Went off to see the consultant this afternoon. Lovely day for a car ride (the first time I have been out of the house since I got back from Dartmoor). The consultant was a nice chap with a good sense of humour and a cunning knack of causing me a lot of pain in the name of trying to find out what was wrong.
So, first the good news. I will be on crutches for another 5 weeks, with 3 weeks more advised off work (otherwise I risk a more lengthy healing period). After the 3 weeks I may be able to drive (only I will know, but I certainly want to be able to do emergency stops for all those pesky cyclists out there), but more likely after the 5 weeks. It will then be another 6 weeks before I am fully up to ramming speed. 11 weeks more in all.
Now the bad news - I had another set of X Rays and they show that I actually broke my pelvis twice, both pubic bones, with the right hand side one much worse than the left (quite a sizeable crack on the right running along the length of the bone). There was also a chip out of my hip socket, which could have been down to the accident, or down to general wear and tear. He did say that for someone my size to have broken these bones in the way I have it must have been a very sizeable impact, with a lot of energy moving through my hips. I suppose the yellowy/bluey/swollen area running down the outside of my leg is testament to that.
I go back to the consultant in 3-4 weeks time to check on progress, at which point I will ask him about cycling and timescale. Worst case will be another 11 weeks, best case 5 weeks, as a betting man I'd say it will be somewhere in between.
As for Mrs Oddlad she is, quite understandably, worried about me getting back on a bike, but she also knows that accidents are just that. Still, very difficult times for her. She really is a gem.
Monday, 28 June 2010
Monday, 21 June 2010
Thanks Everyone
Thanks everyone for all you best wishes, it is most appreciated!
Thinking back on the events of last Friday, it was all rather strange. It was like it was all part of the plan (start early, cycle across Dartmoor, crash, go to hospital...). It just seemed par for the course. Wierd. When I was lying on the floor I was sort of thinking that I had just been involved in 'the' accident, nothing to get overly worried about, it would all sort itself out to plan (whatever that is). Perhaps that's just something that a brain does, a bit of self preservation.
Anyways, sitting here now, finding new bruises every day, and popping co-codamol. Got the GP coming to see me, and we'll see where it goes from there. My bet? Move as little as possible for a few weeks. Might also have to make use of the company medical insurance, but we'll see.
At least there's something on the telly (footie and Wimbledon)!
Thinking back on the events of last Friday, it was all rather strange. It was like it was all part of the plan (start early, cycle across Dartmoor, crash, go to hospital...). It just seemed par for the course. Wierd. When I was lying on the floor I was sort of thinking that I had just been involved in 'the' accident, nothing to get overly worried about, it would all sort itself out to plan (whatever that is). Perhaps that's just something that a brain does, a bit of self preservation.
Anyways, sitting here now, finding new bruises every day, and popping co-codamol. Got the GP coming to see me, and we'll see where it goes from there. My bet? Move as little as possible for a few weeks. Might also have to make use of the company medical insurance, but we'll see.
At least there's something on the telly (footie and Wimbledon)!
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Whoops....
Erm, well, an intersting day to say the least. We arrived at Start Point at about 9:30 and set off at 10am. Weather was great, if a bit hot. We cycled up and down, up and down, across from Start Point to Buckfastleigh, then up on to the top of Dartmoor. It was incredibly hard going (10 miles in Devon is the equivalent of 20 in Wiltshire), but we were keeping good spirits. We made it to Widecome in the Moor, where Capt, Purser and our support driver Mother Goose had a cream tea, and I had ham, egg and chips. That was about 4:30, and we were tired but happy.
We reckoned another 15-20 miles to where we were staying overnight, so set off. The majority looked downhill which was a godsend after all the hill climbs we had done.
Anyways, we were coming down to Chagford. It was quite a fast hill, but we were slowing ourselves on our brakes to the best of our ability as there were a few sharp corners. I was in front, Capt second, Purser third, and Mother Goose was behind in the van, when a car came round a sharp bend. I saw it and applied my brakes, and the driver applied hers. She stopped almost immediately but my back end slipped out and started to slide on the gravelly bit that you often get on narrow roads in Dartmoor.
In an instant I hit the car with my right hip, was catapulted off the bike and hit my head on the car somewhere (not sure if it was bonnet or windscreen) and ended up on the floor. I tried to get up but realised very quickly that something was wrong with my right hip. I lay back down and Capt called an ambulance.
I was fully conscious all the way through. I was incredibly happy I had been wearing a helmet - I have a sore nose, but the helmet I had had a peak at the front which took the majority of the impact. So, rule number one "ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET"!
I found myself laying on the floor, my head downhill and on my left side. My head was next to the drivers door. Capt and lady driving the car were great - very calm on the phone. I found myself talking to the driver quite a lot, trying to keep myself calm. She was great, saying the important thing was that I was OK. I was well aware that we had both been involved in an accident, and whilst she did not have injuries she was probably quite shocked herself. Not surprising after seeing my rather large frame flying through the air towards her.
I knew I had shock, my hands were tingling, but I triaged myself, wriggling extremities. What I did know was that my right hip was giving me a lot of pain. All I could think about was Mrs Oddlad and the kids. There would a mixture of real concern, and then understandable anger that I was putting them through a horrible situation.
After about 10 mins I heard the air ambulance. The rest went very quickly. Everyone was absolutely brilliant - I was given some morphine for which I was very grateful, then they had trouble getting me onto the stretcher given my close proximity to the bank at the side of the road. I was then carried to the helicopter, slid in, and was in Exeter A&E within 10 mins. They were absolutely brilliant.
In A&E I was fairly comfortable, although the neck brace I had been put in was quite uncomfortable. I was not allowed to move until a doctor had seen me, but this took about (guessing here) one and a half hours. When he arrived he checked me over, removed the neck brace, and checked my hip which was/is very bruised. I then went off for an X-Ray.
The results were back, and about 4 hours later I was told that I have a break in my pelvis (the pubis part), and that although painful there is nothing that can realistically be done except that it be allowed to heal. I was then given some crutches, and had a hobble, but my oh my, it was incredibly painful. I was discharged and got a taxi back to where Capt, Purser and Mother Goose were staying. It took me 10 mins to get into the taxi, and 10 mins to get out, just with the pain and my inability to put any weight on the leg.
I do need to say that the nurses and doctors at the hospital were brilliant. Just brilliant. They deserve a medal a day for the work they do.
Capt, Purser and Mother Goose were pleased to see me, as I was them. A couple of pints of orange juice and lemonade and we were off to bed. The lads had decided that they were going to call a halt to the trip. I'm not surprised - remembering the looks of concern on their faces as I lay on the floor. They were both very shaken up.
So, I'm now back home. Mrs Oddlad and kids are OK, but a bit teary when I got home. I can now manage about 10 yards in 5 mins using my crutches, and cocodamol are keeping the pain at bay. Next stop the doctors on Monday to get myself onto some kind of treatment.
What I am not, however, is feeling sorry for myself. It could have been a whole lot worse. I will have to live with a lot of pain for a while, and probably have a good few months until I get back to ramming speed (no, not literally), but it is just my hip (and grazed elbow, sore nose, bruised shoulder, bruised knee, and sore nipple from cycling). So many things to take away from this experience, including the support of my good friends and beautiful wife.
So, what am I thinking about whilst sitting here? Not cycling at the moment, that's for sure! Uncertain times ahead, with work and recuperation, but fingers crossed it's not as bad as it feels.
We reckoned another 15-20 miles to where we were staying overnight, so set off. The majority looked downhill which was a godsend after all the hill climbs we had done.
Anyways, we were coming down to Chagford. It was quite a fast hill, but we were slowing ourselves on our brakes to the best of our ability as there were a few sharp corners. I was in front, Capt second, Purser third, and Mother Goose was behind in the van, when a car came round a sharp bend. I saw it and applied my brakes, and the driver applied hers. She stopped almost immediately but my back end slipped out and started to slide on the gravelly bit that you often get on narrow roads in Dartmoor.
In an instant I hit the car with my right hip, was catapulted off the bike and hit my head on the car somewhere (not sure if it was bonnet or windscreen) and ended up on the floor. I tried to get up but realised very quickly that something was wrong with my right hip. I lay back down and Capt called an ambulance.
I was fully conscious all the way through. I was incredibly happy I had been wearing a helmet - I have a sore nose, but the helmet I had had a peak at the front which took the majority of the impact. So, rule number one "ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET"!
I found myself laying on the floor, my head downhill and on my left side. My head was next to the drivers door. Capt and lady driving the car were great - very calm on the phone. I found myself talking to the driver quite a lot, trying to keep myself calm. She was great, saying the important thing was that I was OK. I was well aware that we had both been involved in an accident, and whilst she did not have injuries she was probably quite shocked herself. Not surprising after seeing my rather large frame flying through the air towards her.
I knew I had shock, my hands were tingling, but I triaged myself, wriggling extremities. What I did know was that my right hip was giving me a lot of pain. All I could think about was Mrs Oddlad and the kids. There would a mixture of real concern, and then understandable anger that I was putting them through a horrible situation.
After about 10 mins I heard the air ambulance. The rest went very quickly. Everyone was absolutely brilliant - I was given some morphine for which I was very grateful, then they had trouble getting me onto the stretcher given my close proximity to the bank at the side of the road. I was then carried to the helicopter, slid in, and was in Exeter A&E within 10 mins. They were absolutely brilliant.
In A&E I was fairly comfortable, although the neck brace I had been put in was quite uncomfortable. I was not allowed to move until a doctor had seen me, but this took about (guessing here) one and a half hours. When he arrived he checked me over, removed the neck brace, and checked my hip which was/is very bruised. I then went off for an X-Ray.
The results were back, and about 4 hours later I was told that I have a break in my pelvis (the pubis part), and that although painful there is nothing that can realistically be done except that it be allowed to heal. I was then given some crutches, and had a hobble, but my oh my, it was incredibly painful. I was discharged and got a taxi back to where Capt, Purser and Mother Goose were staying. It took me 10 mins to get into the taxi, and 10 mins to get out, just with the pain and my inability to put any weight on the leg.
I do need to say that the nurses and doctors at the hospital were brilliant. Just brilliant. They deserve a medal a day for the work they do.
Capt, Purser and Mother Goose were pleased to see me, as I was them. A couple of pints of orange juice and lemonade and we were off to bed. The lads had decided that they were going to call a halt to the trip. I'm not surprised - remembering the looks of concern on their faces as I lay on the floor. They were both very shaken up.
So, I'm now back home. Mrs Oddlad and kids are OK, but a bit teary when I got home. I can now manage about 10 yards in 5 mins using my crutches, and cocodamol are keeping the pain at bay. Next stop the doctors on Monday to get myself onto some kind of treatment.
What I am not, however, is feeling sorry for myself. It could have been a whole lot worse. I will have to live with a lot of pain for a while, and probably have a good few months until I get back to ramming speed (no, not literally), but it is just my hip (and grazed elbow, sore nose, bruised shoulder, bruised knee, and sore nipple from cycling). So many things to take away from this experience, including the support of my good friends and beautiful wife.
So, what am I thinking about whilst sitting here? Not cycling at the moment, that's for sure! Uncertain times ahead, with work and recuperation, but fingers crossed it's not as bad as it feels.
Friday, 18 June 2010
The Day Has Arrived!
Well, woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep. We set off from Pursers house at 6am, so just trying to get some Weetabix down my neck (with hot milk - the wife says it looks like baby food).
Truth be told I'm a bit nervous. We looked through the route last night, and "there be hills". Still, the weather looks absolutely glorious! A touch of a headwind, but nothing major, and lots of warm sunshine. We're hoping it will a few degrees cooler on top of Dartmoor, but hey, it could be a lot, lot worse.
So, the van is packed (although Capt and Purser laughed at my big stacker box full of goodies and equipment - they'll be glad when they need a support bandage, or some jelly babies). All we need to do is get to "Start Point"!
Truth be told I'm a bit nervous. We looked through the route last night, and "there be hills". Still, the weather looks absolutely glorious! A touch of a headwind, but nothing major, and lots of warm sunshine. We're hoping it will a few degrees cooler on top of Dartmoor, but hey, it could be a lot, lot worse.
So, the van is packed (although Capt and Purser laughed at my big stacker box full of goodies and equipment - they'll be glad when they need a support bandage, or some jelly babies). All we need to do is get to "Start Point"!
Monday, 14 June 2010
Nearly There Now!
Apologies regular readers for the gap in my posts. I have been on hols and then training hard again ready for the big trip which is this Friday!
So, I was on me hols on bank holiday week, and then on the day after I got back Capt, Purser and I went out for a 45 miler. A momentous trip for me, as I clocked up a total of 1000 miles since March! It was a great ride, up Roundway white horse, up Milk Hill (which Capt tells me is the highest point in Wiltshire), then out towards Marlborough, round towards Pewsey, Devizes and home. A super trip and really rewarding in that, given my holiday layoff, I didn't feel the slightest bit tired.
I followed this up with a morning cycle on Monday, then on Tuesday I cycled up Long Hollow in Edington, a climb I never managed as a child (even though I lived at the bottom of it). Then on Weds Capt, Purser and I did the Hickman Challenge - up to Bratton, up that side of Westbury White Horse, down to Westbury then turn round and go back up. We all managed it in around the half hour mark, and it was a most satisfying trip. We had a pint in Steeple Ashton and then another in the Brewery to celebrate!
I followed this up with a cycle to work on Thursday, then had a quiet few days over the weekend.
Today I decided, given the week, that I would do the first ride I ever did in real training, the trip to Devizes through Potterne. That was the day that the old chap in Devizes stopped to offer me assistance! At that time the trip would be about 9 miles as I would come back through Poulshot, and it would take me an hour.
Today I shot up the hills, went down to Rowde, up towards Bromham on the back road, Sells Green, main road to Seend, up through the Cleeve, Seend Head, Bulkington and home. 15 miles, one hour :)
I am excited about the trip, and a little nervous. I think we are getting close to our £1000 sponsorship aswell. I shall take Weds and Thursday off, and stock up with plenty of pasta.
Oh, and final note today, I wanted to be below 15 stone for the cycle. I am, as of today 14 stone 11. Heaven knows how much weight we will lose this Friday and Saturday...
So, I was on me hols on bank holiday week, and then on the day after I got back Capt, Purser and I went out for a 45 miler. A momentous trip for me, as I clocked up a total of 1000 miles since March! It was a great ride, up Roundway white horse, up Milk Hill (which Capt tells me is the highest point in Wiltshire), then out towards Marlborough, round towards Pewsey, Devizes and home. A super trip and really rewarding in that, given my holiday layoff, I didn't feel the slightest bit tired.
I followed this up with a morning cycle on Monday, then on Tuesday I cycled up Long Hollow in Edington, a climb I never managed as a child (even though I lived at the bottom of it). Then on Weds Capt, Purser and I did the Hickman Challenge - up to Bratton, up that side of Westbury White Horse, down to Westbury then turn round and go back up. We all managed it in around the half hour mark, and it was a most satisfying trip. We had a pint in Steeple Ashton and then another in the Brewery to celebrate!
I followed this up with a cycle to work on Thursday, then had a quiet few days over the weekend.
Today I decided, given the week, that I would do the first ride I ever did in real training, the trip to Devizes through Potterne. That was the day that the old chap in Devizes stopped to offer me assistance! At that time the trip would be about 9 miles as I would come back through Poulshot, and it would take me an hour.
Today I shot up the hills, went down to Rowde, up towards Bromham on the back road, Sells Green, main road to Seend, up through the Cleeve, Seend Head, Bulkington and home. 15 miles, one hour :)
I am excited about the trip, and a little nervous. I think we are getting close to our £1000 sponsorship aswell. I shall take Weds and Thursday off, and stock up with plenty of pasta.
Oh, and final note today, I wanted to be below 15 stone for the cycle. I am, as of today 14 stone 11. Heaven knows how much weight we will lose this Friday and Saturday...
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Good News and Bad News
Good news - I am now officially under 15 stone! 14 stone 13 appeared on the scales this morning. Whoohoo! I'm going to celebrate with a couple of beers :D
Bad news - I had to miss Friday, Saturday and Sunday cycling because of a darned cold. Monday I cycled to work, yesterday I went out first thing, as I did today. Chest still a bit tight, but it's just about doable. Trouble is, I am off on my hols next week, with minimal cycling on the horizon.
So, here's my plan. Cycle twice today, twice tomorrow, to work/back Friday. Go on hols, come back and cycle like a madman on that week and weekend. Then on the final week a few gentle rides on the Monday and Tuesday, perhaps Weds, then Thursday off, then Friday is THE BIG DAY!
Bad news - I had to miss Friday, Saturday and Sunday cycling because of a darned cold. Monday I cycled to work, yesterday I went out first thing, as I did today. Chest still a bit tight, but it's just about doable. Trouble is, I am off on my hols next week, with minimal cycling on the horizon.
So, here's my plan. Cycle twice today, twice tomorrow, to work/back Friday. Go on hols, come back and cycle like a madman on that week and weekend. Then on the final week a few gentle rides on the Monday and Tuesday, perhaps Weds, then Thursday off, then Friday is THE BIG DAY!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Gauging Progress
I was out taking stock this morning as to how far I have come in the last few months. This was on my 3 peaks (Devizes) then Rowde, Bromham, Seend and back home route.
If I think back to my first real cycle, where I dropped the car off at the garage in Chippenham and cycled the 2 miles to work. It was a tiring experience, but one that I got a lot of satisfaction from. I was, however, very tired after the ride. I then go back to when I cycled to Devizes, where my body decided it wanted to get rid of breakfast and an old chap asked me if I was OK. The following weekend Capt, Purser and I did our first Sunday ride, and I remember my legs feeling tired before I had even left the village, and we all felt incredibly pleased with ourselves after we had done 20 miles.
Fast forward to today. I got on my bike and cycled to Devizes over the 3 peaks (Potterne). I was in the centre of Devizes before I even realised it, I had been away with the fairies, thinking about this, that and the other. Not even out of breath, and no sign of fatigue. I then went round Rowde, back way to Sells Green and up Spout, again no problem at all, not even out of breath. I have started using 11th gear on these hills rather than granny gear that I started off using. I got home, had a shower, and felt like I had just got up. No aches, no pains, no tiredness, nothing.
The same was true on Monday when I cycled to work. I cycled there, cycled back, not tired, just feeling great.
I have lost nearly 1.5 stone and gone down 3 inches on my waistline. I am still on (just - see a recent post) on course to be under 15 stone for the charity ride. My last few cycles have averaged 17 mph.
I am wondering now just how much more fit I can get. Am I in the 'middle' of my fitness curve? I just don't know, seeing as I have never been fit in my life. Time will tell, I suppose.
If I think back to my first real cycle, where I dropped the car off at the garage in Chippenham and cycled the 2 miles to work. It was a tiring experience, but one that I got a lot of satisfaction from. I was, however, very tired after the ride. I then go back to when I cycled to Devizes, where my body decided it wanted to get rid of breakfast and an old chap asked me if I was OK. The following weekend Capt, Purser and I did our first Sunday ride, and I remember my legs feeling tired before I had even left the village, and we all felt incredibly pleased with ourselves after we had done 20 miles.
Fast forward to today. I got on my bike and cycled to Devizes over the 3 peaks (Potterne). I was in the centre of Devizes before I even realised it, I had been away with the fairies, thinking about this, that and the other. Not even out of breath, and no sign of fatigue. I then went round Rowde, back way to Sells Green and up Spout, again no problem at all, not even out of breath. I have started using 11th gear on these hills rather than granny gear that I started off using. I got home, had a shower, and felt like I had just got up. No aches, no pains, no tiredness, nothing.
The same was true on Monday when I cycled to work. I cycled there, cycled back, not tired, just feeling great.
I have lost nearly 1.5 stone and gone down 3 inches on my waistline. I am still on (just - see a recent post) on course to be under 15 stone for the charity ride. My last few cycles have averaged 17 mph.
I am wondering now just how much more fit I can get. Am I in the 'middle' of my fitness curve? I just don't know, seeing as I have never been fit in my life. Time will tell, I suppose.
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