Returning to the UK - Broken Bones, Airports and Bruises

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 lifting cabin up to the plane and the service was great, I can't fault it at either airport. I carried my X-rays by hand to avoid folding them- just the essentials!


The assistance was the same when landing in Heathrow and so I highly commend the airports for their service. It was now time to get some well earned zzzz in my own bed and becoming accustomed to hobbling round the house on crutches. I have to say I soon realised how limiting it was having a broken leg- unable to carry food or drinks between rooms etc. However a knapsack and hot drink flask solution came to the rescue.

I have had nothing put on my leg, no cast or boot, so it is left without any protection (pretty daunting and chair legs under the table are the devil you have to dodge!). I'm pretty sure people looking at me think I'm faking it! So here it is straight after surgery......


I was surprised by the limited stitches, which are relatively small when you consider what they had to do. It was very bruised and swollen, and no three weeks later the bruising has gone from the top but some remains underneath and has moved to my foot.

So I flew back with my leg like this and despite being upgraded to BA Business Class (for my first time), I was actually wearing some subtle pyjama bottoms as they were the only clothing that would fit (don't tell anyone! I really know how to travel in style....). I arrived back on a Monday and on the Wednesday, after much deliberating the best approach, went to my local Urgent Care Centre. I'm glad I did this as they could take their own digital X-rays and was then referred to an Orthopaedic Dr for the following Monday. So I carried my X-rays back so carefully to no avail! Anyway, a keepsake for the archive.... The nurses removed the staples from the stitches and then arranged a check up appointment for 6 weeks time. So here I am on crutches, nearing 4 weeks after the accident!

I hope this has provided some information on what to expect when returning back from an accident abroad! So now the clock starts ticking on the recovery count down....... I'll keep you posted!

LTL
x

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