2 Cats, 6 missed steps, many fractured bones, one dear friend of ours that needs our support.

Nicole Lee, our friend who has a heart of gold, who throws out a joke to lighten a mood, or who will be there to listen, advise, and always entertain, experienced a horrible fall and now is in need of our support. We now have the opportunity to lift up Nicole in spirit, in health, in mental piece of mind with the financial support, we can all Step Up to help Nicole step out on her own--- once she can walk again.

Here is Nicole's story and how we can help!

What HAPPENED??!!!

On Sunday, January 30 I was going down the stairs, while trying to avoid some feline obstacles, I fell, and my heart dropped. As if in slow motion, I missed six steps, and while I caught some air (not in a good way) I quickly thought to myself, this is it, this is the end. And then I made the landing, literally and stuck it (non) gracefully with my foot and ankle twisted to the side and perpendicular to the wall—making the perfect = sign.

And then I fell in excruciating pain, not knowing how I was going to get back up and wondering if maybe one of the dogs could tell a neighbor, “Suzie’s stuck in the well and my Momma Nicole’s face is stuck to the stairs. Thankfully, Willow, my savior and friend found me, and I was rushed to the emergency room. The ER doctor found that I had a P line, fibula and tibia fracture.

Check out this fun picture. Something here doesn’t seem right…hmmm

I sat in a shared room and after a couple of days I had my own room at the hospital. It was just me, the bed, a small table, a small toilet and TV, and my wrapped ankle and foot. I cannot tolerate pain meds so the most I could take was Tylenol. Yeah.

I was then moved to my own room for a couple of days.

On Friday January 11, I received two plates and 13 screws in my left ankle. I have returned to the rehab facility where I have spent five weeks learning how to move around and be able to go home.

On February 4^th, I was moved to this rehab center…

don’t worry the ghosts here make it more entertaining than the food.

I waited here with my view for 20 more days. Also just getting enough food and drink to keep me staring at the walls and window.

On February 24^th, my stiches were removed, and I received a boot. The good news is the surgery went well and now I am one the second phase of recovery. After a week, I will be able to shower again. Please don’t take a shower or a bath for granted. I have had to take nothing but sink baths since I fell. I am still tempted to cut all my hair off.

I have been working on how I will get around my house when I return home—basically how to be the bionic woman with walker and manage all the obstacles in a home and still try to do something as walking into a bathroom and going pee without splitting my ankle again or agonizing in pain.

On 3/1, while everyone is celebrating Mardi Gras, I will be celebrating Mois Gras, since it will have been one big fat month of my post-fall doctor appointments, surgeries, questionable food, small towel baths, stiches, jolting pain, future anxiety-ridden thoughts, and wraps, lots of wraps around my leg and feet. I have appreciated so much, the texts, calls, surprise care packages. This has really helped me focus on positive and reassuring thoughts that things will get better and I will be able to walk again.

Now WHAT?

I am not able to bare any weight and have been looking for a walker and scooter as my insurance will not cover one.

When I return home, I will be unable to walk or be on my feet for approximately six weeks. My insurance will not cover a home health aide or physical therapy for more than once a week. Due to the potential for blood clots, I will not be able to drive anywhere, even to PT, so I will need to have the in-home service to be able to fully recover and learn to walk again.

This accident has limited any type of meaningful activity for six to eight weeks. What this also means for me is that I am not able to work full-time which compounds my woes like my fractured ankle, as I still have medical bills, and monthly living expenses like rent, that I still need to cover.

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THIS is how we can STEP UP for NICOLE to STEP OUT!

While Nicole is working on walking and again and before she is cleared to drive, take on any weight-bearing activities, or even work full-time again, here are some ways to help. Any financial gift will help meet these needs and is greatly appreciated.

• A walker and scooter
• Prepared meals
• Help with covering in-home physical therapy
• Help with in-home nursing and medical aide
• Help with monthly expenses for basic needs