Ouch (possible NSFW pictures of my rear to follow)
Discussion
It’s time for another of my (thankfully) increasingly less frequent updates.
I had my “early June” appointment with consultant number three today. It should’ve been on 14 July, but was postponed due to the junior doctors being on strike that week and the consultants striking last week. I’m fairly pragmatic about it to be honest, I think a lot of the front line/medical staff should be better paid and two extra weeks after over six years of this shenanigans is nothing, really.
The good news is that I’m now up from 50% weight bearing to 75%, then if everything is ok after three weeks, I can go up to 100% for the first time since 5 November last year. I’ll still be on crutches while I build up strength but I’m hoping to ditch them as soon as I can. Realistically I’ll probably lose one crutch pretty quickly, see how I manage with just one and once I’m at 100% weight bearing, I should be able to swap to the walking stick. I’ll obviously be looking to also get rid of that as soon as I can.
I’ve also been given the all clear to start driving again, which will be a massive help. I’m allowed to do 5-10 minutes while I’m at 75% and I’m now the proud owner of a blue badge! I just need to get the car jump started, pump up the flat tyre, probably get a new battery, have it valeted, get it serviced, get it MOT’d and taken off SORN…
I’m still mostly working from home and getting a lift in once a week or so with a colleague who lives nearby. Once I’m back to 100% weight bearing I’ll be looking to get back in to the office on a phased return. I’m not going to be able to manage the 30 minute drive each way just yet. The consultant has also given me the go ahead to get booked in for two weeks intense physio at the police rehab centre. I pay in just over seven quid a month and the treatment is equivalent to about £1,500 a week, so it’s a bit of a bargain to be honest. I’ve been paying in for the last 27 years, so it’s about time I had another visit. It’s a charity and doesn’t cost the tax payers anything, so don’t fret on that score! Id like to be in the position where I can take my fitness text, but because if the damage to my knee, it’ll be the treadmill version, rather than the bleep test and if I can pass, I can do my personal safety training and be fully operational again. That’s the plan, but time will tell.
My leg’s never going to be 100%, but it’s still attached and mostly sort of working. I’ll be able to get back on with the house renovation and decorating soon, which has all been on hold since last November. I did have a few days away in Copenhagen, still on crutches, but I thought “sod it” and flew business class with SAS, so that was bearable.
Anyone got any thoughts on the Norden 901?
No gash pictures, so have a photo of a motoring related Danish hamburger instead.
I had my “early June” appointment with consultant number three today. It should’ve been on 14 July, but was postponed due to the junior doctors being on strike that week and the consultants striking last week. I’m fairly pragmatic about it to be honest, I think a lot of the front line/medical staff should be better paid and two extra weeks after over six years of this shenanigans is nothing, really.
The good news is that I’m now up from 50% weight bearing to 75%, then if everything is ok after three weeks, I can go up to 100% for the first time since 5 November last year. I’ll still be on crutches while I build up strength but I’m hoping to ditch them as soon as I can. Realistically I’ll probably lose one crutch pretty quickly, see how I manage with just one and once I’m at 100% weight bearing, I should be able to swap to the walking stick. I’ll obviously be looking to also get rid of that as soon as I can.
I’ve also been given the all clear to start driving again, which will be a massive help. I’m allowed to do 5-10 minutes while I’m at 75% and I’m now the proud owner of a blue badge! I just need to get the car jump started, pump up the flat tyre, probably get a new battery, have it valeted, get it serviced, get it MOT’d and taken off SORN…
I’m still mostly working from home and getting a lift in once a week or so with a colleague who lives nearby. Once I’m back to 100% weight bearing I’ll be looking to get back in to the office on a phased return. I’m not going to be able to manage the 30 minute drive each way just yet. The consultant has also given me the go ahead to get booked in for two weeks intense physio at the police rehab centre. I pay in just over seven quid a month and the treatment is equivalent to about £1,500 a week, so it’s a bit of a bargain to be honest. I’ve been paying in for the last 27 years, so it’s about time I had another visit. It’s a charity and doesn’t cost the tax payers anything, so don’t fret on that score! Id like to be in the position where I can take my fitness text, but because if the damage to my knee, it’ll be the treadmill version, rather than the bleep test and if I can pass, I can do my personal safety training and be fully operational again. That’s the plan, but time will tell.
My leg’s never going to be 100%, but it’s still attached and mostly sort of working. I’ll be able to get back on with the house renovation and decorating soon, which has all been on hold since last November. I did have a few days away in Copenhagen, still on crutches, but I thought “sod it” and flew business class with SAS, so that was bearable.
Anyone got any thoughts on the Norden 901?
No gash pictures, so have a photo of a motoring related Danish hamburger instead.
RDMcG said:
Sounds like serious progress and you can begin to plan to return to a more normal life. Very good news indeed- your journey has been long and very tough but you have never given up. Very happy for you.
Cheers. I’m finding there are limits to what my leg will or won’t do and I guess I’m just going to have to learn to live with those restrictions.I’m going to have to ditch some weight and get fitter. It’s going to be crap going for walks without my idiot dog in tow. I’m just glad we had one last good walk together the day before my surgery. It’s still very strange not having him around.
jimmyjimjim said:
Glad to see it's a positive update, there's been to many occasions on this thread where there's been steps backwards!
You must be delighted, especially if you're looking at bikes, iirc it wasn't too long ago you'd given up on the idea....
I’m going to have to wait and see if I can (a) swing my leg over and (b) support the weight of me and a bike on the duff leg. Those will be the deciders. As above, I had a few days away in Denmark. I thought that would scratch my travel itch. It just made me realise how much I’ve missed going away. Whether any future trips are on a bike is still in the balance.You must be delighted, especially if you're looking at bikes, iirc it wasn't too long ago you'd given up on the idea....
Great news Dibble, keep plugging away at it - what you might find is that as you start building the strength back you'll find other actions come back.
My Mrs had to have her shoulder rebuilt this year, and one thing that's really made a huge difference is regular visits to a good physio - not cheap, but worth every penny with how much progress it's helped make.
My Mrs had to have her shoulder rebuilt this year, and one thing that's really made a huge difference is regular visits to a good physio - not cheap, but worth every penny with how much progress it's helped make.
Dibble said:
I’m going to have to wait and see if I can (a) swing my leg over and (b) support the weight of me and a bike on the duff leg. Those will be the deciders. As above, I had a few days away in Denmark. I thought that would scratch my travel itch. It just made me realise how much I’ve missed going away. Whether any future trips are on a bike is still in the balance.
Great news Dibs on the recovery, if the weight bearing does sadly become an issue, a mate of mine in similar circs to you changed to a Can Am thingy, he loves it...Hope the recovery continues unhindered.
That is brilliant news, especially given all the set backs you have had.
Coincidentally I am now living in Denmark and it has killed off my biking - nowhere to keep one, low speed limits and ridiculous punishment if you get caught exceeding them (which of course I probably would!)
I think a difficult decision regarding buying another bike. In your position I probably wouldn’t as I assume that a relatively minor off, which wouldn’t be such a problem for someone with a normal leg, could result in much more serious problems for yourself. That is just a gut feeling and could be completely wrong. Have you discussed riding again with the consultant?
Have you thought about getting another dog?
Coincidentally I am now living in Denmark and it has killed off my biking - nowhere to keep one, low speed limits and ridiculous punishment if you get caught exceeding them (which of course I probably would!)
I think a difficult decision regarding buying another bike. In your position I probably wouldn’t as I assume that a relatively minor off, which wouldn’t be such a problem for someone with a normal leg, could result in much more serious problems for yourself. That is just a gut feeling and could be completely wrong. Have you discussed riding again with the consultant?
Have you thought about getting another dog?
Dibble said:
I’m going to have to ditch some weight and get fitter.
As an overweight fifty and bit person I've been prevaricating against losing weight mainly because I don't want to stop eating what I want! But I'm starting back with yoga. There are a huge number of videos on YouTube so you don't have to leave the house. Just get a mat and introduce yourself slowly. I'm going back to doing Bikram Yoga, the vast majority of the stuff i can't get near doing at the moment but after forty minutes of huffing and puffing I feel brilliant and don't hurt (yet!).Obviously your doc can make suggestions for what will work (swimming would be an obvious one) but yoga's been brilliant for me in the past.
SteelerSE said:
As an overweight fifty and bit person I've been prevaricating against losing weight mainly because I don't want to stop eating what I want! But I'm starting back with yoga. There are a huge number of videos on YouTube so you don't have to leave the house. Just get a mat and introduce yourself slowly. I'm going back to doing Bikram Yoga, the vast majority of the stuff i can't get near doing at the moment but after forty minutes of huffing and puffing I feel brilliant and don't hurt (yet!).
Obviously your doc can make suggestions for what will work (swimming would be an obvious one) but yoga's been brilliant for me in the past.
And stop eating so much (of the wrong food) Obviously your doc can make suggestions for what will work (swimming would be an obvious one) but yoga's been brilliant for me in the past.
A bit of a milestone today.
I am now allowed to weight bear 100% on my right leg. Although, because I’ve been using the crutches since the start of last November, the strength/flexibility in my right leg is pretty non existent. But I can now at least start some more full on therapy/exercise. The hospital have signed off on me going to the police rehab centre, so I’ll be applying for that when I’m back in the office tomorrow.
I got the all clear a few weeks ago to start riding my push bike again and I’ve been out on it a few times. Nothing excessive, all sub 5k so far. The tricky bit is getting on/off, which involves tilting the bike towards me at an angle, grabbing my jeans hem and lifting my leg up and over. Graceful, it isn’t! I also have a walking stick attached to the crossbar, in case I need to get off and walkto the bar anywhere.
I also picked up a bargain Thule bike rack that’s practically unused and goes on the newly installed tow bar on my Saaaaaaab. £200 from Facebook marketplace - list is £530 from Thule (available for about £450 online if you shop around).
I am now allowed to weight bear 100% on my right leg. Although, because I’ve been using the crutches since the start of last November, the strength/flexibility in my right leg is pretty non existent. But I can now at least start some more full on therapy/exercise. The hospital have signed off on me going to the police rehab centre, so I’ll be applying for that when I’m back in the office tomorrow.
I got the all clear a few weeks ago to start riding my push bike again and I’ve been out on it a few times. Nothing excessive, all sub 5k so far. The tricky bit is getting on/off, which involves tilting the bike towards me at an angle, grabbing my jeans hem and lifting my leg up and over. Graceful, it isn’t! I also have a walking stick attached to the crossbar, in case I need to get off and walk
I also picked up a bargain Thule bike rack that’s practically unused and goes on the newly installed tow bar on my Saaaaaaab. £200 from Facebook marketplace - list is £530 from Thule (available for about £450 online if you shop around).
It's been a long road but it really sounds like the end is in sight. Perhaps you should buy yourself an old British motorbike with a kick start. It wouldn't be long before your right leg would be up to strength then! 
Dibble said:
A bit of a milestone today.
I am now allowed to weight bear 100% on my right leg. Although, because I’ve been using the crutches since the start of last November, the strength/flexibility in my right leg is pretty non existent. But I can now at least start some more full on therapy/exercise. The hospital have signed off on me going to the police rehab centre, so I’ll be applying for that when I’m back in the office tomorrow.
I got the all clear a few weeks ago to start riding my push bike again and I’ve been out on it a few times. Nothing excessive, all sub 5k so far. The tricky bit is getting on/off, which involves tilting the bike towards me at an angle, grabbing my jeans hem and lifting my leg up and over. Graceful, it isn’t! I also have a walking stick attached to the crossbar, in case I need to get off and walkto the bar anywhere.
I also picked up a bargain Thule bike rack that’s practically unused and goes on the newly installed tow bar on my Saaaaaaab. £200 from Facebook marketplace - list is £530 from Thule (available for about £450 online if you shop around).
God it's been a long old journey hasn't it.I am now allowed to weight bear 100% on my right leg. Although, because I’ve been using the crutches since the start of last November, the strength/flexibility in my right leg is pretty non existent. But I can now at least start some more full on therapy/exercise. The hospital have signed off on me going to the police rehab centre, so I’ll be applying for that when I’m back in the office tomorrow.
I got the all clear a few weeks ago to start riding my push bike again and I’ve been out on it a few times. Nothing excessive, all sub 5k so far. The tricky bit is getting on/off, which involves tilting the bike towards me at an angle, grabbing my jeans hem and lifting my leg up and over. Graceful, it isn’t! I also have a walking stick attached to the crossbar, in case I need to get off and walk
I also picked up a bargain Thule bike rack that’s practically unused and goes on the newly installed tow bar on my Saaaaaaab. £200 from Facebook marketplace - list is £530 from Thule (available for about £450 online if you shop around).
Fingers crossed for you moving forward.
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