Welp, I finally did it. I broke myself. First time in derby, first time in life. Hence my recent relative silence. It’s not that I didn’t want to talk about it. Daaaamn, I’ve been wanting to tell you all about it and lots of other things! It’s just that it’s physically hard to type because what I broke was the fifth metacarpal of my right (dominant) hand. Weird derby injury, right? What probably hurt more than the actual break was my ego, though, because it happened during my first scrimmage with the top level players of my new league (more on that later). In fact it happened during the first few seconds of the first jam, me with the jammer panty on my head. And it wasn’t any kind of showstopper where everyone takes a knee and knows you done fucked your shit up for real. It unfolded with me unceremoniously passing the star, finishing up the jam as a blocker and hobbling back to the bench cradling my pinkie finger, wondering if I was just the biggest wuss in all of derbydom. I sat out for a few jams, trying not to succumb to tears of pain and frustration, and taped my fingers together to finish out practice. I even went to practice a few days later, gritting my teeth through the pain of bracing drills and a fall that landed me right on my injured paw.
It wasn’t until I posted this picture on social media at the end of the week that it occurred to me that perhaps something was really amiss:
If your hand looks like this, go see a doctor.
Ok, perhaps I am an idiot, looking back at that picture. I got more than a few “Uhhh, are you sure that’s not brokens?” I’m lucky to count among my friends a doctor of sports medicine who is also a roller derby player. When she recommends getting something checked out, I’m apt to listen. And since she’s my doc and knows the sport, I’ve been able to skate without restrictions so far. It’s just that typing is so difficult. It’s like all these words are piling up inside and I have no way to express them. That’s the most challenging thing of all. Since I’m a writer in real life, I’ve struggled to keep up with work. I’ve rigged up a system of typing with two keyboards — pecking on the right with the two fingers that aren’t immobilized by the splint — that looks something like this:
Yeah, I wear a cape at the office, so what?
It works well enough for now. When I went to get a wrist guard to fit over my splint, the proprietor of my local skate shop raised his eyebrows and praised my general positive attitude about the whole thing. (I realize how far I’ve come when someone accuses me of being positive!) Well, what can I do? I know I got off lucky. This is not a nice or easy sport we play. It could be worse. I saw someone break her ankle recently. I could at least walk away from my injury. And I try to remember that how I deal with adversity is at least, in part, a choice. So, I can’t fix my hair or wash the dishes too well. I definitely can’t change a flat tire. But I have people who can help me. And I still managed to awkwardly peck out this post. Wishing you safe jams in 2015, and I hope to be back with all the words soon.
Glad you had a doctor looking out for you. Once I went to my doctor for routine stuff and said, oh by the way, my foot has been hurting for about 6 weeks. He said let’s get it X-rayed and within 20 minutes, I found that I had been walking around on a broken foot. That was followed by 2 months in a cast (the removable kind) and twice daily treatments with this weird bone growth stimulator. So the point of this comment is that I still have the device and I am coming to Indiana on Monday and I could bring it to you. Well almost to you, I will of course be in Bloomington with Dan and mom.
Thanks so much for your concern, Eric! I think I’m good on medical treatment. That would be great to see you guys while you’re in town, though. 🙂
By the way, first time in life you broke something? I know you don’t just sit in your rocking chair and knit. How did you manage to go so long?
This is a really good question. I’ve gotten by with a couple of concussions and a case of bursitis, so I’m really, really lucky.
One last comment, this is the perfect time for swipe text, though it does require a touch screen and it does have its limitations.
I know how you must have felt. I shattered my ankle this past Sunday jamming during our first scrimmage and our first team try out for the season. My first time skating with the big girls. And it was actually just a drill before the scrimmage started! Everyone took a knee. I writhed in pain on the track and squeezed a teammate’s hand so hard her fingers went blue. Then the paramedics hauled me away. Surgery yesterday. Angry at myself for getting hurt today.
Awww, Heidi! I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. Don’t get angry with yourself. These things happen, especially in derby. I keep reminding myself that I’ve seen more than a few people come back to derby and come back to derby STRONGER. Concentrate on getting better and take it one step at a time. I’ll be sending you every healing vibe I have to spare! Good luck and speedy recovery, girl!
Get well soon!
Thanks! 🙂 Working on it….
Welcome to the Club. For me it was the actual opposite. Very last drill of training and I brake my leg (cracked my tibia in 2 little tibias 😉 ). This happened last November. It’s been a long and painful journey (and it’s not over) but I found that derby community, as always, has proven to be amazingly supportive. I also found that you can get pretty resourceful, you focus on the really important things and stop wasting energies on unnecessary things. Something to do with survival instincts 😉
Anyway, I hope your recovery is going well. Virtual derby hugs <3
THANK YOU, Skully! I sincerely hope you heal quickly! Being broken is not the best, but you do learn a lot. Definitely, the kindness of others has made it a lot more bearable.
I seriously had two of my fingers rolled over this past season. It hurts and I’ve never gone to the doctor. I’m rethinking this decision because every time I hit them, they hurt like hell. I hope you have healed well!
Sorry about your injury, Mollie! I actually ended up breaking my hand AGAIN about a year later. Different part, same hand. Fortunately, it didn’t require surgery this time and I could skate while it healed (though it still hurts a little). Since my first break, a couple of my teammates have had issues with hands/fingers so maybe it’s more common in derby than I thought. It’s worth checking out on your end — if it’s healing improperly, you might end up with long-term issues. Best of luck!