Kathleen took a backwards fall on March 15, 2026. Beware the Ides of March. A loud crash brought Stan down from upstairs to find his bride, her back against the dishwasher, and a bit confused about what just happened.
“What happened,” he asked. She wasn’t sure. Apparently she had been preparing a bite when she fell back and struck a metal protrusion with her skull. She was conscious, but felt a wetness against her back. It was blood.
Stan grabbed her beneath her armpits and hoisted his lightweight bride onto her walker/chair, then stepped into the hall to see if Med Tech Jerod in 602 was available. He wasn’t. But Maria and Teresa were chatting down the hall and were waved into service.
Maria, who once sold medical supplies and was thus deemed the most qualified, donned gloves and tried to stop the bleeding, by now soaking the house dress, floor and chair. Preparations were being made to drive her for stitches at Urgent Care, but with slight lapses now, the three decided it was best to call 911 and let the professionals take over.
While still on the phone, we could hear the fire and police scrambling up the street, and soon 601 was swarmed with uniforms, about six, joined shortly by a couple of paramedics with questions. And then a stretcher.
Because of the head blow, the crew decided to transport her to Hennepin County Medical Center, a trauma one facility, the best care presently available in the Twin Cities.
Maria drove Stan downtown where he watched them cut-away the blood stained dress and make sensible decisions, again swarmed by confident, knowing types.
Scans would reveal a slight brain bleed, which was more concerning than the scalp laceration that required Dr. Dowd to close it with nine of her finest stitches, while Stan filmed her. (The photos were so graphic, they won’t be shown here) Kathleen was held for two days for observation. Thank you Medicare.
We do have before and after of the brain bleed, which had satisfactorily disappeared after two weeks.
A home nurse, physical therapist and administrator, have made subsequent calls, pleasant folks all, as we gently get back to normal, following recommendations as best we can.
The house dress has not been replaced, but the scar is fast disappearing. We’re grateful for the outcome.
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While Kathleen was being wheeled through the lobby, a startled neighbor spotted her, and then informed a mutual friend and former neighbor now in Amman, Jordan, of what he had just seen. So Stan’s immediate first panicked call inquiring about Kathleen’s condition came from the Mideast. Huh? A strange world we live in.
