Lonnie-S wrote:
@HamDip
Man, I hope that doesn't hurt as bad as it looks. Hopefully, you'll be restored to full functionality. If not, remember to milk it. It's a good excuse to have someone bring you a cold beer without havin' to get up.
Cheers,
And...I'll retype my whole post because I went to find the pic and the whole post was lost. UGH.
It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks like it should. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I think it was still blocked for the initial day of surgery pain. I actually didn't take pain killers after day 3 with the exception of Saturday (day 6) after I received my 2nd COVID vaccine and was pretty sure I was dying. What did hurt was my failed attempt to get in the truck on Friday, day 12 after surgery. I was reaching to lift myself into the truck at 5:35am and somehow lost footing or balance or something. My right arm, which was already in the truck, instinctively grabbed the steering wheel with my fingertips (the only part of my hand available.outside the splint). This kept me from falling backwards but it sent excruciating pain through my forearm where the nerve and muscles felt the load placed on my arm. I placed both feet firmly on the ground and folded over my right arm into the driver's seat. I stayed there, folded in half over my arm for a good 45+ seconds before regaining composure and getting in the truck. I think it scared me more than it hurt, but I didn't use it or move it much at all that day. I was actually stubborn and didn't take pain killers that day either.
4 days later, Tuesday this week, I went back to Shands (fancy, very expensive, but very good research and specialty hospital/network of Dr's offices and practices in Gainesville, FL) for post op. They took a look and released me from the awkward splint in exchange for a bionic elbow contraption (pictured).
The contraption limits my arm movement to not allow anything more shallow than 60 degrees extension. Given flex goes 0 to 90 (completed folded to a right angle in front of me) and extension goes 90 to 0 (right angle in front of me to flat / straight out.) I can go from completely folded to 60 degrees of extension. So I can go past that 90 mark, but not by much (30 degrees). I can take it off to shower (thank GOD), but shouldn't really otherwise. So far I'm doing pretty good not taking it off. But it's only the beginning of day 4. I have to wear it for 4 weeks to allow the nerve to calm, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to heal. Then I do some form of physical therapy to strengthen everything back up. I know I'll miss the April race, but I suspect I'll miss the May one as well. Shooting to attend in June, but that one is usually on Father's Day and we'll be at the beach.
I'll be back behind the wheel soon.
In other news, lil JJ turns 5 on Sunday and her daddy painted her room pink for the occasion. She put in for a pink room about a year ago and we finally agreed, surprising her with it this past weekend. All the accessories will change out overnight and she'll wake up to the rest of the room matching the walls on Sunday morning. Note the picture on the wall in the picture. It's JD holding Jamie the day she was born.
Anybody else have things JD would be proud of? I wanna know.