I went for my two week X-Ray on Tuesday. The image showed that my radius was shortening as it healed. The doc said one option would be to saw off the cast and manipulate my wrist and put on a tighter cast, and the other option, more likely to be successful, would be inserting a metal plate. Apparently, allowing the radius to shorten leads to problems with the ulna down the road.  

It took me a few minutes to decide. I really wanted to call my husband and get his oh-so-logical input. Instead I made up my own mind and said I’d go for the surgery.

In preparation for that, they sawed through my cast on both sides. Have to say, having a buzzing blade so close to one’s arm is scary!

I was called in the following day and went through lots of questions and waiting time. I changed into a fetching blue gown and slipper socks. I met the anaesthesiologist and the surgeon. And finally I was rolled into theatre. Seeing the operating theatre just before they knock you out is somewhat surreal. But you do get to hear the reassuring voices of your team as they welcome you and their cheerful banter. 

Waking up in Recovery is horrible. Suddenly you hear voices all around you, then the pain hits. And on a scale of 1-10, mine was a 9. The meds added to my IV worked slowly and I had a few extra doses, plus when I felt able to swallow I had a pill. I kept my eyes closed most of the time as the room was spinning and I couldn’t focus. Being wheeled downstairs made me feel quite sick, and over the next couple of hours I threw up a few times. Thankfully it was only liquid. Tai Chi Man turned up just as I was heaving into a bowl and said, “Well, there’s no need to ask how you’re feeling!”

He had to wait a long time for me to feel ready to go home. I agreed to a dose of anti-nausea medication before they took out my IV which was good, as I didn’t get sick in the car or at home later on. I was wobbly but managed to get dressed and had a little ride in a wheelchair to the exit. 

I managed half a slice of dry toast at home, and a very welcome cup of tea. Took a couple of pain pills and went to bed early. It was a wakeful night, during which I took two more pills. Overnight the numbness in my fingers wore off, but the splint and dressing are tight today.

You can see how swollen my fingers are. The redness is from whatever they swabbed my arm with before they started.

Today I got out of bed really early, at the same time as Tai Chi Man, and we both had porridge for breakfast along with our lemon water. I made myself a nest on the couch, with blankets and pillows and the essentials nearby, like water, tea, phone, iPad, pills. Over the course of the morning I alternately slept and tried to read or watch podcasts. My eyelids keep drooping! 

Ds3 made me some toast as I’m incapable of anything that requires two hands, even more so than when I had the cast on. The pain in my right arm is constant, despite the pills. 

The rest of my day is more of the same. Take a pill every four hours, nap, read, watch You Tube. That’s it! My next appointment is in two weeks. I’ll be curious to see the X-Ray with the metal in my wrist. If I remember, I’ll take my iPad with me and get a photo of it. 

Take care, everyone. Talk to you again soon.