Update on the Patient
All of the world revolves around me now!
The accident happened Saturday, and Monday I saw an orthopedist, Dr. Ivins. He was wonderful, showed me the x-rays and all.
It is my shoulder that is fractured, not the arm. To the doctor, this injury is common. The purpose of the immobilizer is to protect my arm from moving. It saves me from pain too.
Speaking of pain, the Vicodin made me really sick, so Lauren, my daughter, Nurse Lauren now, gave me Ibuprophin instead. The doctor was amazed that it was doing the trick.
Dr. Ivins showed me the X-rays. The break looks sort of like steps. It goes up and down, up and down.
My left hand is getting pretty good with the mouse now. Also with a spoon.
There are inventive ways of using one arm to accomplish the work of two. At the same time, there are simply lots of things that you can't do with one arm. Tie shoes, for instance.
There are also things I can't do because they, surprisingly, cause pain. Bending down is one. Getting up is another.
Heaven Admin emailed that he thought I was very brave.
When Nurse Lauren heard what Heaven Admin said, she went, "Hmph. Let him spend ten minutes in my moccasins." Actually, she didn't say those words. I can't use the words she said.
I will tell you this: Every time I call Lauren, she comes over. And every time she says that this is the last time she's coming over. I wonder if she's getting tired of waiting on me hand and foot. Still, she comes over five or so more times after she's said it's the last.
How lucky I am to have a daughter, even when I have to remind her that I put socks on her plenty when she was a kid, and I never grumbled about it. In fact, it was my joy.
And how is everyone out there?
Comments
I suppose you can't shovel your walk either. I had to shovel my way out to the bird feeder yesterday and would have been glad to have done yours too. There are some thingies you can get to help you put your socks on but now that I think of it it takes two hands to use that too.
Probably you could learn to put your socks on one-handed from someone with one arm, but probably not without bending down. I'm trying to think of some kind of contraption but the bending down part is the sticking point.
Well, I guess you'll either have to just leave your socks on 24/7 for awhile or else be extra nice to Lauren. I see that God today said, "You have a body that works to whatever degree it does." Now how do you suppose He knew that ahead of time?
I wonder who needs prayer more right now, you or Lauren? Might as well do both, sort of a twofer. (For those with English as a second language, that's a word you won't find in the dictionary that means two-for-the-price-of-one.)
Hope your healing moves right along. I would imagine you will be having some interesting conversations with God in the meantime, more interesting than usual I mean, if that's possible.
So glad to get an update. You still didn't tell us how it happened.
Thank you GOD for giving Dear Gloria some respite but as you know God she is a woman and so will not take the rest that you gave her. Thank you also for having Lauren there for our impatient. Love to Lauren and Gloria and please give it a rest Jack
I was just wondering whether these injuries on the right shoulder have some profound meaning or message to tell. I know of several people who have this problem in these days. My husband will be operated of his right shoulder after Xmas, he broke it while he was playing football. My daughter is seeing a doctor for her right shoulder, because there's something wrong there. My right shoulder is aching after I've played tennis, but I just try to ignore it and see it as perfectly healed. Maybe this has got something to do with carrying our burdens and responsibilities? I don't know.
Dearest Gloria, try to enjoy your break in any case.
Look here's the thing about mother's and their offspring. Although the daughter or son may grumble quite often when doing things, inside they're really delighted to be of service. They do not reveal this inner delight because it may be taken in the wrong way.
Here are some useful tips for the mother.
- Having some really good quality chocolate around helps. Each time some assistance is required, slip a piece of chocolate over to the victim. The reward system works well into adulthood. Don't be shy.
- Tell, don't ask. When something must be done, issue a command to the victim. It works much better to tell the offspring to do something, rather than ask them in a needy way. There must be some natural psychological chain of authority that still has power even when the offspring is independent and all grown up.
- Mention Karma often. Say how much good karma it is to help another, especially the mother. Say it in a "matter of fact way".
- Be pleasant and not whiny, but do not show too much appreciation. Always ensure that you have the air of someone who knows the work that the offspring does is the natural order of things. When you say "thank you", do not say it more than once and say it in a "matter of fact way". Sometimes a simple grunt of approval is more affective.
- Let them know they have done a good job.
- Be considerate and make a good use of an opportunity. Every time the victim comes over, know that it is a great opportunity to get many things done. Plan things in such a way, that the thing you originally wanted, is at the end of various other tasks that must be done first in order to complete the original request. From personal experience, I can say that we are not bothered about doing a whole lot of things in one go, but we do get annoyed at being constantly called over for little things (unless there is a constant supply of good chocolate). Be careful with this technique. The victim should never know that you have a plan.
I would delete this comment after you have read it or put in some security check that allows only parents to read these tips.
One Love
p.s Senora, a fracture near the rotator cuff is a far cry from "I broke my arm... upper humerus is broken in two places"! Good to have you back :)
I am glad to see that you have given this matter serious consideration. I do think this treatise has to be expanded into a handy how to book for adult mothers and their adult children. What kind of chocolate do you recommend?
I will send Lauren out for chocolate immediately.
New blog entry this morning will be coming up.
Dearest Gloria, have just had a quick look on the blog to get myself back into the swing of things and found you had a present of a broken arm for christmas .Itrust you are mending. Sending you love and healing energy
Nancy