(forgive me for any spelling error as i had to either type with one hand on my phone, or 2 hands at an arm's distance from the screen...but i'm sure it can't be that far off)
U know how when u think things can't get any worse, n the moment that thought crosses ur mind, something worse happens? Amazing how life works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? Well, maybe the solution to that is, never say never! 'Tis true, after having to brave the random malaysian thunderstorm with my dinky 3-fold umbrella, ending up drenched even in my mini short to reach homebase, n joining a friend reluctantly in the pool- the day wasn't actually as bad as it sounded- at least its was going in the right direction till it made a sudden left-turn...
After we spent an hour in the pool, with the chilly weather, both of us couldn't wait for a hot shower. But of course, those that know me, I have very strict rules about my place- especially my washroom n bedroom. So when I couldn't withstand his puppy plea, I agreed to let him shower in my apartment. As I usually don't have guests, I spent the first few minutes putting certain things away n making sure it was comfortably prepared for my guest. Except, the whole time I was prepping, I was also dripping water from my hair, shirt n shorts every step of the way. With tile flooring, it was a nasty combo waiting to happen. As I made a sudden turn to put down the mat, my left foot lost grip n the next thing I knew, I was on the floor...in no pain, or at least not then.
I got up real quick cos I didn't wanna scare my guest (which was a bad idea cos I didn't even take the time to look over n feel whether there were pains anywhere else other than my butt cheeks n left elbow). Not wanting to make a big deal out of the fall, I simply repeated that I was okay...now that I think about it, it sounded more like self-persuasion. As he hopped into shower, I tried to wring out as much water from my hair as possible, only to realize I couldn't exert any force from my left hand. Tracking the pain, I found an open wound approximately 4-5cm, pooling with blood. As it trickled drop by drop, I could only remember asking to myself, "what just happened?!" So, I quickly snatched a couple of towels to soak up the blood n applied pressure, as painful as it actually was to add to the pain. As I wasn't quite sure how my medical insurances would deal with such situations, I called our company's insurance agent- who also takes really good care of me- n soon, he was on his way to pick me up to visit a clinic.
At this point, I was starting to panic a little as I remembered how injuries with open wounds are a little more problematic for me. It also didn't help that I was still soaked in pool water. Except, now I'm officially unable to get out of my swim wear without assiatance. So, having considered all options (which didn't leave me much choice), I had asked a friend of mere 2 weeks (aka french connection) to help me. Not going into details- let's just say, he was a real gentleman, having kept his eyes closed the whole time...I hope! With awesome teamwork, I was soon in dry clothes. Not long after, I was at a nearby clinic getting cleaned n wrapped up (actually, the insurance agent didn't really know where we'd be able to find clinics opened on saturdays, but that's exactly why I said he really takes good care of me. He rushed from home, putting aside his son's homework session, to come save my bottoms, just because he understood that I'm alone here (family-wise)...n just being a really fatherly character to me). But ya, its situations like these that remind me how very fortunate I am to have people who would go out of their ways to attend to me- n of course, I couldn't thank him enough, all the way back home.
The doctor said that at this point, the pain from the superficial wound will most likely overpower any other possible pains from fractures or breaks, so I should just wait till tomorrow n see how it feels. It was funny cos when she tried to figure out whether I had fractured or broken anything, she was literally twisting my arm in all the wrong places- n on top of the skin rip, of course it hurt! So I agreed that it'll have to wait, n if any, the pain would be more prevalent the following days with all the swelling (yes, right now, the original wrapping is wayyyy too tight around my arm cos it had swelled probably half its size more). But nonetheless, it had been treated properly, as it should be- unlike what hapened in Bali. Okay, maybe it wasn't as similiar of a case as it should be to be used as comparison, but becoming tofu-bodied sick within 30mins of choking on pool water? U can't blame me for being exaggeratingly doubtful of pool waters in general. Though, I do have to say, having been spoiled by a totally health-focus country that is Canada, it only makes traveling n self-body immune systems weaker to infections. So I guess being in Asia these couple of years can train up my defensive systems!
The rest of the day was quite usual with only the random stings to remind me of the wound. Not until I had to shower, being one-handed was quite a fun challenge indeed. Now, having had help to put them on, it was defiitely a pain to take them off by myself. Because of the way the bandage was done or possibly how fat my arm was swelling up, I couldn't really bend my arm. So, I had the worst temptation to cut my hair short just because I couldn't tie it up with one hand (stupid zhangziyi with her chopstick-hair-knotting skills...I shall actually give that a practice now that I have been banned from hitting the gym- not allow to dampen the wound *arg*) n washing my hair was so close to making me want to just skip showers simply because I can't clean it as I usually would, so it might not even be clean, so frustrating! Actually, now I think about it, the whole "only-one-hand" deal just doesn't work for me. I need my left arm! Not that I've ever neglected its importance, it just didn't strike me that I'd be so dependent on my non-dominant arm. Yes, I do need you, leftie. Please get well soon so the torture can end- although, being at a joint, wounds will take longer to heal :( Even so, I shall make the most of this time to take better care of leftie n learn to appreciate it as it should've been. After all, it has always been there to take care of me...it's the least I can do!
After we spent an hour in the pool, with the chilly weather, both of us couldn't wait for a hot shower. But of course, those that know me, I have very strict rules about my place- especially my washroom n bedroom. So when I couldn't withstand his puppy plea, I agreed to let him shower in my apartment. As I usually don't have guests, I spent the first few minutes putting certain things away n making sure it was comfortably prepared for my guest. Except, the whole time I was prepping, I was also dripping water from my hair, shirt n shorts every step of the way. With tile flooring, it was a nasty combo waiting to happen. As I made a sudden turn to put down the mat, my left foot lost grip n the next thing I knew, I was on the floor...in no pain, or at least not then.
I got up real quick cos I didn't wanna scare my guest (which was a bad idea cos I didn't even take the time to look over n feel whether there were pains anywhere else other than my butt cheeks n left elbow). Not wanting to make a big deal out of the fall, I simply repeated that I was okay...now that I think about it, it sounded more like self-persuasion. As he hopped into shower, I tried to wring out as much water from my hair as possible, only to realize I couldn't exert any force from my left hand. Tracking the pain, I found an open wound approximately 4-5cm, pooling with blood. As it trickled drop by drop, I could only remember asking to myself, "what just happened?!" So, I quickly snatched a couple of towels to soak up the blood n applied pressure, as painful as it actually was to add to the pain. As I wasn't quite sure how my medical insurances would deal with such situations, I called our company's insurance agent- who also takes really good care of me- n soon, he was on his way to pick me up to visit a clinic.
At this point, I was starting to panic a little as I remembered how injuries with open wounds are a little more problematic for me. It also didn't help that I was still soaked in pool water. Except, now I'm officially unable to get out of my swim wear without assiatance. So, having considered all options (which didn't leave me much choice), I had asked a friend of mere 2 weeks (aka french connection) to help me. Not going into details- let's just say, he was a real gentleman, having kept his eyes closed the whole time...I hope! With awesome teamwork, I was soon in dry clothes. Not long after, I was at a nearby clinic getting cleaned n wrapped up (actually, the insurance agent didn't really know where we'd be able to find clinics opened on saturdays, but that's exactly why I said he really takes good care of me. He rushed from home, putting aside his son's homework session, to come save my bottoms, just because he understood that I'm alone here (family-wise)...n just being a really fatherly character to me). But ya, its situations like these that remind me how very fortunate I am to have people who would go out of their ways to attend to me- n of course, I couldn't thank him enough, all the way back home.
The doctor said that at this point, the pain from the superficial wound will most likely overpower any other possible pains from fractures or breaks, so I should just wait till tomorrow n see how it feels. It was funny cos when she tried to figure out whether I had fractured or broken anything, she was literally twisting my arm in all the wrong places- n on top of the skin rip, of course it hurt! So I agreed that it'll have to wait, n if any, the pain would be more prevalent the following days with all the swelling (yes, right now, the original wrapping is wayyyy too tight around my arm cos it had swelled probably half its size more). But nonetheless, it had been treated properly, as it should be- unlike what hapened in Bali. Okay, maybe it wasn't as similiar of a case as it should be to be used as comparison, but becoming tofu-bodied sick within 30mins of choking on pool water? U can't blame me for being exaggeratingly doubtful of pool waters in general. Though, I do have to say, having been spoiled by a totally health-focus country that is Canada, it only makes traveling n self-body immune systems weaker to infections. So I guess being in Asia these couple of years can train up my defensive systems!
The rest of the day was quite usual with only the random stings to remind me of the wound. Not until I had to shower, being one-handed was quite a fun challenge indeed. Now, having had help to put them on, it was defiitely a pain to take them off by myself. Because of the way the bandage was done or possibly how fat my arm was swelling up, I couldn't really bend my arm. So, I had the worst temptation to cut my hair short just because I couldn't tie it up with one hand (stupid zhangziyi with her chopstick-hair-knotting skills...I shall actually give that a practice now that I have been banned from hitting the gym- not allow to dampen the wound *arg*) n washing my hair was so close to making me want to just skip showers simply because I can't clean it as I usually would, so it might not even be clean, so frustrating! Actually, now I think about it, the whole "only-one-hand" deal just doesn't work for me. I need my left arm! Not that I've ever neglected its importance, it just didn't strike me that I'd be so dependent on my non-dominant arm. Yes, I do need you, leftie. Please get well soon so the torture can end- although, being at a joint, wounds will take longer to heal :( Even so, I shall make the most of this time to take better care of leftie n learn to appreciate it as it should've been. After all, it has always been there to take care of me...it's the least I can do!
Appreciation is a state of understanding, except most people unconsciously take the longer road through loss and realization.