Sunday 3 January 2010

Update

I've had a few messages from readers over the Christmas break asking me how my leg is progressing and wanting to know if I'm walking yet. Well, I'm pleased to say that I'm doing quite well. After almost a year of painkillers and antibiotics I've managed to give them all up. I'm still using crutches and wearing a cast with a brace, but I'm hoping to lose that on January 14th and to start rebuilding my fitness in earnest from thereon in. I don't know how long it will be before I can walk but I do have a fairly big hill to climb now that one leg is about 4cm shorter than the other :-( I'm hoping to get some better shoes so that I can start learning to walk but I know it's going to be difficult and that I'll probably need a walking stick for the rest of my natural. It's an adjustment but after so nearly losing my life I'm trying to keep that minor inconvenience in perspective. Thanks to all of you who took the trouble to ask and to wish me well... it helps a lot. XTM

8 comments:

  1. Many thanks for the update and I'm glad you are doing quite well (in your own words).
    It is no consolation to look at others who are worse off, but I would guess that most respondents to your blog have had their own sufferings and therefore know how you feel.
    My husband and Mum have both had medical setbacks in 2009 and are also coming to terms with a changed lifestyle. (And so am I as I have lost my job).
    You are not alone and you have lots of readers rooting for you. Climb that hill.

    Cora

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  2. Stay foccused dear XTM that steep hill you have to climb is not that steep... that dim dull light at the end of the tunnel will soon be blindingly bright and full of hope.. good luck fellow blogger.

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  3. Chris of Melbourne3 January 2010 at 16:26

    Fantastico!
    The speed of your rehab is something legends are made of. Already time for the next phase. Good thing to be able to ditch the anti biotics ( taste!) and the painkillers ( they work better if you can take them only when needed 'cos then the body is more responsive to them ).
    My Mum will say,there you are dear, they might try and take away the pounds and gallons but that's the British Spirit in action ( just before a hearty rendition of There'll Always be an England ).
    Good on you XTM,
    Keep on keeping on!

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  4. HI XTM! I fell glad for you that you could switch to a diet without the pills & I for one feel rather confident you will be able to walk without a stick but with proper shoes as I have already seen people walking without them that had legs of differing length (and they wore shoes appropriate for them). I'd find the right shoes rather sooner than later if I were you because your hips might suffer from lost equilibrium, this might result in unwanted hurts later on. BTW, we had salmon with saffron rice today. Best wishes! Barbara (Styria)

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  5. I had an uncle with a shortened leg (ww2) and he told me he was a side hill walker. I believed him - I was young at the time.

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  6. Wooohoooo great news ET, we are all rooting for you. I think you are a great man, and this minor blip on the landscape will pail into insignificance once you pass it :)

    Keep up the good news mate. We are all here for you :)

    Regards,

    Kat from Perth.

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  7. Excellent news XTM... The only way is up now..!!
    Ness..

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