When I fell, I had no idea I had injured my wrist. X-rays finally told another story. Scaphoid fracture. Cast technician walked in and asked if I wanted the good or bad news. Bad news was that there were no pink casts available, just that plain old white fiberglass edition. Bad news was that there was a fracture. Bad news is that it was the scaphoid in my right, dominant hand. More bad news: that the cast would stay on for a very long time. I could not think of any good news at the time, but now, almost two weeks later I have acquired loads of new skills: I can write with my left hand. It's not the best possible writing, it's probably worse than when I first learned to write in huge misshaped capital letters, but at least it is legible. I can tie my shoelaces and I can go for a walk. I have mastered the skill of wrapping Clingfilm and plastic bag and have managed to keep the cast dry.. Except that it got a bit damp in the rain this evening. I can even drive my car as long as I take the corners slow and drive an automatic car. I can go to work and edit colleagues' Excel spreadsheets with one hand. I can use the mouse now quite well with the left, ex-non-dominant hand. I can apply make-up, but lately have realized that foundation is enough as all the activities still take quite a long time every morning. I can get dressed, I can shave my legs, I can eat.
What I can't do yet.. have not figured out how.. is ride my horse. She is always lively and on the go, so it may not be safe just yet. I can't push a shopping trolley from the grocery store to my car. The trolleys have minds of their own and people with a healthy pair of hands have trouble pushing them. I can get eye drops into my eyes without poking myself with the container, which I used to do all the time. If it wasn't the container, it was the edge of the plaster, especially close to the thumb. I can't wash my hair very well, but hairdresser can do a lot to help. I can't sleep well, because the cast and the hand inside it is never very comfortable.
More to follow- x-rays and doctor's appt next week.
What I can't do yet.. have not figured out how.. is ride my horse. She is always lively and on the go, so it may not be safe just yet. I can't push a shopping trolley from the grocery store to my car. The trolleys have minds of their own and people with a healthy pair of hands have trouble pushing them. I can get eye drops into my eyes without poking myself with the container, which I used to do all the time. If it wasn't the container, it was the edge of the plaster, especially close to the thumb. I can't wash my hair very well, but hairdresser can do a lot to help. I can't sleep well, because the cast and the hand inside it is never very comfortable.
More to follow- x-rays and doctor's appt next week.
6 comments:
Did you have your plaster cut off?I was in a cast too.I broke my wrist and thumb playing soccer.I had my third cast removed 4 months ago.Hope you feel better and you dont have any pain.Best wishes and take care.
Thank you for your comment!
The plaster was removed three days ago. Now getting used to having more freedom and trying to regain the function. I'm feeling better and have no pain anymore.
I am glad to hear that you had the plaster removed.Was this the first time you broke your wrist and you were in a plaster?Best wishes and take care.
This was the first time I broke my wrist. I've had my right foot in a plaster long time ago after ligament repair, but had forgotten what a pain it is to have the cast on.
I agree with you that breaking a bone and being in a cast is very painful and miserable.When I broke my wrist and thumb I was in a heavy plaster and I had a sling to hold it.Then my other 2 casts were thumb spica casts.Did your doctor cut the first plaster off and then put your arm in a different cast?Best wishes.
I actually had four different casts! One got wet and had to be replaced. The other three were just removed for x-rays and then replaced again. It's a relief not to have the cast on and I don't even wear the splint anymore unless I drive.
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