Never mind all this new technology... I hadn't realised until this week just how important a finger could be...!
I was up in Edinburgh last week completing the last week of the Leadership Foundation's Top Management Programme (an excellent course). As I was about to enter my hotel on Friday night, I slipped on a metal grate in the road and fell "A over H" (it had been raining and the thing was like sheet ice). Of course I had lots of luggage which didn't exactly help. The Concierge ran out to help me and I soon stood up. I guess I was in a little shock and the adrenaline was pumping as nothing appeared to hurt... until I looked at my right hand... and saw something rather unpleasant. My middle finger was bent back on itself forming a sort of dog-leg. Then the pain started! I was helped into the hotel reception (thank you to the staff at The Glasshouse - and I can thoroughly recommend a stay) where an ice bucket was promptly fetched.
A taxi ride to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary later and I was in the safe hands of the hospital staff. I have to say I was very impressed with the ERI... I was seen almost immediately, X-rayed within 10 minutes, treated, X-rayed again and out in a little over an hour! The diagnosis - a dislocated finger. You can see for yourself. It took two people a good deal of tugging at my arm and finger to get it back in place. Thank goodness for the anaesthetic!
So back in Reading on Monday, I soon realised just how necessary this particular digit really is. Writing is very difficult. Typing is possible, albeit slowly (it harks back to when I first started using a keyboard with two fingers). Actually, using the virtual key pad on my iPhone is easier and quicker than the keyboard on my PC where I'm writing this now. The real challenges are shirt buttons, cuff links and neck ties.
I had to visit my local hospital for an orthopedic referral and they've now referred me for physiotherapy. Apparently, it will take 4-5 weeks to heal. And riding my motorbike is out of the question :( Hmmm.
