If there are a thousand shocks that flesh is heir to, I must be nearing my quota. After working at the office until 1 a.m. yesterday, I arose this morning with a large project before me, involving the movement of many of our largest pieces of furniture and the assembly and installation of an enormous bookshelf in the form of an interlocking grid of pre-cut lumber (rather like the cardboard dividers inside a case of wine). All went well until, having put the whole thing together, I noticed that I had put one of the higher shelves in upside-down. It was hard to pull it out — it is eight feet long, and was very tightly wedged in place — but I wasn’t going to take no for an answer (being immensely strong, I am accustomed to getting my way with material objects). I reached up and gave a mighty heave, but what gave way this time was not the obdurate shelf, but rather my left biceps, which tore apart with a sickening crunch.
I’ve now got back from the NYU Medical Center’s emergency room, where they could do nothing for me, other than to take an X-ray (which of course showed nothing), put my arm in a sling, and suggest that I see an orthopedist as soon as possible. I have had other such injuries over the years (I even had an avulsion of the biceps tendon in my right arm in 2000, which required surgery) but it has been nine years now since the last one, and I thought things were quieting down.
Typing is very difficult. If there isn’t much to see here over the next few days, that’s why, though I shall try. I have no idea how I will write code for eight to twelve hours a day like this, but will just have to do my best, I suppose.
I had planned to pen a lengthy meditation today on the death of Walter Cronkite, who for Americans my age was a towering presence, but for now I’ll just skip it, I guess.
14 Comments
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Malcolm.
Ouch, that sounds painful. I also wish you a speedy recovery.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Good healing.
Kevin
Was that your beer-hefting arm? If so are you ambidextelerious?
If “yes” to the former, “no” to the latter, well…, well, I haven’t any advice.
(I’ll be expecting not less than a five hundred word essay along the lines of – “If you’re not getting too old to do as I – then why?”)
-And you can’t use “I get the kids to help” like me.-
Due by Tuesday.
Thank you all — I’ll muddle along. Still getting used to life as a cripple. Typing is tricky.
Wow. I thought you had a bionic arm. I must have been misinformed. Get better soon!
Damn, that’s terrible news. If there’s anything I can do to help you out, just let me know.
growing old sucks
Thanks again, all.
Pete, that was the other arm.
Yes, Dan, I may be out of commission for a bit. If I show up at the kwoon like this Ali’s going to want to spar; we get to see if I can thrash him with one hand behind my back…
Bob, you sure have that right!
an addendum/qualification is in order.
The physical deterioration that accompanies growing old(er) sucks. But I wouldn’t trade my experience(s) for a more youthful, robust body.
Ah so. The other arm.
Note to self: when injuring an arm, make sure it’s the bionic one.
Ouch! Malcolm, take it easy, man! Hope you’re better soon!
– M
Thanks, Mike.
Bob: agreed.
Double ouch. Sorry to hear about it Malcolm.