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.
