I am fully able to type with both hands again, so I felt I should update everyone who so kindly left comments and well wishes for me on this thread.
Well, I'm lucky to have had a broken arm in the age of medical miracles... I don't have to wear a heavy cast, and my arm is officially "fixed", although it's still a bit sore, depending on how I move it.
I was hit with the ball on June 11, had "plate and screws" surgery - a 40 minute procedure - on my arm to fix the broken bone (radius bone, forearm) a week later on June 18 (we waited a week so I could have the surgery at our local hospital in Hartford, CT). I did have to wear a fairly heavy, annoying cast for 6 days, then it was removed on June 24 in the doc's office. I'm now required to wear a removable (with lots of velcro) soft cast until my final (?) doctor appointment in mid-July, but I wear it on an as-needed basis. (I have it off now so I can type better, although I can type while wearing it, too)
I do have a 4" scar on my forearm from the surgery, but I've had a few operations in the past, and already have a small collection of scars, LOL. I'll try one of those scar-fading creams once the small butterfly bandages (holding the incision together) are removed. I am astounded at how rapidly my hand in particular, and arm are returning to normal. Each day is much better than the day before. I still have some pain in the mid-arm where I was hit, and where the surgery was done, but, that also improves every day. I am a regular lap swimmer, and my doctor cleared me to return to swimming by the end of the week... just 2 weeks after the surgery.
This "plate and screws" surgery is apparently common now to fix broken bones (this is the first broken bone I've ever had). This surgery was recommended by two orthopedic doctors/surgeons at the Boston hospital ER where I was taken after being hit, and again by my orthopedic surgeon at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. The doc says the non-ferrous metal plate/screws won't interfere with any MRIs, if I ever needed one, although it's possible I might have to be wanded at airports and federal buildings. The plate and screws can stay in for life (I can't feel it) or - if I really want them out - they can be removed, but via surgery of course. It's a small amount of "metal" compared to titanium knees/hips.
The "Fenway ambassadors" (Red Sox fan services employees) at Fenway Park have been incredibly nice... they contacted me twice while I was still in the Beth-Israel Deaconess Hospital ER in Boston, and several times since, via phone and e-mail. My husband and I returned to Fenway for a game on Saturday, June 19. One of the Fenway ambassadors delivered a fantastic Red Sox "goodie bag" to our seat (way out in the lowly bleachers, LOL) filled with fun Red Sox stuff. In case you're wondering, the Red Sox nor any major or minor-league team are not liable for any medical expenses, etc. if you get hit by a ball (or probably even a bat) at their ballpark. Read the fine print on your ticket!
My husband did get the ball that hit me, and so far we've had it signed by one of the EMTs and by my surgeon. We requested that it be signed by Adrian Beltre to complete the "trifecta". Our Fenway ambassador said he will do his best to get it signed for me. We'd just like it as a souvenir... obviously the ball will be less valuable with the two non-player autographs.
I didn't mention this upthread, but I was hit by a baseball once before. Back in the mid-1980s, I attended my first-ever minor league baseball game (the AAA Maine Guides, now defunct), and - while still outside the ballpark, and seconds after purchasing the ticket - a foul ball bounced out of the park and hit me in the face! I was lucky once again... it hit my cheekbone, and all I ended up with (besides the ball) was a black eye for a week or so. Welcome to minor league baseball!
I was an innocent bystander for that game, but not really for the June 11 game at Fenway, as I was inside the park watching batting practice in the center field bleachers. I was paying attention to the balls being batted during batting practice (as I always do), but I momentarily lost track of the ball coming at me in the sun, plus there was still a ball bouncing wildly in the empty seats near me that Adrian Beltre had just hit before "my" ball, so that was a distraction (my husband was scrambling to get it). It was a fluke, really.
My message to you all isn't to cordon off entire ballparks by netting, but - please - be careful, particularly in those small minor-league parks. Especially watch your babies, kids and elderly relatives... kids especially aren't always paying attention to the game and little ones usually can't catch a batted ball, glove or no glove.
I consider myself VERY lucky to have only suffered a broken arm... it could have been a LOT worse.
{{{HUGS}} to all of you, and once again, THANK YOU for your kind comments and well wishes! :o)
nutmeg
Some related articles:
Baseball kills woman in San Angelo, TX (June 2010)
Recent foul ball death raises safety concerns about baseball parks (June 2010)
Line Drive Cracks Girl's Skull At Dodger Stadium (June 2010)
Girl injured during BP OK after surgery [L.A. Dodgers] (June 2010)
Here’s Why You Better “Go Hands Free” at the Baseball Game – Video [Yankee Stadium] (June 2010)
PS. Don't chance going out in a thunderstorm.
Hi nutmeg and THANKS for the update!
Watching yesterday’s Dodgers v. Giants game, it was almost nothing but foul balls ... to the point where Vinny was joking that everyone in the park would go home with a “souvenir.” Btw, I think he was there at Fenway on June 19.
Nutmeg, it’s great to read about your speedy progress. Isn’t it wonderful how the body heals?!! Congrats to your medical team, too. Just don’t ever do this again, okay?
I may have mentioned that a few days before your mishap, one of our Dodgers — Russell Martin, C — was doing BP (hitting rehearsal:) and a liner came off his bat and hit a 3 yr old girl in the head, cracked her skull. Very scary. She went into surgery and the word was she would recover completely... haven’t heard anymore follow-up.
Of course, they sat you out in the bleachers, haha. “Would you like to borrow some hockey gear, too, lady?”
ALL - Update by Nutmeg in Post 163.
Nutmeg - Good deal on your quick recovery.
NautiNurse - Thanks for the thread
Ah, the Maine Guides...there’s a happy memory! My Grandmother was a regular attendee at Guides and Sea Dog games, and was a Red Sox fan from sometime in the Twenties until her death in 2003. We have a family joke that the Sox won the Series in 2004 because she was able to intercede with God in person.
I remember when the Guides’ park was being used for summer concerts in the late Eighties and two concerts were cancelled on short notice because the town council was worried about noise and “a bad element.” Now, no matter what kind of element may have been there for previous concerts, the two they cancelled were Stevie Winwood and Sting...not really known for fans that cause riots. I was dating a girl was going to take her. I was ticked. But then the Civic Center in Portland agreed to host both concerts. I think they also only charged the two guys what they were paying the Guides.
So my girl gets to see Sting, and the place was sold out. He comes out, does the first two or three songs. He steps up to the mike, the crowd’s going wild and he says, “I know why they didn’t want you people in Old Orchard Beach...you’re too @#$%& loud!” Too bad about his politics, he puts on a great show.
I’m really glad you’re doing so well! Prayers continue!
Your suggestion regarding paying attention in unnetted ballparks is a wise one.
Take care.
What doesn’t kill you leaves you with a GREAT story to tell.
So glad to hear you’re doing better! And, thanks for the reminder to pay attention...especially with little ones.
Hope you get that 3rd autograph!
Glad to hear the worst is over and you're mending well. You can always get a tattoo over that scar...perhaps a red sock.....
I'll try one of those scar-fading creams once the small butterfly bandages (holding the incision together) are removed.
OR ... you can break open some Vitamin E capsules and rub these along the incision. They work just as well. FWIW, I have a 12" abdominal incision from surgery 3 years ago. Today, it is practically invisible without the application of topical ointments or vitamin E. Oh the marvels of modern sutures.
Well I’ll say one thing...you sure do have a sweet attitude about all this. LOL
God bless you dear one and eat some cracker jacks for me! :-)
EMT broken arm ping!
Glad to read that you’re doing better. I’m never going to a game with you, though. (And it’s not just because I’m a Yankees fan!) I was knocked unconscious as a kid by a flying bat. (To be fair I was catcher. My mom may still have the broken helmet.) I don’t feel like risking a ball as a spectator.
Hey Nutmeg, glad to hear you are doing well...stay away from those line drives!
Hey Nutmeg, glad to hear you are doing well...stay away from those line drives!
I propose a new screen name for you: “FoulTip”.
I know first hand how dangerous they are. Nearly was beaned in the head in the stands twice last year. Fortunately some college kid who played college ball caught the first 1, some one else caught the second one.