MacGyver

MacGyver was one of my favourite TV series of all time. I enjoyed how he came up with ideas using domesticated items. It was very inspiring to me and I do a lot of MacGyver-ing in my day-to-day life. Back to the probem at hand... pun intended... this is the third time I have broken a bone... twice on the same hand. The first one was on the same hand, just a little bit further up... on my left little finger... the 1st row phalanx. The second was my right arm and now the third. So, I basically have some experience.

The cast was giving me problems... it was hurting my wrist bone. So, it is either a lack of padding or it was too tight. I think it was the latter as I was having serious rashes... not that I could see but the itch was unbearable. Also I think it was too high up my forearm. I went back to the hospital yesterday to have it changed since I was told that I could do so if I felt any discomfort. At the triage, I explained my situation... these two dudes seemed reluctant to let me change my cast. So I said that the doctor did say that I could have it change. Then one of then tries to educate me and says that it is meant to be higher up to the forearm to provide support. I know I look stupid... but I am not that stupid lah... but nevertheless I did not want to get into a spitting contest with them. He registered me and I went in to wait for my turn.

Not long after my name is called. The doctor is a male. Sorry, didn't notice his name... hahaha... bad botak... at least it shows I am hetero. I explained the situation to him... he asked me if my fingers felt numb... which it did occasionally so I told him. The doctor agrees that a shorter cast would be better... he explained that as long as two joints were supported, it was fine. He said he would inform the plaster-ist which I did see him go over and talk to the person. He may have just talked about the birds and the bees, I wouldn't know but I did see him talk to the dude.

So... wait again... then I am called in. This plaster-ist claims he is an artist... and that he was promoted but he now comes back to this section to help every now and then so he wouldn't lose his skill. Whatever dude... whatever makes you happy... just fix my problem. Then he says that he felt the old one was too short... aiyoh... am I the patient or are you the patient? I wonder if these guys ever had their hands or legs wrapped up like a bloody lemang before? Maybe they should so they know how it feels like. I was not happy but I just didn't want to argue. Instead I start asking questions.... like when do they use full plaster and when do the use just half for support like mine, when do they use fiber, are there other types, are there detachable types, etc? No, I was not making conversation... my MacGyver mind was working to find a solution to my problem.

When he was done, I thanked him and left... artist my foot. If he calls this art, I wonder what crap looks like to him.

Anyway, I went home unhappy though slightly relieved as I got to scratch my arm and it was now clean and dry for the moment. But I am going to have to fix it when the itch starts again. So by late afternoon today my arm was driving me bonkers already so I cut it open. Yes... I cut it open with my little knife cum money clip. See below...

This is the cast... cut open... notice the rashes on my forearm? The so-called artist made it too tight as well as you will see in the following photos.

This is my cast cut open and ready for my MacGyver project later.

This my arm... see the rashes and the marks due to the tightness of the cast? That small little cut was due to a graze I got against a door in the common area of the apartment where the door knob had fallen off.

A different angle of the rashes. No wonder I was going bonkers with frustration. Gatal gile...

It was then time for project MacGyver. My days as a Corporal in PBSM/MRCS back in my school days were not in vain after all. I drove to Guardian and bought the stuff I needed. Everything was available except one item. I bought a velcro wrist strap and a elastic bandage. The arm guard was not available (kinda like a sock for the arm).

First, place my hand back into the cast so the metacarpus is supported by the plaster. This has to be done slowly and snugly so it fits perfectly for comfort and support.

Next use the velcro wrist strap to hold the two open parts of the cast together ensuring that it is tight enough and not too tight either.

Then use the elastic bandage to secure the rest of the cast again and fasten the clips and I'm good to go. As they say... if you want something done right, you're better off doing it yourself.

There you go.. removable cast. Now I can have a nice shower at home and take it off to air my arm when I am not moving around.  I'll take it off at home.... wear it when I go out and when I go to sleep.

I am looking forward to my shower tonight...