Help Me Solve This

[ricevermicelli]

I will be coming to Arisia this year with surgical drains. I'll have tubes running from my armpit, to bulbs of fluids that came out of me. Surgical drains make me absolutely, non-negotiably, untouchable. At the stage of post-surgical I will be at Arisia, I am probably not even supposed to lift the children. I will probably do that anyway, but I am not prepared to make other exceptions.

Last time I had to deal with these, I mostly wound up tucking the bulbs in my pockets, because if I shove my drains in my pockets, I can still wear my Superman shirt. One person mistook them for a hip flask once. I have considered some outfits that would leave the tubing totally visible, but the worst thing that could possibly happen would be someone yanking at the tubing because they assume it's part of a costume.

Not everyone reads this thing. Is there a way, in this crowd, to declare oneself untouchable without sounding cutesy (and therefore unserious) about it, or opening the question for argument?

(For those of you who want to know: This is the fallout from surgery to replace a leaking pectoral expander. It is neither the removal of more cancer, nor a finished reconstruction. Neither bad news nor good news. I hear tell that I'm probably cancer free these days, but we're doing radiation anyway, once I'm better from surgery and the expander is all the way expanded.)

Comments

[chalgaryn.livejournal.com]

What about putting your arm in a sling? It would be a clear signal to not touch that side of your body, and it would keep your arm in a protective position over the drain. Bonus: easy program storage pouch :-)

[zathrus.livejournal.com]

I second this; T wore his sling outside of the house long after we were comfortable leaving it off at home, precisely because it sends an immediate and unmistakable "don't touch me!" message. A physical therapist friend of ours has her cane-using patients take their canes with them in public as long as there is any hint of instability for similar reasons; it serves as a big, automatically-read "don't bump me" sign.

Of course, slings are annoying and sometimes unsightly, as I am finding right now (messed up my shoulder somehow), but maybe you can choose to wear it on your non-dominant side, and you can remove it whenever it seems more annoying than helpful.

Newt

[roozle.livejournal.com]

This is what I first thought of, especially if you wear it on the side that provides a little extra cover for the tubes etc?

[quueer.livejournal.com]

I think you should have adorable little business cards made up that explain what's going on so you can hand out to anybody who approaches for a hug.

... ;-)

[coraline]

frankly, the chemo-hair or headcovering look will probably assist in notifying people that this is a medical condition and not costuming.

michael suggests that you carry a large stick, which you can threaten people with if they attempt to encroach. i second this motion.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

Would wire wings that extend out past your sides help? They might be a physical deterrent from anybody being able to touch your sides. Of course, they may also make it hard to get around in crowded corridors. ;-)

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

How about a very large spiked collar, or a shirt with spikes on? Nothing sends the "I don't want to be touched kthx" message like big pointy metal objects aimed at the delicate parts.

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

In my experience, those actually say "touch me, I'm kinky." And I have taken people's hands off for that shit, but it might be counterproductive, not to mention difficult.

[blk]

I'm pondering how I would approach it and I'm afraid I can't come up with anything better than some kind of clothing or shirt that has some kind of "DELICATE SCIENCE IN PROGRESS: DO NOT TOUCH" message on it in big easy-to-read letters, otherwise I would probably be nervously reminding EVERYBODY WHO CAME NEAR ME "pleasedonottouchmeormywiring" and would not be able to enjoy any kind of party where I came within arm's reach of more than like three people.

Anyways, if that suggestion helps, take it, otherwise just know one more person read this and will know to handle with care if I see you.

[tpau]

you could just type up a sign and pin it to your back. it is not cutsey or anythign just the facts ma'am...

(i am gonna be a week into radiation at Arisa, can i find you and compare some notes?)

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

I haven't had any radiation yet. We can totally compare notes.