It's been 11 weeks 4 days since the incident that left me with a fractured wrist - a Compound Open Fracture of my left wrist... followed by surgery, a metal plate and 6 screws inside my wrist, stitches for 2 weeks, and a plaster cast for 6 weeks. Plaster cast and stitches now off. But what I never envisaged, is the total inability to use my hand, fingers, or wrist... flex and bend them, or apply the smallest pressure to them. They feel like so delicate, wooden and weak....
Hence the absence of blog posts since May.
May was set to be a busy month anyway, since it was 3 weeks away from celebrating my biggest birthday so far .... Ok, a bit obvious! But it was a significant birthday with an 0 at the end...and a big party celebration planned... 150 guests invited.
Since then, May 16th, life has changed.
Taking either of my hands for granted in future is never going to happen! I am still unable to dress myself completely on my own (bra's can be a challenge!), or eat with a knife and fork. That means, I either pick up my food with fingers, or choose food that can be scooped up with only a fork. Eating out in company can be difficult. I am still wearing elasticated trousers, as I am unable to pull a zip together to do it up. These are 3 of the myriad of things I am unable to do.
How did it happen? You might well ask! I was assaulted by a neighbour ... pushed over flying, ended up flat on my back, cracked my head on the brick drive. Why? Because I told him that his dog had killed one of our chickens. And, it regularly comes in our garden, front and back. He went mad.... ballistic...like a dangerous animal....by the way, both he and his wife are retired police.
...And I thought I lived in a nice neighbourhood! Now I am scared to leave my house and walk on foot anywhere.
I'm not able to drive still, as I cannot grip the steering wheel, change gears, or pull up the handbrake with my left hand. So unless I get taken somewhere, I am housebound. In the countryside, buses are few to non existent, and the walk to the train station is too far.
Anyway, thank goodness it is my left hand, not my right. Yes, I am right handed, so I have been doing Facebook.... but touch typing has not been an option.
Progress is slow, tedious, and very painful, as I have also got damage to the nerves, causing Chronic, Regional Pain Syndrome. Since May 16th, I have taken over 1,000 pain tablets, which causes me some concern. I am very unhappy about the long term effect on my organs.
On the plus side, painful as it still is, with the help of the strong painkillers, I am writing this post...but must stop now, as I am in too much pain.
Although I have been unable to do any new writing, I have been doing the 4th edit on my novel
The Last Year of Childhood, slowly, between eating and sleeping 3 or 4 times a day. Yes, I get tired and sleepy a lot.
I pray for quicker progress, although I am thankful that it wasn't my scull that was fractured, or worse...
See you next time.
Marilyn x
About Me
- Marilyn Rodwell
- The Wedding Drums - my novel set in an early 20C village in Trinidad is almost here. Two young girls, Amina and Sumati plot to escape their arranged marriages and plan to live life following their own dreams. But Sumati falls in love and runs away, putting Amina's plans in jeopardy. Neither of them bank on what is in store for them. Soon they face the adult world of scheming men, corruption, prostitution and violence, and life in the village will never be the same again.
Oh dear, Marilyn - you are having a rough time. I hope your attacker gets brought to justice and things improve with the wrist. We take everything for granted until it's gone ...
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DeleteWhat a horrid thing to happen, and the ongoing impact must be really difficult to deal with. I hope the attacker sees justice and I hope your recovery continues. Lots and lots of love xx
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear it's been such a long, slow process. I was much, much luckier with mine. But it sounds as if the incident has knocked your confidence a lot, hope you soon feel more like yourself.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your posts. I do hope too, that justice will be done. There is a case pending in Crown Court, so there is some hope.
ReplyDeleteLove to you both
Marilyn xx
I've read some of your posts and realise that we have a lot in common. In this day and age, I am horror struck that an ex policeman would assault you like that. Do you believe race was at the bottom of it? The problem is that in court the word of the police is generally taken as truth, so I feel dubious about you getting the justice you deserve. It must be extra hard if he is still your neighbour. Whichever way it goes in court its still going to mess up your life. Maybe you should write a book about THAT! Every life experience is a topic for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAs for your Indian background ... my second husband is an Indian Trinidadian (first was Africa). He recently found the official documents showing the names of his great grandparents and the ship they traveled on to Trinidad, The Sevilla I believe.
And as for your writing... I had so many rejections for Red Wolf, from both publishers and agents. That part was really hard. Hang in there and keep pushing your book.
Jennifer
Hi Jenifer, Nice to see your post. Yes, we do seem to have much in common! Lovely! Thank you for your concern. Not sure it was a racist attack, but it cannot be discounted. Fortunately I am not the one prosecuting, so that is a burden removed from my shoulders. But I am thinking of using aspects of the experience in my writing. Good to hear your husband has found out that information about his grandparents. Best wishes, and good luck with your book!
ReplyDeleteLove Marilyn
Oh my, Marilyn! I had no idea! I am so much in my own little world, thinking only of myself and my own problems. I completely missed this enormous event in your life. I am so sorry. I can't believe something like this could happen to a wonderful person like you. The inhumanity of it! I am feeling so outraged about this horrible attack on you. I wish I could do something to help. Please let me know if there is anything at all I can do. Your kindred spirit from across the giant pond, Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth, So nice to see your comment! This horrible event has made me realise we cannot take any day for granted. That we have to embrace every moment we've been given. I see disasters around the world near and far in a very different light. And I believe that the only thing we can do to effect world peace is to be peaceful ourselves and respectful to other, If we all did that, it would snowball into a big peaceful world. Thank you for your lovely and kind compliment. Glad to have a kindred spirit so far away too. One day we will meet. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Love Marilyn x
ReplyDeleteYour neighbor's attitude towards the incident was uncalled for. Have you tried reporting what happened to the authorities, Marilyn? How's your wrist now? I hope recovery is going faster than you expected. Injuries like this cannot be overlooked due to the fact that it affects your ability to do everyday tasks, and professional help is pretty much advised.
ReplyDeleteMilagros Max @ US Health Works