This weekend I fell down a flight of stairs and broke my tailbone. As Tod rushed to my rescue and helped me up from my undignified heap while assessing my injuries, Jim was counting the number of thumps he heard - seven steps’ worth.
The venue was Tofuya, the “shedding house” at Echigo-Tsumari. It’s beautifully hand carved in scratches and shreds on all of its wooden beams, pillars and surfaces. Even the steep, ladder-like Japanese staircases are shredded and it was on one of these that I lost my footing. I was even being careful not to do so, so I am doubly annoyed at myself.
Tailbone fractures are effectively untreatable. The injury will heal on its own eventually and until then, I just have to be careful with the way I sit and move. Getting in and out of the car yesterday as we were touring around Niigata was painful. I’m a little bit worried about spending too much time at the computer.
This is the second time this year I’ve injured my coccyx. The first time was in January while attempting to snowboard. It was about three months before it healed. I hope this break heals quickly but it feels worse than the first one. Time will tell.
P.S. Thanks for the well-wishes. I wasn’t expecting the kind sympathy; I really only wanted to note this for future reference, so when I’m an old(er) lady I can remember when I fell down the stairs the first time.
Posted by kuri at June 25, 2007 06:42 AMouch! I hope everything heals quickly.
Posted by: Gen Kanai on June 25, 2007 08:09 AMOuch indeed! Sorry to hear about the injury. Nothing makes life a royal pain-in-the-rear like a … well you get the idea. I say milk this thing for all it’s worth and use it to catch up on some relaxation!
Posted by: iHorner on June 25, 2007 09:18 AMi feel your pain. i broke my tailbone in middle school doing sit-ups on a hardwood floor. it’s never been the same since.
Posted by: gleek on June 25, 2007 10:28 AMOoh sorry to hear about your bottom. Here’s hoping it returns to genkiness ASAP.
Posted by: UltraBob on June 25, 2007 01:35 PMouchies.. perhaps a donut shaped cushion for your chair will help?
Posted by: T on June 25, 2007 02:25 PMOuchie. Hope you and your bum feel better soon. The doughnut idea isn’t a bad one. I know you will spend time at the computer, sore bum or not.
Posted by: Fran on June 25, 2007 09:11 PMOuch. No cartwheels for a while. Take it easy.
Posted by: Ando on June 26, 2007 12:28 AMOh man. Pain in the coccyx. I love that word. Looks like a spine if you tilt your head at it:
c
o
c
c
y
x
Hope yours heals quickly, but I know they are always troublesome once broken. They become good weather indicators.
Posted by: Jenn on June 26, 2007 01:25 AMSo sorry to hear of your fall! Perhaps the fates are telling you to “get off your butt”! I had a fractured coccyx once when I was pregnant with Tod. I rode in the car on my knees for several weeks. The donut thing is an good solution. Take care!
Posted by: Jean McQuillin on June 27, 2007 11:32 AMI wish I could dunk you in my warm Caribbean sea, especially when you have given me the gift of the pattern for the Thai Fisherman pants which I live in on my island in the sun. I was looking and there I found it - and your sadness - oh dear. Be well and thank you.
Posted by: axamermaid on June 29, 2007 02:12 AM