Posts

The Beginning - Hello and Welcome

Hello and Welcome So 3 weeks ago I was skiing in France and broke my leg. Frustratingly, I was skiing on a blue run in good conditions but my skis crossed and the rest is history. I won't go into the detail but a broken Tibia and Fibular is not a pleasant feeling. Anyway big thank you to the rescue team and fortunately I was carrying my EHIC card which helped ease the hospitalisation process. I recently read online that the average human breaks '2' bones in their lifetime. Having already broken both bones in my lower arm at a younger age, I'm now at the 4 mark and really hoping that's me done. I can only attribute this to being tall and having long limbs... As for my recent accident, it was all very dramatic being taken off the mountain and my first thoughts were 'I'll never ski again'. We will see on this one but I'm optimistic and can only understand how I feel when I'm fully recovered. However, now back in the UK, my attention has turne

1 Month Since Injury - How To Remain Positive and Things to Do

Image
Today marks one month since my accident and the ensuing broken leg debacle... and I can't believe how quick it has gone! I feel this marks a big tick in the box for recovery and a milestone for recovery. I am still sat here with my leg up but I haven't let this be the case for the full month. I think it is important to keep your mind entertained and so have been fortunate to venture out on a few 'day' trips... although even a few hours out of the house now seems like a big excursion. I thought I would write about how I've been able to get out and about a little bit over the past few weeks. It is far too easy to focus on what you are not ale to do (running, cycling...going out and having a boogie!)... whatever your interests are. Yet as each week passes it becomes easier to focus your attention on what you are able to do, or at least make arrangements to try and get out and about somewhat. My mum had the idea of hiring a wheelchair from our local accessibility

Returning to the UK - Broken Bones, Airports and Bruises

Image
After spending 5 days in French Hospital, I was finally discharged and able to fly home! This in itself was quite an adventure. I hope this post provides an insight to travelling after a broken bone operation and also what to expect when returning to the UK. Or at least my approach to transitioning to UK healthcare. I feel this process was a bit of a black hole as you are discharged and waved 'Au Revoir' from France, but to no immediate assistance in the UK i.e. no check up appointments booked in! Here I am waiting to board at a lovely 'haven' we found in Geneva Airport, where we could hang out away from the hustle of the departures lounge. The 'Le Chef' restaurant found upstairs before going through security. Luckily I managed to get special assistance in both Geneva and Heathrow airport. After checking our bags in, I was given a wheelchair and then a porter helped take me through a different security check (i.e. no queues!). We had to take the liftin

Ski Injury - A Broken Leg in France - Intramedullary Rod

Image
As a current broken leg sufferer, I seem to have become accustomed to viewing other people's x-rays on the internet. Surprisingly when it happened, I couldn't bring myself to even look at my own until my Graham Norton look-a-like anesthetist held it up in front of my very eyes right before going into theatre. By that point I was being knocked out so couldn't comment. Anyway I thought I would include the X-rays here so **Warning** Graphic content below if you are not a fan. To set the scene, my holiday went from this.......                                             to this............. There's nothing quite as adventurous as a skiing accident. After I'd fallen, my journey began with a Skidoo ride, then a helicopter ride off the mountain (only caught a snippet of the views as I was laid down) and an ambulance to the medical centre. What a way to travel- if only I could have enjoyed it! Fortunately I had taken out an extra insurance on my ski pass (Snow R