Restrictions

The arm is cleared to work without restrictions. The bone is healed enough to start building up strength, so they put me on a resistance machine. There will be therapy putty and wrist rotations. A visiting physician from Thailand suggested I massage the scar area whenever possible, so I will do that too.

The catching pinches, what I think of as my trigger wrist, continue. Better X-ray shows the damage to the ulnar head, which rather explains it. I figured it had to be dislocated, given the visible external deformity. The damage will heal on its own, in time and as I continue to work on it.

Then I finished my work shift, no splint. Not really painful, so much as feeling rough and tired. Drove without it, and felt fine.

Giving myself this one day as respite, though. I've not missed a single therapy assignment in this ten weeks. Not entirely sure what I will need to keep doing every day, so I am taking a break and thinking it through.

Pinto

I thought this would be another black iris, but it has other ideas. Gorgeous as well.



Lentil flowers very pretty.



As are pinto bean flowers. All planted to help the soil.

And amid one area, the raised bed, the Saskatoon Serviceberry. Dry root, soaked overnight, planted today.



The other one, that didn't look as hardy, well it was only 1¢, along with gladiola bulbs that were free, got stuck in the other side, put a cage around it to it won't get lost. But if it survives, it can stay.

Being out there so much has helped the healing, I'm certain. And Derecho has a reverse-farmer-tan.

One very short day at work, and it went pretty well. I'm slow and clumsy, but I can do the job. Pulling off tape the only task my hand utterly refused to do. Well, Derecho couldn't do the armboard with a heavy arm on it, but that was more because the linen was caught in it. The Foot Fellow prepped for me, although I think I'd've been fine, I accepted his help. We were done by 1300, I caught up on my mandatory lessons - that I was not allowed to do on FMLA. It was good to be back, and good to have lots of help, and good to leave early. And to find out that despite feeling slow, and missing a few details, I actually got stuff done in about the same amount of time. I wonder how much of my energy gets scattered because I hurry? How much better I can do when calm and unrushed.

Also doing pretty well at accepting help graciously. Not my strong suit usually.

Dong my exercises last evening, I had a twinge-pop and swelling. In Hand Therapy this morning I reported it to my therapist and was able(!) to replicate it. Probably a bit of scar tissue getting caught in the joint as I'm able to move it more, she wants me to check with my surgeon, suggested I come in on Monday when he's in clinic. I laughed, no, I'll just hit him up for a quick eval sometime when I catch him in or around the OR. Easy peasy. So, uncomfortable, but not critical, not damage. Although I suspect steroid injections are in my future.

Not to say this has been fun, but none of the pain is as bad as herniated discs and my five years never out of pain. This has been more disabling, but not more painful. Not by a long shot. Admittedly I had a block the first night, so if I hadn't that might be the exception, but I would trade any day with the back pain for any day with the broken wrist. Even the surgical day was more reassuring and I felt better cared for.

Warm and pleasant morning, clouds and sun, we walked a while, and I sat out with Moby in the sun and read. Suddenly, it started spattering rain, I still expected nothing much. But now it's pouring down, thunder and lightning, not letting up. Moby under a chair, unhappy with the world. Eleanor in the window watching the storm.

Bureaucrats

Went back and forth yesterday, about whether I could have just gone back to work, staving off my guilt. My hand now feels part of me, injured but connected in a way it hasn't since the break-up and immobilization. For the first time since, this morning Dylan bravely offered his head to my wobbly hand to be shaved. It went fine, no apparent blood. But my hand was flagging 3/4 of the way through, so yeah, I do need this week to gain strength and coordination. It was a good therapy exercise. He's done pretty well with the electric shaver, but it's not quite as close as either of us likes.

I've never used unemployment, taken maternity leave, never taken more than two weeks vacation in my adult life. A few employment gaps filled with full college schedules do not count as time off. Only took partial FMLA a couple of weeks when Dylan shattered his elbow, when he clearly needed a hand - hell, a whole arm. Even then, I went in mid morning, covered lunches, stayed until 2 or 3. Again, not a vacation. Never used WCF before either. I've accrued enough PTO to keep my income up over the WCF cap.

My appointment Monday was at 1030, I got there early, x-rayed, seen, in hand therapy by 1030. Sent an email to my manager while being warmed up there, with the Return to Work information. Home by 1230, sent all the documentation to the relevant WCF, FMLA, LOA people and manager. CC'd the hell out of it. Then found an earlier email from the FMLA person asking why* she hadn't heard anything from me about RTW, timed at 0930. Um, because I'd just left the house to get to the appointment then? I wrote a reply, but then deleted it. Don't piss of the bureaucrats for no reason.



Not looking too bad, not moving too well.





*

Can you please have an updated doctor’s note or the release to return to work sent to my email or fax? I have you set to return to work tomorrow and have not received anything yet.

WCF - Workers Compensation Fund, the insurance for on the job injuries and income loss.
PTO - Paid Time Off
FMLA - Family Medical Leave Act
LOA - Leave of Absence
RTW - Return to Work
CC - Carbon Copy
BCC - Blind Carbon Copy

Abbynormal

The x-rays were good, I'm healing well. The ulnar issues are normally abnormal, the sort of thing that happens when one of a pair of bones abutting a joint is broken, the other one gets a new position, and concomitant soft tissue issues. It'll get better. Back to work right after Memorial Day, with a pared down splint that I can keep clean. No padding, no velcro, I'll keep it on with coban that I get at work. I feel confident I will be up to it next week. I'm so close even today. Turned the key in the ignition, and could do the push-turn to take it out. Took me a few seconds longer than with an unbroken hand, but not too much more.

Warming up for the torture.




First real therapy session, and it was a doozie. I breathe through it, and it does feel strangely good to move it. Heat was lovely, the movement was searing. Trying to get little pegs into a peg board... I got laughing so hard, because my right hand is drunk. I have a lot of work to do this week, to get it in shape. Right now, I'm stunned and worn through.

Black iris on the verge.


Hungry cats.

Bus

Since the swelling subsided, I got the splint snugged up. Took the bus up because why not.



Called a recommended house cleaner to tend to the floors. Driving me mad, I can't sweep or mop, however slowly. Everything else I can manage, in time. Weird the stuff that bugs you. I could ask Dylan, but he doesn't see dirt, and I'd get irritated or disappointed or both. Not worth it, he does what he can. Wednesday, they will come get the floors, tomorrow, I will get everything done that I can that is not floors.

On Palm Sunday, I put so much off, figuring I'd take care of cleaning later, with a deep clean in May. Then that Monday* Happened. Now I'm so behind and losing ground. The ground is all over the floors. And what I want to do is keep the garden going, however slowly. Taking care of cats. Therappy thrice daily, at least. Normally not much, feels so much muchness.

Why is this thus? What is the reason for this thusness?






*"Holy" Week my aunt fanny.

Post

The stretch always feels good.

Then. Opposition.



Then the flippity-flopity.



Counting.




Always better after, which is very encouraging. At day 12 post fracture, inclusive.

Yesterday. Shopping cart trip for catsoup poultry, other groceries, not really a long walk, long enough. Everything takes 3X as long, twice the effort, half the progress. The floors are all filthy. I'm struggling to keep dishes cleaned, kitchen counters semi-clear, my own hand washed. Spring light and mud, and here I am trying not to notice too much. Waves of despair, aches, and exhaustion. Took drugs last night, slept better, feeling more able today. Dylan off to see a movie, with my blessing. I pulled weeds and grasses. Walked for beer, which keeps me from being tempted to take opioids. Did, a half, last night, slept better than since the 14th. Pre break days.

Glad I haven't shaved since 1988.



No damn shaving.

Zing

Thunderstorm yesterday afternoon, raining this morning. Friends over to watch Yojimbo and eat last night. Slept well, woke with shin splints - walked too much. Took no pain meds yesterday at all. Not to say it's painless, but not enough, not persistent enough, to take drugs. I'll save them for PT days. Lots of weird little pulls and zings, mostly transient.

Lots of songs running through my head. I seem to be focusing on art as much as practicalities. Dying my hair (yes I did) taking care of nails, weeding, the silly photos, writing, all seem of equal importance, based on how much time & effort I'm putting into it all. Lefty is improving on getting caps open, buttons, combing. Right is stretching further every day. Thumb twiddling has commenced.



Bruised up by the elbow, ulnar side. Not really painful. Not the orange prep, my surgeon doesn't use that, as I should bloody well know, having prepped hundreds of his cases. The little bruises are from the nerve blocks.


Lie still, little bottle, and shake my shaky hand
Black coffee's not enough for me, I need a better friend
One pill at the bottom is singing my favorite song
I know I must investigate
I hope that I can sing along

There's no time for metaphors cried the little pill to me
He said, "Life is a placebo masquerading as a simile"
Well, I knew that pill was lying
Too gregarious, too nice
But as he walked I had to sing this twice

Lie still, little bottle
Don't twist, it ain't twistin' time
With every move you make you just disintegrate my ever-troubled mind

Lie still, little bottle, and shake my shaky hand
Black coffee's not enough for me, I need a better friend
One pill at the bottom is singing my favorite song
I know I must investigate
I hope that I can sing along

-They Might Be Giants

Acronymics

Sam is helping, good bear.




Since my legs are working just fine, we went out to walk. Lovely lunch, picked up an item ordered pick-up-in-store from last weekend, all on public transportation and feet.

Warm enough to be out in short sleeves, sat on the porch a long time as Moby basked.

I'm cheerful and well, except for the injury and a host of little bruises and sore spots. Getting in better shape, in every way I can. Taking very few pain meds, none since last night, and cut in half. Moving my fingers more every day. Left hand getting the idea, enjoying the challenge. Feel patient and kindly to all.Getting help all over the place.


Lots of forms and admin, as this is workers comp, FMLA, PTO, other letters sure to come for my ORIF. Like being in the army again. FUBAR.

Cone

That ain't right.



Better. Stable. Enormous improvement. Up several times to the toilet, seem to recall this as a thing after anesthesia. Can't quite remember what.

What my amusing surgeon Wrote. A YES or initials on the correct side is policy, they still get creative.



The card.



Now I want to make myself a Cone of Shame, take a photo & sent it to them. There were also flowers and candy.

Oh. I should wear it to my first post-op visit....

Auto fill is my left hand's new best friend, if occasionally a bit erratic.

broken

hi.

I broke my arm. three hours ago. at work. slipped, fell, knew immediately

surgery tomorrow

bugger

right arm

fastest response team ever

best block anesthesiologists got me numb

Dylan got there right after X-ray,filled out incident reports, worker comp, paperwork done.

I have paid time well accrued



so, for a bad thing, I'm in the best situation

still

bugger