Day 4

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appt. with surgeon wednesday AM.

people pretty much treat you like shit even if you're an obvious cripple. same shitty service, same shitty cuts at the grocery store, same shitty customers making your job harder with their stupidity. starting to lose my calm, maybe from little physical activity. so i will go walking now.
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went on long walk in neighborhood. had friend over to watch movie. she is nice.

life is good.

Day 3

Day 3
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mike quit his new job and came back to the restaurant to work my server shifts for the next few weeks. just lounging around the house. my first lazy sunday in years, possibly. i used to love sundays, and now i get to have one.

friend came over this morning and we attempted the crossword as i made omlettes – with my left hand.

my cell-phone fell into a creek yesterday. difficult to disassemble with just one hand. have a ways to go before it will be dry.

in the afternoon my cousin and i went to the pool at our complex and met some of the neighbors there.

my mother is trying to use her connections to find a hand surgeon who will see me. most people would have to wait to the extent of risking permanent damage. a surgeon will need to go in and pin my bones back together.

the drunks at the local cornerstore wanted to sign my cast (actually a splint), but instead we all decided to wait until my permanent cast is on. one of them said that when i came back tomorrow all i would see on that streetcorner is just a big stain on the pavement, i guess from their melted bodies (100 + degree day).

tomorrow i intend to go visit the place where this all started, and i will collect my illegally confiscated property.

Day 2

Day 2 was a good day. Had to cancel lunch with Fred. Walked to cornerstore to cash check and grocery store to buy supplies. Spent afternoon at home with cousin and her friend. Mike took me into work where my car was waiting. Hosted outdoor patio and had fun with it. No stress as a host, not like being a waiter. Bussed some tables and refilled waters all with left hand. Most guests treated me as a normal servant, not bothering to nudge their glasses forward. A few tables wanted to discuss my arm in a sling. Tons of strange girls have expressed their deepest sympathies for my broken hand.

After work I went to Mike's place with Jay and his brother Kerry and sat around. Came home and am now with cousin and friend.

I did the following with my left hand only:

drive, shave, shower, brush teeth, tie shoes, write drink orders, sign my name, type, and other more personal things.

Day 1

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4 pm and my hand broke while at jay’s house before my night job as a waiter. right (dominant hand). one metacarpal dislocated the adjacent one shattered in middle, pinky hand side. i have been a carpenter by day.

story of incident later once i gain a little more energy. back after 6 hours ER. percaset wearing off, lost prescription, could be a long night.

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still up. tomorrow i call freddie jones and let him know i have no car now so to meet for lunch i must host. i hope and plan to have some modest painkillers by then. at 6 i will go to work at the restaurant . . . as a host! should be fun. can do with right arm in cast and sling, as long as the throbbing is bearable.

all in all a very positive ER experience. they put me under but i saw and remembered it all. the three strong people couldn’t place my bone back, so my dad rolls his sleeves up, grabbed my hand, and jammed the bone back in with a loud pop. it felt good although weird, and the many people present cheered. what a moment. for a little while my hand felt better, until the pain of the other fracture sunk in.

the nurses and doctors were friendly people, and i shared a cigarette with a cancer patient outside as i waited for jay to come with my car. suddenly i hear my engine from a long ways off, and i know i’m headed home.

prepared small meal in kitchen with one hand, and typed this entry with my left hand as well. i ground pepper, operated a stove, and opened ziplock baggies. believe it or not putting on pants is usually a job for two hands, as i am surprised to report.

expect updates throughout the next week or so, i'll have plenty of time.