A 3 a.m. wake up call didn't hurt too badly. Happily, the deer stayed on their sides of the road. We were early enough to ensure a spot on the first ferry - leaving at 6 a.m. It was cold, but most importantly not windy, keeping us from spending hours sitting on a sand bar halfway across. We arrived early to the other side - affectionately called Grumpy Point - and made it to my appointment only five minutes late.
Arm update:
I was a bit apprehensive about seeing my arm after so long. It wasn't terrible. My forearm muscles have wasted away understandably, and so have my triceps - the dreaded old lady swingy bat wing look - and oddly my thumb muscle is also shrimpy.
The stitches came out easily, and the scar won't be too hideous. Dr. D pronounced my xrays good, therefore I got a snazzy brace, and with it the use of my elbow back. Cue heavenly angel sounds...
The brace is removable, so last night skinny arm got it's first bath in ages, which allowed me to scrub off that weird orange crap they paint you with before surgery. I was soooo happy to wash it, as I spent weeks looking like I had been hoovering cheetos non-stop. Embarrassing.
Sexy arm corset (!) aka arm-gerie ;D The velcro has electric blue sparkles... |
The upshot is four more weeks before I can start to rehab my wrist, and ten before all restrictions are lifted. *sigh* Hoping my normal level of activity will beef skinny arm back up sooner rather than later. Only time will tell...
There was enough time left to finish up my trip with a little Xmas shopping - highlighted by visiting a real grocery store (Harris Teeter) for holiday treats, before the mad dash back to Stumpy Point.
The ride home was simply beautiful. Shot lots of pix of a slick calm sound, and I made it home with enough light to do evening chores. Perfect!
This prolonged arm incident has been so much harder for me mentally than physically. Going into surgery knowing my affairs weren't in order was a painful pill to swallow.
The new year will bring many overhauls, reorganizations of priorities, realistic assessments - including of this blog - both design and content. Not trying to sound too serious - it's all good. I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. :D
Thanks to all of you readers who have continued to visit despite the sparse posting and recent lack of pony content. I have so appreciated your visits and well wishes - they mean the world to me.
Glad the arm is heading in the right direction . . .
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad things went well and if you have to get up at 3 am, at least you get a pretty boat ride:)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got there and back and are moving toward rehab!
ReplyDeleteExcellent news - lovely photos and fabulous thoughts for the new year. You are one positive person - an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing all the parts of this ordeal. Continued good wishes for more healing!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! and great progress. I love the description of bat wings -- so apt.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear your visit went well. Bet you're happy to have a little more mobility with the new cast and no more Cheeto's hand and arm color. Try not to overdo it though. Heal quickly and hang in there, the time will go faster than you think. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the sound. The water is a beautiful color.
I'm so glad your arm is doing better!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! Is it weird that I kind of like the arm corset? I mean, I don't want to break my arm, but the cool arm corset would make it better....
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you're healing well! I did the same thing when I was injured... reorganized priorities, re-assessed my life and goals... and it was all for the best. I look forward to hearing all about it!
Thank you all for the kind comments!
ReplyDeleteGHM - Hoping you are recovering comfortably... I've been thinking of you.
Shannon - I like the arm corset too. It's strangely, dare I say, fashionable?! Guess we're both weird - but we knew that. ;D
Isn't it nice to know that your blogger buddies are here for you? Beautiful pics.
ReplyDeleteHooray! Obviously, I have a lot of catching up to do. And suuuuuuure to the no cheetos. ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad thing are heading in the right direction. When Jason got hurt last fall and had surgery/was completely out of commission for three months it was really one of the worst times of my life. (my dad died two days before injury, just brought newly adopted baby home, incapacitated husband, seriously grieving mother, farm full of horses still needing care, etc.)
ReplyDeleteHowever like you said in some ways it ended up being a good thing. We took a look at how we were doing some things and found ways to make them easier and more streamlined. This required us to invest some time and money into some projects but were good moves on our part.
We/I survived the atomic bomb that was our life last fall and winter and you will as well. That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger and all that. Although I did often wish that I didn't have to feel like I was *thisclose* to death in order to prove how much I could handle!!
Yay for good news! Especially the use of your elbow. The pictures of the water are gorgeous!
ReplyDelete"This prolonged arm incident has been so much harder for me mentally than physically. "
ReplyDeleteI kind-of know what you mean. When I broke my wrist last year, I really felt like I was in limbo. All those plans made - would they come to fruition? I survived by just-not-thinking-about-it and living from day to day. Hang in there, you'll get there. And if your recovery is anything like mine, you'll have decent use of your hand/arm within a couple of weeks.
Yay!! Great news. Um, there's something wrong with hoovering Cheetos....??? ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're healing well!
ReplyDeleteThings can come in bunches. I've had two years of "I swear the universe is trying to kill me in the slowest, most painful way."
ReplyDeleteHowever, I keep chanting, because it's still true, nothing lasts forever, nothing lasts forever, and the only guarantee is that it's not going to be what you think!
Hugs, hang in there, and enjoy the blue glitter (hey, it's the little things).
It is so hard for anyone to not be at the top of their physical game! But for an active person to feel this way, with a million things to be done and enjoy, I know it must be mentally VERY CHALLENGING. I am glad to hear your arm has been set free! YEAY!!! I must say, I think the word shrimpy is quite hilarious! Not to worry! Soon all shrimpy muscles will be bigger and stronger than ever.
ReplyDeleteYou've had a long road to haul, for sure. I am so glad that things are moving in the right direction, albeit slowly. Wishing you a glorious 2014 filled with health, wealth, and happiness! :0)
ReplyDelete