Saturday, March 17, 2007
Recovery Gloom
On Wednesday, it was like spring in Albany. Next week, it should be almost as warm again. But yesterday we returned to the heart of winter with sub-zero temperatures and more than a foot of snow. Frankly, so long as I don't need to drive or anything I'm find with that. If nothing else, it makes for nice photographs.
This isn't the first time I've broken something, you know, but I swear this injury is unlike anything I've experienced before. Every time I look in the mirror I see nothing but horror. While my wounds are most likely on the mend, I am convinced that my condition worsens each day. I see pus and swelling where there is only clotting. Similarly, when I set foot outside I am under the delusion that I am drawing far more attention than I actually am.
The biggest difference I've noticed has been what this gash has done to my ability to relate to others. It's as if this damage has left me unable to suitably conduct myself as others would expect me to. I have no patience for anything and it takes an incredible amount of effort to maintain conversational pleasantries. Some people have asked me about what happened out of genuine concern, but earlier this week I almost brushed them off with a curt "I fell." I'm not all that upset about what happened but you'd never guess that from my behavior on campus. Those of you who have called me on the phone know I am feeling OK, but somehow this laceration has fixed a sort of scowl on my face.
In truth, I know things are going to be just fine. I had my stitches out yesterday and the doctor couldn't have been more bored by my nose. He told me we might have to "adjust" the bone-fusing process to avoid a crooked, healthy nose, but otherwise it all looks painfully ordinary to the professionals. So long as I keep up with my homework, this whole affair will be little more than a hiccup in my life (and possibly a scar).
つづく... (Click here to read more)
This isn't the first time I've broken something, you know, but I swear this injury is unlike anything I've experienced before. Every time I look in the mirror I see nothing but horror. While my wounds are most likely on the mend, I am convinced that my condition worsens each day. I see pus and swelling where there is only clotting. Similarly, when I set foot outside I am under the delusion that I am drawing far more attention than I actually am.
The biggest difference I've noticed has been what this gash has done to my ability to relate to others. It's as if this damage has left me unable to suitably conduct myself as others would expect me to. I have no patience for anything and it takes an incredible amount of effort to maintain conversational pleasantries. Some people have asked me about what happened out of genuine concern, but earlier this week I almost brushed them off with a curt "I fell." I'm not all that upset about what happened but you'd never guess that from my behavior on campus. Those of you who have called me on the phone know I am feeling OK, but somehow this laceration has fixed a sort of scowl on my face.
In truth, I know things are going to be just fine. I had my stitches out yesterday and the doctor couldn't have been more bored by my nose. He told me we might have to "adjust" the bone-fusing process to avoid a crooked, healthy nose, but otherwise it all looks painfully ordinary to the professionals. So long as I keep up with my homework, this whole affair will be little more than a hiccup in my life (and possibly a scar).
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Red Letter Day
I broke my nose today.
Ben and his half-brother Samster came to town this weekend to hang out. Everything was going pretty smoothly (I got plenty of sleep considering my recent cold and two very tall visitors in my one-room apartment) until this afternoon. I decided to take them on a tour of the campus and led them up a small, concrete flight of stairs. Somehow I slipped, perhaps on the wetness from the melting snow. My knee hit first, and in my struggle to break my fall I jerked my hands forwards. But my hands were in my pockets, so all I manage to do was rip the fabric of my favorite coat. CRACK - the bridge of my nose struck the edge of the steps. No sooner than Ben could say "You broke your nose" I held my hand up to my face. There was an insane amount of blood. If you have ever cut your face in any way, you know what it is like. I haven't, really, so I was really taken aback. I had a tiny bit of napkins in my pocket because of my cold but it quickly soaked through into a deep crimson. Although I must say, the blood that dripped oh-so-steadily onto the pavement was a much brighter color than I would have imagined. Ben put it aptly: "It looks fake."
We called the campus ambulance service thanks to a passing RA who knew their number and he was able to describe our exact location. I went to the ER and received six stitches plus they took X-rays (yes, it's broken).
The good news? Sam took lots of pictures so you'll get a look at the carnage. In time, of course. As if I wasn't behind in my blogging before!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Ben and his half-brother Samster came to town this weekend to hang out. Everything was going pretty smoothly (I got plenty of sleep considering my recent cold and two very tall visitors in my one-room apartment) until this afternoon. I decided to take them on a tour of the campus and led them up a small, concrete flight of stairs. Somehow I slipped, perhaps on the wetness from the melting snow. My knee hit first, and in my struggle to break my fall I jerked my hands forwards. But my hands were in my pockets, so all I manage to do was rip the fabric of my favorite coat. CRACK - the bridge of my nose struck the edge of the steps. No sooner than Ben could say "You broke your nose" I held my hand up to my face. There was an insane amount of blood. If you have ever cut your face in any way, you know what it is like. I haven't, really, so I was really taken aback. I had a tiny bit of napkins in my pocket because of my cold but it quickly soaked through into a deep crimson. Although I must say, the blood that dripped oh-so-steadily onto the pavement was a much brighter color than I would have imagined. Ben put it aptly: "It looks fake."
We called the campus ambulance service thanks to a passing RA who knew their number and he was able to describe our exact location. I went to the ER and received six stitches plus they took X-rays (yes, it's broken).
The good news? Sam took lots of pictures so you'll get a look at the carnage. In time, of course. As if I wasn't behind in my blogging before!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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