I have spent far too much time observing our emergency departments this week. I am so thankful that it was not a fracture of my knee – simply arthritis flare up.

I am feeling better today. Using lots of heat and Aspirin (and let’s be honest, a little wine) and taking frequent breaks to stretch my leg out.

 I have managed to go 24 hours without popping my arm bone out (My last episode was yesterday morning when I reached out to open the back door for Niko. Yikes that hurt. Am now being more diligent about wearing sling so it reminds me not to use it).

 My biggest risk right now is the dog. He does not like it when I scream and cry. He does not understand why I am home, and in my PJ’s. He is following me everywhere I go and is flopped at my feet wherever I am sitting. It is quite disconcerting to have him standing guard at the door of the bathroom – he just stares at me till I am safely off the throne and standing again without incident. I am trying to train him NOT to try and race me down the stairs – another fall will destroy my will to live completely.

Greg and I won’t be sleeping much for the next 48 hours. Jordan got transferred back to the Correctional Center and is in general population in the overflow section – 18 bunks to a room. Just where you want to place a mentally ill patient who still believes people are sending him hand signals and eye signals. And who believes he is protected because “he knows people”.  Pray to whatever God you believe in that he does not end up in an altercation with another inmate. More fuel to my burning need to fix this broken system.

Any hooo… I have exceeded my two hour limit of keyboarding. So I must sign off and partake of more wine. Lucas is off for the next two days so I will have to make more of an effort to shower and dress 🙂

So I guess it’s time I told you about my glamorous and graceful face plant last Friday morning at RUH – smack dab into the oncoming traffic trying to get into the parkade. The only thing that keeps me from dying of humiliation is knowing that many other poor souls slipped and fell as well – however they had the good sense to land on their butts instead.

 Turns out I dislocated my right arm – popped the humerus bone out of the shoulder socket. And it keeps wanting to do so – which I do not find humorous at all. I am to keep it immobilized for at least a week (the doctor and I came to an agreement on typing). I feel sorry for my colleague Alex who was witness to the outcome of the doctor saying “Can you lift your arm like this?” and the ensuing screaming and swearing. There were a few x-ray technicians that I had to apologize to as well.

I attempted to come to work Monday but experienced significant leg pain. My nursing colleagues (and Greg) insisted on another visit to emergency (no, I did not assist in the escape of that prisoner yesterday). I had an xray and a CT scan – no fracture thank goodness – but the hard fall on my knees has sent my arthritis into a full blown temper tantrum. I am to stay off my leg for the rest of the week. Crutches is not an option (hard to do with a useless right arm) so I am working from home.

Here’s hoping your week is going better than mine. And if you could arrange for winter to come to an end I would be grateful. More snow on the weekend? Are you kidding me?.

 Calamity Jane