Tuesday, July 01, 2008

The Ordeal Continues

It's now 5 days since Dad's fall, so it's time for an update. By Sunday evening, his tender body was quite colorful, to say the least, and we were all anxious for Monday's visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

Dad was given the option of surgery to install supporting rods along the bone or to wear a plastic brace and then re-xray the arm in a week to see if the bone was aligning and the pain and swelling lessening. Dad asked Dr. Nguyen what he would do, but his response was, "I'll do what you decide." Dad chose the noninvasive option and the rest of the family nodded in agreement.

We then made our way south to another part of greater Orlando as Gerry headed north to work. The therapist at Specialty Braces removed the temporary splint and gauze wrappings, and Mom and I gawked at the exposed arm with all its multi-colored bruises and bulge. (Sure wished I'd thought to take Gerry's camera.) The two-piece brace was fitted over an arm sock and velcroed together for a tight fit.

It's now Tuesday and poor Dad is hurting. More swelling and pain than the weekend, perhaps from all the activity of yesterday and the pressure of the new brace. We're going back tomorrow to see Dr. Nguyen . . . .