Recently I did a dumb thing with a knife. I did not follow proper protocol and cut my thumb right at the base knuckle. It was a clean cut, no ligament or tendon damage, but I did need ten stitches. I tried not to let this wound slow me down. I have a tendency to push on regardless of my injuries. I continued like nothing had happened. this was not a good idea especially since at my age (57), the healing process slows down. my high tolerance for pain, not wanting help, or anyone’s sympathy became a trifecta for disaster. The result: after 12 days, the stitches were out but my thumb was still infected and swollen. The wound continued to split open further, delaying the healing process.
The point of my little story is to be smart about injury! If you need to seek medical attention, do so immediately and follow the physicians advice. Whether you need medical care or not, research your injury. This will help you understand your situation and prepare for how much rest, medicine, and physical rehabilitation you may need. Even though it is hard sometimes, be patient, it is important to give your body time to heal. Don’t go chopping wood, moving furniture, and not resting the injury as I did.
Finally, be smart, heal safely however do not let an injury control your life. I did not want to let my injury slow me down, and I wound up taking longer to heal. The flip side if you choose to use an injury or condition as an excuse not to move forward, it becomes a crutch that keeps you from your goals. Neither of these paths work. It is about balance, meaning you can come back from almost all injuries to some level as long as you are wise about the process. Don’t let an injury limit your goals. Just make informed choices. Moreover, if one treatment is not working, try another. If one doctor is not helping, get a second opinion. Try different remedies. Move forward slowly if you have to but keep moving! keep your eyes on the prize! You might not be smart on how you get hurt but be smart with you handle it afterwards.