Having broken my ankle in 2 places (Tibular & Fibular) in a parachute jump at the weekend, I now find myself at home, in pain and plastered for upto 6 weeks and already I am utterly bored!. Daytime tv drivel is all too much for me now already, only days after my accident. Only decent telly has been Coach trip, repeating series 1 on Sky 3 @ 1.30pm weekday afternoons!. That’s entertaining!.

I am not adjusting well but am getting about hobbling. My family and girlfriend have been great in helping me also!. Many thanks to them!!.

I had planned a quiet yet socialable Christmas, which now has been hampered and should I now decide to venture out anywhere, my crutches will not be too far away!. Not the best look for the holiday season down the local but a necessity all the same!. I will depend on them for 6 weeks if all goes well. Like it or lump it!. That’s of course, should the hospital’s Fracture Clinic decide the break is healing nicely and that the pot will suffice, without the need to operate and pin the breaks. I have a half cast now which if they are happy with the healing process this week will become a full cast.

One thing I was very appreciative of naturally and thought much about after, was the NHS staff but ultimately, my thoughts were with the unsung heroes of the Air Ambulance. Without them, getting me off the drop zone (field in the middle of nowhere much like most are) would have been near impossible. I was sat in a puddle, not far from where I bounced, all cold, muddy and wet. After all in my mind I was planning to jump and then have a brief and brew in the comfort of the cafe. Uneven terrain made getting a vehicle to me virtually impossible and thankfully people at the drop zone had indirect, radio contact with the air ambulance in the event there were injured jumpers. Naturally, it’s a precaution – no suprise there – accidents do happen in extreme sports. 8 of us jumped from that lift and thankfully, only myself was injured. I am so grateful to the air ambulance and if possible, in future, will support them in raising money as I believe they often struggle with funding, yet provide a vital service. I had always had an awareness and praise for the great work they do, like all NHS staff but never truly appreciated how vital their service was until I needed it myself. Often the case I imagine. They did and do a great job!. Ok, I had just a broken ankle, very painful but certainly not life threatening and I could have been transported to hospital if need be by alternate means (4 X 4 possibly) but they improved my waiting time, comfort and and were there straight away (I was very cold having sat in said icy puddle.) Had I needed to be cut from a vehicle with serious injuries in the middle of nowhere and had time been vital as is the usually the case, with the service surely, most people stand a fighting chance, when otherwise they may not be so lucky. Pause for thought….

Many thanks to the Air Ambulance!. You are stars!.

29/12/2009 Update:
Having been back to the hospital, they have recast my ankle into a full cast and recommended I partially weight bear as much as possible to aide the healing of the break. Something I am not looking forward to – thought of something else snapping has me anxious. I am hoping at the end of January to be out of plaster and running around. Not driving or just pottering is very frustrating. Suprising the every day things we take for granted.

27/1/2010 Update:
Out of my cast, although still on crutches and now off to Physio but it’s very slow!.

23/2/2010 Update:
I’ve had 3 sessions of Physio to date but it’s very slow progress. I was expecting to be walking by now – since the average recovery time is 12 weeks, from injury. The experts agree!. As a precaution I was x-rayed again earlier this week (after a G.P visit for yet another sicknote) just to make sure all was well with the bone healing and it appears it is/has. I should have been x-rayed again once the cast was removed after the 6 1/2 week period (back in Jan) but due to an oversight that was missed (NHS for you!!). Also, appears I have issues with weight bearing to the weak side and my body is over compensating. I have difficulty in moving the weight mostly to the left (to my Physio’s frustration), having been in a cast and on crutches for so long – It’s a very strange feeling. I now have just one crutch to hobble about on when really I should have none!!!. That in itself is causing some problems with my shoulder, due to the extended length of time I’ve been on cructhes. The pain and discomfort around the ankle is continuing, sometimes it’s agony, moreso in the mornings when things are that extra bit stiff and harder to get moving. Usually after half an hour or so exercising the ankle is willing to move. On a positive note, I have the vast majority of movement in the ankle back in all directions now. I am hoping in the next few weeks to be making yet more progress and finally walking. I am just glad I am getting sick pay from my employer. They do after all, employ you through the good times and bad and guess what this is.. hmmm bad.

2/4/2010 Update:
I walked today for the first time since last December when I had my parachuting accident and it’s a great feeling!!. I can’t walk far, carry anything properly nor walk for too long but Physio will improve that as will continued walking which I intend to do a lot of now. I am happy and know too well, how a broken ankle is a timely recovery – most people don’t realse that or how much function the ankle has in a persons overall mobility. I have had 4 months from work sick so far and HATED IT!!. There is certainly no rushing the recovery and I have lost a large part of the year being injured, not to mention missing events I wanted to attend desperately. All improved now though and the future looks much brighter. I’ll spend another 4 weeks in Physio getting right before finally, returning to work somewhat back to normal hopefully. This has been a painful and educational experience for me. One I hope I never repeat.

13/4/2010 Update:
I had a set back 2 weeks later involving a pull at the back of my ankle and went back onto crutches but now am walking again, slowly and not too far for fear of a reoccurence. I’m hoping to be back to normal in around 6 weeks. Fingers crossed.

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Having gathered all monies in finally, I raised just over £400 for my charity jump!. Not bad but had hoped for better. Thanks to everyone that sponsored me and for those that didn’t, be ashamed!!. I don’t ask for much. Don’t be as ashamed though, as the few that said they’d pay and didn’t. Let’s hope, they never need my help.
I completed my charity Solo RAPS Static Line Parachute jump in Lancaster at the Black Knights parachute centre on the 12th September in aid of Pancreatic cancer. Please, despite the fact I have already jumped, still Sponsor me. The sponsorship page will remain open for upto 8 weeks I am told. Any amount is appreciated, the more generous the better. Remember it is for a good cause!!.

Here are some pictures and video from the day, which was superb and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so I’m intending to jump again in the next few weeks!.

Many thanks for your support!.

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