Week 1 (Day 6) - Finally things improve a little

It took another hideously painful car journey, with the shrieking, yelling and crying that comes with that, but we made it to the private GP the next afternoon. What a joy to deal with a doctor who is actually willing to help. Luckily my sister had taken photos of the xrays on the screen at St Thomas's (which we promised not to post online...well, she did, I didn't, so I think technically we're ok on that score). The GP was very keen to see those and actually winced when she saw them. Already better than the delightful NHS one who laughed.

I told her about the spasms and the pain, and then my arm decided a demonstration was in order and went into spasm, so she could see first hand how awful it was, She immediately prescribed Tramadol and Diazepam, and signed me off work for 2 weeks. And referred me for a consultation with a surgeon at the nearby private hospital.

We filled the prescriptions on the way home, and then life got a little more bearable - the Diazepam helped reduce the frequency and severity of the spasms, and the Tramadol really helped get the pain to a level where I didn't cry all the time, just some of the time.

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Week 2 (Day 9) - Bruises and restrictions

Over the next week the bruising really came out. Tramadol made the pain sort of bearable, and the diazepam kept the spasms under control for the most part. Standing up, getting in or out of bed, sitting down, all still caused spasms, but at least the random spasms had stopped. If I could keep moving the spasms didn't happen, but any time I sat for more than 15 minutes, they would build. I also had to sit in a dining chair, with cushions to keep my back upright. Sofas or armchairs weren't possible as they required me to lean back, which I couldn't do. I had given work the good news that I wasn't back for at least 2 weeks, and called the health fund, who confirmed that they covered my surgeon and his consultations. I also called the private hospital and they got me an appointment with him for Tuesday 19th June. My mother returned home, but my sister came to cook for me on Sunday, and I had Ocado deliver my groceries while she was there to unpack and carry things. I c...

Week 25 - Knee improvements

Up and out running this morning. 5.7 kms, with one split of 9.20 which for me is fast. I did the ITB exercises first, and then headed out. No knee pain today, just a bit of a niggle but this time slightly below my knee. Lovely morning for a run, and the ground was quite spongey so easy to run on. Had a slight run in with a chihuahua that was smaller than my foot, and had to resist the temptation to loft it skywards, but luckily its legs were too tiny to keep up with me for long. I did the NHS leg exercises, clam shells, fire hydrants and stretching when I got back. Legs are certainly feeling it now, but my knee feels ok, and I had no trouble keeping running to the end, so I didn't lose any running fitness after just doing bike during the week. I will attempt treadmill again this week, possibly just once though. Have physio tomorrow, and might ask for more shoulder / back / arm exercises. I feel the need to get them toned up and strong. I also realise I will be seeing Mr Shoul...

Week 14 (Day 99) - Let's throw another fall into the mix

Walking fast and London pavements are a bad mix, apparently. I caught my toe on a raised edge of concrete paving and at first thought I would just stagger a bit, and then momentum caught up and I realised I was going to fly. There was a moment when time stood still and I tried to decide which side to fall on - the broken left shoulder, or the broken right hand? Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough, and landed on both palms, and my right knee. Some very kind people came rushing over to help, including one who said he was a physio. He helped me up, and asked me to move my hands around, and then lift my arms out to the side. Poor guy got quite panicked when I couldn't with my left, until I mentioned I was recovering from a broken shoulder. Then he got more panicked and said I needed to go to hospital and get x-rays. Nope, not quite ready to spend more time with the NHS just yet. My right knee was grazed and bleeding through my jeans. I proceeded (more cautiously) to work,...

Not at all Humerus

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