Category: Stuff

Cast off

/ Renae / 1 Comment

Aaaaaaahhhhh…..

That was the relief I felt when my cast came off yesterday. I’m free! I can walk again! Or so I thought. Was it crazy for me to think that they would just fit me with a boot and I’d walk out of there unaided? (You know, except for the boot.) How wrong I was. I figured since the bones had healed nicely, I’d be right! A bit weak maybe, but I certainly didn’t expect the level of pain I was about to experience. Especially when the kind orthopaedic surgeon pushed down on certain parts of my foot and asked “Does this hurt?”

Does it hurt? DOES IT HURT????? YES IT FREAKIN’ HURTS!! DID YOU NOT SEE THE 3 BROKEN BONES THAT ARE STILL HEALING!!!!!?????

My foot is still bruised and a bit swollen, and I can’t really move it much on my own. The best bruise is the one under my foot:

And I can’t believe it’s still swollen!!

I just figured by this stage it would be a lot better than it is. I thought I’d wear the boot for a week or 2 and be good as gold, but I couldn’t even walk on my foot yesterday at the hospital without the crutches, even in the boot. By the end of the day though, I was just walking around in the boot. Just a bit, to ease myself into it. When I woke up today I needed the crutches for the first couple of hours but am now walking around okay. I just have to be careful not to push it, and to pace myself so it doesn’t take longer than necessary to get me back on both feet.

I have to wear the boot 24/7 (yes, even to bed), (but not in the shower – woo!) for 1-2 weeks, then just during the day for another 2-4 weeks after that. I guess the Doctor at my visit 4 weeks ago did say it was a 3 month injury.

So this is me for the next few weeks:
Sexy, oui?

Changing my tune?

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I pride myself on not being quick to judge, not believing everything I see and hear on TV/in the media/in movies, and not jumping on any bandwagons. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha….. I can’t even keep a straight face when I typing that rot, let alone saying it out loud! In the words of Jo of Little Women (the remake) fame, “I’m hopelessly flawed” (to which Frederich responds “we are all hopelessly flawed.” *sigh*)

I judge. I jump on bandwagons. And I most definitely change my mind about people when I read/hear about differing points of view. I’m a shocker and am completely embarrassed by how much, after reading only 30 pages of Vivian Cash’s autobiography “I walked the line” I have changed my tune about June Carter and Johnny Cash’s romance. Vivian was Johnny’s great love. I don’t doubt that June and Johnny were in love and were very happy together, but it was Viv (did I just refer to her as Viv? Yes I did) who stole Johnny’s young heart and shaped him into the man he was.

Okay okay. I may be jumping the gun a bit here, but seriously, my heart is already aching for a love lost and a marriage that could have, nay should have, lasted a lifetime. It did for Vivian Cash, but was unrequited by her first and deepest love.

I’m going to admit right now that I’ve had a glass of sparkling red wine, am packing up our house, am missing Hubs (he’s away for the night – yeah I know. It’s one night), am counting down til I get my cast off (FRIDAY!!) and am feeling just a teensy bit sentimental and melodramatic. Still, I’m looking forward to reading more about Vivian and Johnny’s romance. Stay tuned for more judgement!

Crafty

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Hubs’ Dad and Nanna have been visiting here the last few days, so while the boys have gone gliding, Nanna and I have been making cards.

It has been SO long since I’ve sat down and let my creative juices flow – it’s been so lovely! Here are a few of my creations:

I’m hoping to do some more crafting, and maybe even some sewing in the next few weeks while I’m still off my feet. Getting back to reality after this time may be more challenging than I realise! I might just forget about that for now, and enjoy this treat.

Intrigued by Cash

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No, I’m not talking about cold, hard cash. I’m talking about J.R. Cash. Ever since I saw the movie Walk the Line I have been fascinated both by his personal and his professional life. I have read a lot of things about him, and just today I purchased (online) his autobiography, as well as his first wife’s story. I’m really looking forward to delving into the facts of his life, and not relying just on Hollywood and Wiki and related articles for his story.

I don’t know what it is that has me so captivated – maybe it’s the love story between Cash and June Carter. As tumultuous as their relationship began, and as hurtful as it must have been for Cash’t first wife, theirs seem to be a deep, true, all-encompasing love that is generally saved for Hollywood. But I believe it was real. It was deep and it was raw. So much so that John and June died within 4 months of each other.

I can’t decide which book to read first. Maybe I should read them side-by-side? But that might get confusing. I can’t wait til they arrived!!!

4th time lucky??

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I’m hoping this will be the last post I do about my cast/s. I had to go back to the doctor today to get my cast looked at, as it was quite loose and I could move my foot around a lot. I figured it wasn’t really serving its purpose and I was right. So I had to have that one taken off, and a new, fibreglass one put on. I’ve gotta say, I imagine the “saw” they use to remove casts would be quite scary for kids. I’m not afraid to admit that I was a little intimidated by it!

So this is my forth, and I’m hoping my last, cast. (well, there were 2 back slabs and 2 casts.) I wasn’t offered any colours as they only had the clear fibreglass at the clinic 🙁 (Incidentally, I would have chosen purple.)

I’m hoping I’ll have more to write about in the coming weeks as we have Hubs’ Dad and Nanna coming to visit this weekend, my Aunty is coming down Sunday week, and Hubs and I are going away to Melbourne, just the 2 of us in a couple of weeks. You know, to sit on a different couch for a few days…

And then came the cast

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I spent 4 hours at the Wang fracture clinic on Friday, and the end result? A full cast.

I asked if I could have one of those boots instead and the ortho looked at me and said “I don’t trust you. If I give you a boot, you’ll walk on your foot and I don’t want you walking on it for 4 weeks. Then you’ll need to wear a boot for 2-3 weeks after that.” I failed to mention to him that I had, In fact been walking on it that morning. I know I know. But you try just sitting around while your Mum waits on you and your Hubs does whatever you ask him to do and your toddler happily plays around you only stopping occasionally to give you a cuddle and show you his belly!

Um okay. That actually sounds pretty sweet.

Maybe I should stop complaining. Actually I realised last night that the reason I WAS complaining so much was so that Hubs and Mum both know that I’m not happy with the situation – as if my happiness somehow meant that I was enjoying the fact that they have to do everything and I get to laze around like a slacker doing nothing. When in actuality, I just came across as a whingey-bum. So as of today, no more complaining, even if, subconsciously, it was well-intended.
I actually had quite a productive day today; going to church, doing a bit of sewing, and working on the 2 weddings I have coming up in the next 3 weeks. I actually kidded myself into thinking I’d be right to walk for the one I have in Melbourne on the 24th of March. But look at the bright side! I get to buy a new long (very long) dress! Hello eBay!

This is my cast, covered by a Brisbane Broncos sock! Let’s go!

Correction

/ Renae / 2 Comments

In fact, I broke 3 bones in my foot. I went to the doctor in Mt Beauty yesterday to get my cast “upgraded”, so they took off my intermediate cast, and this is what my foot looked like:

What? Doesn’t it look bad enough? How about from this angle?
Still not convinced? Well check THIS out!!? Hellooooooo cankle!!

After having a look at the CT Report, the doctors thought it best that I actually go back to Wangaratta and attend their fracture clinic this Friday so an Orthopod can check it out and decide on a “game plan”.

Why, you ask? (or maybe you didn’t…)

Well, I’ve always been a little contrary. I’ve never done things the normal way. My life doesn’t really “follow the rules”. So when I break bones, I break them good. And as the doctor yesterday stated, I have broken “an unusual combination of bones.” From what I can remember, I’ve broken the 2nd Metatarsal, the 2nd/Medial Cuneiform, and the Cuboid. (See here.) (Hubs is going to correct me I’m sure.)

So yeah, the fun continues! Mum has been an absolute God send these last few days while Hubs has been at work. I’ve just been sitting around, contemplating my navel laptop. And Mum just made us chicken stir fry for dinner. Hubs isn’t a big fan of stir fry but it’s one of my favourite meals so I’m going to be enjoying it with Mum quite a bit while Hubs is in Wang! Yum!

Feeling utterly useless

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We’re home! And that makes me happy.
Chanbe slept all through the night and didn’t wake up until 7:15 this morning. That makes me happy too.
Mum is here to help me around the house while my foot is broken. That makes me happy and grateful.

I can’t do anything useful that doesn’t involve sitting down. That makes me sad. And frustrated.

I like to be doing things. Not all day – I do love my downtime – but to not be able to do my own shopping or washing or cleaning or picking Chanbe up is really hard for me. I know Mum is more than happy to be here to help out, and Hubs has just been a superstar even more so than usual, but it’s so hard not being able to do what I want, when I want. I know this is temporary, and I know there are a lot of people in worse situations that are permanent, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t hard and that I’m not allowed a bit of a whine.

I’m still learning the art of asking for, and accepting help. I’m usually the one wanting to help others. I’m really trying to find the lessons to learn out of this situation. I get my “real” cast on tomorrow which I’m sure will be fun.

My goals for the next 4-6 weeks are:
– to not get lost in self pity
– to enjoy this forced break and make the most of the help that is being generously offered
– to give myself time to heal so as not to tempt a repeat incident
– to catch up on “paperwork”
– to work on my new blog
– to realise that even though things won’t get done the same way I would do them, that’s okay
– to read books, not just things on the internet

Wish me luck!

Broken in 2…

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…places. So you know how I’ve been struggling a little lately with our current lifestyle? Well apparently God thinks I can handle more.

Let me set the scene for you. I was walking around KMart, shopping for various items, and was on my way to look for some magnets for Chanbe to play with on the fridge, when somehow I twisted my foot, tried to correct it, and fell on top of it. I heard a crack and the pain hit me straight away.

So as I was lying on the floor in KMart, politely asking (yelling/crying) for help, Chanbe was sitting in the trolley wondering what on earth was going on. Some staff rushed to my aid and an ambulance was called. I was mortified! But what can you do? I rang Hubs who came down to pick up Chance and the car and they met me at the hospital.

In the ambulance I was given this green tube thing to suck on for pain relief. It. Was. Awesome! I don’t know if it was because Hubs works at the hospital, or if their care is always that great,  but I seemed to get extra fantastic treatment, getting x-rays, CT scan, diagnosis (2 fractures) and temporary cast in under 3 hours.

Last night I was feeling completely deflated, but am feeling slightly better today. We are currently in Wang and staying with one of the mums from my mothers group who is being amazing, helping to look after Chance, and I’ve had lots of offers of help that I will have to learn to accept.

Mum is coming down on Sunday to help which will be much needed. I still keep wondering how on earth this happened, but I guess I just have to get on with it. If you believe in prayer, I’d appreciate the support. I know it could be much worse, but I just really didn’t need this right now.

In 6 months time…

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I’m currently looking at my life, thinking “things will be better in 6 months time.” There are a few things that are getting me down at the moment, that are completely in my control to change, that I would really like to change gradually to make them stick.

You see, I’ve put on a few extra holiday kilos (actually, they started creeping on well before we left MB) and it has been a very long time since I have felt this down about my body. A comment from a (I hope) well-meaning relative back home didn’t help things at all. But that’s okay. I have a game plan and my first day (today) went well. It’s going to be a long journey, but I’m committed. I have to be.

Also, I don’t really like my hair length at the moment – I want it long. I know that in 6 months it will be a great length to tie back and put cute little clips in.

Oh, and my fingernails. I’ve been a chronic nail-biter since I was 5 years old and the only thing that used to make me stop was $20 bribes from my aunty. Once I got the cash though, it wouldn’t take long before I was back into the nasty habit. I’ve actually been mainly not biting them over the last 10 or so years, and the most recent massacre was when I was driving behind Hubs when he had just picked up his new motorbike. It took about 300km before they were all gone again, and I haven’t given them any chance to grow back. But I love having fingernails (and hate hate hate the look of my chewed nails) so I have set myself the goal of growing them nicely for a couple of weddings I have in March.

The other, probably most important thing, is that I haven’t felt like my faith is getting much of a look in these days, and thanks to my good friend who gave me a daily devotional for Christmas, I can re-connect which always seems to make the rest of my life better and easier.

Hmmmm… what else? There are a few other little niggly things that I might share at the 6 month mark. Wish me luck!