A Sprained Finger

Of course, playing Ultimate Frisbee means you will incur a few injuries. Bruises, scrapes, strained muscles, etc. are pretty normal. Last season I was plagued with plantar fasciitis, this year my injury was a sprained finger. After reaching back to grab a disc that was behind me, it caught my finger and pulled it back. Way back. I felt a pop and then pain. I knew it wasn't broken, but definitely sprained.

A trip to the local doctor confirmed this. Haha, that's a funny story. I went to the Dankook University hospital because it's on campus, and I get a discount for being a Dankook employee. Win-win right? Well, I went to the reception and asked to see a doctor. After getting an English translator on the phone, to whom I explained the injury, the receptionist refused to let me see a regular doctor that day. She kept saying 'Doctor, opsoyeo' which means there are none. But tomorrow, she said, finger specialist. All I needed was a proper splint (I had fashioned myself a makeshift one already out of cardboard and tape, but I needed a real one) and perhaps an x-ray to ensure there wasn't a fracture. Apparently this was not possible without a specialist's expertise.

So the next day I go to where she booked my appointment and I arrive at a sign that says 'ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY' - wait what?! All I needed was a splint and I got sent to a surgeon. In Canada, this would have taken months to get in, but here I only waited until the next day. Despite my hesitation, the doctor was really nice and he spoke English. The x-ray showed that the tendon had pulled away from the bone (over stretched) and he wanted to give it time to heal. He was very impressed with my makeshift splint and couldn't believe I had made it myself (it would seem no one in Korea takes health care into their own hands). He taped up my finger to a splint and advised me not to use it and come back in 2 weeks so he could show me 'finger exercises'.

Two weekends of Ultimate later (yes, I had to keep playing!), I went back to him. He took my splint off and buddied my middle finger to the ring finger to stop it from twisting. The joint was very stiff, but after stretching it all weekend (and playing some more ultimate - hehe) it is feeling better! Not 100%, but I can almost make a fist on my own. Hurray!

 Middle finger sprain!

Advice from a Nonagenarian

The past few weeks have been extremely hard. I have buried myself in work because after a month of family being in town, I was/am extremely behind. The problem is that I haven't really acknowledged my loss and anytime I think of my grandfather, the tears come full force.

The problem really lies in the fact that I haven't gone home. I have not had to face the reality of the situation that my grandfather is no longer here. If I put it out of my mind long enough, it's like it isn't real. Although my new job told me I get bereavement leave (the first question I asked prior to accepting the job offer), I really don't get time off to mourn. At least, not without cancelling and making up those classes in the future. My family scheduled my grandad's ceremony of life for November 9th and I have made the difficult decision to not attend. The idea of spending 40 hours travelling alone, just to be home for 2 days of heartache, is not the most appealing. I would do it in a heartbeat if it meant getting to see my grandad for one more day, but the alternative means I would be that sad girl crying on the plane for 13 hours. I have decided that I will go somewhere over winter vacation and take the time I need to mourn, since bottling it up is not working so well for me.

Today I mailed my goodbye letter to my grandad. I literally cried at the postoffice because 1. the purpose of the letter already meant I was emotional, and 2. the lady asked me too many questions. I just wanted to walk in, mail it, and get out, but nothing is ever that easy in Korea.

I recently collected all the photographs I had of my grandfather on my computer and sent them to my aunt who is putting together a memorial DVD. It was hard. My grandparents were such a big part of my life. They were present for every important event; every graduation, every birthday, every Christmas, you name it. We spent all our vacations/long weekends in Ottawa at their house. I'm one of the fortunate people who can say that I really knew my grandparents, but also one of the unfortunate ones who has to go through losing two people that meant the world to me.

Among the photos was a video I took of my grandfather earlier this year, on his 90th birthday. I asked him what advice he has for people who would like to live to 90. I have watched this video many times this week. Hearing his calm, casual voice and seeing that cheeky smile have not necessarily brought me comfort, but a sense of nostalgia. We always wish for more time once all the time has passed. Life is precious, and fragile, and we need to make the most of it while we still have the time.

James Albert Soles

January 11, 1923 - September 9, 2013




Picture of the Week #7 - Hilarious Hyperboles

I love Korea's use of exaggeration, especially because everyone buys it! This sign made our day in Jeju.