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Arm update

PhoebeC said:
When is the check up?
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My check up is in 2 weeks.
I think my hospital go the extra step to avoid missed appointments. So far, I have received an SMS and two email telling me of the time. For my last appointment, I also received a snail mail letter and reminders by SMS and email.
I cannot fault the hospital and treatment I have had since breaking my arm.
Still wouldn't recommend it though.
 
It is some time since I gave an update to anyone who is interested - is anyone interested?

The surgery I had at the start of September failed - my bone moved again and was not repairing correctly. So, 10 days ago, I returned for a more intensive surgery. The preparation was pretty similar except, I got to meet my surgeon this time and talk through what he was planning to do.
Today, I returned for a check up and I was relieved to learn it is now recovering as expected. I have three stages of recovery - flexibility, strength and endurance. For the kind of things that most people do with their least dominant arm, I will get flexibility and strength back in a couple of months. But the level of endurance I need for 3 hours of climbing could take up to a year. The good news is that he believes it is possible and is not writing me off due to my age.

I also got to see a xray of the work they did. It looks brutal (but I still took a copy because I am like that). I have a network of metalwork in my arm with 6 screw and a plate of metal.

As for my diabetes, it has been struggling with the lack of exercise so, until the weekend, I was needing 60% extra basal but that has now been nudged down and I plan to return to the gym this week although I might leave the weights for now. :confused:
 
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helli said:
I received a phone from the hospital call this afternoon inviting me for surgery tomorrow morning.
Although I know my work colleagues will not be happy (after two days, the guy I work with most of the time told me “the broken arm excuse is wearing thin”), I am pleased to sort it as soon as possible.
Fingers crossed there is no major trauma. The hospital told me “risk of life or limb will take priority over my surgery”. Fair enough, I guess.
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Good luck with the surgery @helli . I hope all goes well.The guy you work with is a selfish a#£* and should be grateful he doesn't have a broken arm.
 
I'd waste some time wondering the best way to break his ruddy arm! Some folk are just bar stewards cos they haven't been brought up right.
 
Delighted to read that your last surgery was successful and you can look forward to a full, albeit long full recovery. I know you will put every effort into the physio in order to achieve that and I am sure the surgeon took that into consideration. Quite impressed that there is not even a hint of frustration in your updates. The lack of exercise and independence must have been and still be challenging to someone like yourself. Very best of luck with achieving your goal of returning to that level of arm use and fitness.
 
rebrascora said:
Quite impressed that there is not even a hint of frustration in your updates.
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I must hide it well.
I have already registered for the Spin class on Wednesday although climbing is still months away.
And I am planning my baking for the weekend, It has felt very wrong buying bread when I have so much flour and a sourdough starter getting very sour. My bandages covered part of my hand so kneading sticky dough did not seem like a good plan.
I am even excited by being able to have a shower where my arm can get wet. My LimbO arm protector has invaluable but still a pain to put on and take off every time I get in the shower, making it very hard to wash my "good arm".

Dressing is still challenging (although I do manage it), I still can only scratch my nose with my right finger and I can't use knives and forks properly (the fork in my left hand can't reach my mouth).
 
helli said:
It is some time since I gave an update to anyone who is interested - is anyone interested?

The surgery I had at the start of September failed - my bone moved again and was not repairing correctly. So, 10 days ago, I returned for a more intensive surgery. The preparation was pretty similar except, I got to meet my surgeon this time and talk through what he was planning to do.
Today, I returned for a check up and I was relieved to learn it is now recovering as expected. I have three stages of recovery - flexibility, strength and endurance. For the kind of things that most people do with their least dominant arm, I will get flexibility and strength back in a couple of months. But the level of endurance I need for 3 hours of climbing could take up to a year. The good news is that he believes it is possible and is not writing me off due to my age.

I also got to see a xray of the work they did. It looks brutal (but I still took a copy because I am like that). I have a network of metalwork in my arm with 6 screw and a plate of metal.

As for my diabetes, it has been struggling with the lack of exercise so, until the weekend, I was needing 60% extra basal but that has now been nudged down and I plan to return to the gym this week although I might leave the weights for now. :confused:
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Great to see that you have finally got some improvement in your arm and hopefully it won't be too long until you are back to full strength.
 
Oh my goodness... what a tale. Wishing you all the best for your recovery!
 
Today, I had my 8 week review (that’s 8 weeks since the last surgery) with the fracture clinic.
They are happy my bone is knitting together as they would expect and I am gaining more flexibility.
My bone is now strong enough to return to climbing. However, my muscles are not there yet - you should see the comparison between my left (injured) and right biceps. I am now approved to start weights to rebuild my muscles.
I am planning to return to the climbing centre in the new year, By then, they should have cleared up the recent flood damage (in their last update they said they were putting it in a large bag of rice!).

Recovery is still slow but it is good to see it getting better.
On a diabetes note, I can now finger prick either hand and attach my CGM on either arm. And my insulin dose is back down to normal levels.
 
Nice to hear that your arm is finally on the mend and you can get back to your normal routines. Good luck with muscle building and future climbing hopefully you won't need waterproofs and wellies.
 
good news that things are at last on the mend
 
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