I’m So Screwed… literally

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First, I want to thank everyone for their kind comments on the previous post. They really helped lift my spirits. You guys are great!

I had my followup with the surgeon on Monday (3/19). For the first time I was able to see the screws that he put into my hand. They aren’t at all what I imagined them to be. Fortunately, he said I wouldn’t beep at the airport.

He also removed that mega-bandage, in favor of a much smaller and lighter splint. It’s so nice having that thing off. I had to keep my hand elevated above my heart during the week that I wore it, and it seemed to get heavier (and stinkier) as the week went on. I have to wear the splint continuously for a week, and then partial days for another 4-6 weeks. I’m not sure how many hours a day.

A quick tip about wearing big bandages or casts. If you find yourself in that position, buy yourself an electric air-pump (like the ones used to inflate air mattresses). They come in extremely handy when the part of your body covered by the bandage starts to sweat. Several times a day I essentially hooked my arm up to the pump and blew air into the bandage. It sounds funny (and looked funny too), but it offered quite a bit of relief.

I have a followup with the surgeon this coming Monday (3/26) to get my stitches out, and discuss the next step. He’s already said he would prefer I stay in Phoenix at least another week, and begin physical therapy. I’m debating on what to do. I want to go home.

Maggie is healing nicely. She had the staples in her neck removed on Monday. That wound is pretty much healed now. She still has staples in her leg, but those may come out as early as tomorrow. I imagine her foot is going to be pretty tender for a while though.

Hopefully neither of us will hit any bumps on the road to recovery.

10 thoughts on “I’m So Screwed… literally”

  2. When I was traveling in Jan+Feb+Mar I had a pants that every store I got in t beeped! It was awful, couldn’t get in FNAC or Virgin megastore.
    The most important is not that you do not beep but that you’re able to work, since your a designer you’re hand must be really important, maybe you should consider that physical therapy for your works sake.

  3. Hope you get fixed up, I would hate to not be able to use my hand …particularly the one i write with.

    As an ode to you, Ive written this entire comment using only my left index finger. GET BETTER -i would use an exclamation mark there, but you need to hold shift ”’sadface”’

  4. Hope you get fixed up, I would hate to not be able to use my hand …particularly the one i write with.

    As an ode to you, Ive written this entire comment using only my left index finger. GET BETTER -i would use an exclamation mark there, but you need to hold shift

  5. you know, that air-pump idea isn’t too shabby. a few years back broke my arm and the cast smelled to high heaven. my solution was to spray febreeze down it (that went well . . . ) but i like your way a lot better.

    good luck on your recovery!

  6. Glad to see you and Maggie are recovering. I can only try to imagine how horrible that experience must have been. You obviously had incredible strength of will and determination to break free from that attack and get the both of you to safety. Hopefully the emotional side will heal as well as the physical side. Keep us posted and God speed.

  7. Excellent progress so far. Great idea with the air pump – I never thought about that. I can’t imagine how annoying it must be to not have function of your hand. I broke my hand a few years back and had to have one of those compression splints. At least I could still use my fingers, but it was annoying – don’t know how you do it.

    Good to hear your and Maggie are recovering nicely. Keep us posted.

  8. I’m glad you and Maggie are going to relatively. Good for you for not taking advantage of the situation and suing. I’m sure I would be tempted both by the thought of the money and by the thought of retaliation.

    Are you able to explore Phoenix much?

  10. Hey Paul Sorry about the accident…

    I am a frequent reader of ODL and listener of The Show. I noticed that ZeFrank put up tons of songs from the podcast for purchase as a soundtrack.

    Keep on posting!

    Sam

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