Dealing With Being Injured
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.
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.
- 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.