Recovery
*Picks up from Hurt*
Jordan- 10
It's been 3 weeks since Jordan was released from the hospital Hank, Erin, and Justin took turns helping the ten year old. Erin helped her bathe, get dressed and did her hair, Justin and Hank helped her with her school assignments.
Her ribs were almost healed but there was still some pain in it so they made sure to keep an eye on that and her arm. Hank had taken Jordan to get her ribs and arm checked out.
"I want this dumb cast off". Jordan said.
"It's only for a few more weeks Jo, maybe you can get the cast off and get a splint instead". Hank said.
"Dad I can't do anything with this stupid cast".
"You gotta give your arm time to heal Jo".
"I know".
They finally arrived to the hospital and waited for Dr. Manning, after a few minutes she went to the father and daughter.
"Hello Hank, Jo, how are you today". Natalie says.
"Hi, Dr. Manning". Jordan politely greeted the woman.
"Were doing ok Dr. Manning". Hank replied, with a smile.
"Let's go check on your arm Jo".
The ten year old was brought up to Radiology for an x-ray of her arm, once the x-ray was finished they went to the lounge to talk over the results.
"Is my arm ok?" Jordan asked.
"Your arm is healing nicely you might need a couple more weeks till the cast comes off, but when you're cast comes off your arm might be dry, scaly, flaky, or pale. It might smell a little. Jo you're gonna have to take it easy once the cast comes off it's going to take time for your muscles to get back to normal". Natalie explained.
"What can we do to help?" Hank asked.
"The first thing you're gonna want to do is soak her arm in warm water for 20 minutes twice a day do this for the first few days, next you're gonna gently rub the arm in a soft towel you don't want to do it too hard or it'll damage the new skin. You can put lotion on it'll keep your arm soft, it'll speed heal and it stops the itching.
Choose a fragrance-free lotion because perfumes can irritate skin that's delicate or sensitive from being in a cast.
Now as for exercise start off doing gentle movements you will need to rest in between don't over do it. The muscles will be smaller and less effective. If you have trouble the first week we can put your arm in a splint to help. One thing you can try is Occupational therapy".
"What's that?"
"Occupational therapy deals with activities of daily living and involves helping people get back to performing everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating. So you're dad, brother, and Erin could help you with these kinds of things. If you want you can try physical therapy it can help build your strength back in your arm".
"When could I do sports again?"
"Well you can do non-contact sports after 4-6 weeks but for full contact sports that could take 8-12 weeks".
"Anything else we should take into consideration?" Hank asked.
"No I covered everything and Jo no more climbing trees".
"Believe me she won't be climbing anything at all will you Jo". Hank looks at his daughter.
"I promise". The ten year old said.
They thanked Natalie then left heading home and went inside, Jordan went to the living room to see her brother.
"Hey Jo Jo how's your arm". Justin says.
"It's healing fine I should be able to get my cast off in a couple of weeks but I have to take it easy". Jordan answered.
"You do or you'll risk breaking it again".
"Did you ever break your arm?"
"Not my arm but I broke my wrist when I decided to do a new move on my skateboard".
"What happened".
"I was about your age when it happened, I was at the skate park with some friends from school and they were all showing off their new moves on their boards when it was my turn to go I started free styling then as I was coming down I missed the board and fell. Broke my wrist that day it hurt a lot but I learned my lesson that day".
"What was the lesson?"
"Always wear your safety gear or you'll get hurt like I did".
"How come you weren't wearing your gear?"
"Well I wanted to show them I wasn't afraid of anything".
"That's why I climbed the tree because I wanted to prove I wasn't scared".
"No more climbing".
"Don't worry I won't".
Over the next couple of weeks Erin helped Jordan bathe, getting ready for school, Justin and Hank helped her with her school work. It was finally time for the ten year old to get her cast off, Erin and Justin tagged along as support. They waited while Jordan was getting her cast off after what seemed like hours the ten year old finally returned with her cast off her arm.
"How's your arm Jordy?" Erin asked.
"It feels like I can't move it". Jordan answered.
"It's probably just stiff right now once you get to moving it again it'll feel better". Justin says.
When they got home Jordan had soaked her arm like Dr. Manning had said to do, it was a long 20 minutes for the ten year old. Once it was finished Hank took a soft towel and gently dried her arm off, when he finished that he cleaned off the table of the stuff.
"Can I try moving my arm?" Jordan asked.
"Not too much Jo". Hank advised his daughter.
Justin then got his sister a cup of water he brought it to her setting it on the table. "See if you can pick up the cup Jo Jo".
Jordan then took her weak left arm and slowly went towards the cup of water, she slowly started to pick it up her arm was slightly shaking the cup then fell out of her hand spilling the water everywhere.
"I'm sorry". Jordan says quickly.
"It's ok Jo it was an accident". Erin assured her.
"I can't do anything".
"Jo it's gonna take time sweetheart you're not gonna be able to learn in one day". Hank said.
"I'm going to my room".
The ten year old went up the stairs heading to her room while the adults looked. Hank and Erin went to the kitchen to start dinner while Justin went to talk to his sister, he knocked on her door and heard a small 'come in'. When he opened the door he saw his young sister laying on her bed her chin resting on a nearby pillow.
"Jo Jo it's gonna be alright, it'll take you a little while to get your arm back into shape but were gonna help you through this". Justin said.
"Did it take you a while with your wrist?" Jordan asked.
"Yeah it took a while but I had help just like you will. You can't give up after the first try Jo it's going to take time you're not gonna be able to do it the first try".
"So I should take baby steps".
"Exactly don't rush into it or you could damage your arm even more and trust me you don't want that I made that mistake once".
"How?"
"When I got my cast off my wrist I was ready to rush into things, one day I tried lifting something too heavy and did more damage to my wrist. It's ok to be frustrated and angry I was the whole time but over time you will get your strength back in your arm".
"Thanks Justin".
The ten year old used her good arm and hugged her brother. "I love you Justin".
"I love you too Jo Jo".
A/N: A couple notes. First this will be a two parter, second I know nothing of a broken arm or the recovery I went off by what i found. I hope it did alright.