Lessons learned from a broken arm

• A car moves faster than a pedestrian. Even if you have checked and think the road is clear, things can change in seconds. Luckily, mine was a low speed impact.
• You can have a 'nasty' broken arm without feeling excruciating pain/ having immediate swelling. But you will be certain straight away that it is broken, as it just doesn't feel 'solid' anymore. (In these circumstances, it might be wise to rate your pain as higher than 4/10, so you don't get triaged at first as having a minor injury!!)
• There are skilled medics here in Palmie. Thanks to ED and the Orthopaedic Clinic staff who skilfully fixed things up so my bone could heal. Thanks especially to the Dr and nurse who mainly treated me in the ED for their sense of humour that made me laugh.
• Thanks to some very kind friends and family for help and support, so I could be independent without going loopy. My sister prepared a whole lot of meal sized portions for the freezer and microwave and that was a godsend.
• There are all sorts of things that are hard /impossible to do with one hand eg washing dishes in the sink without them spinning around, trying to do up your jacket zip on a bitterly cold winter's day, chopping up fresh veges, taking photos, handling bits of paper, pulling on some retractable seat belts in cars.... 
• Your good-hand fingers quickly become more dexterous than you ever thought possible. (Having to use one hand to open the screw lid on the bottle of prescribed codeine painkillers the first night at home was a good incentive to discover this.)
• You will get tired and tearful and feel exhausted sometimes.
• Eventually things improve so much you become quite blasé about the cast, and nearly step into the shower without covering it up. This is hopefully a sign that tomorrow at clinic, the cast will be removed!!!!