The Return Of My Right Arm
Medical Update
They are cutting it off in a week – not my arm you understand but the plaster – and then I shall have my right arm returned to me after this unfortunate episode which began a month ago when I slipped and broke my wrist. I count myself lucky that it was a routine accident which will heal completely and thus is of no consequence in the wider scheme of things.
Already, I am typing these words to you with the fingers of my right hand and, in recent weeks, you may have spotted my photographs of Rodney Archer and of the trees in Brushfield St, which I managed to take by holding the camera in my left hand and pressing a single finger of my right hand against the shutter.
Let me admit, I cannot remember too much of these last weeks while my right arm has been out of service, although I shall never forget the moment when the doctor grabbed my broken limb by the hand and pulled as hard as he could to set it back into shape. Since the plaster was applied though, the arm became strange to me from the elbow downwards, secure in its case yet an unremitting source of discomfort too.
In response to this affliction, I have been sleeping away the hours. Each day, I have left the house to do my essential tasks before retreating again to my bedroom as soon as possible. My bed acquired a second counterpane of papers, where my cat nestled among the litter as I lay there putting my stories together.
Over the past weeks, I have learnt to do my buttons and light fires with my left hand, though cutting my nails and changing light bulbs still eludes me. Anyone who has received an envelope addressed by me will, perhaps, have thought twice about the deranged spidery left-handed handwriting.
I’d like to thank my loyal readers for their patience over the last month, while I have been unable to run around and undertake interviews and take photographs in my usual fashion. This situation will be remedied in coming weeks as use of my right arm returns to normal.
I am looking forward to the spring.
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Very pleased to hear this good news but I’m sure Mr Pussy will miss all those hours spent keeping you company and sleeping away the hours under the counterpane.
Pauline.
🙂
that’s nice
~ WELCOME BACK dear and wonderfully-gifted right hand of our Gentle Author! ~
ps
I recently received my own copy of The Gentle Author’s London Album and I love it ~
Thank you, Gentle Author’s right hand, for your amazing and generous work on this.
So pleased you are on the mend
Good to hear that you are on the mend! Valerie
Poor, poor you although I suspect something like this which imposes rest is the only way you take a well earned break. We will all still be waiting for you so rest up, let your mind wander and concentrate on getting well. I’m looking forward to seeing you and the Nippers again at the National Portrait.
As someone who was pulled over backwards by the right arm (Bag for allotment-veg caught in snag) in the second week in January, nearly dislocated it & pulled just about every muscle between the elbow & the shoulder … you have my entire sympathy.
Awkward (as well as painful) isn’t it?
Hooray! What great news, GA! “Normal” life returns, with those new left-handed skills and an itch to get back to the streets with less weight (on your arm)! I hope the daytime-bedtime will continue to be part of your busy schedule.
Re your blog/columns–if you hadn’t told us about the bone break I’d never have guessed, such has been the usual, exceptional quality of every written and photographed piece.
What a refreshing Spring you shall have—and we all benefit. Take care!
so pleased you are on the mend
Your support network seems to have coped admirably, indeed the past month has confirmed my thoughts that this is truly a co-operative blog 🙂
Dear Gentle Author,
You have shown great resilience in the face of adversity!
Can I recommend that you see a physiotherapist once you are out of plaster as your wrist will be stiff and the muscles weak.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Karen.
Glad to hear that your arm is on the mend with no long term damage…yes we did notice the spidery writing on an envelope but well done for mastering writing with your left hand it was very legible!!
I do hope you feel much better and fully recovered soon. I like many others look forward to your blogs each day.
I’m glad you are recovering well, but please be aware – and I’m speaking on behalf of my personal experience – you will need to undergo through some physiotherapy after the plaster will be removed. I dare say that the physiotherapy part is as important in terms of full recovery as the plaster phase. So happy physiotherapy!
A reassuring message — so enjoy then your new freedom of movement and also forthcoming springtime!
Love & Peace
ACHIM
Retreating to the boudoir is the best way to convalesce!
Spring is here now and more power to your elbow!
RD
So pleased you are recovered – and you have learnt some new left-handed skills!
Good to hear your on the mend , Spring has sprung! Now on with the physio!
Very kind regards
Jeanie
Gentle author,
I fear that having an audience that ‘hangs on every word’ may have delayed your healing, but still, time, rest and determination were allies to victory.
We remain, your faithful readers.
Bravo!, GA. All power to your elbow. And congrats on publishing Colin O’Brien – his book will be a knockout.
Good morning GA. Pleased to hear that. Remember to do your exercises as your arm will be needing it. May I suggest a good exfoliation of your now uncasted arm as it will stimulate the muscles to do their work and you’ll be surprised how your skin will react to proper light and activity. I had that when I broke mine but it turned out to be ok in the end as I’m sure having to manage with one arm, made me feel more mentally stimulated.
Excellent news!
Greetings from New Orleans! I wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to more articles from the East End.
Cheers, Gentle Author! What sweet relief it must have been to ditch the plaster and have a good scratch. Happy Spring to you.
Very pleased to hear that you are returning to two handedness. Well done that normal service was not lost! Jean Forster
Good to hear, now your break is almost over it will be back to the right hand.
Keep up the good work.
Excellent news about your imminent freedom from plaster. Wishing you a gentle, painless re-entry into clicking cameras and tapping keys. Your loyal followers rejoice!
Greetings, GA.
so glad to hear you are on the mend.
Just a small query.. The lovely be-feathered gent hiding among the spring flowers… is he also missing his right arm? Is this becoming a habit down Spitalfields way? Cheers.
Wonderful news!
Im pleased that your plaster is coming off,but then do you have to endure the attentions of the physiotherapists?They are a very fierce breed!Good luck!
Had a pep-talk with my brother-in-law this morning about the importance of doing his physio (after a stroke). But I’m sure you don’t need reminding! It’s good to know you’re making good progress.
So pleased to hear your arm is getting better and the plaster will soon be off.
Good luck with the physio afterwards!
Take care.
I was a recipient of one of the spidery envelopes – kept me guessing re the contents, as looked rather like my aunt’s writing! Very glad your wrist is healing. And I love the photograph of the spring bulbs
I am sure that even if you had both arms in plaster you would still find a way to write!
Very glad you are on the mend. You bring a unique voice to the blogging world.
How nice that Spring and your newfound freedom will arrive together! Glad you’ve healed up.
Glad to hear you have overcome the effects of your temporary disability so well
So pleased you will be fully fit again Spitalfields Life makes my day Thank you GA for all you do.
So pleased you are recovering from your injury. You have had a tough time. Take it easy. J. Lewis
So glad to hear you are getting better – the photos of the trees were still wonderful 🙂
So glad … your words mean so much to me … thank you, and I hope you are feeling better