Day 21

Goodness me it is hard to comprehend that it will be three weeks tomorrow since I slipped, fell and snapped my hip. It doesn't seem possible. This morning marks day 8 of my time in Cliftonville.

Although I am awake in the wee small hours I feel a lot more sanguine about things now I understand the rough outline of what will happen over the next few weeks.  The milestone date is 14-December when I have an appointment to see Mr Northover, an appointment that is critical to what happens to me from then on. In the meantime my obligation is to continue with the Physio exercises I have been given to strengthen the muscles in my legs and upper body and to increase the range of movement around the bad hip without doing any damage.  It's two and a half weeks of just being in Cliftonville (which is not the most inspiring thought) but I am starting to get things in my diary to do such as Sculptor's 80th birthday and Illuminated Boats and Carols on the cut in Stoke Bruerne.  I have a standing invitation to go to the Boat Inn for their 'seniors' Christmas meal on 8-December but I am mindful that the cost is £25 each way in the specialist taxi.

I have started to put things in place for going home and to that end have asked Bob the Blacksmith to quote for a handrail for the two steps from the towpath to my front door (around £100 I think) and have asked DJ Hutchings (who rebuilt the house two and a half years ago) to quote for bannisters on the inside of the stairwell and a seat in the shower.  I know these are probably things that Occupational Therapy would cover the cost of but I believe I have an obligation to the conservation area I live in and to the house to ensure any additions to accommodate my (hopefully short-term) reduced mobility are in keeping with the house and the conservation area. I am contemplating if I should have a slightly larger shower cubicle which I believe the bathroom can accommodate.

I have taken the decision this morning to stop the Paracetamol tablets in the morning on the basis that if I do need them I just have to ask and if I don't then I am one step further down the road of weaning myself off, what could be, addictive painkillers. You get very little support in your decisions which, in the main, are met with 'it's your decision'.

I have just had 15 minutes with Amanda who came to talk about my options (I think as a result of my letter to NGH).  It seems the following will happen:

• Next milestone is the Fracture Clinic on 14-December
• Following that there will be a recommendation as regards weight bearing so nothing between now and 14-December
• Non-weight bearing stay at Cliftonville :-(
• Weight bearing gives two further options - either medical or social rehab
• Medical rehab probably doesn't apply to me because in reality I don't have a medical condition that needs attention
• Social rehab probably does apply to me and the (again conflicting) advice is to take whatever location is offered - this includes 'intensive' physio. I have pointed out that any location other than Turn Furlong (see link on right) will mean reduced visiting and reduced ability to get the 'domestic' things done
• There is a very long odds option that they will allow me to go home but, at the moment, that's such long odds that it is probably not worth putting any money on

From a pragmatic point-of-view I think the only option currently open to me is to sit tight and wait for the Fracture Clinic appointment (18 days away) and hope for the best of possible outcomes from that appointment. I'm just not sure how I can influence anything other than to religiously undertake the exercises given me by the physio team.

My friend Lynda came to see me this afternoon after 10 days in Spain and encouraged me to go for a trip in the wheelchair I had.  It was of the type that you can't propel yourself.  One of the nurses saw that Lynda was pushing me and provided an exchange one that I can propel so we've done a tour of the building and had a coffee downstairs and I now have codes for the two doors for when I get home on Saturday evening.  Another milestone, small as it may be. Thank you Lynda.

A lovely visit from Sarah Brown of CRT on her way home tonight.  We had a good laugh and discussed the various options open to me in the future.