Training: 2/10/07 - Busted Bazza!!

[bazza]

For those that were wondering what happened to the fella that keeled over during last nights training....

Suspected ruptured achilles tendon.

Sounds worse than it is!!
I've never experienced anything like that, with the massive 'TWANG!' when it went - summed up by the fella next to me saying, "was that your leg?", as I then keeled over.

4hrs in A&E, and I'm in a cast (toes to below-knee).
They (Hosp. staff) want to play it conservatively - which means the cast is on until a week Monday, then they have another look, and see if I'm healing, or if surgery is the way forward.

On the plus side, the X-Ray was clean, and I'm now under Dr's orders to rest, put my foot up - presumably on the sofa with some movies and PS3/Xbox.

I tried to get some 'what if's out of them, and it would seem that either way I'll be having physio, and looking at 6-8 weeks before I'm 'normal'.

The charge nurse  at A&E told me that football and cricket were the most dangerous sports "a man of my age" could play. I don't play either, so that's me okay then.

[odds]

You were there for 4 hours in the end? I thought they were patching you up at 10.30?

Your bike has been locked up in the club house as well mate, give me a call and we can sort out getting it back to you.

Hope I didn't let you down in my 'nursing' mate lol!

Hope you get better soon.

Odds

[Zim]

Sorry for your injury!  Hope to see ya back soon.

[bazza]

You were there for 4 hours in the end? I thought they were patching you up at 10.30?

Your bike has been locked up in the club house as well mate, give me a call and we can sort out getting it back to you.

Hope I didn't let you down in my 'nursing' mate lol!

Hope you get better soon.

Odds

Hmmmm... maybe it wasn't quite 4hrs. Felt like it!
I think I called you just before the cast was going on.

I'm sure I didn't get in the flat until just before midnight.

My best bud (who did his ankle in when we were last mountain-biking in S.Wales!!) came round last night with beers and Halo 3. So, it's not all bad!!

Speak to you later today about the bike. Now that I think about it, I should have unlocked it for you, or at least left you with the key - then I could have at least lent it to one of the lads until I get better - actually, that's still an option.... If anyone would like to borrow it let me know. They can come get the key, and the bike is theirs - as long as they look after it, and I get it back in a couple of months!!

Don't worry about your nursing skills. Was rather good. Always handy to have another career to fall back on!
 

[gw]

don't forget that you are now in a select group- at this rate players in casts will outnumber everyone else by end of this month! also bar is open on sat if you fancy watching and we do have a disabled loo.....

[bazza]

So, I've seen the consultant, and he hasn't seen my leg.
Isn't it amazing how someone can make such important decisions about something, without actually looking at the 'thing' in question!!?!?

Surgery is out of the question, apparently, I have a 5% chance of infection if they open me up (should I assume it's lower if it wasn't Watford General?!?). But, there's a 12-15% chance of reoccurance if they don't operate. Presumably, it's cheaper (for them) to not operate, as well.

I've got 1 more week in this cast, then it comes off. Another cast, with the foot angled more up. 2 weeks of that. Then a final cast with the foot at a normal angle for another 2 weeks. Should be able to walk on that one.

Work have been good. They've said they'll cover the cost of cab's to/from work. And I can reduce my hours, or occasionally work from home - whichever works best for me.

Big thanks to everyone at the club last Sat that made me feel so welcome.
Was great to get out of the flat, was starting to go a little stir-crazy!!

But, I can't help but feel that it's only a matter of time before us in "The Cast Club" outnumber you 2 legged wierdos!!

[bazza]

Now on my 2nd cast. Thankfully, this one is a light-weight, fibre-glass one.
Not that I mind so much, as lugging around the extra weight of the plaster one has worked wonders for my upper-half/triceps.

Isn't it wonderful, in this day and age of technology, that they can't inspect the tendon without cutting the ankle wide open (which hasn't happened), and when they have an opportunity to examine it (when the cast came off), they don't bother!!?! Apparently, it's too risky (after only 2 weeks) to risk doing anything to the tendon. It would appear it's also too risky sending a Dr. over to me, so they just let the Charge Nurse re-do my leg, answer my questions, then send me on my way.
Hey ho.

They angled the foot more up (slightly lower than normal) this time. Felt odd/stiff. One of the Nurses joked about hitting my knackered Achilles with a bar. I joked about punching him in the face as soon as I regained consciousness!!

2 more weeks in this cast. Then back for another.

Am totally bored of being non-mobile now.

Was round a mates house for the England game at the weekend. Wanted to jump out of my seat to celebrate. But, couldn't!!

I see we have 2 home games this w/e. I'll see if I can come down and show some support.
Can I reserve 2 chairs by the line - one for me, one for my leg?
And, are is the bar still offering table service?

[bazza]

Quick update...

4 weeks in now. Cast changed on Monday, ankle set to 90deg (ouch!), and I'm allowed to put pressure on it now!! Woot!
Consultant says I'll be okay for my holiday (snowboarding) in Feb/March!!

This cast comes off in 2 weeks, then the physio starts. Can't wait to get mobile again.
Should be able to get my own drinks from the bar to my seat then!!

Which reminds me - many thanks to everyone that's helped me down the clubhouse. Been much appreciated.