Wednesday 21th September – fetch it yourself mom Dr says you’re okay
23 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Words Tags: deferred pain
The restful 6 week recovery period is over and I no longer have any excuses as the Dr has given me a thumbs up. I’m going to have to start making coffee for my husband again and I can just hear my kids saying “you can fetch it yourself mom – you need the exercise.”
Farewell to friends and family popping in to check on me cos I’m back to work! Back to the real world and earning a living.
I’ve got tendon’s pulling from the pelvis to my lower back and inner knee which Dr says is deferred pain. It’s all normal and it will sort itself out. I could say “deferred pain my ass”, but that would be anatomically correct so the impact is lost!
Monday 20th September – Broken bum still brings tears to the eyes
20 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Words Tags: Bum, health, physiotherapy
On sunny Sunday morning I woke up with a pain in my bum that brought tears to my eyes. I have no idea why, as I didn’t do anything extra ordinarily demanding the day before. I managed to complete 30 laps in a 25m pool, but I put a float between my knees to prevent me using my legs. I’m still using crutches when I know I need to walk far and around the house I’m trying very hard not to limp too much as it pulls all sorts of other muscles out of place like back muscles etc.
All things considered there was no obvious reason for the pain so I surrendered took an anti-inflammatory & pain killer and felt better within the hour. The only lesson I can take from this is…’when it befuddles you, take drugs’.
I’m seeing the orthopaedic surgeon on Tuesday and soon after that have my first physiotherapist appointment (assuming of course I get the go-ahead from the Doc) Woo Hoo! I can’t wait! I’ve got a list of questions the length of my arm and I’m itching to start stretching and using my right leg. Funny thing is when I told a friend about the upcoming physio session her first reaction was “oh shame you’re going to be so sore afterwards.” I hadn’t even thought of that. Either I’m dumb or stupidly positive, it doesn’t really matter either way because the only way to full recovery is through physio, focus and physical exertion.
Another friend of mine has been recovering from pneumonia on top of measles on top on hepatitis. She got sick a week before I was knocked down on Women’s Day and is also still feeling out-of-sorts and not on top of the world. We exchanged war stories this morning and frankly I’d rather have a broken pelvis – at least I can drink wine!
The point is when you’re healthy and strong you don’t think about it. It is only when you’re ill or injured that we truly appreciate health.
The trick is to spend time watching your health, but just as much time enjoying it!
Tuesday 13th September – Don’t take life too seriously; No one gets out alive
14 Sep 2010 1 Comment
in Words Tags: achievement, Cycling accident, learn, purpose, Recovery, Waltz
Yesterday was the start of the 6th week of recovery. *whoop whoop* I decided to go into work driving Gavin’s automatic to celebrate and show em whatigot. The what-a-lot-i-got didn’t get a lot.
I took the kids to school with huge cheers and woots at my ability to drive again. I showedem that my chair is indeed need for replacement and that sitting for longer than 30 mins is eina. I showedem that I can stand at my desk doing emails and I also showedem how to leave the office before 12 to go home and recover. I think my body went into tilt and the ‘gameover’ screen came up.
My mother’s house is halfway between the office and home and I felt so suddenly weary that I pulled into her driveway announcing “Mom please make me tea I need to lie down.” I love mothers – unconditional love is a beautiful thing. My mom has been especially wonderful since the accident and I’m so grateful that she has been around.
I’ve been told by a many that I need to wait a full 6 weeks before resuming play. I desperately wanted to beat that deadline, but the rules of anatomy seem to winning this contest. Today was definitely doing the waltz again. One step forward in the morning and two back in the afternoon.
I need to work towards a full recovery and push otherwise I don’t know where the limits are……..I found them yesterday! Tomorrow’s limits will be different.
I repeat – this cycling accident was a gift, and the lessons can be applied to life in general. If you do not have something to work towards then you get locked into doing the same thing every day without a sense of purpose. Below is taken from motivator Johan Cambell’s newsletter (http://www.motivate.co.za)
“Then when something happens that stops you from doing what you always do you get stuck not knowing what to do. Trying to open the door that has just closed all too often gets a loud complaint about how unfair life is. So much energy is given to what you have “lost” that you fail to see the open doors all around you. Because you have got used to doing what you do, you feel that if you can’t do it anymore then there is nothing else that you can do.
Develop a sense of purpose for your life, realise that what you now do is a way of achieving your purpose, merely a way not the only way. Become flexible in your approach to life. Ask “what else can I do?” rather than “why me?” then when one door closes go and knock on the next one, secure in the belief that “When one door closes another always opens”.
This is exactly what has happened to me. In 5 short weeks the business has had to cope without me and while that door has closed another has opened. I have a purpose and that has given me a new direction in all aspects of my existance. Isn’t life just fabulous!
Friday 10th September – “You can’t hire someone else to do your push ups for you”- Jim Rohn
10 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Words Tags: acceptance, control, gratitude, reality, Recovery
In order for me continue the recovery process I’ve got to stop the meds, start stretching muscles, dress the scars, eat properly and start walking on the gammy right hand side. No-one else can do this for me. I can’t delegate the tasks and it doesn’t help me if I don’t do them. The teenagers of today would say “this sucks-ass” which is the most revolting saying and is totally banned in my house….but I can relate to how it conveys a message! (which is why I’m told they use it – I just love teenagers)
Here’s the challenge:-
- I don’t want to give up the sleeping tabs – they keep me still whilst sleeping so that I don’t move into silly positions at night.
- I don’t want to stretch – it’s a horrible feeling and I’m so stiff its embarrassing.
- I don’t want to eat properly – what good is getting all the ‘get well’ chocolates if you can’t devour them? (Actually I’m surprised I haven’t chunked on a lot more weight as I am sedentary at the moment)
- I don’t want to walk without crutches - it feels yucky and bum cramps are very uncomfortable
- I’m off the meds (mostly) – which I miss because the brain-fog is such a happy and calm place to be.
Oh reality thy vixen how thy doest torture me!
Just as Michael J Fox says in his book ‘ A funny thing happened on the way to the future’ when he talks about his Parkinson’s disease “you learn very quickly what you can control and what you can’t control. The only answer it to accept it.”
I’m trying to follow MJF’s principles of acceptance and gratitude every day. {and at this point I hear Yoda’s voice loud and clear saying “Do or do not, there is no try” – or it that Gavin’s voice I hear? He says this so often to the children that I hear him too!}
Wednesday 8th September – my crutches are becoming a crutch
08 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Words Tags: Crutches, hematoma, keloids, scar management
Bye crutch, hello keloids
I took my first step without crutches yesterday and was filled with pride and fear at the same time. The Doctor said “listen to your body, let pain be your guide.” Fear of pain is a powerful thing, so I need a crutch!
Moving and walking is no longer a searing pain. I now experience full blown contractions of all my muscles and tendons in the general area which is extremely uncomfortable and feels like a serious cramp. I’m guessing I’ve got to work through this so it’s time to progress to one crutch only. Bye-bye crutch #1, your sister will be joining you in the closet soon.
Now that all the scabs have gone I’ve got 2 hematomas and 5 keloids to nurse. How lucky am I!
A Hematoma is a pocket or localised collection of blood usually in liquid form within the tissue. My hematomas on my cheek bone and elbow have formed into hard masses under the surface of the skin. The good news is Doctor says no need to cut them out and they should be reabsorbed by the body within 3 months. No sun, loads of water and’ be kind to your body’ are the instructions. (alcohol, cigarettes and chocolate were in that hint somewhere)
Most scars will gradually fade and improve with time, but my keloids – which are tough, irregularly shaped scars – will progressively enlarge, so this hereditary curse requires stringent scar management. It is a long process of continuously stimulating blood to the scarred areas, keeping the scarred skin supported using microporous tape and then feeding the skin with expensive miracle creams that align the collagen and feed the dermis and ‘stuff’. I have a choice between daily fussing over dressings or large pinky-purple baubles on my face, knees, hand and ankle.
I’ve opted for the fussing.
Monday 6th September – Ever tried one legged breast stroke?
06 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Words Tags: first training session, swimming
My first training session exactly four weeks after A-Day (accident day). I was elegantly lowered into the pool by hubby on the right and son on the left – slowly all the way down till my feet touched the swimming pool floor.
Have you ever tried swimming breast stroke with one leg, or crawl with no legs? It’s a lot slower than normal and just downright weird. The natural tendency, especially in crawl, is to kick with both legs and I knew immediately that it was not a good idea just yet.
I didn’t want to overdo it, mainly because my arms and shoulders are starting to take strain from the increased mobility on the crutches, so 15 laps of a 25m pool – arms only – was good enough for me on the first day. I must admit to being totally bushed and ravenous afterwards!
Let’s see what tomorrow holds.
Monday 6 September – I don’t think you understand
06 Sep 2010 1 Comment
in Words Tags: bone repair, Bum, Cycling accident, frustration, learn, pelvis, soft tissue damage, truth
We have a family tradition where we share our high’s and low’s for the week at Sunday dinner. All my kids have seen my accident as a ‘high’ especially Page who has loved having more mom time. How can it be a high?!
Clearly my frustration and pain is not fully understood because a friend asked me on Friday last week “So are you off the crutches yet? Surely you’re not in pain any longer?” I don’t think you understand….
It’s been a week since my last blog post purely because after saying “ I’m feeling strong” last Monday I couldn’t find much else positive to say. The truth is:-
- I’m really tired of asking for help (and believe me, so are my children – I can hear their eye’s rolling when I call!)
- Not even being able to fill the kettle and make myself a cup of tea is getting to me (although less sugar in my diet has had some reward)
- Being unable to bear any weight on my right leg is really tiresome
* remember I can’t hop or swing my leg freely. The pelvis is not strapped together in any way so keeping my bones in place is not done by a plaster cast, I have to keep it all aligned without placing too much pressure on either side of the pelvis. It is a constant struggle and a never-ending learning curve of what works and doesn’t* - It’s easier to grin-and-bear-it rather than ask AGAIN for help or move yourself and endure the physical struggle/discomfort
- Having both my pubis and bum bone uncomfortable does not a happy chappy make as it’s both back and front so no escape missy
- The bones are not grating anymore, but soft tissue discomfort is still debilitating
So here’s the good news – this week I start training! *woop woop* I’ve been told swimming will be good and I’m keen to try.
The logistics of taking a simple swim are interesting. Getting into the pool should be as easy as a controlled belly flop. Getting out of the pool without the ability to put any weight on my right leg or for that matter hop up the stairs is a challenge. I also can’t just pull up onto the side and flop on my bum. I think asking one of those buff weight training dude’s to haul me out may be a plan. Hehe.
Oh and to my children – I’m thinking of ways to create more mommy time, I’ve got to go back to being economically active soon.
