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.
Tuesday 24th August 2010 – Apparently I’m waltzing
24 Aug 2010 3 Comments
in Words Tags: Argus cycle race, bone repair, inflammation, pelvis ring, re-injury, soft tissue damage, Waltz
I had my two week check up today and was told by the Dr that recuperation is like doing the waltz:- two steps forward and one step back. Today is a step forward day, especially since I’ve been given more drugs!
The frightening thing is that I’ve got a couple of things to look forward to in terms of the physiology of bone repair:
3 week mark – I’ll feel like I can move a little more. Apparently pain is a neurological reflex designed to inhibit movement. Mobilisation too early can result in slow healing as excessive movement restarts unnecessary inflammation.
Having said that, “inflammation is a normal and necessary pre- requisite to healing, so feel free to move and exercise within your pain limits but expect that step back the following day.” Oh goodie!
6 month mark – Because the pelvis ring serves as a conduit for nerves and blood vessels and is a base to which leg muscles are attached, a pelvic fracture can cause significant soft tissue damage. I “should feel mostly normal by 6 months and will definitely be able to do the Argus cycle race”. Well that’s good news, but what does ‘mostly normal’ mean?!
When can I drive? “When is it safe that you will not risk re-injury, and when is it safe for you to return to the road and not risk injuring those around you.” My mom will definitely say the latter will never happen.
On the whole, I’m a happi chappi and looking forward to the next ‘step forward’ day.
