Give me a ‘break’ – our Australian ski trip, so far

You know when you ski, that it could happen, that you could break a leg, and I did, hence the Give me a ‘break’ – our Australian ski trip, so far.

Breaking your leg while skiing

 

The details

1. Our long awaited annual trip to the Australian snow fields
2. Reports were never going to be for a good season
3. Things improved a bit, then it rained and washed it away, then it snowed heavily a few days before we got there
4. Blue bird day – broke my leg (lateral tibia) day 1, 4^th run when I hit crud. Was it anyone’s fault? No – it was what it was – an accident.
5. Ski patrol medics, medical centre, zimmer cast, immediate Canberra referral to specialist
6. Rang my specialist who called me back to Wollongong immediately
7. Nightmare drive home – flat tyre, roos and wombats darting across the road at dusk and for next 5 hours, and a moaning wife
8. Getting me in house
9. Getting me out of house for specialist
10. Hospitalised immediately for up to 6 weeks
11.  Reprieve by orthopaedic surgeon, hoping not to have to operate – maybe a few days in hospital, 6 weeks with all the right gear (wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches). Will re-assess on Monday week re operation.
12. Gordon called into work despite being on holidays. They can sniff him if he is within 200 kms
13. Had said my foot was sore. Fractured bones in foot confirmed. (Well, why not?)
14. Broke free from hospital yesterday on condition of no weight bearing or a couple of minutes of slight egg shell weight.
15. Decided to go back to snow for a week.

Why?

Gordy wont be called into work (he is working 5.30amm – 7pm today and tomorrow, then we bolt on Sunday) –       I won’t feel guilty about stuffing up the holiday. They cook, clean and care for us (We love Smigs). It has a bonhomie that is what we both need. May as well be wheelchair bound there as here.

Some suggestions

 

1. Plan to repaint your house after hitting every wall and door frame
2. Keep really long tongs with you at all times
3. For any one with a temporary, partial or permanent disability – omg – it is so NOT EASY. So don’t barge them at a supermarket, and offer to open a door or whatever. If they don’t want you to they will tell you. They may be grateful. I will be (small red and black chair, small red haired woman just for your info)
   

   and vice versa

 

Some observations

1. People are very very kind. Belinda who runs Smiggin Hotel, I love you
2. BF1 Wendy,  – who runs my specialists practice, you always do right by me and that is one of the reasons you are always BF1
3. My fantastic specialist who I trust implicitly – Dr Harvey
4. My sisters and brother and families and Gordy’s family, and our friends, who always care, though are entertained in a good way
5. My mum who does not need this but accepts things and is always there for me – no matter what
6. I HATE being dependent – like seriously, I cant’ reach light switches, I can see every bit of dust on floor, I want to do things for myself. Gordon doesn’t cook with love, just for sustenance – though he did do well .. so far.
7. For any one with a temporary, partial or permanent disability – omg – it is so NOT EASY
8. Gordy – I perhaps frustrate you, might not listen, might be too independent for my own good, but at the end of the day I adore you.
   

   Gordy – my yeti

Future plans

We are going to Europe in October, and barring an operation will just need to modify a little. – our 2 months in Japan, Austria and Switzerland in February and March next year will have some modifications. Maybe I won’t be skiing but have picked places that are rich in culture, history and people voyuering – so all good.

Final word

Things happens; work around it; embrace serendipity!