Feeling Free
Yesterday my cast was removed. And while I am wearing a brace at least for the next month, this is a HUGE thing. I feel free, I feel light, I feel like me again. Going down to a short-arm cast a few weeks ago made life a lot easier, but excluding six weeks in the spring, I haven’t been able to wash my hands, scrub my scalp, completely soak in a tub, completely bathe off sweat and sand and dirt, or hand wash dishes since February.
While I need to wear the brace during the day and while I sleep, I can remove it to shower, I can take it off and let it air out after my morning walk, and a brace is far lighter weight than a cast.
While I became quite functioning with the cast, I realize that now, even with a brace, how difficult some things were. Applying makeup with a broken arm, I never got used to using brushes and liner with my left hand and most days gave up on liner and shadow. So many times at work I’d accidentally hit buttons on my keyboard and end up opening or closing applications, sending emails before finishing them, deleting an entire paragraph.
Washing and moisturizing my left arm, and with it, shaving my left armpit (got easier with the shorter cast, but hard to wield a razor when your hand is encased in a slippery rubber mitt). And washing dishes, so many times I’d try and end up with a soggy cast that smelled like last night’s meal.
This experience has really taught me not to take my health for granted. It taught me to be more thoughtful with what I eat, how much I move and exercise, ensure I get proper sleep and time for rest, and treasure my time with loved ones. It helped me slow down and live more in the now, focus on the life inside my home, and not sweat the small stuff. I know the journey isn’t over, but being free of the pink fiberglass gives me strength and hope for the future.
I’d like to thank all of you for sticking with me through this year. The cast didn’t just cramp my style and make typing and photo editing difficult, but it really affected my confidence, my writing, and my all-over outlook, and I know it came out in my posts. Staying through it means so much to me, and I’m glad to be here on the other side with you. Thank you for your support, your friendship, your understanding. I look forward to this arm injury being completely in the past and the future of Wardrobe Oxygen with you!
Did you like what you just read?
Consider tapping here to buy me a coffee in thanks. The best gift you can give a content creator is the gift of sharing. Consider sharing this article on Facebook or Pinterest. Thank you so much for your support!
When my sister fell and almost broke her ankle, it really woke us up about how much we take for granted. The road to recovery was difficult for her and all of it happened around the same time as your situation. So I rejoice with you in regaining the ability to do the “little” things that really aren’t so little or simple after all. It is a wonderful thing!!!
I am so glad your are even closer to recovery! My son broke his elbow Wednesday and missed his first 2 days of kindergarten. He went today, and was so excited! I wanted you to know that reading about your trials and tribulations gave me much more insight as to how he is really feeling. He is not quite as skilled at expressing himself as you!
I am so thrilled for you Allie! A fan since you photographed “selfies” in your office mirror, I’m impressed with how well you have handled this setback. I too broke my forearm though many years ago and know how exciting it is to be able to get back to everyday activities. Wishing you health and a swift recovery!
So happy for you!! You are turning a corner and bringing that Allie sunshine with you.
Wooh! Free of the cast! So happy for you and it’s good to hear that you’ve managed to find some wheat out of the chaff of this difficult patch.
Congratulations! We have seen what a tough year it has been for you, but also witnessed how much grace and strength you exhibited, and how you took this difficult experience and used it as an opportunity for personal growth — I am so impressed by how you have handled it and it has been inspirational to follow along on your journey — thanks for making us a part of it.
And Sophie, it is time for you to take a long look into your heart to find why you get pleasure from such bitterness.
No need to thank me, it was my pleasure! I remember the joy of having my cast removed, and the satisfaction of regaining small skills. You have turned a corner, and you will be deeper and strong from the journey!
I am so happy for you! I can’t imagine how frustrating this has been. We’re here for you!
Congrats, I’m very happy both to hear that you’re free and that this was a big growing period for you. Slainte! (To health!)
Congratulations! I’m a long time reader and glad for your relief.
I enjoyed your posts just as much throughout but I am glad that you are out of it and the rest will be easy.
Hurray!!!! One step closer to normal life! And BTW, you did an excellent job with makeup, whether cast-laden or not. Happy to hear you are getting better all the time.
Hurrah, so happy for you!
Glad your cast is off. Like you at all times, sick, arm in a sling, dressed to kill, in jeans, life happens 🙂
Enjoy your family this weekend
Yay for you! I know wearing that cast sucked!
On this is great news, I cannot wait for you to get better and looking forward to more posts 🙂
Ah. Just as I’ve thought. Any criticism is not welcome. I suppose I better not say anything about green eyeshadow then.
Your first two comments were seen by Disqus as spam, I was out and didn’t have the time to immediately approve them. No censoring going on, just spending my weekend away from the computer.
Please do tell how you’ve been managing with the rest of your bodily functions whilst your arm was in cast.
I suppose you’ve never had an injury or handicap that has taken away your ability to do normal everyday things like personal care. Your lack of sympathy and understanding makes me wonder if you are a psychopath but I’ll just assume you’re a lonely basement dweller without a single friend. I feel sorry for your lack of understanding and companionship.
Hurray! Hope the brace is short-lived and that this is all just a memory soon!
Congratulations on losing the cast! You’ve done great with it, and you’ll be back to your confident self in no time. I enjoy your posts and am glad you didn’t let the arm stop you from blogging.
Allie, I am SO happy to hear that you’re free from your cast! I remember after I broke my wrist, it felt amazing to be able to rub lotion my skin, take a shower, wash my hair, etc. after getting my cast off. I imagine the joy is exponentially more after having been in a cast as long as you were! I really hope that your recovery continues to go smoothly! Will you have a lot of physical therapy to do now that you’ve got your brace?
They can’t so PT yet because while there’s a bone bridge, it’s not complete. I go back in a month and will assess it then. But my wrist doesn’t move very much so there will be therapy of some sort!
Got it! I didn’t even think about the bone bridge that’s still in there. I actually looooved physical therapy – it felt so good to be able to stretch my sore wrist! I also really liked that I could actually see progress as well 🙂