20th December 2015 will be a date I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Two years on I’m now at the stage, where I can reflect objectively on the experiences. Those of you that are regular readers on my blog will know this is my 5th post on the subject.
https://otrach.com/2016/01/05/from-the-other-side-what-i-have-learnt-part-1-the-break-and-wait/
https://otrach.com/2016/07/02/the-broken-leg-part-3-six-months-on-and-getting-back-to-work/
https://otrach.com/2017/06/29/loving-the-dead-leg-again/
My thoughts and feelings about the experiences have fluctuated, often due to the treatment I received when I initially broke the leg, and the on going pain I have been in, but I’m also thankful for the experience. It has made me re evaluate, what I want from life. Two years on I’m in a better place than I was even before I fell down those pesky stairs.
Following on from the last blog — loving the dead leg again, where I talked a lot about the pain I was in on a daily basis, I have had a further operation which removed scar tissue from my ankle. This has made a difference, I still have pain, but there are some days where I’m pain free, and I can walk a little longer and tolerate standing up in the morning meeting at work. Pain will always be a part of my life, I’m struggling to remember what my pain was like before, so I can’t really compare it. But my weekends are no longer waisted resting in bed, I have enough energy to do something. Those that know me well will know during the worst times I would just say I want the leg chopping off, and joked about chain saws, and what sort of blade I wanted to replace my leg.
I have a lot of people to thank, my family, friends readers of this blog who have often sent messages of support, and of course the OTalk* girls who have all been a consistent support. I know I have not always been easy to get on with, at times shutting people out.
In my revaluation I looked at want I wanted from life, and what I had already achieved and had. The career I love, a home, close friends and family, but no one to share this with. With the support of The Otalk girls I ventured into the world of online dating, something I would advocate, if you have ever thought about it, it’s an odd world and you need to be careful. I had some weird conversations and dates, which created much amusement within the Otalk WhatsApp group.
Five months again I found someone very special, who shares my hopes and dreams. He is caring, supportive and has quickly become a firm fixture in my life.
So without falling down the stairs I don’t think I would be in the place I am right now. I hope to draw a line under this experience and move on to a new chapter. I have recently become an Auntie for the first time and although I have fears about how my physical health impacts on my ability to help care for her, I’m learning every day.
If I have learnt anything its that Life is good – live it, you can always work around the barriers life throws at you.
Thank you for reading, Merry Christmas and Happy new year.
*OTalk is a weekly twitter chat planned and organised by myself and 6 other occupational therapist across the UK and Ireland. https://otalk.co.uk/about-2/
