Dealing With Being Injured
I've been asked this question on numerous occasions on how to deal with being injured. I put it off for a long time because I wanted to do it 'properly'. Well, that time has finally come as I'm now in a position to give proper advice.
It's unfortunate , but this is how thing's work sometimes. Recently , during a pre-season friendly I suffered a broken arm. I'm early in the process so the full extent of the damage isn't known yet. As it stands , it looks like a full clean break of the mid-shaft of my left humerus. The photo below gives a better indication of what I mean. I came out to collect a routine cross and while in the air I was taken out. As I was falling I tried to twist to land on the ball but unfortunately under the force of the fall I must have landed on my elbow. I knew something was wrong straight away as I felt like my forearm and upper arm were detached from each other. It's a scary feeling and a thousand thoughts start rushing through your brain at the same time.
It's unfortunate , but this is how thing's work sometimes. Recently , during a pre-season friendly I suffered a broken arm. I'm early in the process so the full extent of the damage isn't known yet. As it stands , it looks like a full clean break of the mid-shaft of my left humerus. The photo below gives a better indication of what I mean. I came out to collect a routine cross and while in the air I was taken out. As I was falling I tried to twist to land on the ball but unfortunately under the force of the fall I must have landed on my elbow. I knew something was wrong straight away as I felt like my forearm and upper arm were detached from each other. It's a scary feeling and a thousand thoughts start rushing through your brain at the same time.
The treatment for this is a splint for 7 days , back into the hospital to re-assess whether I need surgery or just a cast. Either way I'm looking at 10-14 weeks out , so a lengthy recovery process. Hopefully this works to shed some light on it but also help people going through their own stuff. Make sure to follow on Instagram to stay up to date!
Injuries are always hard. Let's not minimise them. Whether you're an athlete , an avid gym goer or even just someone who's regularly active , it's difficult to accept that you have to take an enforced break. Thankfully, I've been surrounded by an excellent support system. A girlfriend who's gone out of her way to make sure I'm ok. My club who looked after the ambulance , my stuff and stayed with me until I was sorted. Countless other people deserve a mention here but their role in the initial stages of sustaining a serious injury cannot be understated.
For now , I'm home and I'm comfortable. My mind is racing a million miles an hour about everything but that's normal. It's the first serious injury I've had and there's loads of things that are affected by it; day to day movements, being independent, work, social life etc. I'm lucky enough to have a sport psychologist as a close friend, over the next few weeks I'm sure you'll hear a lot about him and his role in all this.
For now , I'm home and I'm comfortable. My mind is racing a million miles an hour about everything but that's normal. It's the first serious injury I've had and there's loads of things that are affected by it; day to day movements, being independent, work, social life etc. I'm lucky enough to have a sport psychologist as a close friend, over the next few weeks I'm sure you'll hear a lot about him and his role in all this.
Plan for me is as follows:
- 7 days full rest - in a splint so hoping that the bone starts to heal/set itself.
- Back into the hospital for more x-rays. From there I'll know more. Hopefully from there, no surgery will be needed and it will be a cast job for a few weeks and the physical rehab process can start.
- Focus on positive things. Having things in perspective. Given how bad the fall was I'm lucky I haven't done more damage.
- Be positive but realistic about the recovery process. Better to set longer recovery period to account for set backs as opposed to rushing things back.
- Stay involved in the team as much as I can. Removing myself from it is the worst thing you can do psychologically. Stay involved and contribute positively.
- Work closely with my sport psychologist, doctors and rehab team to put a proper plan in place.
Over the coming weeks I'll keep this blog updated and hopefully it sheds better light on how to deal with these situations and what to do!
Week 1. Day 3.
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