Being a Flight Attendant is a very physical job. We push, we pull, we cram, we strain, we lift, we rest while bitching to each other and repeat. Then there's turbulence, runaway carts, and passengers' flying elbows. So it's inevitable, that at some point in your career- your going up getting injured. Getting injured sucks. For all the obvious physical reasons, but it also sucks because working on the ground compromises all that amazing flexible free time, that we flight attendants love.
In early March, I hurt myself walking up the bridge of an airport when the wheels of my suitcase got stuck under a piece of metal. I hadn't realized that my wheels were caught I just thought I needed more momentum to get over the "lip" of the bridge. I turned around and gave it an almighty pull with my left arm. OUCH!! In that moment I felt a ripping/searing pain go through my chest on the left, my left shoulder all the way down to the tips of my fingers. I wondered for a moment if my arm was still attached- (it was!), but I was in a world of pain. I continued on for the next two days trying not to use my left arm too much but without being a burden on the rest of my crew. Thankfully I was working with one of the nicest, funniest, and caring crew members I have ever met- let's call her "MoMo". Thank God for her. She covered for me on flights when my arm started getting sore from pushing and pulling the trolley's around. By the time I got back to base I was finished, in every sense of the word. I filed my paperwork with my company, went to see a supervisor, and have been nursing my injury ever since.
After numerous doctors appointments and x-rays, I'm back at work on light duties. I work at the airport a couple days a week, timing the arrivals and departures of flights.
I miss the camaraderie of being in the galley with the crew. I miss (even the domestic) travel. I miss just being on the plane!
However, I love having been home every night. I love having home cooked food every night, and my BED my precious BED! Nothing can beat sleeping in your own bed.
On the upside, i've been trying to manage with the weakness in my left hand by taking up knitting. It has been really fun learning a new skill... even if I am slowly feeling more and more like a 26 year old turning 70!
Life on the ground has it's ups and downs... right now I'm trying to focus on the positive to keep my sanity!
:)
