I've Probably Written This Before, But

You learn a lot about pain when you're clumsy!

It is Friday and I'm home with: a splint on my fractured left thumb, a sling I'm supposed to wear when "up and about" that should be on my right arm/shoulder to stabilize a fractured clavicle, a skinned knee and elbow on my right side, and a bump on my right temple.  Let me elaborate.  

On Sunday Carol and I were dining out at the former New Paltz Railroad Station. it was long ago turned into a restaurant.  Originally called 'The Station', then 'La Stazione', and now Casa something.  I'm in no way dissing it as a place to dine.  The food, wine, and service are fine.  It's just where all this happened Sunday night.

We were enjoying a fine dinner, sampling each other's food, and sipping a nice Malbec.  Most of the way through the meal:

    1- Carol went to retrieve a container for food she wouldn't finish (we keep clean ones in both vehicles). 

    2 - When she returned, I realized I'd left my cell phone in the car.

    3 - I went out to retrieve it.

    4 - I reached for the driver-side door handle and stumbled.  I landed hard on my right side (some details above).  Because of my injuries, it took me several minutes to get to my feet and return to our table, and a worried Carol.

We finished our dinner —a long-sleeve shirt absorbing the blood from my elbow while we ate. 

Once home I assessed the injuries and determined I'd need an X-ray. 

 Monday morning I went to our local walk-in clinic and got the X-ray along with:a splint for my broken left thumb, a sling for the fractured right clavicle and referrals to local Orthopedic centers for follow-up.. 

Tuesday morning I saw an Orthopedist and got: a better splint for my thumb, the word that not much else but the sling is needed and set of exercises for the clavicle after a few weeks healing.  

Wednesday morning I saw my primary care doctor to bring her up to date, adding that I started having headaches about midday Tuesday.  She ordered a CAT scan of my head. 

Thursday morning at 0745, said scan was performed.  At about nine, my doctor called with news that there appeared to be a bit of bleeding in my brain, and directed me to the hospital.   Carol drove me to the ER at Northern Duchess Hospital. The attending ordered a second CAT Scan to see if there was movement.  By three in the afternoon: two radiologists, a nuerosurgeon, and the attending, concurred that there was no 'bleed' and the spot was likely from a previous injury — and not to worry.  

When we arrived home, I made phone calls to the few people who were aware of the situation. Then Carol and I sat on our porch, enjoying the setting sun over wine.  

*** 

As is true for many injuries of this nature, body parts — silent during the early days of trauma — have begun asserting themselves. 

A few areas that were perturbed during the incident, but not enough to raise any flags, are now lining up front-and-center: at least one cracked rib, a bruise on my right hip, and a few joints that may have slightly misaligned.  I suspect that kind of add-on will mark my next several days.  So be it.

I have a follow-up visit with my primary care doctor on Monday.

Until next time,

Namaste