My married friends, Jim and Lou, are such fun to visit with and at times they give me ideas to write about which tend to fit my lifestyle. One day Jim quoted a politician who said, “Never let a crisis go to waste.” We all laughed and I wondered how I might use this in a story. I currently was having another health crisis so perhaps I can keep this “crisis” from going to “waste” in someone else’s life. I can share some circumstances, advice, and solutions.

One story about a recent fall (two weeks prior to this one) has already been published. But in case you missed reading about that one, I’ll sum up with thanks again, to my friend, Marcia Kirtley, who came in at 8:45 PM and found me trapped in the bathroom on the floor. Had she not arrived and called 911, I would still have been lying there the next day; maybe alive, but hurting for sure! And I might have been dead! Thank God I was okay and did not have to go to the hospital that time.

Like many times before, I was advised by several people, and repeated television commercials, that I should purchase a medical alert system in case I need to have access to 911 if my phone is ever out of reach again. I gave this a lot of thought, checked my finances, and prayed. I didn’t hear the Lord tell me what to do but I made a “management decision.” Since I sold my van and cut some expenses, I felt okay having one more worthwhile monthly expense.

The following week I fell when transferring from the toilet again! This time I felt dizzy; the next second I was on the floor wedged in between the toilet, wall, and power chair. I was hurting all over and searched for the Life-Alert pendant in order to push the alarm. I could hear the voice on the base in my living room so I kept hitting the button over and over. An ambulance arrived in about thirty minutes.

Fortunately, they were able to come in the side door and after moving the wheelchair, they got me out. I knew my right leg was hurt badly and it ended up being broken in two places. In thirty years of rescuing others, one man said he had never seen anyone in a “pretzel shape” as I appeared to be. He told me he had to “track” my spine to find my head. What a picture that would have made!

Well, here it is weeks later and I am in rehab at the Lutheran Home once again (third time in three years). I have angels all around taking care of me. I regret having to spend over a month of my summer in rehab instead of in my backyard.

I often wonder why now? If this had to happen, I would have preferred it to be in the winter time. I am miserable, sad, and a bit discouraged. What should I do? What else will they find wrong with this old body? How many more medications, procedures, and emotional episodes can I face?

I am given too much credit for my accomplishments and acceptance of my disability. But once again, maybe this story will help keep other people’s crisis from being a waste. Folks, if you have health problems, and especially if you live alone, then get one of the medical alert systems NOW! There are various brands and it is easy to sign up for one to take effect almost immediately.

In our conversation before I wrote this, my friend Lou reminded me of a scripture that she and I both believe: Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” In spite of my sharing this little “pity party,” God knows that I have joy, hope, and patience in my affliction when I have faith that His plans for me will help open the hearts of others in crisis situations. Put your faith in God! Get on that phone immediately, take my advice, and don’t wait for your crisis to be wasted…be a SURVIVOR like ME!