Following my earlier blog about the incident where I fell off Trixie on Friday, I have to report that my analysis proved to be somewhat optimistic and that those who suggested I should have an x-ray were right. Having said that, the actual outcome would have been the same whether or not I had sought medical attention earlier.
Anyway, after a weekend of hobbling around on the crutches, the pain hadn't gone away on Monday and, furthermore, the ankle had started to swell; so, my wife arranged a visit to our surgery where a very nice doctor explained that there were certain conditions which applied when considering whether or not an x-ray was required and (in her words), "I had failed".
So, instead of going home to a well-earned evening meal, my son drove me to the local hospital where I joined several others for a lengthy wait in the Waiting Room of the A & E department.
Eventually, when my turn came, I was seen by a nurse; who - somewhat predictably - sent me to have an x-ray; after which I endured a further lengthy wait before another nurse invited me to see the x-ray picture which revealed a fracture. However, there was a suspicion that there might be another one on the other side of my ankle; so, I hobbled away for another x-ray.
In the meantime, my son had become concerned by the length of time which had elapsed since he 'delivered' me and he arrived in the examination bay at almost exactly the same time a Registrar was telling me that I was going to have to stay in the hospital overnight. So, sadly - from my son's point of view - this meant that he had to return home to collect (along with night-clothes and toiletries) the various medications that I have to take, these days.
By the time he returned, nurse #2 had applied a plaster-cast (below - left) along with some ink-work on my leg to show where the problem lay and after a rather restless night, the cast had to be cut away so that the surgeon could examine the affected area (below - right) in readiness for an operation.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Anyway, after a weekend of hobbling around on the crutches, the pain hadn't gone away on Monday and, furthermore, the ankle had started to swell; so, my wife arranged a visit to our surgery where a very nice doctor explained that there were certain conditions which applied when considering whether or not an x-ray was required and (in her words), "I had failed".
So, instead of going home to a well-earned evening meal, my son drove me to the local hospital where I joined several others for a lengthy wait in the Waiting Room of the A & E department.
Eventually, when my turn came, I was seen by a nurse; who - somewhat predictably - sent me to have an x-ray; after which I endured a further lengthy wait before another nurse invited me to see the x-ray picture which revealed a fracture. However, there was a suspicion that there might be another one on the other side of my ankle; so, I hobbled away for another x-ray.
In the meantime, my son had become concerned by the length of time which had elapsed since he 'delivered' me and he arrived in the examination bay at almost exactly the same time a Registrar was telling me that I was going to have to stay in the hospital overnight. So, sadly - from my son's point of view - this meant that he had to return home to collect (along with night-clothes and toiletries) the various medications that I have to take, these days.
By the time he returned, nurse #2 had applied a plaster-cast (below - left) along with some ink-work on my leg to show where the problem lay and after a rather restless night, the cast had to be cut away so that the surgeon could examine the affected area (below - right) in readiness for an operation.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday morning, the surgeon decided that there was too much swelling around the ankle; so, the operation was postponed until Thursday and I was moved from the A & E area into a proper ward where I spent a couple of days resting and enjoying a remarkably high standard of attention and surprisingly good food (below - left).
Fortunately, on Thursday afternoon, the swelling had abated sufficiently for the operation to go ahead and (according to a couple of stricken motor cyclists in a diffeent ward into which I had been moved) I was now a proper biker because my ankle was fitted with a metal plate and several screws.
On the following afternoon, although it had been expected that I might spend the weekend in hospital, it was decided that I could cope quite well at home; so, I was discharged after it had been very forcibly impressed upon me that I would have to keep weight off my foot for six (yes, SIX) weeks.
So I'm not really looking forward to the prospect.
Mind you, they have provided me with an array of equipment to help; including a zimmer-frame, something called a perching stool for sitting whilst washing, a loo hightener, and a clever device (see below) to help me get on and off the loo whilst standing on one foot.
It's not easy. You try it!
Fortunately, on Thursday afternoon, the swelling had abated sufficiently for the operation to go ahead and (according to a couple of stricken motor cyclists in a diffeent ward into which I had been moved) I was now a proper biker because my ankle was fitted with a metal plate and several screws.
On the following afternoon, although it had been expected that I might spend the weekend in hospital, it was decided that I could cope quite well at home; so, I was discharged after it had been very forcibly impressed upon me that I would have to keep weight off my foot for six (yes, SIX) weeks.
So I'm not really looking forward to the prospect.
Mind you, they have provided me with an array of equipment to help; including a zimmer-frame, something called a perching stool for sitting whilst washing, a loo hightener, and a clever device (see below) to help me get on and off the loo whilst standing on one foot.
It's not easy. You try it!
