Christmas in a Cast

My festive shopping was interrupted by my lack of mobility. I couldn't hop up or down steps on my crutches (fear of over doing it and not being allowed to put my foot down was a real mental hurdle that I couldn't overcome). I was going up and down the stairs on my bum - limited to one journey each way in a day. I couldn't carry anything and spent most of my time in bed or sat with my leg up.

I really missed the 'feeling' of Christmas, the last minute shopping, buying and decorating the tree, visiting friends and relatives. I wasn't sat at home alone as I am staying at my parents who are retired, have a downstairs loo and kindly offered to look after me.

Now you would think being waited on hand and foot would be a blessing, but in reality its a chore, you feel guilty for asking too often, angry at having to repeat yourself and embarrassed asking for help with things of a personal nature.

The worst thing was not having a bath or a shower, I spent six weeks getting washed sat on the loo seat, and having my hair washed with my head hanging over the arm of the sofa, while mum tried not to drown me or the floor.

I managed to keep in good spirits throughout the festive period, the pain was bearable with the help of Paracetamol and Tramadol and I got used to watching daytime TV: Why is it all retail and antiques by the way??

Pink Cast with 'toe' sock

After three weeks I went back to the hospital where they replaced my cast with a light weight bright pink one, my foot had to be pushed up to 90 degrees in the new cast, which took two people and a lot of grimacing on my part. Another 3 weeks no weight bearing. The first few days in the new cast were really painful as were the last week or so in the previous, I suspect this is because the pot is too tight or too lose on the leg.

Finally after 6 weeks I was freed from the plaster and without so much as a support bandage sent on my way. I wasn't even sent for physio - I have to admit how disappointed I am by the NHS outpatient care at Huddersfield RI, it seems obvious to me after dislocating your ankle, breaking both leg bones, and not putting your leg down for 6 weeks that walking is not going to just happen.

So after another 2 weeks off work, despite progressing to putting some weight on my leg and using crutches for support, I felt like things were just taking too long, and fear of doing something wrong meant I wasn't sure how hard to push myself.

I went to the GP who was very sympathetic and referred me to physio, checked I had enough pain medication and gave me another 2 weeks off work (she said if I wanted any more to ring up and she would send me a new note in the post - that is more like the service I expect from the NHS).

I am half way through that period now and I have made some progress on my own: I have managed to walk a few very slow and unsteady steps without crutches in the house; yesterday I managed to go up the house steps on crutches instead of my bum. Going down is still too scary, brings back horrific memories of the original fall.

I do wonder whether you should be offered some kind of mental therapy after an accident like this, to make you overcome the barriers you build to 'protect' yourself from a repeat incident.

I went into work today for a meeting, had to get a lift 'cause I can't drive. I am now sat with my leg up trying not to complain too much about the sharp stinging pain and dull aching throb that is surrounding my ankle and lower leg - I am annoyed at this set back as I didn't walk that far, I was using crutches all day and I avoided steps.

I am off to bed now with some painkillers, think I will be using the bum method tonight !