Feeling Free

Yesterday my cast was removed. And while I am wearing a brace at least for the next month, this is a HUGE thing. I feel free, I feel light, I feel like me again. Going down to a short-arm cast a few weeks ago made life a lot easier, but excluding six weeks in the spring, I haven’t been able to wash my hands, scrub my scalp, completely soak in a tub, completely bathe off sweat and sand and dirt, or hand wash dishes since February. While I need to wear the brace during the day and while I sleep, I can remove it to shower, I can take it off and let it air out after my morning walk, and a brace is far lighter weight than a cast.

While I became quite functioning with the cast, I realize that now, even with a brace, how difficult some things were. Applying makeup, I never got used to using brushes and liner with my left hand and most days gave up on liner and shadow. So many times at work I’d accidentally hit buttons on my keyboard and end up opening or closing applications, sending emails before finishing them, deleting an entire paragraph. Washing and moisturizing my left arm, and with it, shaving my left armpit (got easier with the shorter cast, but hard to wield a razor when your hand is encased in a slippery rubber mitt). And washing dishes, so many times I’d try and end up with a soggy cast that smelled like last night’s meal.

This experience has really taught me to not take my health for granted. It taught me to be more thoughtful with what I eat, how much I move and exercise, ensuring I get proper sleep and time for rest, and to treasure the time I have with loved ones. It helped me slow down and life more in the now, and focus on the life inside my home and not sweat the small stuff. I know the journey isn’t over, but being free of the pink fiberglass gives me strength and hope for the future.

I’d like to thank all of you for sticking with me through this year. The cast didn’t just cramp my style and make typing and photo editing difficult, but it really affected my confidence, my writing, and my all over outlook and I know it came out in my posts. To stick through it means so much to me, and I’m glad to be here on the other side with you. Thank you for your support, your friendship, your understanding. I look forward to this arm injury being completely in the past and the future of Wardrobe Oxygen with you!

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