Ow With It On, Ow With It Off

[the_gneech]

This bandage and I have a weird little cycle we go through; my arm hurts, so I get lythandra to put the bandage on and it feels better for a while ... then my arm gets sore from the pressure, so I take the bandage off and it feels better for a while ... then the strained ligament or whatever it is gets whiny about having to do all that difficult "supporting itself against gravity" and starts hurting, so I get lythandra to put the bandage back on ... and 'round and 'round we go.

I guess tonight I'll have to head to the drugstore or maybe Sports Authority and look for some joint-support collars that you can just pull on and off as a single piece, and/or possibly a sling to use when I'm walking around. Having the arm "up" seems to put less stress on the afflicted area than letting it hang at my side.

On an unrelated note, I would really love to knock off this afternoon and head to a handy cafe or some such to do some life drawing. It's sunny and 52 degrees, and I haven't done any life drawing in a long, long time. Really, ever since I started doing the comic strip, finding "time off to draw" from that has been the biggest hurdle I have to overcome when I want to practice or improve my skill.

I often regret that I didn't go into the art school at VCU when I was accepted; I definitely regret taking all those stupid philosophy courses when I could have taken art instead. But at the time, I thought it was what I wanted. I'd inherited an unhealthy worship of academia from my parents, and let's face it, it's hard to get more academic than studying Spinoza (for instance). I periodically fantasize about putting my comics projects on hold for a year and getting some proper schooling on the topic. If not at a college or art institute (which might be cost prohibitive), at least something like the Joe Kubert correspondence courses.

Ah well. Right now I've gotta work in any case. Maybe I can do some sketching later.

-The Gneech

Comments

[mg4h.livejournal.com]

You're using an ACE bandage, right?

There is a fine line between what is strong enough for support, and what is too much which restricts circulation. I know this isn't easy, but it might be better if you put the bandage on yourself, because then you can tell faster (usually) if it's too tight.

You said arm - this would make it tricky but I've done it myself - hardest part is starting it. Once you get the first full loop on, generally I've found you can keep winding it from there - when you have to shift your grip, brace the end against a table or your side to keep the tension up.

One other thing - try to apply tension to the bandage always in the same place - when wrapping my ankle, I always "pull" on it as I wrap over the top of the foot. I never pull anywhere else, and it seems to make the pressure more equal and less of a can't-breathe-need-blood situation.

And I can't recommend a sling enough if it hurts less. You don't even have to buy a commercial one - a large scarf or triangle/square of material is all you need generally.

Good luck!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Keep on gittin' healthier everyday, critter... *feathertaps the bandages* :>