Recently, I visited Pretty Rubble's blog and she shared with us her mother-in-law had had an accident, broken a hip. This is the story of Mae, I'm hoping she will read it and find a little hope.

"Mae"

Mae is in her early 90's. I would describe her as an "old broad," and in doing so she would only chuckle and say..."you're damn right."

The only medication I provide for Mae is 4 oz. of Kessler's Bourbon at night. That is no lie. She lives totally independent in her one bedroom apartment. Although she is legally blind, she maneuvers around the facility with no guidance at all. She has no signs of dementia.

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About 2 months ago a police officer arrived at the door of the facility around 1 a.m. He asked if we had any residents there by the name of "Mae." I escorted him to her room only to find her on the floor near the bed, angry as a hornet.

I did my assessment, she was in a moderate amount of pain, and with movement she would grab her groin area and cuss. I knew, or I suspected a broken hip. I sent her out via ambulance.

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 Two weeks later, Mae was readmitted to the facility. She had orders to go to a nearby facility for rehab but lasted one day there. She didn't like anyone at the facility, and she didn't want anyone taking care of her. They still insisted it was not a broken hip.

She started physical therapy in our facility, and with a follow-up appointment with her primary physician, found out 3 weeks later that there was indeed a fracture in her left hip.

(I knew it! )

They, doctor and physical therapist, ordered her to be in a wheel chair. They prescribed narcotic medication for the pain.

Mae was not having any of the B.S. She had been walking for the last 3 weeks.  She never once asked for pain medication.

"Who the hell do these people think they are??"

They were exploring the possibility of surgery, not happening for Mae.

"Why is everyone making such a big deal?"

Mae is one of the most colorful people I know. I spend a lot of time just chatting with her in the evening. She reminisces, stories that are always funny and interesting.  She continues to walk to all meals and live independently.

My prayers are with PR and her family. I hope the outcome is as amazing as Mae's has been.

Nursey