Friday, October 23, 2015

Farm injury

For the last few days, Don has been complaining about a severe pain in his left arm -- a shooting pain that traveled up and down, sometimes localized and sometimes all over the arm. He took a small fall off a ladder a couple weeks ago and mildly hyperextended the arm, so he wondered if it was related to that.

When the pain didn't abate and it was getting harder for him to work, he took himself off to the doctor, who almost instantly diagnosed him with a classic case of tendonitis (apparently unrelated to the fall).

So he came home with a "tennis elbow" compression strap and strict instructions to do NOTHING for a couple of weeks.

Doing "nothing" on a farm is not easy, especially in the fall when there's so much to be done before the snow flies. This afternoon our friend's daughter Miss Serenity came over and cut a log into rounds for us (never mess with a teen girl who can handle a chainsaw!) so we'd have a few days' worth of firewood. (It was 25F this morning.)

Right now Don has his arm in a sling and is applying ice as well as using the compression strap as necessary. He's also frustrated by his relative immobility and we may hire a local kid to help do some of the projects (under Don's supervision) he had planned in the next few weeks.

Such is life. We roll with the punches. Could be worse.

23 comments:

  1. I pray Don recovers soon enough. It is never a good thing when an able bodied man is injured, and no one feels worse about it than the man himself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Way back when, when I only had 2 kids, I broke my ankle. They put me on strong pain meds and told me to keep it elevated and keep off my feet. Wonderful instructions, but....

    There was two year old Mikey sitting in the middle of the dining room table while 3 yr old Alan threw handfuls of flour at his head. They'd already gone through the five pound canister of rice.

    Have you ever tried to keep off a foot while twins do somersaults in your tummy and Mikey and Alan were loose in the house? HA! Cannot be done! Just give in and get some crutches and hire a helper.

    I know it erks to not do your own work but sometimes that's why God invented teenagers who need a job.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry Patrice, look away now.... I know you don't want/need any medical advice but I just had to ask if Don has ever seen a Chiropractor? Sounds like a nerve is pinched in the neck or upper back from the small fall. It makes a lot of sense to me because I have had the same thing a few times and the help from a Chiropractor has been a Godsend. Anyway, 'nuf said.

    God Bless,
    Janet in MA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking the same thing. Our body's are amazing healers... Chiropractic just helps it happen faster.
      'Nuf said x2

      Delete
    2. Yeah, that makes sense. Go to a bone cracker because after all what does a MD, real doctor know. But wait! Shouldn't he just take a spoonful of turmeric once a day? Where are all those magic herbs? How about 1000 mgs of vitamin C or D or something?

      Delete
    3. You're barkin' up the wrong tree here, slick.

      There's nothing at all clever about your post, and it's always sad to see someone make such foolish comments with the obvious intent to insult.

      Just sayin.

      A. McSp

      Delete
    4. "To insult" Perhaps. Is it an insult to call quackery "quackery". Maybe you're right. It was over the top. I really don't care if people choose to use a chiropractor or "natural" cures. But I do feel that when it is recommended that to not challenge it implies you agree with it.
      Just sayin.

      Delete
  4. There's never a good time to get hurt.........prayers for a speedy recovery Don. Jo in Central Wa

    ReplyDelete
  5. One morning several years ago I woke to a horrendous pain in the ring finger of my right hand. It felt like the bone was going to come out the end of my finger. I was on my way out the door to the ER when the pain subsided. I did some looking and found that too is from tennis elbow. Have you experienced that? I found holding a balled pair of socks with a ACE bandage wrapped around my hand did the trick. This prevented me from clenching my fist. I also rolled a towel to tuck in the crook of my arm to prevent me from bending my elbow as I slept. I over use my right arm. If I am not cooking or cleaning I am carrying a child. I have been doing that for years but the pain started a couple months after we bought our farm. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh no.

    Prayers up for Don's swift and complete recovery.

    Oddly enough, something eerily similar is taking place here.

    It's no way to run a ranch, is it?? LOL

    Our operation isn't as big as yours, and so far we're managing, but if things persist we'll be forced to seek some help, too.

    Be well, Don, and Patrice, don't overdo.

    A. McSp

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hope he gets more mobile soon. That would certainly be frustrating for a farmer type fellow!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry to hear about Don's arm pain...the mental anguish of being incapable can be just as bothersome as the physical injury itself!

    I have a question about purchasing your book...how can I maximize the benefit you receive? Is it best to buy it from Amazon by clicking on the title on your own website? Also, does it benefit you more if I buy a physical book (vs. the Kindle version)? I read from both Kindle and real books so it doesn't matter to me....but I do benefit regularly from your blog so I would like to benefit you as the author through my purchase as much as possible. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Doing nothing can be the hardest chore of all!

    Be thankful, very thankful indeed, that you have such neighbors that you can find a local kid worthy of hiring. Enola is a wise woman-- many times I have wished that someone taught me to do "man things" when I was a teenage girl who wanted to learn.

    Complementarianism is all well and good, but there's something to be said for a woman who can fill in a man's shoes when he's off his feet.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a new reader of your blog and I have truly enjoyed reading all of your post. I am so sorry to hear about your husband's arm. I too pray for a speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanking God for friends and family and for a speedy recovery for Don.
    sidetracksusie

    ReplyDelete
  12. Don must do nothing?!!! Yikes, the cure will be worse than the injury. We will pray for a quick and full recovery.

    Oh yes, we know Miss Serenity. Her 'life skills' and work ethnic are legendary (and true!). God bless her for helping.

    Montana Guy and Montana Gal

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can feel for Don. I developed tennis elbow after over use when I last moved houses. I found relief going to a physiotherapist who used both ultrasound treatments and electric stim on the effected area, among other treatments. I also wore a sleeve-style brace-like wrap for quite a while. I'm right handed and didn't think an injury on my left arm would effect me as much as it did.
    Hoping he recovers quickly. SJ in Vancouver BC Canada

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hate ladders. But you can't run a farm without them.

    Dang. Poor Mr. Lewis sidelined. Take care. Don't want it to get worse. We're all sending you a collective "Get Well!"

    Just Me

    ReplyDelete
  15. It happens to the best of us. I got my arm wrapped around a Moror shaft & still had to change diapers on s rowdy 1.5 year boy.
    Broken wing and all.
    Worse part was him kicking me in my arm when he fell asleep. Tickled s little.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hope Don feels better soon. Now for the burning question. Why in the world would you not have firewood cut already? Winter comes early to your area and while the projects that have been going on were important.....

    ReplyDelete
  17. Patrice,

    It's very hard to sit still and not do any work around the house. I've had similar issues with my arm off and on throughout the year. I've found insulating it, icing it, and making a homemade fresh ginger and turmeric tea helps with the inflammation.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I had that. Made carrying anything with that arm excruciating. Took two months of doing nothing except some PT exercises, massages, and lots of ice, to make it go away. Prayers Don's heals faster.

    ReplyDelete