On the bus - not in the priority seat!

Day 2 back at work for 2024 and again - no stick!!

A I'm on the U1A and instead of stilling in the priority seat which I've done since August when I first got back onto a bus, I'm sat one row back and feeling rather epic.

#SlowlyCarefullyGently is starting to move that little bit quicker and it's wonderful. I'm feeling very excited / positive for 2024 xx

Welcome 2024 - 1st physio via drivers insurance

Am in an Uber off to Pure PhysioTherapy over near the airport for my first physio session paid for by the driver's insurance 

I've been waiting for this since the 9th November so I'm very curious to find out what I'll be offered. 

Thinking about 2024 I'd like to be fit and ready for the challenging events sprint triathlon 1st Sept - it's likely to be STC's club champs event and then the Ashtead 10k in the 15th September 

#SlowlyCarefullyGently

So where am I fitness wise?

So still got a ways to go! 

Hopefully my physio will include some PT sessions as well 🤞

Specialist physio 1/12/23

Saw Emily at Moorgreen Hospital in the MSK Stoneham Centre unit.

It was brilliant 

She reckons due to what I was able to do exercise wise and when she wiggled, pushed and pulled my legs that my fracture has healed

Now my body needs to get its proper form back, build strength and trust that I can do more stuff

My exercises from the rehab unit have been put to one side and I've been given a whole new page of exercises to do. It's like I've been doing GCSE work and now I've moved onto A level work 🤗

Also, the next 3 Tuesdays I'm seeing Fred the rehab assistant in the gym at the Adelaide centre to increase my strength, flexibility and confidence 

This should hold me over to Christmas and then the drivers insurance should kick in with some private physio and PT - my solicitor is chasing this up

Am feeling very positive 

I'm still using one crutch - mainly to ensure I get a seat on public transport and when I've been walking for more than 15-20minutes and am getting tired I can rest on the crutch. 

Plus with the lights on the crutch I can see where I'm going / can check if any ice / be seen by drivers, cyclists, other pedestrians. 

I'm defiantly feeling as if I've turned yet another corner on my journey back to full pre accident fitness x

November update

It's weird but I've done lots of updates on Facebook but haven't touched my blog for over a month.

I'm wondering if it's because although I'm progressing nicely it still feels ages until I'm back doing regular training so didn't feel as if I had anything to comment on?

I was thinking about it on the bus home this evening and decided there was plenty to update you with as to my current and previous months OF&H 

I've had x3 hydrotherapy sessions at the pool at the General Hospital 

Graham my therapist at my first session 27/10 said I didn't need both sticks anymore 

When I got home one crutch is now in my cupboard - it's the one I was using to support my right leg which is actually fine 

On my 2nd session 8/11 Graham gave me h/w to go swimming. Which I did 9/11 at Jubilee with Katherine and Pam. Loved it - 30mins of some lengths and some exercises.

3rd session today - Graham signed me off and gave me continuing h/w of 10-12mins walk no stick, rest, repeat as I need to be stickless to start back running.

Solicitor wise - the drivers insurance company has accepted all liability and I'll be getting a rehab package sorted soon

On the stationary bike I'm up to 35mins no resistance. Graham reckons I can do 10mins with resistance level 2 then back to no resistance for 5 mins and repeat a few times 

Walking - just need the one stick

My time for a km is now 16-20mins depending on length and how tired I am, which is amazing seeing as it was 25-30mins just a few weeks or so ago. 

And work is going well

Phased return 

I've done chats and did an hour of phones today 

Very tired but utterly delighted to be back 

Haven't rejoined tri club swimming yet - Graham doesn't trust me to not get over excited which is very astute of him! So I'll continue to go swimming  at Jubilee or the Quays through December and then see how I'm doing. It's the walking poolside and in the changing rooms that makes me nervous - so scared I'm going to slip. 

Plus I continue to do my lane based exercises 

I'm doing okay

I am up and down mental health wise - I have been very sad 

I'm feeling fat - I'm back to 80kg

I'm also feeling slow 

Sad-Fat-Slow

That's me!!!

But I'm also feeling optimistic

Excited about my progress 

Enjoying work

Enjoying starting to get my life back 

#SlowlyCarefullyGently xx

Back to work tomorrow 11th October 2023

I posted this on Facebook this evening 

I'm feeling excited, nervous, odd…

I'm not 100% ready / set but I'm set enough to head back to The Student Hub 🤣🤗

I must be careful 

I must not try and do too much

My returning to work - it's like I've finally got myself to the start line of an ultra. If I want to get to the finish line in one piece (or at all) then I must pace myself and trust in the saying of 'slow and steady wins the race' 🎉

I've got to stick to the plan 💪

This next phase of my current OF&H journey will probably take me to Christmas / New Year

I need to remember that 12 weeks ago I could barely walk and had to use a walking frame to go maybe 15 steps.

I want to be back on my bike, back swimming and doing C25K with my running / tri buddies within these next 12 weeks. 

I also want to be back doing my 8am-8pm 4 days on 4 day mini break shift pattern within these next 12 weeks. 

So I definitely need to remember my mantra of :

#SlowlyCarefullyGently 

🥰

I absolutely can not wait to start!!!

I'll be on the 09:20 U1 bus to the University tomorrow - Wednesday 11th October 2023 

#IveGotThis xxx

New step goal

I keep upping my step goal

I've just upped it again to 5000 steps as today I've done 10,444 - UoS open day with E

Approx 4km of walking in 1:40 with an additional 1:50 of rest such as when sat in a talk, having lunch, sitting on a bench etc… I haven't really moved from my chair since E left to catch the 5:25pm train to Ashtead via Clapham 

I have no idea how long I'll last on Wednesday when I go back to work. I'm not feeling confident it'll be till 4pm 🤔😐

Day 1 of stationary bike and one crutch training - musings on my accident and going back to work

Today feels like the start of a new phase in OF&H and my fractured pelvis rehab

20minutes Hurtbox session on the stationary bike chatting to Suzanne, Sue, Jenny and Lindsey while watching YouTube cycling video. 

Walked to and from Lidls with just one crutch

Walked to and from the Quays with just one crutch (with my front light attached to it)

My left and right groin is sore

My right rib is still a bit sore

My left side at the back above (ish) my bum is sore 

The small of my back is abit sore

My left thigh is sore 

I'm tired 

But crikey do I feel epic!

Also the driver has admitted she just didn't see me in her police interview and the cctv that the police have secured of my accident clearly shows exactly what I said happened 

I pulled out left onto Commercial road from Hill Lane

The lights I could see were red to the station, green to go up past the Mayflower (where I was going) and you can see her car waiting on the left hand side on a side road just before the traffic lights waiting to pull out.

I'm travelling down the road, not to fast, no to slow and the driver doesn't look and just pulls out.

Apparently you can see me react so i'm hit by her car straight on which is why her car has zero damage - I figured her bumper hit my back wheel which sent then me up then down hard onto the road. 

I haven't seen the footage 

Mate Sharon is like - do you actually want to get back on your bike at some time?? 

 I suppose if it goes to court I'll see it 🤔

I've also filled out a couple of forms that my solicitor sent me a couple of weeks ago. 

I feel as if I'm finally able to do stuff. My brain is working a bit better, a bit quicker, a bit more able to manage multiple things at once. Which is just as well seeing as I'm back at work next Wednesday! I'm so going to be like a 4 year old on their first day at school - totally overwhelmed / overstimulated, I'll be exhausted, probably cry, may have to come home early, will be very hungry and then fast sleep by 9pm 🤣 

I can't wait xx