The little things suddenly become very difficult

[redjedi]

when you break your right arm and your right handed

Had an accident last night when the car in front of me suddenly braked, as a guy riding his bike on the pavement came flying out of a side alley aiming straight for a ped crossing.

I can't really blame the driver because as I also thought the cyclist was going to carry on straight into the road such was the speed he was going.

It wasn't helped by me, having moved into the main stream of cars to overtake a cyclist, being a bit too close to the car and matching his speed of about 2o mph.

I managed to swerve to the left of him, but my right lever caught is rear left sending me crashing to the ground.

I got up ok and swapped details with him, but the swelling in my hand said that something was wrong.

I got picked up by my landlord/flatmate and he took me to a&e. 3 hours later I came out with 2 fractures, one to my right elbow (caused by the fall) and 1 to the knuckle of my small finger, probably caused by the impact with the car. It probably would have been worse if i had gone straight into the back of him.

Cast only goes from my hand halfway up my forearm and I was told that if I hadn't fractured my hand I would just be put in a sling

I now realise how much you take for granted having 2 working hands. Getting dressed, tieing shoe laces, brushing your teeth (haven't attempted to shower yet, thats tonights mission), making coffee, washing up, typing posts on CC with your weaker hand, so excuse any poor grammer and spelling.

Even though I share a house we all do our own cooking which I've decided is going to be near impossible, so i've just been to the shops and bought a pile of ready meals, something I haven't done in years

I've been told it will take 6 weeks to heal. I go back in 2 weeks to have the cast changed for a carbon fibre glass cast. If it's not too bad I may ask for just a splint and bandages

Back to work tomorrow as it's an important time of the month and I can't really miss the next few days. Should fun trying to type, answer the phone and write notes with just one hand

btw the bike has hardly a mark on it. small scuff on the lever hood and I think thats it, every cloud has a silver lining I suppose

 

[TheDoctor]

Bugger. Glad the bike's not too badly damaged...

Get well soon!!!!

 

[Aperitif]

You need lots of "Luke's aid" - to help recovery!

 

[Arch]

Oh, bad news.

If it's any consolation, when my Mum broke her wrist (she had a plaster around base of hand and wrist) she pretty quickly learned to cope. Granted, it was the right, and she's left handed, but she prided herself on finding ways to do stuff one handed, and was soon (after a couple of days) looking after herself, cooking etc. You might have to think laterally, but most things can be done, if slowly. For example, she had a roll of that grippy stuff you are supposed to put on trays to stop cups sliding about. She cut two square from it, and when she needed to open a jar she put a square on the worktop, the jar on that, then the other over the lid and the grip was enough to let her turn the lid one handed.

 

[Globalti]

Thank God the bike's alright!

I gashed a finger deeply a few weeks ago pulling out a steel tape measure - how that blood spurts - and spent a week installing a new bathroom with a heavily dressed finger. Like you I realised how much you take the 100% functioning of your body for granted.

 

[Amanda P]

It gets better. For a couple of weeks, your fingers may be too weak to grip anything, but the strength comes back.

I know all about this; I broke my wrist on an ice rink. I lived alone in a flat miles from anywhere. I couldn't drive for eight weeks, or ride a bike for three months. No buses, so I had to walk everywhere. I was off work, so I had the time for this... But I got bored!

One day, I decided to walk to the library to get some more books. It was about eight miles away, so it took me a couple of hours. When I reached the town, I remembered it was Sunday and the library was closed...

I also remember the sheer frustration at trying to open a tin of beans one-handed. It reduced me to tears. Finally, I put the tin in the workshop vice. Solved the problem.

My girlfriend at the time tied my trainer shoelaces loosely enough for me to be able to put on and take off shoes with no further tying... well, she had to really - it was her that had taken me skating in the first place! (She is now Mrs Uncle Phil, so I must have forgiven her!)

The only reason I didn't starve was that the milkman would deliver bread, milk, bacon, eggs, marge and a few other things - at a price! Otherwise, I would have used up more energy walking to the shop and back with groceries that I would have got from eating them!

Breaking a bone is one of those life experiences. At least you're able to get about and get to work - and the accident could have been a lot worse.

Heal well, and quickly!

 

[Jane Smart]

Awwww really sorry to hear about your accident, here is for a speedy recover.

 

[Aperitif]

BTW Why you cycle so fast in commuter traffic Lukie boy? 'Phone munching plebs dawdling across your path not paying attention aren't going to be in good shape after you roll over their toes are they?

 

[Arch]

I also remember the sheer frustration at trying to open a tin of beans one-handed. It reduced me to tears. Finally, I put the tin in the workshop vice. Solved the problem.

For some reaosn, I'm reminded of that scene in Three Men in a Boat where they discover they've forgotten the tin opener and can't get into their much anticipated tin of pineapple, and they end up beating it into wierd shapes with an oar...

 

[4F]

Fookin hell, you run over a crow this year ? Get well soon mate and I am glad the bike is OK

 

[summerdays]

Oh sympathy ... the elbow bit was me in Feb.... and it was hard doing loads of things - washing myself and brushing my hair being especially difficult. But gradually you learn ways of coping. The sling is irritating too and I binned it after about a week (but I only had the elbow fracture).

 

[theclaud]

Bugger . Hope it mends quickly, Luke. And I hope the flatmate cooks you something nice now and again. Still, at least the folk of Essex will get some sleep this FNRttC without the noise of the RedJedi freehub...

 

[4F]

Still, at least the folk of Essex will get some sleep this FNRttC without the noise of the RedJedi freehub...

That's a good point, that thing is like a chainsaw

 

[Amanda P]

You don't need two good arms to ride a 'bent, I've learned.

 

[theclaud]

You don't need two good arms to ride a 'bent, I've learned.

Yebbut you do need about two grand!