Cracked!

...

Robb has been going through a really good phase, lately. We went to the gigantic Alameda Antiques Fair last weekend, and I think he walked further than he has in years. He's been pushing up against what had previously been his limits. Things have been going well.

But Thursday, he twisted around to reach something in the car and probably cracked a rib.

I don't know what it is about Robb, but he breaks ribs more than anyone else I know. Sometimes this makes sense -- bike accidents, falling down the stairs -- but sometimes, it seems like his bones break far too easily. He broke a rib during a lighting hang at the Dallas Theatre Center. He was laying on the Frank Lloyd Wright designed lighting grid for hours and hours and his rib just gave way.

Under the best of circumstances, cracked ribs suck. Sneezing can be agony, and laughing is no fun at all. Because of his paralysis, Robb has to "recruit" all of his working muscles, to take up the slack for the parts of his body that don't work. If, all of a sudden, something goes wrong, he's really at a disadvantage.

The other thing about broken ribs, is that there's absolutely nothing that can be done for them. You just have to take it easy, and wait until your bones heal. Robb opted not to go to the hospital, because he knows that they'd just send him home with directions to rest and take pain killers.

Plus, he's had so many x-rays and scans since he broke his back that he really didn't want one more. He's had more than his share of radiation exposure over the last few years.

If Robb were some kind of crazy doctor-avoider, I might be worried about this choice. I trust him on this one.

Comments

ajt said…
that's shitty.
Anonymous said…
I dont know what needs duct tape more- to hold themselves together...

Robb or your new old house!

Take it easy Robb! Drink lots of milk! I know you guys are vegetarians, but a little protein would help you heal better- eat lots of tofu?

Annalisa
Gina said…
Aw,crap! That bites....

O.K., take it easy, you guys. We're sending major healing vibes your way. Lots of soy milk with added calcium, maybe? I dunno. Wish there was something we could do for you from way over here..

xo
I feel Rob's pain, I have broken ribs three times while coughing due to severe bouts of Bronchitis. Nothing is worse than a broken rib while coughing uncontrollably for weeks on end. Tell Rob not to worry about the radiation from a modern x-ray, with the digital films it is a tiny tiny little dose.

Popular Posts