Friday, January 29, 2010

It's been awhile since I've had an attack story

I know, you've missed my attack posts, so I have one to add today.

I've been fairly good about wearing my new accessory. I know a lot of people have been asking where they might get one of their own. It's the newest model and I got it in black, because, well, black is slimming. I like to think of it as a medical front fanny pack because it has pockets to hold things and doubles as a torture device to hold my left arm out at a 90 degree angle (elbow bent, lower arm straight out). I've worn it for almost 5 weeks, I get to wear it for a total of 6. Got the picture?

Well, said "accessory" has a nice "comfortable" place to store my lower arm from just below the elbow to the wrist. Thankfully I'm not getting any sun or that would be one bad tan line. This "comfortable" place is hooked on to said accessory using a piece of long velcro. But, as velcro goes, after it's been done up and undone so many times, it's not the best at holding. This is why the manufacturer also installed a sewn on 1" wide piece of fabric to hold up my hand (at just below the thumb). This piece of fabric kills my hand, so I (being the college educated person I am), usually don't put my hand in it.





I was walking back to the cafeteria from the faculty room today talking to my good friend/co-worker. Feeling pretty strong, my unused left hand was holding my full water bottle. (it holds 16 oz). I usually remind myself not to hold things with this hand, just because after a minute, it hurts my arm.

I think my water bottle has become quite fond of only being held in my right hand, because it and my new accessory decided they didn't like each other. The accessory figured the best way to get away quickly was to use that quick release velcro to, well, quick release. Again, my hand was not in the safety harness. So, down went my arm, with the weight of the full water bottle. My arm obviously revolted. Asking why, at this time, would I decide to drop my arm and add a weight a long with it. Remember - my arm has not held weight or been pushed straight for 4 1/2 weeks.
So, yes, I grounded the water bottle and it was not allowed to come home with me tonight. It can spend a cold weekend by itself in my classroom. As for me, a good ice pack and a little help from "my friends" and I'm doing ok.


ps - I'll see if J can get a pic of me in this lovely accessory tomorrow to add so you can all be jealous that you don't have this cool accessory.

Michelle

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Where have I been?

Well, I ran out of spoons...and dropping typing my thoughts for a little bit gave me one back :) In the meantime, here's a picture from Alia's Make-A-Wish


Yes, the second one on the left is my mom! - The furthest left is my sister (Alia's mom)





Michelle