Blood, Sweat and Tears

OK - so there's no blood - but the quote's good!! There is sweat and tears though! Out of the final cast, I've been given my orders and they're proving difficult to accomplish. Make a tight fist - that one is moving along although my fingers get stiff and don't want to bend into a fist sometimes! Turn my palm upwards from the elbow - now that one is impossible right now. Palm down - ok - typing has become much easier with both hands (although with the brace on my wrist doesn't flex too well and, to be honest, isn't totally palm down - 95%! But palm up - no way. Every day I push a little more on it several times a day to move it but the best I can get is perpendicular and some days that 's painful.

I know it's only been a few days but I need to be able to accomplish these tasks in one month or I have to start physical therapy and I'd rather not! Fingers crossed (I can do that!!).

One other thing- how crazy is it to be fearful of taking a shower??!! I like showers but my arm feels so strange without anything on it for support that it's a bit scary in there! And it's still difficult because I really can't hold much or do much with that arm so my left arm doesn't get too washed! SIGH - baby steps!

Liberation!!

The cast is off and another is not going on!! I now have a brace that can be removed for bathing (yippee!!) and some assignments to get my fingers into a fist and my wrist flexing more.

I must say that my wrist feels funky and looks very strange - but it has loosened up even in the hour since the cast was removed. It's going to take some time but I'm actually typing with both hands (not just one or two fingers on my right hand!!) and I have hopes for the future and recovery!

I still do have pain meds tho - and based on the difficulty I'm having making some wrist/arm movements that's probably a good idea!

All in all, a good day!!

Final (I Hope) Week

Next week at this time I'm very hopeful that I will no longer have a cast on my right arm - it's been a long time and I'm ready (I think!!).

It's kind of scary though! The other times the cast has been removed, my wrist has been very painful and I've babied it - so I'm sure it will be painful this time too. But I am getting more function back and I can't say that I will miss this thing! I'm looking forward to a real shower (I'm sure my hand is gross!!) and someday using the blowdryer again! In the meantime, I have to give credit to Donna (my stylist) who came up with a pretty good wash & wear 'do!!

And I know everyone will appreciate it if I can once again sign my name and have it look normal and not like a demented third-grader! I just can't get my left hand to do what I want it to do!Thank goodness I don't write many checks anymore!

Casts, Dust and Stuff

Now if that’s not enough to get your attention!! 1.5 weeks left on the short, lime-green cast and I’m really anxious for it to be gone! The skin on my fingers and exposed part of my hand is scaly, dry, peeling and generally yucky! I’m hoping fresh air and being able to wash will cure that! There is a silver(ish) lining to this ordeal – I haven’t bitten my fingernails since March 2 – the day of the “event”. I couldn’t reach my right hand fingers for a month but my left was available!! I just didn’t do it – and, for the first time since I was very young, I have the beginnings of real fingernails! We’ll have to see if I continue the “good” way – I want to but I’m weak!!

Dust –everywhere I look there’s dust – and I just don’t do anything about it. I can dust with my left hand – but I’m used to picking up with one hand and dusting with the other and THAT ain’t happening! Oh well – it’s not going anywhere! Maybe by my birthday I’ll be able to do more with this silly hand – I hear the physical therapy is terrible but it must be done – SIGH!

This is National Library Week and we’ve got programs galore going on – including beaded booked thongs tomorrow night – really cute and I hope we have lots of teens come make some! Ridley Pearson is coming for a lecture Thursday evening at Central Library – big doings!! The Rescue Squad next door gave us a beautiful basket of goodies for NLW – they’re always so good to us – time to start planning for their special week!

Not much going on - it was sunny and nice (cool) today - great spring day! My azaleas are almost all in bloom and look great as usual - the grass is looking better each week - it's a good time!

Saturday - and RAIN!

OK enough already! It's yet another Saturday and rain! I know we need it but other days are available!

Thank you USA - NCIS marathon!!

Last Week

I had a great time in Arlington at Computers in Libraries but I wasn't able to accomplish all I hoped. I don't want to whine (you know there's a but coming!) but I don't know how to say that this stupid cast was annoying, somewhat painful and kept me from totally enjoying (and blogging) about CIL without whining!

I was with some terrific co-workers - some newly met! - and saw some great presentations - me and my "little (green) friend"! It's difficult to always have to really think about what to order for meals - I REALLY didn't want to have to ask anyone to cut up anything!

My room was terrific - very comfortable and the wi-fi was great although I wasn't connected to the hotel's wi-fi!! One benefit for me was the train that ran behind the hotel next to National airport - the train whistles were very reminiscent of my Grandma's house!

The Second Annual Youtubey awards were great too and I'm hopeful that not only Virginia Beach but Oceanfront will have entries in next year's contest!

I plan to have more on specific sessions and ideas for us later!

Rainy days and Saturdays

Another Saturday - another NCIS marathon (yipee) - and more rain. Best news of all, my taxes are done and filed!! I'm waiting for an acceptance email, I sign a form verifying I am who I am (and no I couldn't immediately find last year's return) and then wait for the money!!

I'm getting ready to pack for Computers in Libraries next week - it's always fun and educational!! So many interesting things to learn about - and bit by bit we're starting to implement some of them at work! It's going to be a bit more difficult with one arm but that's the way it's going to be this year! Maybe next time!!

Speaking of casts (ok I really wasn't but I am now!) this one is worse on the inside than the other two - it's almost gummy (yuck) but fans help. The pain is a little more because of the arm rotation - I REALLY have to remember to take it slow (not a strong suit) and be assured that it will be better. 3 more weeks to my next appointment - splint time I hope!

Unfortunately there's no "group" meeting this month -- watch out May!