The Moronic Hiker Accident: Lessons Learned

Yes, you read that correctly. My name is Erica otherwise known as Abby Girl’s mom and I was the moronic hiker. Four days and today is the first day we truly ventured out since last week. Even one day in the house with an Abby is rough. Beyond that is simply ridiculous. It isn’t just the fact we are trapped at home … We are trapped where I was in bed for three days pretty much not able to function. All because I didn’t follow some very basic hiker rules. Rules that hopefully after people read this story will see are very clear and necessary so that they are not dubbed the moronic hiker too.

It all started last Tuesday

on one of our many adventures in the local woods. I brought the dog and Abby and I got lazy about wearing my boots, bringing a first aid kit or my trusty bandanna. I completely ignored my top five backpacking essentials that are usually are on me. Ultimately this poor decision had horrible consequences.

I figured it’s an easy hike and a mile if I’m lucky … What’s the worst that could happen?

Well, my child decided she wanted to rock scramble just off the trail. I checked it first for snakes as my husband always warns us of off-trail climbing because of rattlesnake and copperheads. I went to follow her. However, she was already at the top. I figured I will just go to the side and pull myself. The ground isn’t too bad. Fact, it has rained non-stop recently. So as I stepped, I came down on a jagged rock and slide. So after a bit of her not listening, she decided she wanted up. My adrenaline kicked in as I walked with her on my back and dragged my fat, stubby-legged dog about a quarter mile uphill with blood running down my leg.

Back at the car …

I cleaned it by flushing it with an unopened jug of water and wiped it with a hand wipe. No, no #1, you are not supposed to use hand wipes on a dirty open wound. It can strip the good bacteria. I had the kids both furry and wild in the car with AC on as I did all this. I got in the car and began to drive. That’s when the adrenaline wore off and my leg was just a tad angry. It was also the leg I needed to drive my car. But, I made it home.

Husband advise sucked

My husband told me to use bag balm cause it appeared to be more bruised than anything with some scratches. No, no #2. You need to clean it and put a good triple antibiotic ointment, then cover! So that Thursday, I was not feeling right all day. Off and dizzy. Very tired. By afternoon, I had spiked a wicked fever, horrible sore throat, chills, body aches, dizzy, migraine. So here comes the no, no #3, I consulted my mom’s group for advice. I thought I had gotten a virus visiting my mother in law in hospital since I was told a virus was going around. I decided to ride it out for a bit as I debated.

Friday

All-day spent in bed unable to eat. Friday night, I began stomach pains. I’m not sure if it was the Advil I had taken every four hours to keep fever and throat swelling down or the progressing health issue. My house at this point, in the main living area, was almost impassable and my child was going full-on Lord of The Flies.

Saturday morning

I walked into the bedroom and announced if my husband had no other plans, I was going right down the road to urgent care, watch the Abby Monster.

At urgent care, I was five minutes early and at the point, standing was hard. Not sure how I drove myself there. They left me sitting on the pavement with back against the front of the building. The doctor strolled passed me and didn’t say anything. I got in and sat. Then I sat some more. For urgent care, a twenty-minute wait isn’t too bad except when you feel like death’s girlfriend.

I was looked at by a nurse and then the doctor. They really didn’t do much. They didn’t even clean it. She told me to go home and soak it, then scrub it with a washcloth. I’m pretty tough and even that sounded nasty. Especially on a shin and when I did do as they said, later on, I found the one area riddled with infection. I also have a thing about touching my bones. I know, I’m very weird.

However, after lots of comments about the poor state of my throat, not good looking wounds and me screaming in my hoarse voice, I’m going to puke as she swabbed my throat for strep, The doctor concluded from my symptoms that it was bacterial and came from my injury. The strep test was negative. A prescription was sent to the pharmacy and I headed to the grocery store.

The walking dead …

After dragging myself through the grocery store like a character from Walking dead, I went home to pudding. I rested all day and didn’t leave. Abby was freed once to go to the store with her dad.

Here I sit, Sunday and feel on the mend. I’m on amoxicillin. The doctor said Advil was fine every four hours. However, I switched to Tylenol because I don’t need stomach bleeding too. I was able to go to the store today and did better than yesterday. My house is horrible, the kitchen is scary, and the child best not slam into my leg one more time. Oh, and then today, I tried to clean and slit my little finger open on a cat food container top. I can’t catch a break. I am also tired of nursing home food. Overcooked vegetables, pudding, more pudding, liquids, mushy stuff and I graduated to small pieces of food. The best part has been the multiple milkshakes. So this is my adventure for this week.

Post update

The fever broke and sore throat was improved but the stomach issues and chest pain sent me to primary the next day … I was still having massive internal issues. The doctor prescribed steroids and anti-nausea medication. I lost ten pounds and killed my immune system. In fact, a month after this post, I ended up in the ER with another horrendous sore throat and stomach issues. I was told it was viral. My body was ravaged from one simple hike. I got sick several times after that and fought many colds. Now I take elderberry at first signs of anything. The funny part is, I ended up gaining about 25 pounds after losing ten and feel like a yo-yo. Tomorrow, I meet a new doctor and express my concerns.

fun facts-

Trust your gut

Should’ve gone to ER

Wear the right shoes while adventuring no matter how small or simple the adventure

Always carry a first aid kit

Never get comfortable in your adventuring

If you happen to find yourself in some dumb luck, make sure you have lots of activities your child can do while you heal

Don’t rely on anyone’s advice, especially your husband

Final Thoughts

As always, hope you enjoyed the read. Remember, don’t be the moronic hiker. However, if you do have a moronic hiker story, send it to me and I will add you to this post! Until next time.