Baby Steps

Ok - here's the thing - the cast(s) are all off - the wrist is officially healed and I've got a brace which I've been using religiously. HOWEVER - it's been a week and I don't know that I've made the progress I should have - for many reasons! I do have an ulterior motive - I'd like to avoid physical therapy if at all possible!

• Fear - it's very strange to feel "afraid" to use part of your body that you've always used but there you are. I'm able to type with both hands but not as smoothly as I used to - yet. But I've been babying my wrist - probably too much!
• Relying too much on the brace - my wrist - heck the arm - felt naked without something on it so I left the brace on except for showers. It's scratchy and doesn't (of course) have the support of the cast but it does give a sense of security - but it definitely limits mobility!
• Feeling particularly old and vulnerable - this is my birthday month (in fact week) and the length of time this is taking to heal has pointed out, once again, that a significant amount of time has passed and "bouncing back" simply doesn't happen any more. That realization also causes mini - pity parties, which while temporarily gratifying (on some bizarre plane) are simply not useful or helpful

SO - what now!!?? Well, the brace is off today - I'm typing without it and doing ok - the old arm is stiff - of course it is! I don't have any real pain - just some soreness! I'll use the brace at night (at least for another few days) and I'm going to try to make myself use my hand and wrist more. Poor thing can barely hold anything but it's getting better every day!

AND - no more pity parties! I had some whine (with cheese and wine actually) but it's time to "let it go".

I'm going to depend on my friends to reign me in if (ok when) I get going! That's what friends are for - listening, supporting and smacking upside the head when it's needed! It's been a while since we've been able to get together - really looking forward to that!!

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!