Getting One Step Closer

When I was fourteen, I thought it would be the coolest thing to break my right arm. Why? So I could write with my left hand of course! Now that my arm is out of commission, it's not as fun as one would think. Granted there is a lot of time spent hanging out and lounging in the house because a lot of stuff needs two hands or two elbows to do, but after two weeks just hanging out starts to get old. To occupy myself, I've started this blog. My hope is that it will a) give me something to do and b) answer everyone's question of "How are you holding up?"

So far I am holding up alright. It has taken two weeks, but I really am starting to feel like me again. This break isn't a typical break. When I got into the accident my right elbow hit the steering wheel just so and BAM; it smashed into 6-8 peices. I had open reduction and internal installation surgery on it, and now have a bionic elbow made up of one pin, around nine screws, a handful of wires, two plates, a bracket, and a bolt holder. I was in the hospital for five days, but tie flew because of all the visitors that came. The actual emotional impact of the injury did not hit me until I came home. For the first few days I was frustrated because I really could not do a lot on my own. Everything from bathing to eating required a lot of assistance. It felt like I was a baby again! The pain meds also made me very grouchy, tired, forgetful, and irritable. I really wasn't the nicest person to be around...

Exactly one week after being discharged, I had a follow up with the doctor. They put me in a Bledsoe Brace instead of a cast even though I am not fully healed yet. Our hope is that the brace will restore some of my movement in my elbow, but I was told I will not get a full range of motion back. At times it feels very heavy and hot. It is also an annoyance to take on and off, so it makes getting dressed very painful. As much as I may complain about the brace, I love the hope it gives me. The doctor set it so I can have ten degrees of motion in my arm, and I practice with it every day. I also am working on moving my right hand, fingers and wrist because they too were damaged by this injury. I do at home PT by squeezing theraputic sponges, slowly bending my wrist and doing finger exersizes. My next appointment is Friday, and I am so excited to show them what I can do!

I have also figured out methods to do things semi independently, which is quite nice :) It makes me feel like I am one step closer to being me again....which I am if you think about it!

-Jill