PHOTO PRAYER 2024-03 —
I was working too much and needed a break. Workaholics like me don’t take breaks, so God, seeing my need, gave me two. Today, eight days after my fall, Dr. Sowa and his talented crew set the two broken metatarsals of my left hand back in place. I am now taking the break from work I needed.
I had tried to climb a very steep hill to take a photo. It would have been a wonderful photo, full of Good Friday symbolism. We will never know because I didn’t get up that hill. It wasn’t that tall a hill but it was very steep. I didn’t get down that hill either, not without going horizontal. My left hand, more than my right hand, more than my knees, broke my fall. My ego was only slightly bruised.
Thank you left hand. You made the sacrifice. And on behalf of that limb, thank you doctor, nurses, and all who support your work. Thank you wife and friends, for your care. I hope you all take a break when you need it.
X-Ray of author’s left hand the day he broke it in two places. Photo and text copyright 2024 by Danny Nelson Schweers.
Comments
Best first. All are posted here to remind me that I am one among many, five of whom recommend Dr. Sowa.
Rebecca M.
Enjoy your time away from work. Did the hand break on a bike. Most recent — trimming trees off roof of my house and ladder went to and I went fro — broken tibia. Now bionic 2-inch metal plate from under knee to above ankle. Could have been a worse outcome. Still can dance! Interesting for me [as a nurse] being on the helped side instead of the helping side. Heal swiftly😎
Scott S.
Did this falling back while carrying in firewood. Had it been any other break, would have been six weeks. Instead, it was three months. “Snuffbox”…scaphoid break that took three weeks to diagnose properly. Happy healing. Not good to lose a hand.
Tom D.
Sorry about your fall, Danny. I’m dealing with a sprained back after a vertebra compression fracture has long since healed. The injury was due to a fall when I was photographing in August. Yes, our hobby can be dangerous! I’m walking with more caution now, and that’s a good thing. Enjoy the rest!
Cindy T.
Best wishes for repair and healing! I love Dr. Sowa. To date, he’s done 7 surgeries on my hands and shoulders, and another possible/pending one after some testing later this month. He’s the best or I wouldn’t keep coming back for more! 🤭🤭🤭 I’ve had ongoing health issues for over 30 years so it becomes just another day to deal with. It slows me down, but never stops me and I just keep moving forward. I joke and say that every day is like Christmas, because when I wake up, I never know what to expect! Good choice with Dr. Sowa!
James S.
So good you took such a break and not what could have been, often unfortunately is, so much WORSE. How heroic of yourself to take such risks in the name of your art! Speaking of artful construction, how about the design of the hand?
Tom D.
Sorry about your fall, Danny. I’m dealing with a sprained back after a vertebra compression fracture has long since healed. The injury was due to a fall when I was photographing in August. Yes, our hobby can be dangerous! I’m walking with more caution now, and that’s a good thing. Enjoy the rest!
Bob H.
I see they left your wedding ring on. It probably would have been painful to take it off. Maybe they did take it off later. I hope your hand heals swiftly and surely, as good as new.
[Danny repled — The X-ray was taken within an hour of my fall, at the local urgent care facility. The bone doctor’s assistant got the ring off my swollen finger quite neatly four days later with a piece of string cleverly wrapped around the ring.]
Faye G. wrote:
OUCH DANNY! That must have hurt like a sunny beach! Maybe God is telling you to slow down — He does not always talk so distinctly. As for me – He reminds me that I am not in charge and neither are the folks in DC or Florida or Georgia and definitely Texas. Or at least that is what I hear when I get bent out of shape or my B/p goes sky high. Actually my b/p does not go sky high anymore but my heart does skip a couple of beats here and there. And that means new meds — Boring!!! Listen to your wife and the hand orthopedic physician!
Anne L.
I pray you heal completely and pay attention to Dr’s orders. Dr. Sowa is the best – he also operated on my left thumb since I ruptured it.
Jeffrey R.
Oh no! Enjoy your break! Oops, sorry I meant I hope that you’re feel better soon and back in one piece.
Audrey C.
Dear Danny, I am sorry you had to get a break in this way but reading about it gave me a big LOL this morning at your expense but all in love❤️ PS…Karter says Hello, get better soon‼️ 🥀
Pat S.
So sorry this happened to you! May you heal quickly.
Ernestine B-W.
God Bless You and Wife and Doctors for a relaxing and safe recovery. Peace, Love and Blessings 🙏😘❤️
Mary L.
Oh Danny. Sorry to hear about your break. I love your rueful acceptance tempered w curiosity and philosophical humor. Hang in there.
Ann R.
Ouch!! Poor you! Heal well. Wish we were indestructible but we are so not. Hang in there-at least no metal pins I hope. [Yes, two pins.]
Susan S.
Thanks for the fascinating photo of your hand. It’s amazingly complex which makes me wonder why we don’t break the bones in our palm more often. Enjoy your healthy right hand and knees!
Alice and Buck S.
What a wonderful way to incorporate your accident into your photo prayer. Hope you heal quickly. Alice and Buck
Alice and Buck S.
What a wonderful way to incorporate your accident into your photo prayer. Hope you heal quickly.
Susan C.
What beautiful news. Hope you don’t hurt too much. Poor Guy! God bless thee.
Terry P.
Ouch… I am so sorry for your accident. Remember (as I’m sure you know), all God’s creatures break something, sometime. Those that don’t, don’t get the benefit from having the experience and growing from it. You probably don’t need this philosophy right now; but, on the other hand, from what you have created with your work giving so many of us a clearer, more refreshing view of God’s world … maybe these words will help your healing. Nice to have friends – particularly good friends – isn’t it? Well, you have no one to blame… except yourself (for all your good work, caring, and sharing with so many of us)! I can ‘hear’ God saying: “nice job, Danny. Get well soon.”
Royster H.
Danny, so sorry about your fall and the broken metatarsals. I understand well the slightly bruised ego. Take your time and heal well. Prayers for your healing and some stress-relieving deep breaths.
John J.
WHOH! WOW! Can’t wait for the longer essay! Hope you are doing ok!
Marti L.
Awwwww, Danny! So sorry about your fall! God always knows when we need to slow down & rest w-a-a-y before we know it ourselves, doesn’t He?!? Please take care of yourself! Prayers for a complete recovery! 🙏🙏
John McK.
Take care of yourself, Danny. Get better soon!
Alice V. E.
You had a reminder of our universal human mortality. Reminder sent with love by the Holy Spirit?? I sometimes need to reminder, too. Sigh.
Burley M.
Sorry to hear about your hard lesson. Take lots of breaks but no bone breaking.
Anne K.
You and your dear left hand are in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you have a quick, complete recovery.
Christine K.
Glad to hear you’re on the path to recovery!!! Oh dear, I know I’ve taken some risks to get photos and you always just hope for the best!
Jim J.
So sorry. Get well!
Elizabeth R.
So sorry to hear you hurt yourself. Get Well!
Mary C M.
May you heal quickly and completely.
Van R.
Glad it’s not any worse Danny. Heal up quickly!
Ann J-M.
Ouch 🤕, wishing you a swift recovery. ❤️🩹
Elaine H.
Take care Danny. Rest up!
Jon L.
Dang! Glad you’re on the mend. Falls get scary at our age.
Cookie O.
Jiminy! So sorry. Best wishes for your recovery
Holly B. W.
I used to refer patients to Dr. Sowa! He’s great.
Jan W.
Praying for a speedy healing!🙏
Rosie C.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Danny. Prayers for a quick recovery!
Denis O’R.
Dr. Sowa is the BEST! Good luck with recovery Danny.
Nina M,
Not knowing about the broken hand I asked myself why is Danny having an X-ray done if his wedding band?
Carol K. M.
Let the official healing begin! Re-alignment. In so many ways…..☺️
Melissa P-J.
Take care! And enjoy your “break”. 😜
Shari G. P.
Ow!
Anne G.
So sorry this happened Danny. Rest and lots of it is the long term remedy for broken anything. I agree Dr. Sowa is the best!
Barbara C.
I hope you feel better soon!❤️
Rick B.
Gotta remember that we ain’t spring chickens anymore. The old adage, “We ain’t spring chicken no more” is alive and well. Speedy recovery! 👍
Laura W.
Hope your recovery goes well. I am happy to say I am not a workaholic, I take beaks a lot ….. maybe that’s why I never finish anything …. just kidding
Michelle L.
So sorry to hear it Danny! Hope it heals quickly. I admire your attitude!
Michelle H.
Ouch Danny! Sending thoughts of rest and recovery.
Mary L. E.
Praying for you!
Delia C.
Yikes brother!! A few more breaks and you’ll catch up with me and your wife!
Craig S. wrote:
So now we finally get to see the real Danny…..! Aren’t x-rays wonderful? Except for the event that caused their need. But they reveal a deeper us, hidden, implacable, uncontestable, permanent, and somehow foreign.. Wow, thats ME? So sorry about your recent medical mishaps. I’ve found this past year or two particularly challenging… things that used to go away just don’t anymore. Each morning is a new challenge. But if i ever get feeling sorry for myself i think of the millions of others on this planet… some friends… who have it worse than i, and i experience some gratitude….. Get well soon, my friend…and remember, there’s nothing more dangerous than manual labor!!
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