Inside Look: Kid with Two Broken Arms

(^similar to mine^)

So many people have asked so many questions about how I live, how it happened, etc. I realized this is a good opportunity to address all concerns: I will give you an "Inside Look."

How it happened:

 I was playing pick up football with several of my friends one brisk, refreshingly cold Sunday afternoon. My team was on defense. Someone from the other team caught a pass and somehow eluded all my teammates. Fearlessly (and foolishly), I attempted to chase my opponent down. I promptly  ca

ught up to him approximately five yards before the endzone. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him downward and toward the sideline with my bodyweight. After tackling him to the ground mere inches from the endzone, my momentum carried me past the player and toward the frozen, hardened ground. In a feeble attempt to break my fall, I put out both my hands. When I got up, my wrists appeared to be separated from my arms. I could not move them. 

I went to the emergency room where a very nice man with a heavy accent took x-rays of my arms. He was sympathetic with me and told me the results of the x-rays, even though he did not have a legal right to diagnose me. He said my radiuses (radii?) were broken identically. 4-6 weeks he said. Then a real doctor came to set both my bones. They prescribed me Vicodin for the pain. What a drug. To continue my perfect attendance I attended school the next day. When I went for a follow-up appointment, the doctor told me my growth plates had slipped out of place and that I would need surgery and pins (~6 inch) to hold them in place while they heal. So I did that and it was cool. I did something I always wanted to do, fight anesthesia. I managed about four breaths(an IV was not possible because the temporary splints covered both brachial veins) before I was out. The surgery was successful. Now I just need time to heal. 

I went to see the doctor to see if I could possibly get one cast off, or both. He looked at x-rays and said no, much to my disappointment. Most of my winter break would be spent in casts. 

Living with two broken arms:

The most common question has been how do I wipe my butt. With the splints, it was a struggle. I could not straighten out my arms which made it very difficult. It was also quite painful to rotate my arms. I managed, though. With the insertion of the pins, I did not need full-arm casts so after the surgery I could wipe perfectly fine. 

Writing is difficult. It's sloppy and usually painful. Most of my teachers are nice enough to limit the amount I need to write. 

I cannot put my contacts in, which explains the glasses.

The most disappointing thing is I cannot wear nice clothes. By nice, I mean long sleeve knits, sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc. On top of not being able to wear long sleeves, it is winter. Mornings are cold. 

Showering has been by far the most difficult thing to do. I cannot get the casts wet because I would be at a higher risk of infection because of the pins. Waterproof casts do not prevent the casts from getting wet, they just dry quickly. I had to purchase cast guards (pictured). Since there are no fingers, I cannot effectively wash my hair. So my mom does it. It is very difficult to get clean. 

On an even more tragic note, I have lost upwards of ten pounds of muscle in only 4+ weeks. I can't wait to get back in the gym. Don't worry, though. Brett and me will document my return tediously. 

Now, if there are any questions I would love to answer them. Comments are also more than welcomed.