Pete, Live at the Hospital Bowl

[skyring]

I went to bed, relatively early, with a planned 0300 start to my shift, but a bit after midnight I was awake with the pain from my wrist. I'd hoped it would settle and I'd be able to drive, but no, this was serious. No strength in my grasp and if I held my hand the wroing way or bumped my wrist, the pain would make me gasp.

So, I took another dose of painkillers and resigned myself to attending hospital. Kerri had warned me that if I had a break there and I toughed it out, then I'd likely have pain and arthritis for the rest of my life. One thing about having a doctor in the family, we might hide splinters and minor injuries from her, but if it's serious, we listen carefully.

She dropped me off at Accident & Emergency on her way to work. I was prepared for hours of waiting in a crowded room. Computer, painkillers, nice thick book.

But within a few seconds of entering the room, I had a nurse taking the details, probing my arm, testing the extent of injuries, tying a sling - "Um, could you bend down a little, please?" the tiny woman asked as she looped it over my head.

They wanted me to take off my wedding ring against potential swelling, but it hasn't been off my finger since Kerri put it there quarter of a century ago, so I promised I'd keep an eye on it.

That was triage, a few details from the clerk, then I barely had time to open my book and a doctor was calling me over. She looked carefully at my wrist, agreed that an x-ray was necessary, and escorted me to the waiting area. Barely a page read, and I was inside, getting the images taken.

A little longer afterwards, but I took the time to twitter updates and take a picture of this lovely great silvered mirror dome on the ceiling above a four way intersection, which incidentally showed me with arm in sling and book on knees.



"Yes, it's broken," the pretty young doctor said said, "but not badly."

The x-ray showed a tiny fracture line along one knob of my radius bone. Didn't look too bad, but she said a cast would be needed for a week, then review by an orthopod.

She then took me into the plaster room, and under supervision from a jolly nurse who called herself the Plasterqueen, I got a cast. What they call a volar slab, so it's not a big heavy thing, just a stiffener secured with some gauze.

Kerri says that's in case of swelling, and a full cast will go on for another five weeks after review.

And that was it. Quick, efficient, even enjoyable. Kerri picked me up and I was back home for a late morning tea in the sun.

I told the cab owner. I doubt he was happy, but if I can't drive, I can't drive. Somone collected the cab in the arvo, and I won't see it again for a week.

What worries me is the prospect of six weeks off work.

No sick leave or workers compensation in the taxidriving game, and I've got an ongoing tax liability, not to mention a world trip coming up in seven weeks, for which I've got no savings. I might have to find something else to bring in some money.

This is all a bit of a worry.

In related news, I have some fantastic friends! The messages of concern, support and good wishes have bucked me up tremendously. I smiled with each fresh comment. Honestly, despite the arm in a sling, I have rarely been so much on top of the world. Hugs to all, to be given in kind when I see you next!

Comments

[greedyreader.livejournal.com]

Your poor wrist.

[moem]

What rotten luck. I hope it heals quickly.

[deenbat.livejournal.com]

oh dear! I hope it heals quickly and that you are able to return to work quickly.

[awaywithfairy1.livejournal.com]

Hope your wrist gets better quickly and you only need one week off work.

I'm sure you don't want to be travelling and trying to manage your luggage with a bad wrist in seven weeks...

BTW, re your photo. Where does the worn red line on the floor lead to/from? In my experience, those lines in hospitals generally lead from one important place to another. Or they mark an "off limits" area...

[lyzzybee.livejournal.com]

What a fabby photo of the reflection in the dome - well worth going to hospital for!!

Seriously, so sorry to hear about the lack of income just before your trip. I'll buy you dinner in Edinburgh, if that helps. As long as it's not lobster thermidor and the finest whiskey...

Take care

(((hugs)))

[atenea-nike.livejournal.com]

I hope you get better soon and you don't have to spend 6 weeks off work.

[shendoah.livejournal.com]

Well, hopefully the week is all you need to patch yourself up! Lots of sleep, extra veggies and you'll be brand new!

[madame-urushiol.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Poor you! Sending 'quick healing' vibes your way.

[katisha50.livejournal.com]

I'll upgrade that to the lobster and whisky (Scottish), and even throw in a haggis starter! In return for a hug, of course.

[rarsberry.livejournal.com]

I hope its just a week off work and you can fully enjoy your trip away.
{{{{{SkyRing}}}}}

[daughterfan.livejournal.com]

Poor you, do hope it heals quickly.

What a fantastic hospital you have - last trip to hospital for us with a broken bone was greeted with an offer to wait in the queue for six hours or come back in the morning!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

I forget where it led. That and the yellow one beside it, which doesn't show up quite so well. There was a legend on the wall, but it was hospital-speak, and once I understood the system, I didn't care about the destinations.

It is rather like Canberra's outer suburbs, all looking the same; a maze of similar places. At one stage I was less than a metre away from an important door, and no idea where it was. So many signs and unfamiliar people and equipment!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

If wishes from friends had any physical effect, other than making me feel happy and loved, I'd be fixed proper by now. I'd have a full head of hair and be a decade younger for good measure!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Well, I could use a week off, to be sure, but six weeks off makes me severely broke just when I don't need it. I'm going to do my best to heal fast, maybe if I rub superglue in...

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I thought the same way when I saw it gleaming back the flouro lights - what a cracker of a picture that'd make! I was thinking of trying to get someone else in the shot, but I might have gotten into trouble for taking photographs. I'm sure someone would think I was up to something.

Fancy meals not required - I'll find enough money to make the trip. The trip's on points and I've paid the taxes. It's going to be budget accommodation for daughter and I.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Hugging you is feast enough!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/semioticghosts/2429544938/in/pool-1099974@N21 in the BookCrossing Smiles group doesn't tell the whole story, but I certainly feel happy to see your smile, even if I can't hug you right now.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Can I have that down in writing, please? With some fancy language and maybe a seal to show the doctor.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling better already. Once the arm is healed, we can work on hair regrowth...

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm! M m m m m m! Mm mm mm mm!

Thanks!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Oh, so do I! Christchurch was fantastic - I want more!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Maybe if I'd turned up eleven on a full moon Saturday night it might have been different...

But yes, it was a dream run. You'd think I was a gold customer or something!

[aka-phoenix.livejournal.com]

Oh, blah. I hope you heal fast and well! Take care!

[semioticghosts.livejournal.com]

Poor Pete! As I read downwards, I thought - there's no way this isn't broken - and it was. Have absolute oodles of sympathy. I could offer you a job writing my thesis for the next six weeks? *sigh*

[skyring.livejournal.com]

I should jump at the chance to create a masterpiece bearing only the sketchiest resemblance to your work. Together, we'd raise a few eyebrows. A thesis in five acts and a chorus line, set in Raratonga! We'd both be doctored!

Thanks, sweetie! I've been browsing through your photographs on Flickr. You have a great eye. And everything else.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Humph. I shoulda listened two days ago! Hey, looking forward to seeing you sometime!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Wrist is poor. Me, I'm beyond rich to have such friends.

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

This is a wonderful thread of positive vibes for you dear SR. Makes one realise what an amazing wealth of great ether friends there are to ameliorate troubles such as this.
Just adding my vibes and hugs for your optimistic fast recovery.

[aka-phoenix.livejournal.com]

I hope to see you too someday! Perhaps at the Anniversary Convention next year?

[skyring.livejournal.com]

You may count on it! Kerri and I are already looking at river cruises to and from Amsterdam.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Forget the books! It's the BookCrossers I love most! And it was fantastic seeing you again. Such a jolly time we all had! I'm doing my best into channeling all that good feeling into healing.

Of course, the problem was caused in the first place by walking on air...

[aka-phoenix.livejournal.com]

\o/ woohoo! *is looking forward to that already* :)

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

Don't you just hate that when they won't let you read in peace.... ;-)

No sick leave? Damn! Is there a risk that you won't be able to go on your trip?

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Nope. I'll be going. I just don't want to rack up too hugeous a credit card bill, that's all.

[rubbergirl.livejournal.com]

Hang on...I missed something here. How did you manage this injury? Carried too many books at the last Convention?

Hope it heals quickly and completely for you, Pete!

[(Anonymous)]

I'm so sorry it's broken, I was hoping it was only sprained. I do hope it heals quickly, and that you won't have to be out of work for so long. (((Big hugs from Alabama, USA)))

[(Anonymous)]

That's me, FancyHorse -- I forgot to sign in!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Tript over at servo: http://skyring.livejournal.com/364996.html

Thanks, Lib! I'll be back on deck in no time. Just gotta find a way to channel all these good vibes into the arm.

Apart from feeling happy about my friends, that is, and I'm doing very well there!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Thanks, FH! Hugs ALWAYS appreciated!

Not that I can get both arms around anybody at the moment!

[thebiblioholic.livejournal.com]

Hope you get well soon. Sounds like you had a pretty decent hospital experience. When my daughter broke her arm, it was almost 8 hours in the hospital being shuttled from one place to another and lots of waiting.

P.S. Cool pic

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Not worth breaking an arm for, but honestly, it was a great experience. I was thinking I'd get some serious reading done. Took along "Middlesex", which I'm enjoying hugely.

[wombles.livejournal.com]

Hope the swelling goes down and that you're a fast healer! Lucky you will have your daughter to carry your bags!

[whytraven.livejournal.com]

This is nature's way of giving you a break. :: duck ::

So, write. :)

Otherwise, though, I *am* sorry. It's a bum rap.

[kiptrix.livejournal.com]

So sorry to read this, Pete. Hope you heal quickly and win the lottery or something. Sending hugs from South Carolina.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

I'm groaning now...

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Wow! I read your comment, went to check the mail, and there was a cheque for nine hundred dollars in it.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Swelling's down - I think. Pain's diminished. I use my left hand to roll my duffle bag along - no hassle there. It's the bags of my passengers hefted into the boot at the airport I'm worried about.