h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was cycling to the train station on Friday morning. I looked behind me to see if there was any traffic coming up, because I was just about to cross over to the other side to get to the station. Suddenly, my bike was right up against the kerb, making balancing very difficult. I'm not entirely sure what happened next, but I suspect I must have turned the front wheel into the kerb because the front wheel locked and I was thrown right over the handlebars onto the pavement. I put my hands up to break my fall, my helmet hit the edge of the kerb and I clunked my chin on the ground, then I rolled over onto my back in order to get out of the road.

I lay there for a few seconds, wondering if I was badly hurt. Two cars stopped and the drivers got out to see if I was OK. I managed to stand up. My legs were fine, and I didn't seem to be dizzy or anything, so I assumed my head was fine. But my hands hurt - my left was quite badly grazed - and both my arms ached badly.

I was able to assure the two drivers that I was OK, and didn't need a lift home. I almost considered carrying on to work, but good sense prevailed, and I wheeled my bike home, stopping at Sainsbury's for some milk. I knew already that I had at least sprained my arms, because I couldn't move my hands or my right elbow without a lot of pain, but I thought it might only be a sprain.

I got home, and flopped on the bed for a little while, while Bernadette fed and changed Charlotte. Since the pains weren't improving, and my elbow was feeling particularly bad, we decided I ought to go into A&E. Bernadette had to drive, which was scary for her because she hasn't passed her test yet, but she managed fine. A&E was quiet, and it didn't take long to be seen.

After about three hours of waiting, X-Rays, doctors and nurses, I emerged with a definitely broken elbow, and a full cast from knuckle to shoulder. It pretty-much incapacitated me all weekend - not only the cast but the fact that both my wrists were still very sore, and I couldn't do anything strenuous with them at all - I couldn't even tie my shoelaces.

This morning (Monday) I went back to have more X-Rays. They've taken the cast off, but given me a sling, and, because they still can't tell for sure if I've broken my wrists, both wrists have velcro splints to keep them immobile as much as possible. I can take them off occasionally to exercise them, but when they're on, I can't do a huge amount. Lucky I'm only a one fingered typist, really.

There's two lessons to learn from all this:
1: ALWAYS wear a helmet. I believe that if I hadn't had a helmet, my injuries would have been much worse, possibly even fatal.
2: When your wife tells to to be careful because of the high winds, listen to her!

for 2 incapacitated hands to write that long a text you must have been typing this with your nose!

Get well soon, I hope it doesn't hurt too much - at least you can cuddle Charlotte with one half of one arm...
best wishes,
k*

Gee the things some people will do to avoid having to change nappies
Seriously though Jim, it all sounds rather nasty so rest up and get well soon.
- TWF

Surely you already knew that you should always listen to your wife! You seem like a bright enough chap!!

Speedy recoveries and don't push yourself!

- Jimi X

Jim, imagine what you could do if you learned to type...!

Hope it's all going OK, and that your recovery is progressing. Are your hands feeling any better?

Annoyingly, my elbow, which is the only thing I've definitely broken, is the thing giving me least trouble. I can't straighten it, but it hardly ever hurts. My wrists, on the other hand (no pun intended), are still painful if I do anything remotely strenuous with them. I'm still hoping they're not broken, just bruised and sprained, but I won't know until next Monday when I'm having more X-Rays done.

In the meantime I've got these splints to wear which tend to get in the way, and a sling which seems to be good only for getting me sympathy. Still, it could be worse...

...at least oyu get sympathy...!

*chuckles* ... At least you learned one good thing..

("2: When your wife tells to to be careful because of the high winds, listen to her!" )

Hopefully you'll heal quickly and be back to cuddling Charlotte with abandon!

'Nonnie

It's no fun finding yourself spread-eagled in the middle of the street. Hope you get better soon.