Old memories -- new events

On July Fourth, I tried a different walking routine with the possibility of checking out some Fourth activities.  Unfortunately, along the way, I stumbled and broke my right wrist--the same one I broke five years earlier.

Two wonderful Samaritans stopped to help me.  I was in so much pain, I couldn't have done much.  One of them called the ambulance and the other went to my house and with the help of my neighbor shut my garage door. (My house was locked up, and I didn't have a cell phone with me.)

I spent the afternoon of the Fourth in the ER nauseous from the morphine and whatever else given to me.  I couldn't remember the orthopedist clinic I went to the last time and I was mistaken about the number of years.  In addition the splint put on was a little too tight around my thumb  which made it swell.

When I finally got home via a hospital taxi in which I again was nauseous, I was able to contact my family and    make arrangements for my sister to come out and spend some time with me.

Since this had happened before, I was expecting the same routine: x-ray, cast, and little to no using the hand because it had to be elevated to avoid swelling.  Instead, the break was more severe and resulted in surgery a week after the fall. The surgeon who operated happens to be a wrist specialist and the surgery was brief.  However, that day I didn't eat for almost 24 hours. I told one of the nurses, my first words on waking up wouldn't be "is everything ok?" but "What is there to eat?'

A minor complication in all of this is the ongoing problem this year of stabilizing my thyroid levels.

After the surgery, I was in another splint and 10 days later in a brace for at least a month.  NO CAST!
Except for the first two weeks, when I tried to keep my hand elevated as much as possible and apply cold packs as needed, I am now encouraged to use my right hand as much as possible.  I do remember some of the exercises from my previous experience, and my surgeon told me to do those.

Another difference is that with a brace, I can return to driving myself as soon as I feel comfortable.  A cast prohibited that because of gripping problems, not to mention a right wrist break is a little difficult for driving.

Last time, I didn't own an ipad or Kindle or PC, and the weeks home I felt isolated.  This time, I've been in contact with may on FB and email and have greatly appreciated their prayers and wisdom.

Last time, I returned to work within a week, but sometimes felt I would have been better off at home.
This time I'm retired and  only have to worry about a few volunteer activities.

Last time, I didn't use my right hand in any significant way until the final cast was removed. As a result the therapy concentrated on both restoring dexterity and strength.  This time I can tell the dexterity is greater and I hope with the brace to have less physical therapy sessions. Right now I'm composing this with both hands. And I'm back crocheting.

The biggest difference, however, is that my sister, Ruth, came out and nursed me through the post op
days, especially as nausea continued. She is a great cook and driver, and has helped and is helping me return to normal and to deal with daily issues.

My lesson is that if God sees a "little sparrow" like me surely He sees the great needs of other Christians in Ukraine and the Middle East. While the answer may seem delayed, the response will not be denied. Our prayers are the greatest weapon we can wield.