DISCIPLINE

February 14th was a significant day for me – not just because it was Valentine’s Day but it also meant another trip to the Orthopod.  As I was in the waiting room watching Patrick Chan skate to Olympic Silver I was wondering what the outcome of this visit would be.  Cast off, cast on; cast off or existing cast remaining in tact…

I had had my CT done and was pleased with the result – subtle nondisplaced fracture of the distal radial metaphysis.  The scaphoid bone appears normal.  Subtle.  This was a good word.  Subtle to me meant ‘delicate’, ‘faint’ perhaps almost non-existent.

The Orthopod looked at my scan and report.  Based on the findings he recommended another cast but one that would allow my thumb to move freely.  I pointed out to him the CT report indicated a ‘subtle’ fracture which was good news.  He quickly corrected me by saying the wording should have been ‘incomplete fracture’ and not ‘subtle fracture’.  The outcome – cast off, cast on!

And then a change of heart…he looked at me and said no cast but you will be getting a brace.  Thank you cupid!  With the brace comes greater freedom – showering without a plastic bag on your arm, being able to take the brace off when your wrist becomes itchy and allowing for better mobility.

I always thought of myself as being very disciplined but in this case discipline went out the window.  My interpretation of having a brace meant wearing it when convenient.  Another interpretation – not wearing it at all.  I am now learning the true definition of discipline.  It means to wear the brace full time and take it off as needed and NOT to have my brace off all the time and wear it when my wrist begins to throb!! 

Re-learning the importance of discipline,

Shelley