Darling, just hold on

10. Going home

Sunday 13/02/2011

I wake up and I see that my dad is on a phone call. When he sees that I'm awake he says a quick goodbye and comes to the side of my bed. I feel really weird in my head. But I've never been under anesthesia before so it is probably that.

'Hey, how are you feeling?' dad asks me.

'Really weird. I'm not sure how weird but just really weird. What time is it? I have absolutely zero sense of time.' I tell him.

'It is 11.45 now.' He tells me.

'That explains why I'm hungry. Last I've eaten was yesterday around 18.00.' I tell him.

'I'm gonna get the doctor,' he tells me, 'I can ask for something to eat or if the doctor says, you can go home, we can pick something up on our way home.'

'Okay, thanks.'

Dad comes inside with the doctor. He explains that the fracture was too high up to put in a cast so they had put my arm in a sling.

'Under the band Aid are also 2 metal pins that are holding the bone in place. They stick out of the skin so always put a band Aid over it so it doesn't get infected.
Over 4 weeks you have to come back for x-rays on your arm and ankle and we will see if the bones are healed enough. Normally it takes between 4-6 weeks.' The doctor explains. 'Also, the cast and the wound of your upper arm can't get wet so when you take a shower, put a plastic bag over your cast and a waterproof band Aid over the pins.
Rest as much as possible with your leg elevated. For if you do have to move around, we will give you a shoe to put over your cast because you can't use crutches.
Get a few days rest at home, before going back to school. When the nurses have come unhook you from the IV, you can go home, but go to the reception first. There you can make an appointment for over 4 weeks an there will be a prescription for pain med, notes for the insurance, absence document for school and an incapacity certificate for gym classes for when you do get back to school.' The doctor finished.

'Thank you. Anything else I need to know?' I ask.

'No, that's it for now. When you do have a question, you can always call your family doctor or the hospital.'

'Okay, thanks.' I tell him.

'During the operation, I went home to get you some loose clothes that you can put on over your cast and that you can put on without having to lift your arm.' Dad says when the doctor exits the room.

He helps me with getting out of the hospital gown and with putting my pants, a t-shirt and a sweater on.
When we are ready, a nurse comes inside and takes out the IV so I can go home.

On our way home, we passed the pharmacy first to get some pain meds and after, dad and I went for lunch in a small tavern called Mano. Before mom died, mom, Gemma and I went there at least once a week to eat lunch.
Dad told me that before he and mom got divorced, they went here all the time but after he met my stepmom he moved to the other side of town. It was great to be back and to have that much time alone with my dad. It may sound selfish but I have really missed having one on one time with one of my parents.

When we got home, dad carried me upstairs to my room so I could rest. I'm really tired so I'm gonna take a nap.