‘Girls!’ A call of joy comes from the far side of the blue curtain. The attention of everyone in the room turns towards Vicki’s cubicle for some morsel of good news. She does not disappoint. ‘I can feel my fanny!’
A cheer goes up.
Now, there are very few women in my life that I’ve ever really discussed the ins and outs of certain body parts with, but here I was, minutes after meeting my new ward-mates and already I was celebrating the more intimate details of a stranger’s bodily functions. For some reason, it didn’t feel at all unusual.
There are some things that people don’t tell us about Spinal Cord Injuries. Sure, we see the wheelchairs and we hear the stories of adventure or misadventure that got people into those hospital beds. We hear of people learning to walk again, of overcoming adversity. We see the progress with legs or arms or feet or hands. Or we see the tears and disappointment. We see family members with a few more wrinkles around the eyes than they had ‘before’.
And then there’s everything that we don’t see. Or mention. The tubes and bags, the wasted muscles and failing organs. The months of training and failing and starting again to get the basic things back on track. The daily struggle to learn and manage those things we’ve always taken for granted.
And of course, the numb fannies.
Vicki’s delight set the tone for the ward and among all of the spinal injuries and brain tumors, a quick bond was formed and an unspoken understanding of which lines could be crossed. In a nutshell: all of them. There are no secrets between people who compare bowel functions more regularly than the bowels actually function. And each little victory was a victory for all. The Misfit Musketeers.
My diagnosis of Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome just hours earlier and emergency surgery in the wee hours had barely sunk in. I wasn’t quite over my pity party, busy wiping tears and caked on snot from my face. I was just processing the news that I may not walk again when Vicki’s revelation sent my mind and my google app into overdrive. You might be surprised how popular searches for ‘numb fanny’ really are. The conversation about lady bits bubbled on around me.
‘There’s a cure for that.’ I finally announced (because if the internet says it, then it must be true).
‘Yes,’ piped up Jo, the blonde bombshell at the far end of the ward, ‘it’s Dick.’
Explosions of laughter.
The nurses came running at the sudden cacophony, and probably a good job that they did because there were stitches and staples straining from the hilarity of it all. Fortunately, nobody ripped at the seams.
I told the Musketeers about Hot Doctor – the surgeon who’d broken the news of the severity of my injury and had performed my surgery.
Let’s just say, when he first popped his head around my curtain, well… I usually have a rule about not going weak at the knees over a man, but if my knees hadn’t already been weak, I would have been at high risk of breaking my own rule. If there are silver linings to spinal injury, one of mine was being treated by someone so distractingly handsome. As it happens, he was also really, really nice. And I suppose it was kinda handy that he turned out to be a talented surgeon.
Vicki had the same doctor and was pretty sure that he had the cure to the numb fannies epidemic.
Dr. Dick.
More laughter.
The women who hadn’t met him were intrigued. Just how handsome was he?
Forget Dr. Doug Ross, I told them. Standing next to Mr Clooney, I’m afraid old George just wouldn’t make the cut.
Forget Mc Dreamy and Mc Steamy. Go straight to Mc Creamy.
But there was something a little too raw about those kind of nicknames for the man who had, among all of his revelations that day, also broken the news of potential sexual dysfunction. (Never mind all of the other levels on which objectifying your surgeon is completely wrong.)
So ‘Hot Doctor’ it was.
And as we popped the extra painkillers that our giggled-out bodies demanded, we knew we weren’t alone on the journeys ahead.
You are some woman Ruth, love reading your blog! You are so strong, and have an amazing sense of humour in a time of real challenge. I hope Dr Dick pops
Well hopefully he won’t pop completely!! 😀
Thanks Fi. Look forward to a proper catch up soon
Sending positive thoughts and good wishes Ruth – Patrick & Siobhan Flynn x
Thanks Siobhán – And congrats on yer new arrival (I know it’s been a while but I haven’t seen ye since).
God Bless you Ruth! We’re sending our thoughts & prayers from Canada.
Thank you Dawn
Big hugs Ruth. Praying for you. X
Much Appreciated Helen. Hope you’re well. x
Loving this!! Keep laughing x ps an auld whats app pic of that doctor wouldn’t go unappreciated
Now just wait until Mr. Dolan sees that. Tut tut.
(Don’t worry, you’ll be the first one to get it )
Best wishes from Cork, Ruth!!! Stay positive!!! Xxx
Well Hello old friend! Thanks for getting in touch. Much appreciated. Hope you and all the family are well. X
Amazing I look on those days with fondness and fun much love my friend… Vicki.. P. S the fanny work well.. I am yet to try it out fully hehe hehe.. Vicki xxx
Hahaha… Thanks for all the laughter. You are a legend. Hope you get to make full use of it soon
Much love
That you may find much strenght through the tough times ahead
Many thanks Siobhán
Wishing you a speedy recovery xx
Thanks Louise
Wishing you a speedy recovery Ruth,
Thanks Niamh
You’re amazing Ruthie! Stay strong and positive. Chat soon. Lotsa love x
Thanks Hun. And thanks for your lovely message earlier. Miss you loads. Love to the family
You are an inspiration Ruth. Love your brutal honesty and positivity outlook despite what life has thrown in your way xx
Thanks Mia. Lovely to hear from you. Hope you’re keeping well. x
Loving the positivity Ruth, wishing you a speedy recovery x
Thanks Leon. Hope you’re well
Ruth. You are so talented and strong. Sending you ALL of the good vibes. Hols xxx
Thanks Hols x