This morning I got the staples removed from my arm (12 days after surgery). The nurse practitioner who removed the staples happened to have helped in surgery so she was quite familiar with my case. Under normal circumstances, this type of surgery is performed along the back of the arm where the eventual scar is a little less visible. But in my case, she explained that the break was too high and they had to attack it from the front. Good thing I prefer 3/4-length sleeves to sleeveless shirts, because this promises to leave a fairly noticeable scar.
Now I’m going to show three images of the process. If you’re queezy, you might not want to scroll down. But keep in mind that it’s my arm, not yours, and I am making great progress.
The first photo shows my arm after the last layer of bandages was removed. The yellow strip is some type of antiseptic pad they put on top of staples.
The discoloration is a combination of bruising and the solution used to wash my arm before they made the initial slit.
The next photo reveals the staples used to hold the slit together.
I counted — there are 28 of them!
The last photo shows the staples removed (less painful than having stitches removed), resulting in an arm that can finally take a shower.
I start physical therapy on my elbow and shoulder next week, then I have another x-ray in four weeks. If all goes well (and why shouldn’t it?), I’ll then start physical therapy on the muscles between my elbow and shoulder, which have become extremely weak.
And as soon as I stop taking narcotic pain meds, I can drive again (and drink a toast to celebrate my progress)! That’s plenty of incentive for me to put up with a little discomfort.
Ann you are a marvel! So much pain, frustrations and “I can’t do that and I want to RIGHT NOW” moments,,, you show us a Woman that continuously has an optimistic outlook,,, that “knit on” philosophy. I SO admire you.
Bravo! It looks wonderful! Do I detect a new sweater with three quarter inch sleeves in the design stages? I’m so happy for you and good luck with the physical therapy. I would have to guess that knitting will be one of the best exercises for your “bionic” arm. Happy continued healing, Ann!
You are in my thoughts. You deserve a celebration.
Congratulations for getting through this, and for being such an inspiration to all us whiners. Best wishes for the rest of your recovery to go well and quickly!
It will heal nicely and give you a nice reason to knit longer sleeves. Amazing how one moment can set us back! You are a winner still!
Glad to see such wonderful progress, incision looks nice and clean. PT will be tough, but if you survived all of the previous stuff, you should be able to handle what is left. Will keep you in my prayers.
Yay – this is the grossest, best thing I’ve seen all day. Congratulations, and happy healing.
So good to get an update! You are coming along nicely, and have been a good patient. There should be rewards for that! Blessings to your rehab.
So happy to see you are progressing so nicely. Hope your physical therapist is super wonderful!!!!
Nothing has darkened your spirit thus Far! Now it’s onward and upward Ann! Happy to see such marvelous results!
Congratulations… Sounds like great progress. Enjoy your first really long shower.
Cheering you on from the sidelines! Get well soon!
Congratulations on your progress. Enjoy your shower!
Hi Ann, thank you for sharing your experience with the us, I find it very interesting and informative. I am glad you have progressed to this point and are starting on physical therapy. Are you able to do more knitting yet, I know it was slow go there, you must really miss it on many levels. You are in my prayers.
Saga is right, Ann.
What an ordeal you have had to endour
So, here’s to a speedy healing process
And get on with the physical theropy
Hugs ‘n smiles
Gerry
Dearest Ann, You are always so up beat and encouraging. I have read all your posts but have been a bad commenter. I am so glad to read that you are feeling better. I hope you are feeling more positive and that the physical therapy coming is good and not too painful. I can’t wait to see what you knit first!
An update! I hope you enjoyed your shower.
That’s wonderful news, Ann! Hang in there. You’ll be right as rain before long.
Awwww! Looks awful, but YEA to progress!
That incision is good from a nurses perspective. There is little bruising along the length of the incision. The scar will be worth so you can drink again and best of all….KNIT. Hope your progress continued speedily and as painlessly as possible.
congrats & continued best wishes!
Wow, that’s nasty looking! I’m so glad you have a wonderful attitude, I don’t think I could be so positive!
Ah, the joy of a warm shower without worrying about getting anything wet!!! Scars are tattoos with history!
Lucy Batton tipped me off to this non-humerus situation (I’m sure you’ve heard a pile of better puns and they’re not that funny). Wow, what you’re going through! Someday I’ll ask more about that initial fall. You are holding up very well, in line with your happy character, and still writing. I hope everything mends. This downtime may in fact be fruitful too.
I have been checking in on your recovery now and then, we had surgery the same day, mine was a full knee replacement. We had our staples out the same day, looked like nearly the same amount, with permission to take a full shower best news ever.
I will start out patient PT next week, a lot of hard work ahead of us.
. I just had say hello Ann, I am beginning to knit again now that I am not taking so many pain pills. Hopefully you will soon Here’s to healing fully. I’ll be praying for you.