So, last Saturday I fell on the ice. It was a BAD fall that resulted in me going to the emergency room and spending quite a long day there. Let me tell you about that!
In the emergency room - the orderly looked like a young Judd Nelson (not so bad), there was a guy walking around that looked like a homeless pirate (poofy white shirt, black pants and boots, gold hoop earring, but he was dirty, wearing a ripped knit cap, fingerless gloves and carrying a starbucks coffee), and a guy that looked like Santa Claus in a train conductors outfit and this was ALL WITHOUT DRUGS! LOL I thought I may have been hallucinating from pain but others saw it too and confirmed it! I was not dreaming it.
So - they begin their assessment of me. My right hand is swollen and bruised, my left leg is swollen and bruised from my ankle all the way to my hip and pelvis. The doctor ordered x-rays after masochistically doing the routine poking, prodding and asking does this hurt after making you scream a few times.
They take me to the x-ray room and we start with the hand. That was not fun - I could not get my ring or pinky finger to touch my thumb like the x-ray tech wanted me to - they had to actually move it for me. Luckily at this point the ice Judd Nelson had gotten me was kicking in so I was pretty numb to being moved around - but it still hurt pretty badly. Next came the leg x-rays. I was so swollen it was incredibly hard to move from the bed to the x-ray table. They took the x-rays of my ankle, my knee, my hip and pelvis as well as a few shots of my ankle to my knee - all from different angles. I almost passed out a few times. It was excruciating. I did my best to focus on staying quiet and just moving the way they needed me to without passing out. I know there were tears pouring down my face and they were actually repelled at how bad the sprain looked. They were being very careful with how they touched me and moved me around. The bump on the side of the ankle that is naturally there was swollen out and people kept commenting that it looked like I actually had two of those bone bumps on one side. Then we got me back onto the bed and wheeled me back to the emergency room.
We find out nothing is broken (YAY) but that sprains and bruised bones can take longer to heal and be more painful than breaks (not so yay). Next comes the fun part. They decide to try to give me something called a COCKUP.
What?
Yes you heard me right...the doctor wanted to give me his cockup.
Apparently that is the name of a wristbrace. ha ha ha The only reason I could possibly ascertain for this is that once you have it on it traps your hand in the position a man would potentially be holding his hand should he want to masturbate. (Yes I have a dirty mind - Dad, Mom - if you are reading this sorry - but seriously how else would you rationalize calling something that goes on your hand a cockup?).
So, they go searching for the cockup and they also wrap my ankle and put it in an aircast. They decide I also need crutches and to keep my weight off my ankle BUT WAIT - since my wrist is sprained too I can only use ONE crutch and will have to just do the best I can to get around and keep my weight off my leg.
So, they can't find the cockup in my size and call upstairs to see if the orthepedist will give me his cockup. Nope - he didn't have the right size either so they decided to custom make a wrist splint for me - which ended up being a partial cast. They CASTED my wrist.
While we were waiting the nurse got us some food - which was really sweet. I would have starved otherwise I think. She was really sweet. I don't how she kept a straight face telling me how everyone wanted to give me their cockups and all. But anyways eventually they got me into my wrist cast too and I finally got to go home.
That is not the end of the story though....
I navigate through the icy, treacherous week on one crutch. Trying not to use my hand too much. Staying off my leg as much as possible since my official diagnosis is sprained wrist, sprained ankle, sprained knee, and sprained pelvis, with possible bruised hip and bruised bones in all aforementioned areas I go to my college classes on the days when they are not cancelled and keep my leg propped up on pillows as well as my hand. I type one handed when on the computer and try to limit my texting as much as possible. Thursday - the long day at my college was the worst - I almost passed out at one point from the pain and exhaustion of it. It was a terrible day. In fact it was a terrible week. Pretty much everything hurts. The injuries hurt extremely bad but then the muscles on the other side of my body hurt because they are compensating extra hard trying to move me around on the crutches being used in ways they are not used to being used. It is making me grumpy and over-emotional. I do not like not being able to do things for myself - I am EXTREMELY and TEARFULLY grateful to the friends that have come over and visited or helped out and to the friends who have called or emailed to check on me or chat. I am also grateful to the friends at school who have offered to take notes for me or help me navigate from class to class or carry things for me. I am also grateful the friends who have agreed to meet me on campus and carry my lunch tray so I will be able to eat - even though classes were cancelled and it didn't happen. Thank you to everyone!!! I still need that help keep it coming. I am overwhelmed by how you are there for me and I appreciate every second of it and I won't forget it ever. You are really showing me who my true friends are. The kindness is really appreciated right now.
SO, my follow up with my family doctor rolls around 6 days later.
I have been on my feet too much. The wrist is still too swollen. She cannot tell if there is ligament or tendon damage in either place. She gave me nasty painful shots to reduce swelling. She told me I need to be on TWO CRUTCHES, and wrote me a prescription for .... A COCKUP. LMAO She told me I would need to go in so the pharmacist could fit me for it. HA HA HA is a cockup something insurance pays for? Really? When I got to the pharmacy apparently it is something you can just buy over the counter.
Why does everyone think I need a cockup?
Anyways I am sorry I haven't been on much. I have still been reading everyone's blogs but haven't been responding much because typing is hard and it hurts.
Maybe after I have had my cockup a while I will feel better? Who knows? Who doesn't feel better after having a cockup for a while?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
College Confessions: I'm BiTechnical
Let me explain. College started back up this week. One of my classes has a writing lab. When I walked into the lab I saw something that made me nervous and a little queasy. College is the time for experimentation though right?
It was a MAC...and I am a PC person. My preference stems from when I worked for a company I will not name, building and repairing computers. PCs were just easier to deal with overall.
I was terrified. I sat in front of the alien machine and gently touched the keyboard. It was flat and stranger than I am used to but the screen was vibrant and colorful. The lab is required for my class so whether I like it or not I was going to have to learn to make it work for the next 10 weeks. Hesitant at first, I opened a browser window, it was a little strange to see things placed differently but overall it functioned very similar.
When the TA came in and had us use EXCEL for our lab work (combining statistics and psychology) I began to get a little bit more comfortable with it. EXCEL is a program I am familiar with and to see that it pretty much ran the same on a MAC made me relax. Maybe I would make it through this experience after all!
So I guess the first week back at college after winter break changed me a little bit. I learned that I am no longer strictly a PC person. I can use MACS too - I am Bi-technical.
Which do you prefer MACS or PCs? Apple or ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE? LOL
This quarter is looking like it is going to be a busy one. If you are a regular reader hang in there. I will try to post as often as I can but I am juggling 17 credit hours with tons of homework and lab work too. I am taking a chemistry class and three 300 level Psych classes one of which is considered writing intensive. My chemistry class is also considered writing intensive because of the labs and lab reports required.
We are learning some pretty neat stuff in lectures though. My first class of the day is Behavioral Neuroscience II. That is my concentration in psychology and I love it. Right now in there we are studying psychopharmacology and the effects of drugs on the body as well as the effects of placebos.
After Behavioral Neuroscience I run across campus for my Research Methods in Psychology lab which is about learning to read, write and incorporate statistics into your research writing and how to use the APA style correctly. Then after that lab I run all the way back across campus for the Research Methods Class that goes with the lab where we learn different ways to conduct research and how to think like more like a scientist.
After that I have to run back across campus again for my Chemistry class (literally I am going from one far end of campus to the other in a very short span of time - running and pulling 60 pounds of books behind me. I should lose weight this quarter.) The Chemistry is the first of a series of three Chemistry classes I need to take if I want to be able to have the additional science distinction on my degree. (I previously had a college level Chemistry class but this particular series of three are specifically needed as part of my requirements.) The class is on Tuesdays and Thursdays and so far I am doing okay with it. The math parts of it may get a little difficult as we progress but so far it isn't too bad and I am really intelligent so I am confident I will do okay. I got an A in Statistics last quarter so I should be okay with the math. I am finding it easier to pay attention in class now that I am older and actually there to learn instead of worrying about a social life, boyfriend, or who is having a party. The labs for the class are on Mondays and Wednesdays and they start next week.
After Chemistry I have I/O psychology in the same building (no running this time yay). It is a pretty interesting class too. It is about psychology in the workplace. Psychology in industry and organizations. It focuses on all kinds of issues like job stress, occupational therapy, employee turnover, HR issues, and that kind of thing. We have a group project in there that counts for 40% of our grade. That scares me a little but I think we will do okay.
So - wish me luck - here is to hoping I can keep my 4.0 and my sanity as I move one quarter closer to my goals.
It was a MAC...and I am a PC person. My preference stems from when I worked for a company I will not name, building and repairing computers. PCs were just easier to deal with overall.
I was terrified. I sat in front of the alien machine and gently touched the keyboard. It was flat and stranger than I am used to but the screen was vibrant and colorful. The lab is required for my class so whether I like it or not I was going to have to learn to make it work for the next 10 weeks. Hesitant at first, I opened a browser window, it was a little strange to see things placed differently but overall it functioned very similar.
When the TA came in and had us use EXCEL for our lab work (combining statistics and psychology) I began to get a little bit more comfortable with it. EXCEL is a program I am familiar with and to see that it pretty much ran the same on a MAC made me relax. Maybe I would make it through this experience after all!
So I guess the first week back at college after winter break changed me a little bit. I learned that I am no longer strictly a PC person. I can use MACS too - I am Bi-technical.
Which do you prefer MACS or PCs? Apple or ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE? LOL
This quarter is looking like it is going to be a busy one. If you are a regular reader hang in there. I will try to post as often as I can but I am juggling 17 credit hours with tons of homework and lab work too. I am taking a chemistry class and three 300 level Psych classes one of which is considered writing intensive. My chemistry class is also considered writing intensive because of the labs and lab reports required.
We are learning some pretty neat stuff in lectures though. My first class of the day is Behavioral Neuroscience II. That is my concentration in psychology and I love it. Right now in there we are studying psychopharmacology and the effects of drugs on the body as well as the effects of placebos.
After Behavioral Neuroscience I run across campus for my Research Methods in Psychology lab which is about learning to read, write and incorporate statistics into your research writing and how to use the APA style correctly. Then after that lab I run all the way back across campus for the Research Methods Class that goes with the lab where we learn different ways to conduct research and how to think like more like a scientist.
After that I have to run back across campus again for my Chemistry class (literally I am going from one far end of campus to the other in a very short span of time - running and pulling 60 pounds of books behind me. I should lose weight this quarter.) The Chemistry is the first of a series of three Chemistry classes I need to take if I want to be able to have the additional science distinction on my degree. (I previously had a college level Chemistry class but this particular series of three are specifically needed as part of my requirements.) The class is on Tuesdays and Thursdays and so far I am doing okay with it. The math parts of it may get a little difficult as we progress but so far it isn't too bad and I am really intelligent so I am confident I will do okay. I got an A in Statistics last quarter so I should be okay with the math. I am finding it easier to pay attention in class now that I am older and actually there to learn instead of worrying about a social life, boyfriend, or who is having a party. The labs for the class are on Mondays and Wednesdays and they start next week.
After Chemistry I have I/O psychology in the same building (no running this time yay). It is a pretty interesting class too. It is about psychology in the workplace. Psychology in industry and organizations. It focuses on all kinds of issues like job stress, occupational therapy, employee turnover, HR issues, and that kind of thing. We have a group project in there that counts for 40% of our grade. That scares me a little but I think we will do okay.
So - wish me luck - here is to hoping I can keep my 4.0 and my sanity as I move one quarter closer to my goals.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Life is Good
I received the Life is Good blog award from Ruthi. I had to smile about this when I saw it because ironically I have spent the last few days fighting a sinus infection! I have barely been online at all. I am sure Ruthi was wondering if I was even going to accept the award! LOL
Anyways today I am back up and around. It was the first day of college winter quarter. I headed over for my Monday chemistry lab. Still coughing a little and not in top form I left an hour early hoping to get a close parking space. NOPE - had to park a 12 minute walk from class. We got there and sat for 20 minutes to find out the labs are all cancelled the first week of class and that was the only class I had today so I walked the 12 minutes back to my car and headed home. Hey at least I remembered where I parked right?
Here are the things you have to do when you receive this award:
1. First, thank and link back to the person that gave the award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions.
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you have chosen to let them know about the award.
Thank you Ruthi - Even though I whine a lot life really is good. I have a sense of humor about it and really do enjoy some of the smaller things about it. I feel I am blessed. Now to answer the survey questions:
1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish you started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now?
I might have an anonymous blog too but if I told you about it than it wouldn't be anonymous anymore would it? LOL I do like blogging as myself though. Sometimes I do censor things to protect the guilty.
2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.
Once when I was little my Mom grounded me for a week. I kept saying "I don't care" and the week ended up going over a month. I missed out on a lot of really fun things because of my big mouth and my refusal to shut up.
3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
Pretty eyes, a nice smile and a woman who is getting older and has a weird haircut but is still attractive for her age and her weight.
4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Ice water preferrably Propel
5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
I love to take a bubble bath with a nice long book to read while I am in there.
6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life?
I want to achieve my doctorate degree in psychology and help children with ADHD and their families. I also want to have my book published.
7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?
I was the band geek. And one time at band camp....
8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?
When my daughter was born and I held her in my arms and saw her for the very first time and told her how much I love her and how beautiful she is.
9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog, or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people and events?
I am comfortable sharing anything. Nothing is offlimits for me. I do edit sometimes to be tactful but not always. Depends on my mood. Sometimes I lay it all out there and let the cards fall where they may. I don't try to hurt people though. I mainly try to make people laugh. If baring my soul and past stupidities achieves that - well - all the better.
10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I love to read - reading would be my choice. Getting lost in the pages of a good book with great characters is the best.
Now I am passing this on to :
Loadnabox for his heartfelt blog about the birth of his child and his playful and intelligently thought out birth announcement. He is going to be an awesome dad.
Midlife Mommy for the journey she is on in her life right now figuring things out as a single parent raising a daughter. I have been there.
and
Opto-Mom because I love to make people laugh and of course I also love people who make me laugh and this lady does it every time. Her post about the shoplifting ladies had me in tears and she is consistently funny with her point of view on things. Check her out.
Happy new year to everyone - hope everyone else had a better start to theirs. I am happy mine started off low - sick, and awful though - nowhere to go but up right?
Life really is good. :)
Anyways today I am back up and around. It was the first day of college winter quarter. I headed over for my Monday chemistry lab. Still coughing a little and not in top form I left an hour early hoping to get a close parking space. NOPE - had to park a 12 minute walk from class. We got there and sat for 20 minutes to find out the labs are all cancelled the first week of class and that was the only class I had today so I walked the 12 minutes back to my car and headed home. Hey at least I remembered where I parked right?
Here are the things you have to do when you receive this award:
1. First, thank and link back to the person that gave the award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions.
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you have chosen to let them know about the award.
Thank you Ruthi - Even though I whine a lot life really is good. I have a sense of humor about it and really do enjoy some of the smaller things about it. I feel I am blessed. Now to answer the survey questions:
1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish you started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now?
I might have an anonymous blog too but if I told you about it than it wouldn't be anonymous anymore would it? LOL I do like blogging as myself though. Sometimes I do censor things to protect the guilty.
2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.
Once when I was little my Mom grounded me for a week. I kept saying "I don't care" and the week ended up going over a month. I missed out on a lot of really fun things because of my big mouth and my refusal to shut up.
3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
Pretty eyes, a nice smile and a woman who is getting older and has a weird haircut but is still attractive for her age and her weight.
4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Ice water preferrably Propel
5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
I love to take a bubble bath with a nice long book to read while I am in there.
6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life?
I want to achieve my doctorate degree in psychology and help children with ADHD and their families. I also want to have my book published.
7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?
I was the band geek. And one time at band camp....
8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?
When my daughter was born and I held her in my arms and saw her for the very first time and told her how much I love her and how beautiful she is.
9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog, or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people and events?
I am comfortable sharing anything. Nothing is offlimits for me. I do edit sometimes to be tactful but not always. Depends on my mood. Sometimes I lay it all out there and let the cards fall where they may. I don't try to hurt people though. I mainly try to make people laugh. If baring my soul and past stupidities achieves that - well - all the better.
10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I love to read - reading would be my choice. Getting lost in the pages of a good book with great characters is the best.
Now I am passing this on to :
Loadnabox for his heartfelt blog about the birth of his child and his playful and intelligently thought out birth announcement. He is going to be an awesome dad.
Midlife Mommy for the journey she is on in her life right now figuring things out as a single parent raising a daughter. I have been there.
and
Opto-Mom because I love to make people laugh and of course I also love people who make me laugh and this lady does it every time. Her post about the shoplifting ladies had me in tears and she is consistently funny with her point of view on things. Check her out.
Happy new year to everyone - hope everyone else had a better start to theirs. I am happy mine started off low - sick, and awful though - nowhere to go but up right?
Life really is good. :)
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