Rete

Just disembarked from my Metro North Train to the city on 4/03 and was walking on the left side of the platform when I had to pass a structure that encloses the down stairs to the lower level. At the end of the structure saw a rag mop and went to step over it and wham! I fell off the platform onto the railroad track. Landed on my left side with my left upper arm hitting the metal rail with full force. Several men jumped down to lift my from the tracks; someone else called 911, etc. Lost consciousness at that point. Woke up with people crowded around me. Police and EMS workers etc. Was taken by ambulence to Bellevue Hospital where I received wonderful care from nurses and doctors.

I was cat scanned for head injuries -- none. Had lump on thigh and my upper left arm broken in two places. Was casted and at 6 p.m. sent home with a note to see an ortho surgeon at home.

It was very scary and painful and when my own othro x-rayed it the bone were in place and he said it should heal nicely and I would have full use of the hand and arm.

Two weeks later the bones had shifted and I required surgery to have a rod placed through the bone from shoulder to elbow. Talk about pain after surgery. I would not wish this on anyone.

Well it has been a week and 4 days and saw the doc yesterday. The rod and bone are aligned properly and it will be another few weeks before I can begin therapy. YEAH!

I am on disability, thank God. The only bill I have gotten so far was for the ambulance and that was $719 and I was told not to pay as they were going to submit it to my insurance company.

Praying that the prognosis holds true and that I will be back to normal by May 31st.

I had a lovely angel with me from the moment I was lifted off the track until my family arrived at the hospital. She stayed with me the entire time from Grand Central to Bellevue, called my family, reassured them and kept them up to speed on what was happening and never left my side.

I love New Yorkers.

Guindalf

Ouch!

Glad you're now on the mend.

Very scary.

Tegwyn

Oh man, that sounds painful. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

SarahG

So sorry to hear you had an accident. I hope you have a full and speedy recovery. Glad someone stayed with you until your family arrived. There are lovely people out there.

N1cky

That sounds scary and painful Glad you received great care from professionals and the public. Hope you make a speedy recovery

GeoffM

Wow - bad timing could have made that so very different. Glad you're on the mend, best wishes.

Lorna at Vicenza

Good grief Rete,

how horrible.
Very glad to hear you're on the mend. Take care and don't ruh things xxx

Giantaxe

So.. given you're a New Yorker you'll be suing, right

I love New Yorkers too. They have a reputation for being abrupt etc, but I've found them nothing but helpful especially when I've been looking lost of the subway.

Sally Redux

Sounds terrifying! Glad you're on the mend, Rete.

Bob

Ouch...good luck for a speedy recovery!!

Nutek

Ouchy! Glad it worked out ok.

Nutmegger

OMG, Rete! I can't imagine how scary it must have been to fall onto the track! So very glad to hear that a wonderful New Yorker stayed with you throughout -- hope the family have been able to head north to be with you. Also hope you are right handed (I went down on the ice a few years ago and broke my right arm -- my left handed typing is not stellar!).

Sending hugs and hoping that the recovery goes according to plan -- don't stint on the physical therapy when you get to that stage, it really does help.

Jerseygirl

So sorry to hear of your accident Grandma Rete. Thank goodness you are on the mend now. Someone was looking after you that day...it could have been so much worse. All the very best.

Gingerert

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry to hear that!

Thank God you're okay and on the mend.

rpjs

Ouch, I know exactly where you mean Rete - I was surprised the limited clearance of those areas was allowed. In England the Safety Elfs would never allow it!

Glad you weren't too seriously hurt, and I hope you make a full recovery.

Me too. Last year I lost an envelope containing a UK tax refund check which I was taking to the Post Office on Lexington near Grand Central to post to our UK bank. A few days later it turned up in our mail - some kind soul had dropped it into a mailbox and the USPS returned it to us as there was no stamp. That would not have happened in London!