Pugwash's peg-leg

pugwash said:
S'funny how quickly your life can change.

Last Saturday (30th) I had the misfortune to hit a lorry head on with my motorcycle and somehow survived the collision.
Afterwards I found a leg missing, mid thigh.

The most interesting thing was I met my 'Guardian Angel' briefly at the moment of impact and told me 'not to worry, everything would be ok'.

To my surprise it's true, I'm already making remarkably long strides, with one leg, towards a good recovery.

Hopefully, time will be kind ....... I'll let you all know as time rolls by.
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Wow that must have been horrific waking up and finding your minus one leg after an accident. I wish you a speedy recovery and I'm sure in time you'll be running around with a prosthetic replacement.
 
mick said:
Wow that must have been horrific waking up and finding your minus one leg after an accident. I wish you a speedy recovery and I'm sure in time you'll be running around with a prosthetic replacement.
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Hi Mick.
Though I have no recollection of the collision, I was aware of a bang, then being a heap on the road, when I tried to get up, couldn't, so looked down for the briefest glympse of what remained of my leg, to realise what a 'life-changing injury' means..
To spare those of a delicate disposition further distress, I remained constantly lucid, as I was air ambulanced to LEEDS (LGI), to be met by a surgeon, giving the choice of life or death.....a no brainer.
Only then was I gassed into oblivion, to wake already aware the leg was gone. No surprises then.

Today I was told for the first time to expect a prosthetic limb.
 
Today's update....

Amazing the difference between 2 hospitals.

The first saved my life and stabalised my existential issues and encouraged my recovery in every way and I WAS FULL OF ENTHUSIASM.

Last Saturday I was transferred to a hospital nearer to home, which has turned out to be a massive downgrade on every level.
In fact, it is palpably sucking the life out of me.

The ethos here seems to be to preserve the well concearnbeing of the staff, NOT the patients.
Of course the culture here has to pay lip service to its 'care' duties.

After several days here it was deemed I should be isolated in a small room, eventually to be told the reason was to screen me in case I was introducing some kind of infection from the first hospital.
Yet I was on an open ward for several days, apparently without concern.

Depressing myself now!!!

Watch this space.
 
pugwash said:
Today's update....

Amazing the difference between 2 hospitals.

The first saved my life and stabalised my existential issues and encouraged my recovery in every way and I WAS FULL OF ENTHUSIASM.

Last Saturday I was transferred to a hospital nearer to home, which has turned out to be a massive downgrade on every level.
In fact, it is palpably sucking the life out of me.

The ethos here seems to be to preserve the well concearnbeing of the staff, NOT the patients.
Of course the culture here has to pay lip service to its 'care' duties.

After several days here it was deemed I should be isolated in a small room, eventually to be told the reason was to screen me in case I was introducing some kind of infection from the first hospital.
Yet I was on an open ward for several days, apparently without concern.

Depressing myself now!!!

Watch this space.
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The first step in avoiding a trap is knowing of its existance.
The same goes for safeguarding your mental health and fitness from bad environments. If you were better off at the other hospital it would be best for healing if you returned, if you can. Your mental outlook, given your current condition, will shape every decision you make from this point forward, and affect your quality of life in so many ways. Try to place yourself in the best possible environment while recovering, so that tackling the issues which are sure to come will be less of a burden.

Best wishes as always,

Kurt
 
pugwash said:
Today's update....

Amazing the difference between 2 hospitals.

The first saved my life and stabalised my existential issues and encouraged my recovery in every way and I WAS FULL OF ENTHUSIASM.

Last Saturday I was transferred to a hospital nearer to home, which has turned out to be a massive downgrade on every level.
In fact, it is palpably sucking the life out of me.

The ethos here seems to be to preserve the well concearnbeing of the staff, NOT the patients.
Of course the culture here has to pay lip service to its 'care' duties.

After several days here it was deemed I should be isolated in a small room, eventually to be told the reason was to screen me in case I was introducing some kind of infection from the first hospital.
Yet I was on an open ward for several days, apparently without concern.

Depressing myself now!!!

Watch this space.
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Hopefully you may leave your room asap so you can make a ride, get some coffee, fresh air and sunshine.
Regards, Peter
 
Thanks for all your reply's, shipmates.

Today has been a more positive one, chatting with the Doctor in charge of me here, also an aneathasist and a bunch of physio's, plus a friends surprise visit; raising my spirits way above the rocky bottom I washed up on yesterday,

Once my extremely swollen stump goes down, I'll have a cup fitted ready for my very own 'wooden leg'.
Physio's are impressed with me, saying I'm weeks ahead of the average punter in my position.
SOOPA-MAN, LOL.

There's a re-hab unit here, ironically called the 'Acorn' center here which I'll qualify for soon.

My phantom leg is waving good by, for now,
 
Maxipoo said:
You sound so amazingly courageous. I wish you a very quick recovery and adaptation to your "new" life.
All the best from France
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Thanks Max.

I don't have much choice!
Taking it on the chin.
Very big challenges to come....I live alone in an aggressively none wheelchair access home.

If I had a loving wife she could have me home today.
 
I’m not a Doctor, and took metal shop instead of biology in high school, BUT I believe that the body has some defense mechanisms that allow you to survive traumatic events. Your’s certainly worked for you. Now that you’re no longer in danger, these naturally subside. Your bad feelings are probably natural. Hand in there, Don’t give up and work with your Doctors you will be feeling better soon. Think about all of the ship models you’ll build when you get back home!

Roger
 
Roger Pellett said:
I’m not a Doctor, and took metal shop instead of biology in high school, BUT I believe that the body has some defense mechanisms that allow you to survive traumatic events. Your’s certainly worked for you. Now that you’re no longer in danger, these naturally subside. Your bad feelings are probably natural. Hand in there, Don’t give up and work with your Doctors you will be feeling better soon. Think about all of the ship models you’ll build when you get back home!

Roger
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Cheers, Roger, thanks to you and everyone else sharing their best wishes.

Life has conspired to make me super, self reliant.
I don't suffer fools gladly, yet have a palpable social consciousness.

The first night at this hospital I witnessed a fellow patient being abused by some staff.
I told them I would report them and received a heap of verbal abuse myself.
The report wasn't processed until Monday.
I was interviewed and stuck to my story, with the 'victims' consent.

It has become evident this week that the #### had hit the fan.
Suddenly nothing is too much trouble.
Result....Respect!

Another battle won? Lets hope so.

My character has been developed in a perpetual defence against painful experiences.
Very early on I adopted the attitude where there was clearly right and wrongs and as best I could I would do the right thing.
Frequently this isn't popular, but I've found rewards, even when painful sometimes.

I'm not perfect but try to be, every day.
 
Well pugwash, it looks like you handled the eight-second bucking bronco (stones) ride nicely, but got yourself stomped on and gored when you tried to ride the Brahman Bull (named Lorry). Gotta give you a lot of credit though... "head-on" took a lot of guts! Wishing you all the best and a fast recovery :)
 
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