into a huge victory.

Each time I stood up withotu stumbling or walking withotu holding onto anything, I considered it a small win in a larger picture. Every time I walked outside the house and made it back was a small victory.

I practiced new habits during this situation that are turning into lifestyle changes. At almost 68, I should not be jumping up and running in the first place. Taking my time will keep my blood pressure and pulse from spiking.

I am taking the warnings of sedatives and side effects for seniors seriously, where previously I did not. This morning, I took two separate two-mile walks without any issue. It did not have to turn out this way. 

People die in their sleep, are injured from falls, and are diagnosed with debilitating illnesses every day. My small daily wins through the struggle of stumbling and falling got me to the big win of recovery and I will not take it for granted. Someone fell and did not get up. 

Somewhere out there, a man or woman wishes they could walk a few miles a day but cannot. My prayers are now for those who struggle because I understand it better. I will never again take my health for granted.

I am a senior, and there are some things I can't do, and over-the-counter meds I should not take. That first moment when I could not walk has given me several life lessons. Small wins can lead to huge victories.