Enduring memories of moving 'Missy'

INIANOLA, Neb. — One of our Holstein milk cows had to be put across the road into our pasture that had the bulls so she could get bred. This, of course, was a major pain because she had a calf, and we were also milking her so this chore of rounding her up had to be done every afternoon until she no longer showed signs of heat. This was before we learned how to artificially inseminate cattle and that process didn't last too long on our farm either.

Larissa was probably five and Kylee almost four years old. The oldest was on her own horse and the other on the saddle ahead of me as we were trying to bring "Missy" up to the house.

There had been a bunch of bumble bees flying around in the canyon, but I just ignored them. Suddenly, the horse we were on started bucking all the way up the hill. Kylee fell off and I was trying not to land on her.

I ended up hyper-extending my back in the lower lumbar region. My right side was twitching uncontrollably and at first, I thought I might be paralyzed to some extent. UGH!

Larissa had gotten off her horse and caught ours, but I couldn't walk just yet and I didn't know how I was going to get back on the horse. So, I eventually put both girls on the pony and tried to figure out what to do. This was way before we had cell phones. Anyway, we finally made it to the nearest gate and Farmer Tom just showed up! I assume he called my dad because he came to our house before we ever made it back.

Farmer helped me back on the horse, which was excruciating, and we made it back to our house. Then I couldn't get my right leg back over the horse to dismount. I was finally loaded into the car and taken to the hospital. After X-rays, I was diagnosed with a compression fracture between my fourth and fifth lumbar.

In those days they still used traction for treatment, so I was an in-patient for about five days. Dr. R.R. Morgan had told me I would always have pain in that area and boy was he right.

I've used physical therapy, TENS units, ultrasound and chiropractic help over the years and usually get mobile again. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the time that these remedies no longer work. I never could stay off my horses though. My ride of choice now is the Ranger.

Our family has had numerous motor vehicle accidents over the years as we are on the road maybe more than folks that live in town. If a cat is said to have nine lives, I shudder to think how many I've used up already!

Have a Good One!