waiting

Categories: ouch

Date: 07 February 2012 01:40:14

Waiting

Diary of an accident victim Part 9

So what does an accident victim do all day? Not much really, I just hobbled around the house, unable to do much more than move myself around and watch daytime TV. And let's face it, day time TV is not worth talking about. So fast forward to the day I went back to the hospital for a check up.

Wednesday 19th April 2006

A day I was looking forward to. Not only was I fed up of having my plaster cast on and the resulting lack of mobility, although I was getting quite quick on the sticks, but next week was mine and Linda's silver wedding anniversary, and I was hoping for the leg to be potless by then. So 2 pm I turn up, enthusiastically, at the hospital with a spare shoe in my pocket to find a full waiting room. I get one of the few empty seats left and wait... and wait... Eventually all the seats are filled, people start standing. The reason for the crowds, one child, arm in sling, is accompanied by a parent and two uninjured children. They occupy four seats. Other children are also accompanied by adults, these adults all take seats. So while uninjured people take seats, others with legs in plaster and using crutches are propped up against the wall. I now know the reason we are called patients. Patience is something we need in spades. An hour and a half after I got here, and an hour and a quarter after my appointment time I finally get to see the consultant. Then its off to the plaster room for the cast removing - more waiting - an x-ray of the ankle - more waiting - and a return to the waiting room to see the consultant again. Bad news! There has been no progress on the ankle since I left hospital. So I am told that the hospital will contact me about an operation to put in a plate. And I go back to the plaster room for another cast to be put on... and another wait. Modern casts cannot be walked on for the first hour, so it's another wait in the hospital before I despondently make my way home.

... to be continued.

This was first posted on St Pixels blog on 26 May 06 To see the blogs about the accident and recovery together please use the “ouch” link under Categories.