Broke my wrist!!!

[Stirchley]

Broke my left wrist Monday on ice I thought was snow. Beyond pissed at myself. Husband is waiting for a knee transplant so we’re both out of commission.

Going by cab now to orthopedist who treated me when I broke my right wrist some years ago.

Virtual hugs welcome - I am dealing badly with this. :mad:

[Sir Toose]

My skeletal system is a cracked up mess so I definitely sympathize! Had a bunch of pins put in my wrist last year. Need both knees replaced too. Hope they patch you up as quickly and painlessly as possible!

[John-Connor]

Get well soon..
https://gifdb.com/images/high/animal-hug-cat-dog-love-mad-hmwza5orov82prcg.gif

Look on the bright side, great opportunity to watch more movies. Or spy on the neighbors. :)

https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i432/rearwindow_hereliethebrokenbones_FC_470x264_021620171130.jpg

[Yoda]

Oof, sorry. Re: ice/snow, like you moved your hand towards something really fast thinking it was snow and it was nice?

Hope you feel better, sounds awful.

[Sedai]

Sorry to hear this!

Big virtual hug incoming!

https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/01/81/96/46/360_F_181964685_GSm7tVdmxsjHvT3VEbGdteUeSOnLxSJ4.jpg

[Citizen Rules]

Broke my left wrist Monday on ice I thought was snow. Beyond pissed at myself. Husband is waiting for a knee transplant so we’re both out of commission.

Going by cab now to orthopedist who treated me when I broke my right wrist some years ago.

Virtual hugs welcome - I am dealing badly with this. :mad:Bummer, I hope it heals quickly without much problems.

Last week we had ice rain in the evening and I was concerned that I hadn't fully raised my suv's windows from driving that day. So I told my wife I was going outside in the dark to check, she said to be careful. I could see our front porch was a sheet of ice so I grabbed the hand rail and took a careful step, then another step...and boom, I slipped so fast that all I could do was to try and hang on but I still fell down the stairs to the bricks below. Now my right ankle really hurts when I walk which is a bummer as I just got a new treadmill. I don't know how long it will take to get better. Yeah ice sucks!

[Allaby]

😟 Oh no. Sorry to hear that. Hope you heal quickly. Sending virtual hugs 🤗

[Rhys]

Ah no, I'm sorry to hear that! It certainly doesn't sound pleasant :(

I hope you heal up quickly!

[SpelingError]

Ouch, get well soon.

[doubledenim]

Always feel weird “liking” a bad mews post, so I’ll gif you my condolences instead 💐

https://media2.giphy.com/media/Pv79kBr8Rte7x15mXQ/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b9529mafn6ucfcubzhe4hhp33fende1ysnrr1n2e3979&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

[John Dumbear]

Sorry to hear about the wrist.

Ice sucks. Feet went out from under me and through my arms out to protect myself. Landed thumb first shattering it, two pins and a screw. This was almost 40 years ago and now arthritis has taken home there. Constant ache.

Helpful Hint: Feel yourself going down, don't t throw your arms out.

[Mesmerized]

Sorry to hear. Hoping your wrist heals quickly.

[Captain Steel]

Sending you prayers of healing vibrations, Stirch.

[beelzebubble]

https://cdn1.cardly.net/card/1/506c83f7-155f-b0bc-5f48-668e2bf8520d/page1-r2-i3497-6aa95ef60da60f9dc66bf7d2a1599273.webp/vp/detail-card/1200

[Stirchley]

My skeletal system is a cracked up mess so I definitely sympathize! Had a bunch of pins put in my wrist last year. Need both knees replaced too. Hope they patch you up as quickly and painlessly as possible!

Husband needs right knee replacement.

Oof, sorry. Re: ice/snow, like you moved your hand towards something really fast thinking it was snow and it was nice?

Hope you feel better, sounds awful.

Thought it was white snow. Nope, it was white ice. First day I didn’t wear ice trekkers. :rolleyes:

Bummer, I hope it heals quickly without much problems.

Last week we had ice rain in the evening and I was concerned that I hadn't fully raised my suv's windows from driving that day. So I told my wife I was going outside in the dark to check, she said to be careful. I could see our front porch was a sheet of ice so I grabbed the hand rail and took a careful step, then another step...and boom, I slipped so fast that all I could do was to try and hang on but I still fell down the stairs to the bricks below. Now my right ankle really hurts when I walk which is a bummer as I just got a new treadmill. I don't know how long it will take to get better. Yeah ice sucks!

Same situation at our house. Slippery old wooden front door steps ending in bricks. Terrifying.

I frickin hate winter & I’m terrified of ice. I’m very tall & slender & I really slammed down on this ice.

Hospital gave me 8 x 50mg Percocet. Nah, 50mg not gonna cut it.

[Austruck]

Oh dear! Many gentle hugs to you! Here's a sign for your yard:

97143

[ynwtf]

^not wrist tho.

GET WELL STIRCHLES! Even if AU up there is off on the anatomy.
:D

[Takoma11]

I'm so sorry that happened to you.

I hope you're able to get on a path to healing quickly.

Hugs!

[Austruck]

^not wrist tho.

GET WELL STIRCHLES! Even if AU up there is off on the anatomy.
:D
I couldn't find an image with someone breaking a wrist on the ice. I mean, c'mon!

[mattiasflgrtll6]

Maybe you need a wristwatch.

Nah but seriously, sorry to hear about what happened to you. Hope you feel better soon!

[xSookieStackhouse]

get better soon!!

[honeykid]

Sorry to hear you've hurt yourself, Stirchley how are you feeling now?

[TDH1878]

Sorry to hear this! Do us a favor and get well soon? :)

[Mr. Mino]

Feel better!

[Stirchley]

Sorry to hear you've hurt yourself, Stirchley how are you feeling now?

I feel like crap. So tedious without my left wrist. Can’t do a thing & it stays on until Feb 7. I hate winter so frickin much. I bought a cane from Amazon as I don’t feel confident walking.

Miss my daily two hour walk - this is what is depressing me so much. When I saw it snowing on Saturday I cried so much. Can’t go to church either as I can’t get unto decent clothes.

Where is my British resilience hiding I would like to know. :eek:

[beelzebubble]

Do you live near a mall? You could go walking there.
I feel crappy too. My head is killing me. I had dental surgery on Friday.
The pain killers are working on my jaw but not my headache.

[Captain Steel]

Not trying to divert attention from Stirchley or playing "top this" or make this about me... BUT... (I'm actually looking for any advice)...

I've got something like a rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder. Don't know how it happened, but it seemed to begin somewhere around the start of the new year.

I did have an injury from 13 years ago (my famous hitting-a-ground-wasp-nest while mowing the lawn story wherein I fell over the lawnmower while getting swarmed and landed on my right shoulder). After that, I spent about 6 months doing my own physical therapy and ultimately seemed to restore my shoulder to normal and it's been fine since 2012.

So, I'm wondering if this is the old injury acting up somehow or something else. It came on suddenly, but not too painful at first, but gradually got much worse to the point where I can't move my arm in certain directions (while in other directions it's fine). I don't know if it's a rotator cuff tear, muscle strain, severe & sudden arthritis, bursitis or what. I think it's getting better, but it's taking so dang long - it's been almost a month with increased mobility or lessoning of pain by only the tiniest of increments each day.

Since I do outdoor work, minor injuries are common, but they usually get better in a matter of days or I can "work" them out. This has been crippling for a month (although I am daily trying to stretch all the surrounding areas that don't hurt).

[Citizen Rules]

...(I'm actually looking for any advice)...

I've got something like a rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder. Don't know how it happened, but it seemed to begin somewhere around the start of the new year.

I did have an injury from 13 years ago (my famous hitting-a-ground-wasp-nest while mowing the lawn story wherein I fell over the lawnmower while getting swarmed and landed on my right shoulder). After that, I spent about 6 months doing my own physical therapy and ultimately seemed to restore my shoulder to normal and it's been fine since 2012.

So, I'm wondering if this is the old injury acting up somehow or something else. It came on suddenly, but not too painful at first, but gradually got much worse to the point where I can't move my arm in certain directions (while in other directions it's fine). I don't know if it's a rotator cuff tear, muscle strain, severe & sudden arthritis, bursitis or what. I think it's getting better, but it's taking so dang long - it's been almost a month with increased mobility or lessoning of pain by only the tiniest of increments each day.

Since I do outdoor work, minor injuries are common, but they usually get better in a matter of days or I can "work" them out. This has been crippling for a month (although I am daily trying to stretch all the surrounding areas that don't hurt).Welcome to my world! That's the second time I typed that this morning and I wish I was joking but I'm not.

Yesterday I had my ankle X-rayed. My ankle hurts in the same manner as your shoulder. Like you I also injured it many years ago...25 years to be exact. Back then I had stepped off the front porch and my foot twisted sideways as I fall. I 'popped off' part of my ankle bone, a little bone chip, which the doctor said would dissolve away. I had a cast on it for exactly 2 hours and then I cut it off because it itched and bugged me. I could feel that bone chip under my skin and that bugged me too. So I got a clean razor blade and sterilized the ankle area with alcohol and heated the razor with a lighter. My intention was to cut into the side of my foot and remove the bone chip. Crazy I know! And I chickened out, luckily.

Flash forward to this summer and I was installing windows in our house and spent a lot of time balancing on a ladder. That caused my right ankle joint to swell and hurt like hell. I went from being able to speed walk 2 miles a day to having to hop around the living room and needing help walking. My ankle got better but never 100%. It's been giving me real problems again. I haven't found out what the results of the X-rays are but my guess is it's arthritis, which can happen in previously injured joints.

My advance to you is see a doctor, get an X-ray or you might very well need 3D imaging to look at the soft tissue. I hope you problem goes well for you, I hope my ankle gets better for me.

[Captain Steel]

Welcome to my world! That's the second time I typed that this morning and I wish I was joking but I'm not.

Yesterday I had my ankle X-rayed. My ankle hurts in the same manner as your shoulder. Like you I also injured it many years ago...25 years to be exact. Back then I had stepped off the front porch and my foot twisted sideways as I fall. I 'popped off' part of my ankle bone, a little bone chip, which the doctor said would dissolve away. I had a cast on it for exactly 2 hours and then I cut it off because it itched and bugged me. I could feel that bone chip under my skin and that bugged me too. So I got a clean razor blade and sterilized the ankle area with alcohol and heated the razor with a lighter. My intention was to cut into the side of my foot and remove the bone chip. Crazy I know! And I chickened out, luckily.

Flash forward to this summer and I was installing windows in our house and spent a lot of time balancing on a ladder. That caused my right ankle joint to swell and hurt like hell. I went from being able to speed walk 2 miles a day to having to hop around the living room and needing help walking. My ankle got better but never 100%. It's been giving me real problems again. I haven't found out what the results of the X-rays are but my guess is it's arthritis, which can happen in previously injured joints.

My advance to you is see a doctor, get an X-ray or you might very well need 3D imaging to look at the soft tissue. I hope you problem goes well for you, I hope my ankle gets better for me.

OMG!

I've done some home surgery (like removing skin tags and I once tried to remove an ingrown toenail which got infected - but I'll save that story for another time). But nothing on par with trying to remove a bone chip under the skin!

I'm glad you chickened out, Rules - because I don't think the attempt would have ended well.

(Ooh! This brings back memories of the scene from Master and Commander where Dr. Maturin had to perform surgery on himself to remove a bullet lodged in his torso! One of my favorite scenes!)

I know the most popular advice would be see a doctor, but all my doctor ever wants to do is focus on blood pressure and cholesterol - and subsequent rounds of maintenance drugs which I don't trust (to the point where she'll virtually ignore any other more immediate complaints). So I've developed an aversion to seeing her.

I've had multiple sprained ankles (and two bunionectomies and peritoneal tendonitis!). I no longer have access to a bathtub, but when I did I'd often do foot & ankle soaks in warm water with Epsom salts. I also found donning a good, flexible ankle brace at the first sign of pain or weakness helpful.

[Stirchley]

wherein I fell over the lawnmower.

Forgive me, but this is the funniest thing I’ve read today. :)

[Stirchley]

Welcome to my world! That's the second time I typed that this morning and I wish I was joking but I'm not.

Yesterday I had my ankle X-rayed. My ankle hurts in the same manner as your shoulder. Like you I also injured it many years ago...25 years to be exact. Back then I had stepped off the front porch and my foot twisted sideways as I fall. I 'popped off' part of my ankle bone, a little bone chip, which the doctor said would dissolve away. I had a cast on it for exactly 2 hours and then I cut it off because it itched and bugged me. I could feel that bone chip under my skin and that bugged me too. So I got a clean razor blade and sterilized the ankle area with alcohol and heated the razor with a lighter. My intention was to cut into the side of my foot and remove the bone chip. Crazy I know! And I chickened out, luckily.

Flash forward to this summer and I was installing windows in our house and spent a lot of time balancing on a ladder. That caused my right ankle joint to swell and hurt like hell. I went from being able to speed walk 2 miles a day to having to hop around the living room and needing help walking. My ankle got better but never 100%. It's been giving me real problems again. I haven't found out what the results of the X-rays are but my guess is it's arthritis, which can happen in previously injured joints.

My advance to you is see a doctor, get an X-ray or you might very well need 3D imaging to look at the soft tissue. I hope you problem goes well for you, I hope my ankle gets better for me.

OMG!

I've done some home surgery (like removing skin tags and I once tried to remove an ingrown toenail which got infected - but I'll save that story for another time). But nothing on par with trying to remove a bone chip under the skin!

I'm glad you chickened out, Rules - because I don't think the attempt would have ended well.

(Ooh! This brings back memories of the scene from Master and Commander where Dr. Maturin had to perform surgery on himself to remove a bullet lodged in his torso! One of my favorite scenes!)

I know the most popular advice would be see a doctor, but all my doctor ever wants to do is focus on blood pressure and cholesterol - and subsequent rounds of maintenance drugs which I don't trust (to the point where she'll virtually ignore any other more immediate complaints). So I've developed an aversion to seeing her.

I've had multiple sprained ankles (and two bunionectomies and peritoneal tendonitis!). I no longer have access to a bathtub, but when I did I'd often do foot & ankle soaks in warm water with Epsom salts. I also found donning a good, flexible ankle brace at the first sign of pain or weakness helpful.

It’s official, you’re both nuts! But thanks for distracting me from my latest fit of self-pity. :(

[Citizen Rules]

It’s official, you’re both nuts! But thanks for distracting me from my latest fit of self-pity. :(:p

[Captain Steel]

Forgive me, but this is the funniest thing I’ve read today. :)

If I had just let go of the lawnmower as soon as I realized the wasps were swarming and stepped calmly backward, I might have been okay (the mower has an automatic stop when you let go of the handle). But, for some reason I thought if I raised the mower up while moving backwards, the blades would provide some defense against the wasps - it didn't, it only angered them more. I admit I panicked when I started getting stung: I finally let go of the mower, I spun around, and when I ran, somehow the mower was now in the way and I went flying over the handle and landed on my shoulder.

[Stirchley]

If I had just let go of the lawnmower as soon as I realized the wasps were swarming and stepped calmly backward, I might have been okay (the mower has an automatic stop when you let go of the handle). But, for some reason I thought if I raised the mower up while moving backwards, the blades would provide some defense against the wasps - it didn't, it only angered them more. I admit I panicked when I started getting stung: I finally let go of the mower, I spun around, and when I ran, somehow the mower was now in the way and I went flying over the handle and landed on my shoulder.

Just stay out of trouble. Okay! :p

[AgrippinaX]

Oh no, you poor thing! That sounds terrible, sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon. :(

Only just seen this.

[Captain Steel]

Just stay out of trouble. Okay! :p

That was 13 years ago. Right before hurricane Irene. Then through the whole clean up after the hurricane, my arm was in a sling.

How's your wrist doing?

[Prieneus]

Ouch. That sucks (must hurt). Warmest virtual hugs to you.

[Stirchley]

That was 13 years ago. Right before hurricane Irene. Then through the whole clean up after the hurricane, my arm was in a sling.

How's your wrist doing?

Wednesday I get the cast off & hope they don’t plan another cast.

Hand is super-tender which is greatly worrying me. 7 years ago broke dominant right wrist, but don’t remember any problems with it despite the fact that the wrist was displaced. This current wrist was not displaced at all.

Thanks for asking Captain.

[honeykid]

Not trying to divert attention from Stirchley or playing "top this" or make this about me... BUT... (I'm actually looking for any advice)...

I've got something like a rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder. Don't know how it happened, but it seemed to begin somewhere around the start of the new year.

I did have an injury from 13 years ago (my famous hitting-a-ground-wasp-nest while mowing the lawn story wherein I fell over the lawnmower while getting swarmed and landed on my right shoulder). After that, I spent about 6 months doing my own physical therapy and ultimately seemed to restore my shoulder to normal and it's been fine since 2012.

So, I'm wondering if this is the old injury acting up somehow or something else. It came on suddenly, but not too painful at first, but gradually got much worse to the point where I can't move my arm in certain directions (while in other directions it's fine). I don't know if it's a rotator cuff tear, muscle strain, severe & sudden arthritis, bursitis or what. I think it's getting better, but it's taking so dang long - it's been almost a month with increased mobility or lessoning of pain by only the tiniest of increments each day.

Since I do outdoor work, minor injuries are common, but they usually get better in a matter of days or I can "work" them out. This has been crippling for a month (although I am daily trying to stretch all the surrounding areas that don't hurt).
Obviously the advice is seek medical advice, but I would add that, if you do a physical job (I don't know how old you are but the more physical the more wear and tear you'll suffer on your body) and age could've had reach a point where it's 'just happened'.

I know you said about your doctor and their attitude, so my advice would be to see another doctor. If they're going to treat you like a customer then act like one and take your business elsewhere to a place/person who's 'customer care' is better. I hope it's nothing serious and heals soon. :)

Stirchley sorry to hear that it's still so uncomfortable. I hope that, come Wednesday, the cast can come off and not need anything else. :)

[Stirchley]

Stirchley sorry to hear that it's still so uncomfortable. I hope that, come Wednesday, the cast can come off and not need anything else. :)

Thanks so much! I have to put on my big girl panties & get through this week. Thursday - in another town! - is my annual physical, which is the last thing I want, but need to take care of.

[Stirchley]

Second cast is off & cast three is on. Bones have moved. If, in a week’s time, they have shifted some more, surgery will be required. If, after a week, they haven’t shifted more, we could leave the wrist as is. Not perfect, but good enough or we can do surgery regardless.

Back to see them next Wednesday. Not gonna lie, I cried there this morning. Doctor & staff are super-nice. Only thing getting me through this.

[Stirchley]

Husband can’t drive right now & I don’t drive. Everyone has been telling about free transport to doctors’ visits, etc. which would help me as no doctor of mine is in the town I live in. So the cab fares plus tips can mount up going to these neighboring towns.

After research, turns out that CT UHC medical insurance only provides rides if I am on Medicaid, which I am not. My city also does not provide rides unless one is on Medicaid & even then the rides must be within city limits so that doesn’t help me.

Gonna stick with Ace cab company. Super-nice driver picks me up & takes me home & I book all my rides directly with him so I don’t have to go through their switchboard.

Off to internist at 8 tomorrow for annual physical. My driver will pick me up around 7 or so.

Living the life. :rolleyes:

[Stirchley]

I’m on my third cast now. Broken bones have not fused yet & I return in a week’s time to evaluate. If they don’t fuse by next week we have to discuss surgery. I’ve never had surgery & I cried a lot when the orthopedist told me this. Continued crying at home because the thought terrifies me.

Anyone here ever had surgery like this or similar?

[Austruck]

I’m on my third cast now. Broken bones have not fused yet & I return in a week’s time to evaluate. If they don’t fuse by next week we have to discuss surgery. I’ve never had surgery & I cried a lot when the orthopedist told me this. Continued crying at home because the thought terrifies me.

Anyone here ever had surgery like this or similar?

I had surgery (not like this but still surgery) back in 2014. I was definitely terrified. Had never had general anesthesia before. (I had my kids at home with no medical intervention, so no hospitals before, either.) Even just getting the I.V. terrified me.

But when the time came, the nurses were kind and I reminded myself that they do this all day long every day. To them it was routine, even if it was life-altering to me. I found a sense of peace and calm in this (plus a lot of prayer from myself and from church friends), and I actually woke up LAUGHING. Whatever anesthesia they gave me agreed with me. I suppose part of it was just waking up at all and knowing it was over.

And although most people going through that surgery are kept overnight, I did so well that I was home by lunchtime and even managed to heat up a casserole for dinner.

I'll be praying for peace and calm for you as you maneuver through these muddy waters. It's a first time for you, but not for everyone who will be attending you. I'm glad you're keeping us posted, so continue to feel free to vent here! <3

[Mesmerized]

I've never had anything like yours, but I had to undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear years ago. I was standing up from a cross legged position and I felt something break inside. I had to do physical therapy which didn't help. Finally I had an MRI and that showed the tear. After the surgery, I had to walk around on crutches for a while which was really depressing.

[Stirchley]

I had surgery (not like this but still surgery) back in 2014. I was definitely terrified. Had never had general anesthesia before. (I had my kids at home with no medical intervention, so no hospitals before, either.) Even just getting the I.V. terrified me.

But when the time came, the nurses were kind and I reminded myself that they do this all day long every day. To them it was routine, even if it was life-altering to me. I found a sense of peace and calm in this (plus a lot of prayer from myself and from church friends), and I actually woke up LAUGHING. Whatever anesthesia they gave me agreed with me. I suppose part of it was just waking up at all and knowing it was over.

And although most people going through that surgery are kept overnight, I did so well that I was home by lunchtime and even managed to heat up a casserole for dinner.

I'll be praying for peace and calm for you as you maneuver through these muddy waters. It's a first time for you, but not for everyone who will be attending you. I'm glad you're keeping us posted, so continue to feel free to vent here! <3

Thanks so much for the good words. I’ve been anesthetized more than once so not concerned much there. The people at the orthopedists are beyond nice so that helps a lot. Everyone says it’s routine, including my internist.

I prayed to Jesus the night before this visit & asked him to come with me. I didn’t see him, but I’m sure he popped in for a minute or two. :)

I've never had anything like yours, but I had to undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear years ago. I was standing up from a cross legged position and I felt something break inside. I had to do physical therapy which didn't help. Finally I had an MRI and that showed the tear. After the surgery, I had to walk around on crutches for a while which was really depressing.

The depression can be killing in such circumstances. I’ve been upset because I can’t take care of our house. The king-sized fitted sheet on our bed is beyond me. But, I’ve been thinking of some ways to manage other things with one wrist out of commish. I believe I could clean our bathroom with one arm & will try next weekend.

[Citizen Rules]

...The depression can be killing in such circumstances. I’ve been upset because I can’t take care of our house. The king-sized fitted sheet on our bed is beyond me. But, I’ve been thinking of some ways to manage other things with one wrist out of commish. I believe I could clean our bathroom with one arm & will try next weekend.Hire a 'maid' aka cleaning service, to come in and clean once or twice a week until you get better. And you will get better.:)

[Stirchley]

Hire a 'maid' aka cleaning service, to come in and clean once or twice a week until you get better. And you will get better.:)

I couldn’t handle a stranger in my house even though it’s a good idea. Husband would freak as would my cat.

I’ll figure it out. :)

[Citizen Rules]

I couldn’t handle a stranger in my house even though it’s a good idea. Husband would freak as would my cat.

I’ll figure it out. :)I can understand that. Can your husband help you with cleaning?

[Mesmerized]

I’ve been upset because I can’t take care of our house. The king-sized fitted sheet on our bed is beyond me. But, I’ve been thinking of some ways to manage other things with one wrist out of commish. I believe I could clean our bathroom with one arm & will try next weekend.

Maybe your husband can help with those chores you can't manage? I can only imagine what it would be like to only be able to use one hand. Going to the bathroom would be hard. I'm hoping and praying you heal soon.

[Stirchley]

Maybe your husband can help with those chores you can't manage? I can only imagine what it would be like to only be able to use one hand. Going to the bathroom would be hard. I'm hoping and praying you heal soon.

Thanks Mezz. Husband is in much worse shape than me planning for a knee replacement. Bad timing for both of us as neither one can help the other. :eek:

[FilmBuff]

Hey Stirchley,
I'm new here so I've only now read the thread - I can relate a lot since I broke my wrist a couple of years ago. Luckily I didn't need surgery - hoping you won't, either.

For me the biggest part was learning to do stuff with one hand. And of course showering without getting my cast wet. That took a bit of trying out different coverings for the cast, ended up using umbrella bags, of all things!

Here's to everything healing quickly and a speedy recovery :D

[Stirchley]

Hey Stirchley,
I'm new here so I've only now read the thread - I can relate a lot since I broke my wrist a couple of years ago. Luckily I didn't need surgery - hoping you won't, either.

For me the biggest part was learning to do stuff with one hand. And of course showering without getting my cast wet. That took a bit of trying out different coverings for the cast, ended up using umbrella bags, of all things!

Here's to everything healing quickly and a speedy recovery :D

Thank you so much. Orthopedist tech told me which arm cover to buy so I could shower. Terrified at first that it would let water onto the cast, but it doesn’t.

Major snowstorm coming down the pike here (though not as major as they 1st said) so getting to doctor’s office by 8.30 on Wednesday might be challenging. Will call tomorrow to make sure doc will be there since I am coming from a different town.

[FilmBuff]

Thank you so much. Orthopedist tech told me which arm cover to buy so I could shower. Terrified at first that it would let water onto the cast, but it doesn’t.

Major snowstorm coming down the pike here (though not as major as they 1st said) so getting to doctor’s office by 8.30 on Wednesday might be challenging. Will call tomorrow to make sure doc will be there since I am coming from a different town.

I hope the snowstorm doesn't keep you from making your appointment! I take it that telehealth is not an option for this appointment? :(

[Stirchley]

I hope the snowstorm doesn't keep you from making your appointment! I take it that telehealth is not an option for this appointment? :(

Hell, no! I would never do that.

[Stirchley]

That must be so painful. I hope you have a quick recovery

Thanks. Leaving soon for 8.30 doctor appointment. :eek:.

[Stirchley]

Today went ok. Can’t believe this place did a full day yesterday with a blizzard outside. Yikes!

Doctor says surgery probably will not be needed. Three more visits (or did he say 6 altogether, which would make it 4 more visits?) & we will probably be done. New cast today in red for Val Day. The guy who puts the casts on is so sweet & kind. We talk about tv & movies the entire time.

So no tears today. :)

[Mesmerized]

Today went ok. Can’t believe this place did a full day yesterday with a blizzard outside. Yikes!

Doctor says surgery probably will not be needed. Three more visits (or did he say 6 altogether, which would make it 4 more visits?) & we will probably be done. New cast today in red for Val Day. The guy who puts the casts on is so sweet & kind. We talk about tv & movies the entire time.

So no tears today. :)

It's good you don't need surgery. I'm glad you're doing OK. 👍

[Stirchley]

It's good you don't need surgery. I'm glad you're doing OK. 👍

It’s not 100% certain, but I hope so.

[honeykid]

Today went ok. Can’t believe this place did a full day yesterday with a blizzard outside. Yikes!

Doctor says surgery probably will not be needed. Three more visits (or did he say 6 altogether, which would make it 4 more visits?) & we will probably be done. New cast today in red for Val Day. The guy who puts the casts on is so sweet & kind. We talk about tv & movies the entire time.

So no tears today. :)

I'm glad to hear that surgery probably won't be needed. :)

Thinking of the cabs, is there a way you could negotiate a deal for the remaining journeys? You've used the same cab company for these journeys, so maybe you could save a little money by using/booking them in advance? If you're going to do it anyway, you may as well see if you can save a little money. You'll be guaranteed income, so a little discount might sound ok to them?

[Stirchley]

I'm glad to hear that surgery probably won't be needed. :)

Thinking of the cabs, is there a way you could negotiate a deal for the remaining journeys? You've used the same cab company for these journeys, so maybe you could save a little money by using/booking them in advance? If you're going to do it anyway, you may as well see if you can save a little money. You'll be guaranteed income, so a little discount might sound ok to them?

The service Cass the driver is rendering to me is priceless. He picks me up at my house, he comes back for me & he brings me home. It’s not even that much money plus a tip for Cass.

I don’t need to save money. Whatever it costs, it costs. You have to remember that I don’t drive & none of these doctors offices are in the city I live in. They’re all in large complexes in neighboring more affluent towns. So it’s just the kind of thing I stress about: Will I be on time? Will I be taken to the right place.? Will he come back for me or will I be stranded God knows where? Not to mention that I’m already stressed with a broken bone.

No, we’re fine as we are. :)

[Stirchley]

The depression can be killing in such circumstances. I’ve been upset because I can’t take care of our house. The king-sized fitted sheet on our bed is beyond me. But, I’ve been thinking of some ways to manage other things with one wrist out of commish. I believe I could clean our bathroom with one arm & will try next weekend.

Two or three days of convulsive crying & I’m done. Feeling better even though the weather still freakin sucks. Damn selfish boneheads who don’t do their sidewalks! It’s a city ordinance. Same people every winter & some of them are corner houses with two driveways they haven’t shoveled.

Realized I have two winter flat sheets for our bed so I can use them instead of a fitted sheet which I won’t be able to deal with for some time. Cleaned the bathroom this a.m. Didn’t go hog wild, but I did a nice job. Will clean downstairs tomorrow, but won’t overdo it. Its been easy so far. :)

[Captain Steel]

Two or three days of convulsive crying & I’m done. Feeling better even though the weather still freakin sucks. Damn selfish boneheads who don’t do their sidewalks! It’s a city ordinance. Same people every winter & some of them are corner houses with two driveways they haven’t shoveled.

Realized I have two winter flat sheets for our bed so I can use them instead of a fitted sheet which I won’t be able to deal with for some time. Cleaned the bathroom this a.m. Didn’t go hog wild, but I did a nice job. Will clean downstairs tomorrow, but won’t overdo it. Its been easy so far. :)

I can relate, Stirchley. I didn't realize (until recently once again) how an injury can effect the emotions.

(I've decided I'm going to call the Dr. on Monday about my shoulder).

This part is more for the things that annoy you thread. but... I was holding off calling the Dr. due to a dental appointment - I get there today and am told the Dentist is not in and I can't see the Dentist until the end of the month! I was so happy yesterday when they said they had an opening today. All I got was a cleaning!)

Anyway, my minor crippling really has me down - after a month and a half, it just seems endless. Everything (like getting dressed) takes much longer, every minor task becomes a major chore that now has to be done in a different way, and a lot of things just aren't getting done the way they used to. Feeling "less than" due to an injury leads to depression, but it is normal.

The key is to stay busy - exercise the parts that aren't injured even more than you used to because with an injury you're either atrophying from inactivity or overcompensating with other body parts that need to be balanced. Get outside as much as possible (endure the cold). Lean on family & friends - just to stay social if not for more practical needs. Remind yourself: this state will not last forever - I will heal.

[Citizen Rules]

I can relate, Stirchley. I didn't realize (until recently once again) how an injury can effect the emotions.
(I've decided I'm going to call the Dr. on Monday about my shoulder). ...After I got the results from my ankle's xray I didn't want to see the doctor as the xrays didn't really show anything wrong. I have arthritis in my ankle joint, it hurts at times like hell, but that's just the way it is and a doctor can't fix that....BUT my wife talked me into going to the foot doctor and the doctor said I have an inflamed tendon, not arthritis. So yes it will get better and I learned exercises and care techniques like ice packs and ibuprofen that helps. Good thing I went to the doctor as it gave me a positive attitude about my ankle. I'm glad you're going to the doctor as well!

[Captain Steel]

After I got the results from my ankle's xray I didn't want to see the doctor as the xrays didn't really show anything wrong. I have arthritis in my ankle joint, it hurts at times like hell, but that's just the way it is and a doctor can't fix that....BUT my wife talked me into going to the foot doctor and the doctor said I have an inflamed tendon, not arthritis. So yes it will get better and I learned exercises and care techniques like ice packs and ibuprofen that helps. Good thing I went to the doctor as it gave me a positive attitude about my ankle. I'm glad you're going to the doctor as well!

Hi Rules!

I had gout a few times and the first time it manifested in my left ankle.
A couple years later I started to have recurring ankle pain (various twinges) - most of the symptoms fit "peroneal tendonitis." I'd spend months wearing an ankle brace for my walks.

I started taking a Turmeric supplement - it's anti-inflammatory properties are supposed to be a treatment and a preventative for gout. (And I haven't had any full-blown flare ups for 2 years.)

But the amazing thing is my chronic ankle pain is also gone. I don't know whether to attribute it to the Turmeric, but if that was the key, then it's worth a try.

The only problem is you may have to take it for several months before seeing a result.

[Stirchley]

Two or three days of convulsive crying & I’m done. Feeling better even though the weather still freakin sucks. Damn selfish boneheads who don’t do their sidewalks! It’s a city ordinance. Same people every winter & some of them are corner houses with two driveways they haven’t shoveled.

Realized I have two winter flat sheets for our bed so I can use them instead of a fitted sheet which I won’t be able to deal with for some time. Cleaned the bathroom this a.m. Didn’t go hog wild, but I did a nice job. Will clean downstairs tomorrow, but won’t overdo it. Its been easy so far. :)

Easily cleaned downstairs. No more tears left. Off to ortho on Wednesday for weekly new cast or whatever. I usually hate changes to my routine, but not in this case. My ortho is so nice & the guy who does the casting is a gem. So it’s almost fun going.

I can relate, Stirchley. I didn't realize (until recently once again) how an injury can affect the emotions.

(I've decided I'm going to call the Dr. on Monday about my shoulder).

This part is more for the things that annoy you thread. but... I was holding off calling the Dr. due to a dental appointment - I get there today and am told the Dentist is not in and I can't see the Dentist until the end of the month! I was so happy yesterday when they said they had an opening today. All I got was a cleaning!)

Anyway, my minor crippling really has me down - after a month and a half, it just seems endless. Everything (like getting dressed) takes much longer, every minor task becomes a major chore that now has to be done in a different way, and a lot of things just aren't getting done the way they used to. Feeling "less than" due to an injury leads to depression, but it is normal.

The key is to stay busy - exercise the parts that aren't injured even more than you used to because with an injury you're either atrophying from inactivity or overcompensating with other body parts that need to be balanced. Get outside as much as possible (endure the cold). Lean on family & friends - just to stay social if not for more practical needs. Remind yourself: this state will not last forever - I will heal.

Good thoughts Captain. I easily can get trapped in a funk. Though the weather here is crap I force myself out. If I didn’t go I would feel so much worse.

[Stirchley]

The service Cass the driver is rendering to me is priceless. He picks me up at my house, he comes back for me & he brings me home. It’s not even that much money plus a tip for Cass.

I don’t need to save money. Whatever it costs, it costs. You have to remember that I don’t drive & none of these doctors offices are in the city I live in. They’re all in large complexes in neighboring more affluent towns. So it’s just the kind of thing I stress about: Will I be on time? Will I be taken to the right place.? Will he come back for me or will I be stranded God knows where? Not to mention that I’m already stressed with a broken bone.

No, we’re fine as we are. :)

Thinking further on this: I do believe my driver might be losing money with me. Because we don’t know how long my appointments will last on any given day. Nothing is rushed in this place & however long it takes is however long it takes.

So what does my driver do in between dropping me off & my call to him to come get me? The longest I have waited for him was our 1st trip & it took 20 mins for him to get me. That was just the once - he now usually comes in 10 mins or less. This is an affluent town & everybody drives & nobody needs a cab ride so I think he just cruises around until I call. There isn’t even a Dunkin at any of these places where he could get coffee.

So altogether a good deal. :)

[Stirchley]

Maybe my final cast today. This one stays on for two weeks (6 weeks in total). If my doctor likes the X-rays in two weeks’ time, I may be moving to a wrist splint. :)

[Stirchley]

Apart from everything else I have to do with a broken wrist a bird dropped down the chimney of our no-longer-used wood furnace. Not the first time since husband never did cap the chimney. Poor bird was in there for 2 days at least. So this morning I went in the basement, opened the furnace door & the bird was quietly sitting there. Not a little bird, but the next size up.

I had the basement doors open, but it took a little while for it to realize it could fly out. Cute little bird who was chattering away. Glad I succeeded in getting it out by myself. It would have been frightened by my husband.

Gotta get chimney capped. Happened too many times.

[Stirchley]

Got Wednesday mixed up with Thursday this week. Final cast is off & I now wear a wrist brace, which is very comfortable.

Doctor wants me to have 8x 30-minutes of physical therapy before I go back to see him in 4-5 weeks. Good thing is I can have it done downtown in the city where I live rather than go to the neighboring town again. Now I can walk there & back.

Hand & wrist are very tender, but I have to get through the therapy.

[Stirchley]

Wish me luck tomorrow for first physical therapy. :(

[Yoda]

Physical therapy is basically always awful, but it can get better quick. Good luck.

[Allaby]

Good luck on your therapy. Hope it goes well.

[Stirchley]

Physical therapy is basically always awful, but it can get better quick. Good luck.

Chris! Just scared the wits out of me now! 😳

[Yoda]

:laugh: Sorry.

What I really just mean is that the very nature of physical therapy is that the movement you don't want to do, is what you have to do. If it hurts to make a fist if you have to make a fist. If it feels weird to bend your wrist back, that's what you gotta do. But honestly there's something nice about knowing you're supposed to do it anyway, and you might be surprised at how quickly you bounce back once you get through that first couple of times. I think in your case it'll go great. :up:

[Stirchley]

:laugh: Sorry.

What I really just mean is that the very nature of physical therapy is that the movement you don't want to do, is what you have to do. If it hurts to make a fist if you have to make a fist. If it feels weird to bend your wrist back, that's what you gotta do. But honestly there's something nice about knowing you're supposed to do it anyway, and you might be surprised at how quickly you bounce back once you get through that first couple of times. I think in your case it'll go great. :up:

Good explanation because I don’t want to do the movement that I have to do. Funny you mention the wrist back bend - ortho guy is very fond of this. :eek:

No doubt I will have a few tears tomorrow, but I don’t want to scare away the female therapist.

My wrist is very tender & it just seems scary that someone is going to be touching it when I would just like to keep my wrist brace on.

Any other good advice gladly accepted if you have more. Have you had PT ever?

[Citizen Rules]

This will cheer you up Stirch...therapy on your wrist will get you back to normal 5 times faster than if you just left a wrist brace on it and avoided using your wrist.

[Yoda]

Yeah, I got bitten by a dog a few years ago and had to do PT for my hand. And it was as described: the one thing I didn't want to do (make a fist) was exactly the thing I had to do. And as I talked about it with other people I realized that's basically almost always what it is. Lots of injuries just heal, but PT is distinct from healing in that it stops your body from healing "wrong" as it were. Healing in some new place or angle that hurts less but will create more long-term problems.

But there really is something liberating about it, too. Ever try to turn a screw or a knob or whatever but not want to go full-bore because you think you might break it? It's kind of like that, except you KNOW you're turning it the right way and can't break it, so you can just turn as hard as you want. It's kinda...fun? Weird to say fun but that's how it feels to me. I feel similarly about things like this: it's interesting to cringe at the thought of something but to have professional assurance that it's okay, you won't actually injure yourself if you do it.

Anyway, your reward is at some point, possibly even pretty early on, you'll do the movement you don't want to do and it'll be a little easier/better than it was before, and that's a lovely feeling that you can coast on through the rest of the therapy. And then one day you realize you haven't even thought about the movement and you're back to normal.

[Stirchley]

This will cheer you up Stirch...therapy on your wrist will get you back to normal 5 times faster than if you just left a wrist brace on it and avoided using your wrist.

Good advice & it makes sense. I think ortho told me to keep it on until next visit (3 weeks to go). He didn’t want my hand “flapping around” is how he put it I think. Sleep without it on, etc. I sleep perfectly well without the brace.

I do like my brace for sure & I could see it being a crutch. I’m just so nervous without it.

Will see what therapist says tomorrow. She’s with a major hospital so not worried about her creds.

[Stirchley]

Yeah, I got bitten by a dog a few years ago and had to do PT for my hand. And it was as described: the one thing I didn't want to do (make a fist) was exactly the thing I had to do. And as I talked about it with other people I realized that's basically almost always what it is. Lots of injuries just heal, but PT is distinct from healing in that it stops your body from healing "wrong" as it were. Healing in some new place or angle that hurts less but will create more long-term problems.

But there really is something liberating about it, too. Ever try to turn a screw or a knob or whatever but not want to go full-bore because you think you might break it? It's kind of like that, except you KNOW you're turning it the right way and can't break it, so you can just turn as hard as you want. It's kinda...fun? Weird to say fun but that's how it feels to me. I feel similarly about things like this: it's interesting to cringe at the thought of something but to have professional assurance that it's okay, you won't actually injure yourself if you do it.

Anyway, your reward is at some point, possibly even pretty early on, you'll do the movement you don't want to do and it'll be a little easier/better than it was before, and that's a lovely feeling that you can coast on through the rest of the therapy. And then one day you realize you haven't even thought about the movement and you're back to normal.

I totally remember the dog bite.

Making a fist is not a problem - phew.

Turning a doorknob has been a milestone for me. I make myself do it now.

Just got husband to open cat food cans again. Gone backwards with that, but the cans of fancy feast are small & the ring pull is annoying.

Funny thing is, I’m afraid wrist will break again. Having a hard time steering away from negative thoughts.

[Mesmerized]

PT on your wrist is going to hurt like hell. Ha ha just kidding 😂
I had pt once on my leg and it wasn't bad. Of course the only thing I really liked about it is that I got assigned to a good looking woman.

[Stirchley]

PT on your wrist is going to hurt like hell. Ha ha just kidding 😂
I had pt once on my leg and it wasn't bad. Of course the only thing I really liked about it is that I got assigned to a good looking woman.

Not funny Mezzy! Don’t want to hear about pain. :eek:

[Mesmerized]

Not funny Mezzy! Don’t want to hear about pain. :eek:

Before having surgery on my leg, I had pt which didn't help. After surgery I did my own pt to get my leg working again. It's depressing when you have to hobble around with crutches. At least you won't need them.

[Stirchley]

Before having surgery on my leg, I had pt which didn't help. After surgery I did my own pt to get my leg working again. It's depressing when you have to hobble around with crutches. At least you won't need them.

Yeah, that would be horrid. I would be so depressed if I couldn’t do my daily 2-hour walk.

[Mesmerized]

Yeah, that would be horrid. I would be so depressed if I couldn’t do my daily 2-hour walk.

2 hours is a long walk. What kind of shoes do you have? I wear Nikes.

[Stirchley]

2 hours is a long walk. What kind of shoes do you have? I wear Nikes.

I go to a place called Fleet Feet to buy 2 new pairs every year. I think I have Brooks right now, but will check later. Shock absorption is what I need most.

[Yoda]

When I started walking my dog twice a day I started burning through walking shoes, and for a long time I kept thinking I could find a pair I could pay more for that would last longer, but nothing seems to do it. I think the physics just don't work. If you walk miles and miles every week you're just gonna need a new pair of shoes once or twice a year. I've resigned myself to it at this point.

[Mr Minio]

If you walk miles and miles every week you're just gonna need a new pair of shoes once or twice a year. I've resigned myself to it at this point. You mean you want your shoes to last you a lifetime? :eek: If you walk considerable distances daily you should replace your shoes AT LEAST every 3 months. Actually, you should have at least two pairs and use them interchangeably to give the amortization foam time to spring back up after use. Of course, if you're willing to pay a lot for a really good pair like the Brooks Stirchley is talking about, they'll last you longer, but even pro running shoes like that lose their amortization after some time. Wear and tear is just inevitable. Incidentally, walking a lot is not that different from running and presents a considerable shock for your heels and knees, so walking every day requires a pair of running shoes, not walking shoes. Walking shoes are only good for walking around the office or something.

[Yoda]

You mean you want your shoes to last you a lifetime? :eek:
Nah. I just assumed there'd be a longer life cycle available on a per-dollar basis than the cheap ones I was buying. IE: maybe a $40 pair lasts me four months but if I spring for $80 it lasts me a year or something. Similar quality/upfront cost tradeoffs exist with most clothes, I've found. But apparently not for walking shoes.

I did buy a pair of Merrell's after hearing about them on a podcast from a guy who literally walks all over the world and while they're nice, I'd say they only really last a little longer than the cheap ones. Lesson learned.

[Mr Minio]

Nah. I just assumed there'd be a longer life cycle available on a per-dollar basis than the cheap ones I was buying. IE: maybe a $40 pair lasts me four months but if I spring for $80 it lasts me a year or something. Might have to do with your unusual feet.

I'm using mid-price range shoes atm. They're better than the atrocities I'd walked in before, but I could use some more shock absorption. I like to walk for at least one hour and when I walk, I walk really fast, so heel striking is something I always resort to doing without thinking about it. I'm actually romancing with the idea of buying a really top pair of running shoes, maybe Brooks Ghost Max. It's so much better to pay more but to not end up with plantar fasciitis or worse.

[Yoda]

In all seriousness, yes, I think I wear shoes out quicker than your average person/asymmetrically, which probably exacerbates the issue a little.

[Mr Minio]

Wait, this isn't the MoFo Health Thread. We might want to move there.

[Stirchley]

When I started walking my dog twice a day I started burning through walking shoes, and for a long time I kept thinking I could find a pair I could pay more for that would last longer, but nothing seems to do it. I think the physics just don't work. If you walk miles and miles every week you're just gonna need a new pair of shoes once or twice a year. I've resigned myself to it at this point.

My sneaks cost at least $100 per pair. Plus inserts. Each pair lasts 6 months. But they’re worth it IMO. The damage I could potentially do to joints would be awful to deal with. Ran downstairs to see what I have now & they are Brooks. Before these I wore a lot of Saucony. BTW, these are all running shoes not walking shoes.

[Stirchley]

Survived my first day of physical therapy yesterday. Very nice young woman is my therapist & she shares all information with my orthopedist. Our evaluation lasted one hour & I have scheduled appointments through April though I may not need that many.

She is very gentle & did not attempt to push me. I have 4 exercises to do in reps of 10 three times a day. (No doubt there will be more exercises to do.) I’ve always hated exercises, but she says to think of them as movements rather than exercises. I can do that. I also cannot wear my wrist brace for long periods of time. As she says, my wrist needs to move!

All in all we are coming along slowly. :)

[Yoda]

Great news, partially because it'll (mostly, probably) only get easier from those first few sessions, barring them adding new stuff. If it wasn't too bad that probably bodes well for the rest of it.

[Stirchley]

Great news, partially because it'll (mostly, probably) only get easier from those first few sessions, barring them adding new stuff. If it wasn't too bad that probably bodes well for the rest of it.

She seemed slightly surprised I could do what I did though I don’t want to make too much of that.

She’s a nice lady who is easy to talk to & she’s very gentle, which was what I wanted. And she explains everything too which is crucial for me. :)

[Yoda]

Nurses and therapists are so often angelic people. They have to be. They're seeing people at their absolute worst. Can't imagine the abuse physical therapists have to endure in the really rough cases.

I know several PTs, all through softball. Presumably because softball's a perfect low impact sport for people who otherwise aren't as active/young/whatever. That and Pittsburgh's health care industry just being massive. Learned a lot from them all.

[Stirchley]

Nurses and therapists are so often angelic people. They have to be. They're seeing people at their absolute worst. Can't imagine the abuse physical therapists have to endure in the really rough cases.

I know several PTs, all through softball. Presumably because softball's a perfect low impact sport for people who otherwise aren't as active/young/whatever. That and Pittsburgh's health care industry just being massive. Learned a lot from them all.

Yes, I agree. I wonder if mine does the whole body or just hand problems - will have to ask her.

Pittsburgh’s health care industry being massive is a good thing or bad?

[Yoda]

Pittsburgh’s health care industry being massive is a good thing or bad?
I'd say mostly good. We're the second-oldest state in the nation behind Florida, which is part of it. But they also fly athletes and the like to our institutions here sometimes, so it's as much quality as it is quantity. And it's a growth industry for better or worse, so it's a pretty good landing spot for a former steel town/rust belt kinda city.

[Stirchley]

I'd say mostly good. We're the second-oldest state in the nation behind Florida, which is part of it. But they also fly athletes and the like to our institutions here sometimes, so it's as much quality as it is quantity. And it's a growth industry for better or worse, so it's a pretty good landing spot for a former steel town/rust belt kinda city.

Have you always lived in Pittsburgh? I’ve been a single time to Philly, but nowhere else in PA. (We had a country house one mile from the border with Stalker, PA for many years, but we never crossed that border for some reason.)

I would imagine the history of Pittsburgh is very interesting.

[Yoda]

Have you always lived in Pittsburgh? I’ve been a single time to Philly, but nowhere else in PA. (We had a country house one mile from the border with Stalker, PA for many years, but we never crossed that border for some reason.)

I would imagine the history of Pittsburgh is very interesting.
Yup, lived in Pittsburgh my whole life, albeit all over the area. I like it, it's a nice place to live. Winters are cold but tolerable. We also have a lot of overcast, rainy days. But on the flip side the summer's are moderate and the cost of living is incredibly low, for a variety of reasons.

It has a lot of history and lot of personality, for sure.

[beelzebubble]

Yup, lived in Pittsburgh my whole life, albeit all over the area. I like it, it's a nice place to live. Winters are cold but tolerable. We also have a lot of overcast, rainy days. But on the flip side the summer's are moderate and the cost of living is incredibly low, for a variety of reasons.

It has a lot of history and lot of personality, for sure.


Did you or Austruck feel that explosion that happened recently? I read about it on r/pennsylvania.

[Austruck]

Have you always lived in Pittsburgh? I’ve been a single time to Philly, but nowhere else in PA. (We had a country house one mile from the border with Stalker, PA for many years, but we never crossed that border for some reason.)

I would imagine the history of Pittsburgh is very interesting.

You really can't judge Pittsburgh by Philadelphia. The two cities are vastly different. I tend to think Pittsburgh's the better of the two. (Grew up about an hour north of Philly in Easton, then came out here to Pittsburgh for college and never left.)

[Austruck]

Did you or Austruck feel that explosion that happened recently? I read about it on r/pennsylvania.

It was about 13 miles from where I live here in Beaver County, PA. Yoda's a little farther than I am. No, I was too far to feel the explosion, but I go past the general area quite often (including yesterday). It was the third house explosion in western PA in just the past few months.

[honeykid]

I live here in Beaver County, PA.

https://c.tenor.com/HTTpVjyONUwAAAAC/beavis-and-butt-head-laughing.gif

[Austruck]

https://c.tenor.com/HTTpVjyONUwAAAAC/beavis-and-butt-head-laughing.gif

Yeah, yeah, yeah... You're not the first. You won't be the last. :D

[honeykid]

Yeah, yeah, yeah... You're not the first. You won't be the last. :D
I was already in no doubt that both were true. :)

[Mesmerized]

Yup, lived in Pittsburgh my whole life,


Did you ever meet Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood? I grew up watching that show.

[Yoda]

Did you ever meet Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood? I grew up watching that show.
I can't remember if I met him as a kid or not, but I was around the TV station a fair bit (I basically grew up around mass media in various forms).

The best story my family as a whole has about this, though, is when my younger sister was with my Dad at the station and they were on the elevator, and Mr. Rogers just walked right on and said hello. Apparently her mouth just fell open and she stared at him until he walked off, too dumbstruck to say anything.

Every local story I've heard about him is 100% consistent with his public image, too. He was the real deal.

[Stirchley]

You really can't judge Pittsburgh by Philadelphia. The two cities are vastly different. I tend to think Pittsburgh's the better of the two. (Grew up about an hour north of Philly in Easton, then came out here to Pittsburgh for college and never left.)

Nobody’s judging. :)

[Stirchley]

Anyway, back to moi.

Had my second PT today. Next one is Friday.

Quite a bit of discomfort over the weekend. Something tells me this is gonna take a while.

PT lady says I can use my moist heating pad & ice, good to know.

She did something different with my hand today. Too bothersome to explain, but I like it.

No new exercises at the moment so was relieved I just have 3 at the moment.

Had coffee afterwards at Dunkin opposite the hospital & was warmly greeted by Dunkin employees I haven’t seen since Covid so that was fun.

[Austruck]

Anyway, back to moi.

Had my second PT today. Next one is Friday.

Quite a bit of discomfort over the weekend. Something tells me this is gonna take a while.

PT lady says I can use my moist heating pad & ice, good to know.

She did something different with my hand today. Too bothersome to explain, but I like it.

No new exercises at the moment so was relieved I just have 3 at the moment.

Had coffee afterwards at Dunkin opposite the hospital & was warmly greeted by Dunkin employees I haven’t seen since Covid so that was fun.

Glad things are moving along, but it must be a little frustrating that things like this just can't be hurried and will have to take as much time as they do. (Did you pray for patience or something? Don't ever pray for patience.) :D :D

Also glad that your experience ended with something a little nicer at Dunkin. I find that little uplifting moments like that can change my attitude for the rest of the day.

Odd question: How do you know whether to use ice or heat on something like this? I remember someone saying to use ice to bring down swelling and then heat to warm up muscles and get circulation moving better. But what do I know? (Pretty much nothing.) Just curious if there really are "rules" about such things or if it's more about what feels good and helps at any given moment.

[Stirchley]

Glad things are moving along, but it must be a little frustrating that things like this just can't be hurried and will have to take as much time as they do. (Did you pray for patience or something? Don't ever pray for patience.) :D :D

Also glad that your experience ended with something a little nicer at Dunkin. I find that little uplifting moments like that can change my attitude for the rest of the day.

Odd question: How do you know whether to use ice or heat on something like this? I remember someone saying to use ice to bring down swelling and then heat to warm up muscles and get circulation moving better. But what do I know? (Pretty much nothing.) Just curious if there really are "rules" about such things or if it's more about what feels good and helps at any given moment.

I’m not a patient person.

Today was tough & your questions are on point. I would say everything got inflamed yesterday with moist heat, which I usually love. We did it in the office at my suggestion & I did it at home too. Not gonna repeat this. Icing all the way today. About 20 minutes per hour works. The iciness has gone away after 20 mins have passed.

I occasionally pull a back muscle & the only thing that works is 20 minutes of ice plus lots of moist heat. Takes time to recover (very painful), but it always works.

My hand is a mess today & it’s hard for me to believe that hurting me is gonna make me better. Felt like crying today, but didn’t. Next appt is Friday. :mad:

[Austruck]

I’m not a patient person.

Today was tough & your questions are on point. I would say everything got inflamed yesterday with moist heat, which I usually love. We did it in the office at my suggestion & I did it at home too. Not gonna repeat this. Icing all the way today. About 20 minutes per hour works. The iciness has gone away after 20 mins have passed.

I occasionally pull a back muscle & the only thing that works is 20 minutes of ice plus lots of moist heat. Takes time to recover (very painful), but it always works.

My hand is a mess today & it’s hard for me to believe that hurting me is gonna make me better. Felt like crying today, but didn’t. Next appt is Friday. :mad:

I always consider myself a patient person... till I'm in pain or short on sleep. Then I realize that clearly I am NOT a patient person. Prayers headed your way for a quicker resolution to this whole fiasco than you are currently experiencing! <3

[Stirchley]

I always consider myself a patient person... till I'm in pain or short on sleep. Then I realize that clearly I am NOT a patient person. Prayers headed your way for a quicker resolution to this whole fiasco than you are currently experiencing! <3

Thanks. I want to ask your dear son (@Yoda) how long he did PT for his hand if he can remember.

[Austruck]

Did that @ not work because of the parentheses?
Yoda

[Yoda]

Yes. Needs some spacing or something, I forget why, it's someone else's forum modification but it's slightly temperamental.

[Stirchley]

Did that @ not work because of the parentheses?
Yoda

Must have. Drove me nuts!

[Austruck]

Yes. Needs some spacing or something, I forget why, it's someone else's forum modification but it's slightly temperamental.

Not temperamental. It makes perfect sense that it would look at everything past the @ until the next space, which would have included the closing parenthesis. :)

[Stirchley]

Had fun at physical therapy today. Not!

Only good thing that happened was that I discovered McDonald’s for the first time in my life. (Yes, it’s true.)

Very particular about hot coffee & I never stray from Dunkin. Every one told me McCafe is great coffee but I didn’t want to visit a grimy scruffy place redolent of dead animals. So frickin cold in CT this a.m. so I braved McD to try the coffee.

Wow, so unexpected. They’ve put a ton of money into this place (it’s been there forever) & made it state-of-the-art. If I described it in a word I would say clinical. Lots of white tile & a color palette of grey & black. Lots of seating to choose from. It was almost space-age. The counterperson was very nice &, yes, the coffee was very hot & delicious.

I will return. :)

[Austruck]

Sorry about the PT not being fun. :( And yes, McDonald's basic coffee is pretty darn good. And cheap! Around here, any size (even the gargantuan one) runs about a dollar. All the McDonald's stores around here went space-age, so I know exactly what you're talking about. :) They've completely done away with the bright colors and kid-friendly atmosphere in favor of sleek and barren. With more kiosks than actual employees. :D

[Stirchley]

Sorry about the PT not being fun. :( And yes, McDonald's basic coffee is pretty darn good. And cheap! Around here, any size (even the gargantuan one) runs about a dollar. All the McDonald's stores around here went space-age, so I know exactly what you're talking about. :) They've completely done away with the bright colors and kid-friendly atmosphere in favor of sleek and barren. With more kiosks than actual employees. :D

PT was fine. Me feeling sorry for myself.

My coffee was over a dollar for a small one.

I think I saw the kiosks. Will try one next time. I was mighty confused at first as to where exactly I procure a coffee. Until the counter person popped up. :)

[Austruck]

PT was fine. Me feeling sorry for myself.

My coffee was over a dollar for a small one.

I think I saw the kiosks. Will try one next time. I was mighty confused at first as to where exactly I procure a coffee. Until the counter person popped up. :)

Yeah, at a few of the McD's here, the counter people tend to hide in the back and only pop out if you cough loudly. :D

[beelzebubble]

Nobody’s judging. :)
Believe me, we Pennsylvanian's judge. :D

[Austruck]

Believe me, we Pennsylvanian's judge. :D

This completely judging Pennsylvanian will remind you not to use an apostrophe to make a word plural.

[Mesmerized]

I will return. :)


Try their Big Macs. They're good.

[Stirchley]

Try their Big Macs. They're good.

I’m a vegetarian.

[Mesmerized]

I’m a vegetarian.


My condolences.

[Mesmerized]

Try their Filet-O-Fish. They're good too.

And French fries.

[beelzebubble]

This completely judging Pennsylvanian will remind you not to use an apostrophe to make a word plural.
Doh! :p

[Stirchley]

PT was fine. Me feeling sorry for myself.

My coffee was over a dollar for a small one.

I think I saw the kiosks. Will try one next time. I was mighty confused at first as to where exactly I procure a coffee. Until the counter person popped up. :)

Austruck, Had fun with the kiosks today. Coffee not as hot as Dunkin so that’s a point against McCafe.

Most amusing to listen to classical music there today. Nobody seemed upset by it & I’ve often wondered why it’s not played in other places. Turns out it was Radio WRTI out of Philly, which is the station I listen to every day. Who would have thunk it. :)

As I looked around the place more fully today, I noticed they even have Picasso-like wall art. And the kitchen is completely hidden there behind like raffia screens.

[Stirchley]

Cried a lot at physical therapy today. She had taped my hand last week & unfortunately today it was a battle to get the tape off. We lost half my appointment trying to get the tape off. She didn’t know how sensitive my skin is. Now she knows. :o

[Austruck]

Cried a lot at physical therapy today. She had taped my hand last week & unfortunately today it was a battle to get the tape off. We lost half my appointment trying to get the tape off. She didn’t know how sensitive my skin is. Now she knows. :o

Oh dear, that sounds particularly nasty. If you're like me, you also hated having to let a parent rip off a Band-Aid. I still don't like doing that to this day. Sounds like a MAJOR version of that. Blech. :(

[Captain Steel]

Cried a lot at physical therapy today. She had taped my hand last week & unfortunately today it was a battle to get the tape off. We lost half my appointment trying to get the tape off. She didn’t know how sensitive my skin is. Now she knows. :o

In my mom's last years, a simple Band Aid could tear her skin. I remember a nurse showing her how to use gauze on wounds and apply tape to the gauze to keep it in place.
"Never let tape or adhesive touch the skin," she told us.

[Stirchley]

Oh dear, that sounds particularly nasty. If you're like me, you also hated having to let a parent rip off a Band-Aid. I still don't like doing that to this day. Sounds like a MAJOR version of that. Blech. :(

Never had a problem with Bandaids. She had suggested at one time that I remove the tape at home with olive oil if I wanted to. I would have FREAKED if I had done this & the tape wouldn’t come off.

In my mom's last years, a simple Band Aid could tear her skin. I remember a nurse showing her how to use gauze on wounds and apply tape to the gauze to keep it in place.
"Never let tape or adhesive touch the skin," she told us.

Gee, I never knew this. The first time this ever happened to me.

She was very gentle today. It’s a small place where we do therapy & everyone knows me now as the cry baby. :D

[AgrippinaX]

Cried a lot at physical therapy today. She had taped my hand last week & unfortunately today it was a battle to get the tape off. We lost half my appointment trying to get the tape off. She didn’t know how sensitive my skin is. Now she knows. :o

So sorry to hear that! That sounds horrendous. PT in general is harder than most people realise. Sending you strength.

[Stirchley]

So sorry to hear that! That sounds horrendous. PT in general is harder than most people realise. Sending you strength.

Thanks. It’s a long slow process.

PT woman is super-nice & we have good energy. There was even a doctor there this morning getting PT.

[Stirchley]

Final X-rays & they look good. No need for more.

Wrist has “completely healed” though I still need PT twice a week. Back in one month for evaluation. Still have a fair amount of discomfort.

We had a little mishap on Monday with my PT with our first try of putty. I was able to do the exercises, but have felt it since. Doctor says I need to persevere with putty, but I will wait until my next PT appointment before I try putty again.

Disappointed this a.m. trying to wear tights. Nope, total fail trying to get them on. It will be an accomplishment if I can wear tights again. (Always had a slight difficulty wearing them. Leggings are so much easier to get on.)

[Citizen Rules]

Tights? Ballet?

[Stirchley]

Tights? Ballet?

No. Tights that women wear every day. Today is cold so tights would have been nice.

[Citizen Rules]

No. Tights that women wear every day. Today is cold so tights would have been nice.Wouldn't tights be colder than pants in cold weather? I wouldn't know myself:p

[Stirchley]

Wouldn't tights be colder than pants in cold weather? I wouldn't know myself:p

Tights under a dress. Cozy. :)

[Stirchley]

Self-diagnosed tendinitis in my wrist now though neither my doctor or physical therapist would acknowledge this. (Noticing the tendency of doctors lately to “stay in their lane”.) It’s no big deal - a little burning & stinging of the tendons on the thumb side. Found the online diagnosis quite easily with many world-class hospitals (UConn, e.g.) illustrating the problem on their websites. Hopefully one day it will go away. :)

[Captain Steel]

I think the days of house calls had some very positive aspects (aside from just being convenient for the patients). Doctors seemed much more decisive and definitive in their diagnoses, prescriptions and prognoses. I think this had a lot to do with the fact that they didn't want to have to come back multiple times!

But nowadays their typical diagnosis is "it could be this, that or any number of things" - for which they send you for tests and schedule follow up visits and often refer you to go see someone else before the next follow up. Whereas they used to not want to see you again on a house call they had to make, they now want you coming back to THEIR offices endlessly (not because they desire to see you again or sincerely want to work on getting you well, but to collect yet another insurance payment).

[Stirchley]

I think the days of house calls had some very positive aspects (aside from just being convenient for the patients). Doctors seemed much more decisive and definitive in their diagnoses, prescriptions and prognoses. I think this had a lot to do with the fact that they didn't want to have to come back multiple times!

But nowadays their typical diagnosis is "it could be this, that or any number of things" - for which they send you for tests and schedule follow up visits and often refer you to go see someone else before the next follow up. Whereas they used to not want to see you again on a house call they had to make, they now want you coming back to THEIR offices endlessly (not because they desire to see you again or sincerely want to work on getting you well, but to collect yet another insurance payment).

Exactly!!! That’s why I will decide when my PT will be finished. I have no intention of doing it forever. My orthopedist says my wrist is fully healed, no more X-rays, but let’s meet again in a month.

Amusing that the wordle word today is WRIST.

[Stirchley]

It’s so annoying that people think my wrist is fully healed because I no longer have a cast. Yes, casts are done & the bone is fully healed, but “torture therapy” is only just getting started. I still want attention & sympathy. :mad:

[Stirchley]

Declaring my thread finished now. Three months later quite a bit of discomfort due to tendinitis, arthritis, whatever, but the main thing is I can do everything I did before. I am done with physical therapy & I believe my hand & wrist can improve slowly if I leave them alone. I am a very slow healer & my wrist is no exception.

Last routine visit today when I finally bid my doctor adios.

Thanks everyone who read this thread. Appreciate it. :)

[Yoda]

Cool, sounds like a good outcome. :up: Congrats on getting through the tough part, here's hoping it gets all the way back before long.

[Stirchley]

Cool, sounds like a good outcome. :up: Congrats on getting through the tough part, here's hoping it gets all the way back before long.

That may never happen. Not bothered though - I can live with what I have now. Not gonna put the ice packs away though or the moist heating pad. :)

[Stirchley]

Amusing to see a fellow sufferer at the checkout in Whole Foods this morning. We both have the same wrist brace and, it turned out, the same doctor. She told me it’s true a broken wrist can exacerbate arthritis even if it was invisible before. This has become a problem for me. She says she wears her brace constantly and I determined I will get mine out & try it more. Wish we’d had more time to talk, but that would hold up the self-checkout line.

[liscarkat]

I broke my wrist in a motorcycle racing crash when I was seventeen. Back then they did plaster casts. I accidentally spilled beer onto and into the cast one night, and had to live with the stink the next few weeks before it was removed. The arm was kind of shriveled and atrophied, and it took a couple of months of work to get it back to normal strength and appearance.

[Mesmerized]

Be careful putting your hand into the snow this winter. 😀

[hownos]

Broke my left wrist Monday on ice I thought was snow. Beyond pissed at myself. Husband is waiting for a knee transplant so we’re both out of commission.

Going by cab now to orthopedist who treated me when I broke my right wrist some years ago.

Virtual hugs welcome - I am dealing badly with this. :mad:

How is your husband doing?

[Stirchley]

How is your husband doing?

Still waiting. The joys of the American healthcare system. :rolleyes:

[hownos]

Still waiting. The joys of the American healthcare system. :rolleyes:

a long wait sounds more like the canadian system :)

[Stirchley]

a long wait sounds more like the canadian system :)

Can only imagine the delays in the UK. :eek:

[jamesbrownn800]

Broken wrists are the worst. Hope the ortho can get you fixed up quickly.