O coach

Five weeks and counting

Posted on 06 Jul, 2009 by Lynne Walker | Filed under Blog • General

I really should not listen to my husband (or my inner self for that matter). The Inveraray (fun) hill run at the end of May. I would try it if Carol would as well. We both entered and brought up the rear as we crossed the main road into the Castle grounds where I slowed to a walk as the starting pace was a little fast for me.

It was pleasant – but hard work – climbing the hill via the tracks to Dun Corrbhile which is the ‘folly’ above Inveraray; all those on the way down were very encouraging which was nice of them. The view from the top was lovely, a sunny clear day. I was glad of the shade in the trees as it was not as hot. On the descent I was able to jog along before emerging out at the bottom of the woodland, then 1 km of track to the finish at the Castle. A quick glance at my watch, yes I’ll make it under 1 hour, and then SPLAT. Full length on the ground. Get up, look at leg and a lot of blood coming out from below my knee. Ah well, First Aid is at the finish so I’ll hobble the last 1km.

Paul is sitting waiting on the bridge with Finlay and Carol. Finlay, being younger, spots the redness that now splatters both legs. Paul rushes towards me but I finish first then the lovely ladies of First Aid take over. Lots of water to flush out the gravel on the main injury, I flush out the elbow and grazes on the other leg, Paul says “It’s worse than you did in Italy”. No soup/coffee/cake and off to Casualty in Dunoon where the nurse removes the bandage and says “The Doctor should have a look at this”. The Doctor comes and prods around (I go through the ceiling), he calls Inverclyde Hospital and books me in, then he comes back for another prod around the wound (back through that hole in the ceiling).

We had just been away for a couple of nights, staying with Niall and helping at the MAKI schools orienteering event in Lochgilphead so I had all my overnight kit with me. A & E at Inverclyde was a little chaotic but I was seen fairly quickly. More inspection (the gash is 4.5cm and I have evidently just missed severing the patella tendon by 1mm) and the decision that I needed a general anaesthetic so they could ‘toilet’ it and ‘debridement’ which means trim up all the rough bits. Up to the ward and, at 9:30pm, taken off to theatre with coming back round by 10:30pm. They decided to close up the wound so they must have got all the dirt out. Eventually I was discharged mid-afternoon, starving!

Monday was a holiday and Tuesday staff Development. I went into work and asked if I could go home at lunchtime and then juts come in and teach my classes the rest of the week (I only had two per day as the seniors were still on exam leave). However, by mid-afternoon my leg was swollen, tight and red. I had a physio appointment (bursitis in the other hip) so I went to Casualty after that. They were surprised that I had not been given antibiotics, so they gave me two lots, swabbed the wound for analysis and dressed it.

After that I was back at Casualty every two days or so to have the dressing changed. The wound was still weeping after a week so more antibiotics. However I got back to work after three days off, although stairs took some time due to lack of bend in the knee.

The stitches came out in mid-June at Inverclyde. I commented to the nurse that the doctor had not done a very tidy job to which she replied “He didn’t have a lot to work on”. The consultant was a little concerned as the wound was still weeping so a different type of antibiotics and another swab taken. The nurse taking out the stitches was great but the wound did ache a lot afterwards. Back to Inverclyde again the following week and another course of antibiotics, but at least they did not want to open it up again. The sides of the scar are healing but there is one stubborn bit. The nurse says I can take the dressing off for a shower and gives me a pile to use. Up until then (and actually until the wound stopped weeping four days later) I had been taping a polybag above the knee, leaving the bottom open. I had discovered that I could get 4 uses out of a polybag!

The wound has now been closed for a week, I have had another check up from the consultant who is really pleased. The scabs should fall off in about 10 days time and he says I can run after that. I have no dressing on the wound which is great – you can have a look in this photo!

However the bursitis on the hip is not great. I had four sessions of ultrasound and it seemed better. I had not walked for five weeks so it had had a lot of rest. I started walking and it is sore again. Back to see the doctor tomorrow about this.

I really hope to get out running/cycling soon as I would like to be able to do the W55L courses at the Scottish 6-Days event Tay 2009. Being crocked is not good news, but I am trying to be patient!

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