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26 Apr 07 - 10:04 AM (#2036241) Subject: BS: Almost back to life, From: DaveA Hi to all the friends I never knew I had and particularly the three who inspired me to keep going through the bad times. The arm has been operated on again to remove most of the ironmongery that was holding it together, The Titanium ball & socket joint is there for good but the rest of the plates & rivets are gone. The result is about 90% function in the fingers though with a lot of numbness and resultant lack of feeling, The wrist is average - I can't hold out that hand to ask for a dollar as it woulsd slide off. And the elbow is good in vertical motion - I can scratch my head, adjust glasses and even hold on to an overhead handle on a train. But where it is bad is the extended vertical angle where it refuses to go vertical and worse still complains bitterly by the end of the day about lack of support, So where am I know. The surgeon reluctantly cleared me to return to work at the end of Feb and I was fortunate enough to pick up the overall Test Manager role for one of the main players in the huge Telstra Transformation Project.This should keep me out of MOST mischief for 5+ years whle I try to co-ordinate & manage up to 8 test teams. It is very much "curates egg" right now. It is so good to be back practicing my specialty and so bad still needing the drugs to sleep (I am strapped into a metal rack to extend the arm, each night) and paying the mental price for using them each morning. But I can type with two hands again, and the week before Easter I was cleared to drive again. Sorry to all NRA catters, the true independance is to be able to drive even if it is only to pick up your 91 year old Mum & take her for lunch after an absense of 5 months. The overall prognosis is not good. I appear to have already exceded the level of recovery they though possible. But, think it through: 1/ I can write 2/ I can use the dreaded PC 3/ I have a full time job at a rate of pay that has astounded me 4/ The kids are well & the grandkid is thriving 5/ And hell, I give a really good impersonation of Napoleon with my arm tucked into my shirt. So, this a reprieve - albeit a painful one. It could have been my head rather than my wrist and I could have blacked out for much longer than I did, So I was lucky. And very lucky to have found the friends in Mudcat who gave me the courage to face the extra ops and now the impaired mobility that will be left. But it is all about expectations, I never thought last year that I would be able to regain so much of the functionality I had lost. So I keep my expectations reasonable. Unlike the guy who went drinking one night & hit on a 57 year old lady -showing her age but still very presentable, They had several drinks, a bit of a cuddle and then several more drinks. Then she looked at him & said I really like you. What say we do the Sportsmans Delight. Well he was willing but had no idea as to what that meant. So she told him it was a threesome beteen a guy and a mother & daughter. Well, he was stoked and so after 2 more double Malts, they headed for her place, and the action began. She opened the door, turned on the lights and telled: Hey Mum, are you still up?? Expectations can kill you - I am keeping mine under control Now, some more music threads please. For instance, I found a copy of the Highwaymen (and no, I don't mean the willie Nelson ensemble) and sat listening to the original commercial sounds of Michael Row the Boat Ashore etc and wondered how they got away with strummed guitars, muted banjos and a bass that sounded like a tea chest. Yet it was soothing and peaceful. And just remember how many of us (if we are honest) have that song at the early heart of our folk experiemce. But was it really folk or just a preppy college group trying to earn a buck. My two cents worth says the latter but histoty has consigned them to the Folk Locker Enough... I've paid my dues, thanked my colleagues and even managed a rant and a joke. Time to go. But I'll be back Dave |
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26 Apr 07 - 10:27 AM (#2036262) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: George Papavgeris Power to yer elbow, Dave!. Great news about the recovery, the job and everything. |
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26 Apr 07 - 10:36 AM (#2036271) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: Sandra in Sydney you have certainly been living in interesting times! And keeping the medical profession in the style to which they have become accustomed. congratulations on all your victories, keep up the good work. good to see you back sandra |
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26 Apr 07 - 10:44 AM (#2036276) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: Hawker Glad to hear things are looking more positive. Well done on making such a great recovery. Deep admiration for your barve journey so far! Cheers, Lucy |
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26 Apr 07 - 10:49 AM (#2036282) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: Wesley S Mostly good news. Stay on the road to recovery. Progress not perfection is what I always say. |
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26 Apr 07 - 12:11 PM (#2036358) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: JennyO Hi Dave, from one of the three. It sounds like it's gradually coming together, and with your sense of humour intact, too! What you are doing, looking for the positives, is a big part of the healing, and is one of the reasons you have exceeded expectations. In that way, you are already in front. Good things are happening, and will continue to happen, because you are in the right frame of mind. You can stop and take a breath now - the worst is over. As for perfection - I find it's vastly overrated. I tend to look at my scars and imperfections now as part of who I am. I wear them proudly as a sign that I have been out there playing the game of life, engaging in the battles and winning them. I was surprised at how easy it was to accept some things being less than perfect - not the big deal I thought it would be. So what if I have trouble picking up a small object between the thumb and forefinger of my left hand? I can do all the really important things I want to do - that's all that matters. You'll do fine. You will wear your battle scars with pride, and continue to be a perfect you. |
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26 Apr 07 - 12:20 PM (#2036368) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: gnu Good on ya, Dave. |
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26 Apr 07 - 03:58 PM (#2036540) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: fat B****rd Great news. Best from Charlie. |
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26 Apr 07 - 04:08 PM (#2036550) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: Charley Noble Dave- "Almost back" bearts most of the alternatives, and it really seems like a whole lot of things have been gathered back together. Best of luck, and keep pushing the limits! Cheerily, Charley Noble, aged 64 and thoughtful... |
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26 Apr 07 - 05:27 PM (#2036618) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: katlaughing All the best to you and thanks for coming back and letting us know how you're getting on. As Charley says, it beats the alternative! kat |
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26 Apr 07 - 11:57 PM (#2036815) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: JennyO Dave, it's very true what you said about driving. My main worry when I broke my wrist was not being allowed to drive and wondering when I would be. From the day I started driving again I felt truly independent and the rest just gradually fell into place. By the way, I noticed you posted on the thread about the National. Did you go? I was certainly there and spent a lot of time rallying to the Troubadour and drinking Andrew Pattison's wines, which are eminently drinkable! Had a lot of fun meeting Bugsy and Mrs Bugsy, who spent a lot of time there too. Oh - and if I meet you some time, I promise not to give you a dollar ;-) |
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27 Apr 07 - 09:24 AM (#2037092) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: Alice Good luck, Dave. I missed the first postings about your condition. As I read your update, I kept relating to your description. I was injured in Dec. and thought I would need rotator cuff surgery. Physical therapy for months and healing gave a better result. All the best to you and continued recovery. Alice |
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27 Apr 07 - 02:28 PM (#2037334) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: Donuel Sounds like your work is in communication. The surgury sounded like it was elective and a courageous thing to do. I hope a year from now you can keep that dollar. A year ago I was hit by lightning and only this month have I noticed I can again do some things that were missing in action. |
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29 Apr 07 - 09:51 AM (#2038641) Subject: RE: BS: Almost back to life, From: JennyO The body's ability to recover is an amazing thing, isn't it! I believe that one's state of mind plays a major part in the recovery process too. Donuel, I wasn't aware of what happened to you. Did I miss something? I'm glad things are improving anyway. I'm glad your injury has improved without surgery too, Alice! |