That Time I Broke My Wrist!
Last Updated on: 21st November 2021, 07:27 pm
I Broke My Wrist Like An Idiot!
Here I was 48 years and 11 months old and never had a broken bone. Well apart from that time that I was being nosy in my bathroom one time. I heard a kerfuffle happening outside. So I stood on the toilet seat lid to look out the bathroom window. Then the loose toilet seat lid slipped and broke. This made me fall from the toilet but one foot fell into the toilet bowl! This broke my toe. I was in pain for weeks after. But although that was my first bone break, it was nothing compared to the job I did in October when I broke my wrist.
The day started normally, I was excited as it was my last working day before I was due to go to Turkey on holiday. Then it all changed. Without going into too many details I fell backwards and whacked my right arm against a shop shelving unit. I knew instantly that it was broken because my hand and wrist were not aligned anymore.
Going To The Hospital
I went to the walk-in minor injuries department of the local hospital, I had to wait for what seemed forever. My hand was placed on a pillow and I just waited and waited to be seen. Eventually, I was called in and the nurse assessed me. She shook her head, sent me to x-ray and told me it didn’t look good. Turns out it wasn’t good! I had a dislocation at the wrist and two breaks in my wrist. That was when reality really kicked in because she told me it would need an operation to fix it. Also, the dislocation was very close to my radial pulse and it was urgent to get it popped back into place.
Strangely enough, it actually didn’t hurt me, I think I was in shock at the time. I was quickly plastered up and was sent to the main accident and emergency department at the main hospital (QEQM) in Margate. My local hospital gave me a letter to hand to the doctors and I packed an overnight bag in case they needed to operate.
QEQM
I waited in the waiting room of the hospital for three and half hours, three and a half long hours. But at that time, I saw people abusing the staff because they didn’t get their own way. I had a man opposite me with swollen black toes and feet. And another man asked me what I had done to my arm. I really was not in the mood for small talk. I was in a hospital, alone and facing the prospect of an operation.
A lot of people watching, happened that afternoon. Then I was thinking about how good looking the doctors were in Greys Anatomy. But in England, we never get the good looking ones. It was a random thing to think about at the time. Finally, my name was called. I was taken to a ward that had old people in it…… come on – old people?
I climbed on the bed and it wasn’t long before the doctor came in to look. They sent me for another x-ray and told me that I would need an operation if it was my prominent hand. Luckily, it was the first time that I was grateful for being left-handed. Three doctors came over to my bed to manipulate my wrist back into place. I had injections into my bones, and I have never felt pain like it. I swore at the doctor! A canister of Entonox (gas and air). I remember having it when I was in my first labour and it made me feel sick, so I had never had it with the next 3. I didn’t want it but the nurse told me to use it. Within 3 puffs of the Entonox, I felt like I was floating over my bed.
The Doctors, my heroes!
I could feel a bit of tugging and I heard the doctors talking to each other. Then as I was floating, I heard an American voice saying ‘When did you first get diagnosed with cancer?’. Suddenly it was like I was living in Greys Anatomy like I was thinking earlier. I took that Entonox straight out of my mouth and shouted ‘I don’t have cancer, you are operating on the wrong patient’.
One of the doctors placed a hand on my shoulder and told me it was an American doctor in the next cubicle. And his patient had cancer! Anyway, they successfully managed to put the wrist back in place and as I was plastered the doctors told me that I could go on holiday!
But I Went To Turkey After I Broke My Wrist!
So that is how I came to be sitting on a plane 48 hours later on my way to Turkey. I could have stayed home and recovered after I broke my wrist, whilst stressing my daughters out. But why would I do that when I could go to Turkey with one of my best friends, live off a diet of really strong painkillers. And having to rely on her to help me in the shower, and get me dressed after. She had to come to the toilet with me to pull my underwear up and help me get dressed again. Guys, if you do not have a friend like this – then you need to look for someone else.
Fast forward to now, and I have had my cast removed. My wrist is still twisted the wrong way, but it will sort itself out. The orthopaedic specialist said he had never seen a break like that that didn’t need an operation. I think I really dodged a bullet.
What I Learned
I learnt that the NHS does not get enough credit for all that they do. They face abuse and anger every day when patients don’t get their own way. They helped me enormously with my wrist at all three of the hospitals I attended with the initial visits and follow-ups. It made me think that we are so lucky to have the NHS system instead of the broken health care system in America, where people are dying because they can’t afford basic health care.
Next time you want to moan and complain about the NHS, think about how much they are trying to do in the midst of a global pandemic. These guys really are heroes!
