From the Antwerp Christmas Market
Friday, December 21, 2007
Elbow Update
I had an appointment today to have my giant pink cast removed and to determine the next step in my treatment. The choices on the table were...
1. Get a fiber glass cast for a few weeks
2. Put a bandage on and let it heal itself
The doctor ended up going with #2 which made me really nervous. As soon as they took the cast off, I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach. I was really afraid to move my arm and it hurt to put the elastic bandage on. Supposedly this type of broken bone is best to treat without a cast so you don't develop stiffness in the joint. However then you read stuff like this. I don't have a follow-up appointment. I am just supposed to stretch it and work on the range of movement. I didn't get a list of exercises or anything like that. She just said to extend it, rotate it, and avoid lifting heavy things. I am allowed to do exercises like walking or the recumbent bike. If it doesn't get better in 4-6 weeks I should call about physical therapy.
I took a nap after getting back and feel better now. At least I can type and wear normal clothes. I cannot straighten or curl my elbow all the way, and it does hurt to rotate my hand. Ironically my European patent law mentor at work had the same injury two years ago. He actually had the same history of injuries because he had broken the wrist of the same arm as a child and the elbow as an adult...just like me. They never gave him a cast at any point in his treatment and it took 6 months to not hurt everyday. He showed me that he still can't extend it all the way.
So I am nervous, but happy to not have a huge cast. I have painkillers and I know the gym at work offers some kind of rehabilitation class so maybe they might know some exercises to do. I just feel kind of weird having a broken bone and nothing to really stabilize it. We fly to the UK on the 23rd to visit Charles' family and I go back to work on January 3rd so I guess I will try to take it easy until then.
1. Get a fiber glass cast for a few weeks
2. Put a bandage on and let it heal itself
The doctor ended up going with #2 which made me really nervous. As soon as they took the cast off, I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach. I was really afraid to move my arm and it hurt to put the elastic bandage on. Supposedly this type of broken bone is best to treat without a cast so you don't develop stiffness in the joint. However then you read stuff like this. I don't have a follow-up appointment. I am just supposed to stretch it and work on the range of movement. I didn't get a list of exercises or anything like that. She just said to extend it, rotate it, and avoid lifting heavy things. I am allowed to do exercises like walking or the recumbent bike. If it doesn't get better in 4-6 weeks I should call about physical therapy.
I took a nap after getting back and feel better now. At least I can type and wear normal clothes. I cannot straighten or curl my elbow all the way, and it does hurt to rotate my hand. Ironically my European patent law mentor at work had the same injury two years ago. He actually had the same history of injuries because he had broken the wrist of the same arm as a child and the elbow as an adult...just like me. They never gave him a cast at any point in his treatment and it took 6 months to not hurt everyday. He showed me that he still can't extend it all the way.
So I am nervous, but happy to not have a huge cast. I have painkillers and I know the gym at work offers some kind of rehabilitation class so maybe they might know some exercises to do. I just feel kind of weird having a broken bone and nothing to really stabilize it. We fly to the UK on the 23rd to visit Charles' family and I go back to work on January 3rd so I guess I will try to take it easy until then.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Broken Elbow
I am typing this one-handed because Charles and I decided to take a weekend trip to go to the Christmas market in Antwerp and I decided I could ice skate after a glass of champagne and a gluhwein. Charles (who had to wear size 46 skates on his size 49 feet) even managed a lap, but I fell hard after about 3/4 of the way. Truly i am so bad at ice skating I probably would have managed to injure myself without the influence of holiday spirits. I got up and didn't think I was that badly injured. My hand was numb, but I ignored it, took some Advil, took the poodles (who made the trip with us) for a walk and had a fabulous dinner at Rooden Hoed. I thought it was just a sprain and it would feel better in the morning.
We stayed at the Hilton on Groenplaats last night and I slept OK, but when I woke up I could not bend my arm at all. We called the doctor in Rotterdam, but had to take the train all the way back home to see someone. So we took the hour long ride home with the whiny poodles and a really sore arm and made it to the MCRZ in Rotterdam around 14:30. After 2 hours of poking, prodding, and xrays, we were told that the bone in my left elbow which allows my arm to twist is broken. All in all the experience was very much like how it would go in the US...just more people involved who are specialized in certain areas.
So now I have this huge pink cast that almost reaches my shoulder and a sling. I have to go back to the hospitaltomorrow morning to get my circulation checked. In a week or so I go back to get a new cast but the whole thing will probably take a few weeks to heal. Charles is being a good husband and babying me.
I would stay home from work for a while, but the end of the year is busy. The main problem with working is that none of my clothes fit over this huge cast. I will have to post a picture soon along with others from our fun time in Belgium because we did have a great weekend despite this minor mishap. Last day of work before my holiday break is 20 December so there should be time.
We stayed at the Hilton on Groenplaats last night and I slept OK, but when I woke up I could not bend my arm at all. We called the doctor in Rotterdam, but had to take the train all the way back home to see someone. So we took the hour long ride home with the whiny poodles and a really sore arm and made it to the MCRZ in Rotterdam around 14:30. After 2 hours of poking, prodding, and xrays, we were told that the bone in my left elbow which allows my arm to twist is broken. All in all the experience was very much like how it would go in the US...just more people involved who are specialized in certain areas.
So now I have this huge pink cast that almost reaches my shoulder and a sling. I have to go back to the hospitaltomorrow morning to get my circulation checked. In a week or so I go back to get a new cast but the whole thing will probably take a few weeks to heal. Charles is being a good husband and babying me.
I would stay home from work for a while, but the end of the year is busy. The main problem with working is that none of my clothes fit over this huge cast. I will have to post a picture soon along with others from our fun time in Belgium because we did have a great weekend despite this minor mishap. Last day of work before my holiday break is 20 December so there should be time.
Monday, December 10, 2007
First Dutch Movie Experience
Last night Charles and I went to see The Golden Compass (from the His Dark Materials series which we both recently finished) at the Pathe theater in the Rotterdam city center. This was my first time seeing a movie in a theater since moving to the Netherlands so I thought a review would be appropriate.
I have heard from a number of people that Dutch theaters--at least this particular chain--are very nice. I have to agree that the building is very spacious and modern. It is decorated in a somewhat IKEA style, but the seats are comfy and the screen is large. The previews are just as lengthy as American films, but I did notice that the sound system is not as loud. I am used to getting my eardrums blown out at the movies. The popcorn was great too, but no condiment stand allowing you the opportunity to cover your tub with butter...which is probably a good thing. You can also get beer and Ben and Jerry's ice cream! One interesting thing is that this particular theater offers an unlimited pass for 18 Euro per month. Our movie tickets were something like 8 Euro a piece so I suppose if you see more than 2 movies per month this is a good deal.
Also this theater is right next to The American Dream Cafe so Charles and I thought it might be cool to organize a trip for expats where we go see a cheesy movie and then eat greasy American food. ;)
I have heard from a number of people that Dutch theaters--at least this particular chain--are very nice. I have to agree that the building is very spacious and modern. It is decorated in a somewhat IKEA style, but the seats are comfy and the screen is large. The previews are just as lengthy as American films, but I did notice that the sound system is not as loud. I am used to getting my eardrums blown out at the movies. The popcorn was great too, but no condiment stand allowing you the opportunity to cover your tub with butter...which is probably a good thing. You can also get beer and Ben and Jerry's ice cream! One interesting thing is that this particular theater offers an unlimited pass for 18 Euro per month. Our movie tickets were something like 8 Euro a piece so I suppose if you see more than 2 movies per month this is a good deal.
Also this theater is right next to The American Dream Cafe so Charles and I thought it might be cool to organize a trip for expats where we go see a cheesy movie and then eat greasy American food. ;)
The American Consulate in Amsterdam
This past Friday I went to the American Consulate in Amsterdam to get a new passport. I strongly advice any expats to avoid this place at all costs. Essentially it is a two room house with super strict security. American citizen services are only available from 8:30-11:30 so it is super crowded and you have to wait in line and go through security outside! Of course it was raining and windy on Friday. When I finally made it through the line I had the wrong form and a photograph that did not meet regulations so I had to leave, get a new photo, and go through security again. By noon I was freezing cold and exhausted. Hopefully after all of this I will have a "Rachael Vaughn" passport.
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