However after delivering that good news, the orthopaedic then said, 'but I think you've fractured your scapula.' Which was totally unexpected as I did not think it was possible to fracture something the way I fell. As I am typing entirely left-handed I'm going to cut the long description, but basically I grabbed the railing as I fell to stop myself and have done all the damage dangling my full body weight from my arm.
I have also torn my serratus anterior muscle which connects to the ribs and the scapula and controls movement of the arm, so I have virtually no use - still! - of my right arm.
Flights home have been delayed (now home 4th August) and my US visa extension has been filed (although it takes about 4-6 weeks to process, minimum, so I should be home by the time they even view the application, but it had to be filed before 4th July so I was not here illegally). The timing could not really have been worse!!
I see the ortho again next week and I am seeing the physio 3 times a week. He is doing a lot of passive movement with my arm so that my shoulder doesn't freeze up and make things even worse. I have some gentle exercises to do as well but I feel a bit pathetic trying them - I couldn't even lift a 1lb, yes ONE, weight!! And it's not that I can't do things because it's too sore, I just can't physically engage my muscle. (Although it does hurt like hell.) If I were a puppet, it would be like the string to my right arm has been cut. I'm sure the ortho thought I was a complete weakling until he finally asked me to do things with my left arm and then realised I had actually been trying and I did actually know what he meant...
So now I have another month in the USA. It seems odd, I have no plans because I'm not supposed to be here and all plans at home had to be cancelled so I feel in this really weird place in time right now. Not that I'm actually able to do very much. My most exciting thing is that I am going to be able to taste my tomatoes and watermelon I have in my garden!
And thankfully my new Lyme abx (azithromycin) are making a big difference and I am feeling much better in that respect. I am also so grateful that my doctor found a sleeping tablet that works for me before this injury happened. Not that I really want to be taking them for long, but I don't know how I'd be coping without them right now.
Some garden photos:
My "fairytale eggplant" (aubergine) - it grow this pretty striped way!
"Sugar baby" watermelon, hopefully ready to eat soon!
Almost red tomatoes... so much for "early girl" though, I had thought I'd have some of these by June.
My Mum took one of me in my sling in the garden... must get it from her. Meanwhile I have all my beautiful flowers (all grown from seeds this year) to make me smile:
