21 - The next procedure cometh

The request came through for the next operation date, and it was a welcomed appointment. The metal in my left elbow, though supportive in that it kept my arm together, was painfully restrictive.

"my entire left side had been crushed and subjected to the most severe forces one could imagine"

Range of motion in my arm was limited for it now could not straighten nor fully bend beyond 90 degrees. You'd be surprised how often your arm needs to bend beyond 90 in normal life; whether that is eating, dressing, or doing simple tasks that everyone takes for granted on a daily basis.

In my situation, during the collision, my entire left side had been crushed and subjected to the most severe forces one could imagine. Both my left leg and left arm are restricted in their range due to their imapct damage so, you can imagine the problems.

Take one day in your life, say do it tomorrow, and make a mental note to log everytime your knee and arm need to bend beyond 90 degrees; from going up and down the stairs, eating breakfast or any meal, kneeling on the floor to access a DVD player or plugging something in where you might lean against a wall. You'll be surprised how many times you'll need to bend your limbs.

Whilst in hospital, I was sent to a nerve specialist who reported that the radial nerve in my left arm had been damaged in the collision so I was hoping that, once this operation was completed, that I might have a bit more movement and the feeling return in my hand.

"My frame of mind was one of desperation"

I was taken in to the Trauma ward with high anticipation. This turned out to be a wasted journey however as there had unfortunately been, the day before, a terrible car accident locally (ironically) and there was little room or time to be able to work me into the schedule. Heading home again that day, I was somewhat deflated. My frame of mind was one of desperation to get moving forward again and this operation was a step in the right direction.

Luckily, a few days later, I received a call to say I was to be added to the operational register for the following week and the metal would be removed then. Once more, I can recall the clinical smells of the anaesthetic room flood over me and the face mask of the 'knock out' gas over my mouth.

" my nerve that had become 'fused' to the plating"

After another long operation I awoke with a cast on my arm. This was to hold my arm in a single position while the skin healed to a point and my movement was restricted to ensure no further damage took place. The report from my consultant was that he had been able to meticulously pick free my nerve that had become 'fused' to the plating during the time it had been placed there. This improved the feeling in my arm and hand considerably. It did not totally cure the numb sensations in all spots on my hand but it helped.

A few weeks later, I was having the cast removed. I can tell you, it is a little un-nerving having a nurse, armed with a pair of industrial scissors, advance on you. It was a relief to have it removed, however, and meeting with the trauma team consultant, I was told that there was still a lateral screw left in my elbow joint which would have been a too traumatic ordeal to remove it.

Still with the tube connected directly to my colon, it was decided that it was time for that to be removed and it was one minor clinic appointment I was not looking forward to.