random thoughts – Day 1,808 – (Thursday) – follow-up and letdowns

The surgery follow-up this morning was interesting. My stomach sunk a bit when entering the office and seeing a couple people waiting in line to check in with reception and a crowded waiting room. The friend who drove me there went to handle some errands while I was at the office.

The latest x-rays.

Despite the crowd, things in the office moved along efficiently. When my name was called, I was escorted to an x-ray room for an image taken through the bandages on my wrist. The next stop was a room equipped with a desk with two computer monitors, two guest chairs, a sink, and other doctor office-y things. I was too busy trying to get a picture of the screen with my x-rays with the new hardware to take full notice of the room. 

An assistant came in and cut through the layers of compression bandage and cotton and removed the splint. The first view of the bruising and the surgical incision line with eight industrial strength staples was a bit alarming. I was instructed to wash my hands and forearm and pat the area dry. It was accompanied by a combination of feeling grossed out and grossly fascinated. Of course I took a photo. It’s kind of too bad it’s not Halloween, this is currently prize winning gross costume material.

The next phase of the visit was putting on a thin, fabric wrist sleeve, and then a removable brace. The brace can come off for hand washing and showering but otherwise stays on. There were questions I remembered to ask – the main one being, “when can I drive?” I don’t know what answer I expected, but I was surprised when the answer was, “not for four weeks.” Dang. Next week, I go back to have the staples removed.

A friend and I joked about the scar in my future. We tossed about some fun answers to questions and tattoo ideas. “I fell on ice” is boring and everyone seems to be doing it this year. Top responses were I got it in prison, got bit by a shark, I wrestle alligators, my alien implant wanted out, or the COVID vaccine microchip malfunctioned. Tattoo ideas include a flowering vine, a zipper, a historic marker design that says “at this site in 2025, shit happened”, or barbed wire to fit the prison tale. Or maybe, to be more in line with my charm bracelets I add to, but never think to wear, a tattoo of an ice cube?

The driving restriction is hugely inconvenient in a world designed for automobiles where everything is far flung and pedestrians are barely an afterthought. The closest store to the house is Family Dollar, which is within a mile. The problems are getting there safely along route 113, selection of items available, and schlepping items back home with one functional hand.

The driving restriction, in addition to feeling like being grounded as a teenager, is having other ripples. One is having to change a dental appointment scheduled for next Monday, which has already been rescheduled twice – first because the dentist was going to be out, and then because my furnace had died and the installation was on dental appointment day. I was told by the dental office that, because of the metal plate, I will need a doctor’s note and possibly medication for the rescheduled appointment.

Luckily, I am set up for remote work, so transportation to the office is one less headache to deal with. Missing a month of dance classes as we head into performance season is going to crush my spirit at least as much as finding out on Wednesday that I won’t have a job after the bank is acquired. Ugh. Clearly, this is going to be the year I get my arse kicked from a bunch of different directions. Sadly, I'm in good company with too many of my colleagues.