Sunday, January 28, 2007
Time and Healing

About a week ago I got a cast taken off my left arm.  I had it on for nearly 2 weeks to allow my elbow to heal.  I smacked my elbow hard causing the sack of fluid in the elbow joint to burst and ultimately become red, inflamed, and swollen.  I won't lie, it hurt like hell. 

My surgeon put a cast on my arm to keep my elbow immobile allowing a jump start on healing the damage.  I was also on some pretty strong prescription medications for the inflammation and infection.

While I know most bone breaks need to be cast from anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks to allow for healing, my 'mere' 10 days was torture for me as I continued to teach and do the things I needed to do. 

After the cast was removed, my surgeon told me that it would take another 2 months for healing and to expect swelling and discomfort.  He also warned me that if it got red or hot again (from inflammation and/or infection) to come in immediately.  I have one more follow-up appointment so he can check on the healing progress. 

I have finally admitted to myself that when he said it would take 2 more months to heal, he meant that it would take 2 more months to heal.

I have been humbled.