Thursday, February 4, 2010

Cast off! Castaway!

Kathleen got her cast off today! It’s a relief, but she’ll also miss her good buddy. It feels really vulnerable when it first comes off - as anyone who’s ever had surgery or needed to have a cast would know. This is the third cast since the fall happened on Dec. 23rd. Arriving in Saskatoon on Dec. 30th, she was processed quickly by the Canadian healthcare system and had surgery two days later. She had the best wrist surgeon in town (at the University of Saskatchewan Medical School) - another blessing. She even got to choose which color she wanted; pink, black, green or blue. She chose the blue.



Picture 1: Her last day in the cast! Kathleen plays with the shadows the morning before she goes to get the cast off.

After the cast was taken off the surgeon showed Kathleen and Scott the x-rays; a titanium plate with seven (yes, seven!!) screws to hold the bones in place in the wrist. Kathleen is grateful for the simple things in life and the things one takes for granted – like mobility in all of the limbs. The healing process is a “journey” for sure.


Pictures 2 & 3: Kathleen plays with the morning shadows.


Picture 4: The plastic bag goes over her lower arm before she takes a shower. The bag is from a Canadian store – see the maple leaf?