I am still responding to all the heartfelt emails I have received after my last blog, Watch Your Step—the one about my sweetie Craig taking a nose-dive in front of our local post office and our visit to the emergency room at U.C.L.A.
Yes I have left you hanging. That is because life as a caregiver (albeit a temporary one), musician, teacher and grocery store shopper sucks up time like my handy Swiffer sucks up dust and yuk.
In the E.R., the young stud resident tries his best to set Craig’s fractured right wrist but a few days later the hand surgeon delivers the lousy news. As he loads the X-Ray images onto the computer screen, we hover behind, craning our necks like E.T. at what is clearly a giant mess in my husband’s wrist.
Two days later he is in surgery, fitted with a cast and sent home with enough narcotics to barely be legal. It’s a tough few days but we are propped up by the support of our friends and our neighbors, cousins who text from thousands of miles away and emails from you.
A couple weeks later we are back at U.C.L.A.’s Orthopedic Hospital, escorted into an examining room with a window view of The Bank of America across the street. I don’t know what it is about me and doctors and hospitals, but when I get placed in a holding cell, er, examining room, the first thing I do is look OUT the window.
This is Craig’s first post-op appointment. Our fabulous doctor, the best of the best, sends in his “trainer doc” first. U.C.L.A. is, after all, an educational institution. So we play along. The resident clicks on the newest X-Rays and immediately exclaims: “Oh…Oh…Oh.” Then he clicks on another view of Craig’s wrist and says it again: “Oh…Oh…Oh Dear.” Only with more intensity and concern. Then he adds the word, WHOA!
So much for the opening act.
Just then the surgeon appears. The resident moves his butt out of the kingly swivel chair and we are given a quick tutorial on how bad things can get… I look at the X-Rays and see a sheath of metal, like a bracelet almost, or a chastity belt for the wrist, with more metal things shooting out of it right and left. The surgeon explains this is a brand new procedure in the annals of hand surgery and my husband is only the third patient of his to get one. He adds, with a slight grin, that Craig may end up in the Orthopedic Journal (or whatever it is called…) We laugh. Sort of. You know, the kind of laugh that really means “you have got to be fricking kidding?
Craig gets fitted with a splint that he can thankfully remove when it’s shower time. And now he can drive. Whoo-Hoo! And appear the first day of the school year (he is a high school social studies teacher).
AND…
He can’t lift anything heavier than an iPad with his right hand. For another six weeks.
UH-OH…
The doc warns him, with discernable gravitas, no lifting buddy, otherwise back to surgery for you.
And that is where we are now. So far so good. My musician husband can play the ukulele in short spurts. And that is sweet news indeed. Thankfully he is a finger-picker and his fingers are okay. Hopefully he will begin physical therapy at the end of September but the process of recovery will be a long haul.
And all this because one sidewalk panel in front of our post office was displaced from it’s neighbor panel by one lousy inch, which caught the toe of my husband’s tennis shoe and sent him crashing to cement earth.
But kindness and good karma are present too. I teach ukulele at a music store in Culver City and the owner does something, or says something and within days, that sidewalk is shaved even-steven, so no one else will get hurt. And because I don’t have time to cook (which is probably a good thing, considering…), we discover Ono Hawaiian BBQ right down the street. And because Craig can’t eat dinner laying down in our bed, which has been our M.O. for like forever, we gussy up the little tile perch near the kitchen sink and have dinner there. Sitting in chairs like normal people. Talking to each other about our day… Instead of chowing down in bed as House Hunters International blares on the T.V.
Oh the simple…little…things…that bring such joy and relief into our lives. And I forget them. I forget all the time. Like having two wrists that work. Like being able to drive a car. Or eat Hawaiian BBQ chicken even when I don’t have a coupon. And make music. Every moment there is room for one itty-bitty “thank you.”
Cali Rose
From L.
Is there ever a dull moment in your lives? Craig’s wrist looks like it was wound up with baling wire. Maybe the doc was a hay farmer in one of his previous experiences?
Your continual focus on the positive, is inspirational and exhausting . I hope Craig’s slip and fall has conclusively prevented further accidents and possibly, even more severe injuries!
It’s good to hear that Craig is on the mend and that this lil’ bump in the road hasn’t slowed ya down!
Cali Rose
From M.
What an extraordinary description of Craig’s and yoru experience after the fall!! I don’t like catching u on bad news, but it was so compellingly written that I read to the end. And I wish Craig well and a successful recovery.
Cali Rose
From D.
What a disaster. Lucky for you, you have UCLA and a hand specialist involved. Being a retired surgical nurse, I know hand surgery can be tricky. I’ve never seen such a device (especially if Craig’s only the third person to have received one!). Best wishes for recovery. Be patient. And don’t lift anything! After the wrist heals – physical therapy!
Cali Rose
From M.
An interesting view into the hand surgery profession. You evidently were lucky to have gotten the “top” hand surgeon on your case. I’m really happy he is doing so well. I have fallen and broken knee caps, hands, and hips on falls, so can commisserate. After everything has healed completely, he will probably be better than new.
Cali Rose
From J.
Dear Cali ,I am so thankful to hear that Craig’s wrist is healing well. I am also thankful to know that you enjoy Ono Hawaiian Grill as much as I do. Sometimes a plate lunch can erase a totally crappy day, but don’t forget to order a Spam musubi on the side!
Cali Rose
From G.
Dear Cali: Received your message about Craig and the hand….You know, here at Atria most of us have gone through many experiences in our “young” lives and understand just what you are going through. We are thankful each day we can do the things that “normal” people do.
Cali Rose
From J.L.
Great Blog, Cali, as usual. Loving the new CD, Craig. So restful in the office while I work. Think of you two all the time. A couple who is here met you once at the Nui and asked how you were. (Cali gave them a CD). You two have impacted the world with your light and love and music, so no wonder you are blessed as the world cheers for Craig’s speedy recovery. Take care and know that we are sending cheers, love and much healing energy from Kauai.
Lorraine Hinatsu
Thanks for update on Craig. Wondered how he was doing, but you’re so busy I didn’t want to interrupt your musings – teaching, shopping, etc., etc., etc. Glad to hear he’s kinda back to everyday life, teaching, playing ukulele, eating, etc., etc.
Funny I broke my right wrist yrs ago coming off the golf green that was dewy and cuz I forgot my spiked shoes I was wearing my Reeboks and slipped (the green was on a mound, kinda) and you naturally put your hand out and darn if you don’t break your wrist – guess if you’re right handed your right wrist. It’s never been the same since, but it’s usable. I can somewhat “strum.” Leaving for Italy tomorrow, but will see you before our participation at the Torrance Uke Festival. It’s only for eleven days.
Cali Rose
So a golf course nailed you… Well both hubby and I are learning to look down when we walk. We’re gotten “walking coaching” from several people. Heel-toe-heel-toe. Life. One damned surprise after another. Have a fabulous trip and stay upright!
Diane
You are such a sweetheart to share you and your hubby’s experiences and feeling through such a difficult time in your lives. Hope to see you in the near future. Happy healing.
Blessings, Diane Mugg
Cali Rose
Thank you Diane. We are all is the same boat, really. Bodies break or fall apart and we make the best of it. Or at least try. You take care too.
joanne beierle
Be thankful you live in LA its is not so bad. At least the weather is 70 or 80 . Since I have move here No Carolina june and July have been 98 and my postage stamp back back yard is 120 that is as far as the thermotor will go. And the mosqitoes and no seems are waiting for you at the door. But I do symptnize with you just hang in there and it will get better. I tell myself this but I don’t thing it will get better just colder. Don’t ever move from LA you don’t know how luck you are. The wrist will heal.
Cali Rose
We are grateful to live in LA. Oh hell, we are grateful we woke up this morning. Stay cool. Autumn is coming!
teresa tudury
so sorry bout craig’s ordeal…as usual, you two are making lemonade from the looks of your blog. blessings to you both and speedy recovery. my cousin nancy loved your visit….loved, loved, loved it. one day may we al get together!
Cali Rose
When is the book coming out about YOUR family. What a page-turner that would be! We adore your Nancy and thank you for facilitating our connection. Stay fierce and feisty. Our tripped out mothers have helped us grow some steel in our bones…