Well, the operations to plate my hubbie and my collar bones are set (no pun intended) are set to take place on Wednesday, having been postponed from last Wednesday. We were pretty stoical about the postponement - if there are no beds, there are no beds - others were pretty shocked we'd have to wait so long.
Well, yes we're having to wait a week (and, I must admit, I'd had better!), but using the power of google, my hubbie discovered the consultant who will be carrying out our operations is the canine testicles for shoulder surgery and rehab. Personally, I prefer waiting a week and getting the best.
In the meantime, some things have been getting to me - really petty things at that. Some friends of ours visited on Friday night and brought a huge food parcel with them (her Italian Mum sent it!). It was great to see them. They even did the dishes, but the didn't put the glasses away in the right place. Yes, they were in the correct cupboard, but not grouped with other matching glasses.
Big deal!!!
I know - they are clean, put away and still accessible for a couple with broken collar bones. That's just one example of the silly little things that are getting to me.
Yesterday, I had a big rant (poor hubbie, he got it and he's on the same boat as I am) and a bit of a greet to myself. I felt a lot better for it. I just have to accept how things are at the moment. It'll be okay in the end. I think part of my problem is I'm a busy person - always on the go. I find it very, very difficult to sit and let others do things for me - I do things for others.
The other thing is, I am getting towards the end of my co-ordinated field assessment. 121 have been informed of my accident and are being supportive. I am supposed to have my second personal development interview on 11th March - only 1 week after my operation. If that has to be postponed, my local review gets postponed too. That could have a knock-on effect for the selection conference (if local review sends me!).
I must admit, I would be disappointed if I missed all of that because of the accident (mmh, was it really an accident - that implies no fault; just one of those things). That said, I have other things to worry about in the meantime. To be honest, my hubbie is more concerned about the potential knock-on effect for my call that I am. I'm sure everything will work out okay in the end.
God is looking after us.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Lent
I'm not one who usually gives up anything for Lent. I sometimes reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross. A journey He was destined to undertake at the beginning of time.
This year, Lent's a bit different. I'll be reflecting on my journey of call exploration since last June's enquirers' conference. The challenges, encouragement, love and growth I have experienced and continue to experience since then, especially since the start of my co-ordinated field assessment.
Also, I'm giving up a few things for lent:
I know lent reflects Jesus going into the wilderness for 40 days. Was it a choice, though? I've often wondered that and don't think it was. I feel Jesus did it as it was something he had to do. To fully prepare Himself for His death on the cross. Perhaps even to "see" if there was another way - did humanity really need this?
Yes, we did and we were cleansed forever by the sacrifice of God Himself on the cross, so death would no longer be the end.
This year, Lent's a bit different. I'll be reflecting on my journey of call exploration since last June's enquirers' conference. The challenges, encouragement, love and growth I have experienced and continue to experience since then, especially since the start of my co-ordinated field assessment.
Also, I'm giving up a few things for lent:
- riding motorbikes
- climbing
- washing dishes
- cleaning the bathroom
- carrying rucksacks
- and, at the moment, I might as well be celibate!
I know lent reflects Jesus going into the wilderness for 40 days. Was it a choice, though? I've often wondered that and don't think it was. I feel Jesus did it as it was something he had to do. To fully prepare Himself for His death on the cross. Perhaps even to "see" if there was another way - did humanity really need this?
Yes, we did and we were cleansed forever by the sacrifice of God Himself on the cross, so death would no longer be the end.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
No operation today
My husband and I had our operations called off. There were no beds for us. It's a pain (in more ways than one!), but other people's needs were greater than ours. We are walking wounded. The ops have been re-scheduled for next Wednesday.
That's all. The paper work for insurance claims are starting to come in. Again, another pain, but it'll get done in due course. Most of the paperwork will be my husbands, but I'll need to claim the replacement costs of mt kit (helmet, jacket, trousers and, potentially, gloves).
On the other hand, we walked away from a car/bike crash. We've got off lightly and everything will get sorted out in due course.
That's all. The paper work for insurance claims are starting to come in. Again, another pain, but it'll get done in due course. Most of the paperwork will be my husbands, but I'll need to claim the replacement costs of mt kit (helmet, jacket, trousers and, potentially, gloves).
On the other hand, we walked away from a car/bike crash. We've got off lightly and everything will get sorted out in due course.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
The damage
Yesterday my husband and I visited the police recovery agency to collect our belongings from the Pan and inspect the damage. I think a picture tells a thousand words -
As you can see, the forks are bent, the front fairing is totally knackered, as is the side panels. We also saw the brakes are no longer functioning - believe me, they were on Saturday! - and the head stock (thing that attaches headlight, dash board etc to frame) is bent. Given this damage the frame is almost certainly bent too. The 1300 Pan European has an aluminium frame, and it's nigh on impossible to fix on of those when it's bent.
Bottom line is, we're pretty certain it's an insurance write-off. I've told my husband I do want to get on my bike and behind him, though given our injuries, that won't be for 2 or 3 months anyway. That said, if the insurance company says the Pan is repairable, I wouldn't trust it. I'd always doubt how well the frame etc had been repaired and would not have confidence in it. My husband thinks the same and would dig is heels in with the insurance company, if necessary. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
All in though, especially now I've seen the damage to the Pan and the car that pulled out in front of us, I firmly believe we were being looked after. We walked away. Really, bikers aren't supposed to walk away from collisions involving cars or anything bigger. Our injuries will heal and the bike's replaceable. Everything else is optional.
Perhaps, like may other things, in some weird way only God knows (and I do mean this literally) it happened for a reason. I do believe things happen for a reason, it would just be nice to know what the reason was sometimes. At the moment, though my husband and I are learning just how concerned people are for us and how much we can do with 1 pair of hands between us.
Love of each other, our friends, family and God will see us through this.
As you can see, the forks are bent, the front fairing is totally knackered, as is the side panels. We also saw the brakes are no longer functioning - believe me, they were on Saturday! - and the head stock (thing that attaches headlight, dash board etc to frame) is bent. Given this damage the frame is almost certainly bent too. The 1300 Pan European has an aluminium frame, and it's nigh on impossible to fix on of those when it's bent.
Bottom line is, we're pretty certain it's an insurance write-off. I've told my husband I do want to get on my bike and behind him, though given our injuries, that won't be for 2 or 3 months anyway. That said, if the insurance company says the Pan is repairable, I wouldn't trust it. I'd always doubt how well the frame etc had been repaired and would not have confidence in it. My husband thinks the same and would dig is heels in with the insurance company, if necessary. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
All in though, especially now I've seen the damage to the Pan and the car that pulled out in front of us, I firmly believe we were being looked after. We walked away. Really, bikers aren't supposed to walk away from collisions involving cars or anything bigger. Our injuries will heal and the bike's replaceable. Everything else is optional.
Perhaps, like may other things, in some weird way only God knows (and I do mean this literally) it happened for a reason. I do believe things happen for a reason, it would just be nice to know what the reason was sometimes. At the moment, though my husband and I are learning just how concerned people are for us and how much we can do with 1 pair of hands between us.
Love of each other, our friends, family and God will see us through this.
Monday, 23 February 2009
Not doing things by halves.
My husband and I rarely do anything by halves - it's all or nothing. Breaking our collar bones is no exception.
We were at the local hospital fracture clinic this morning. I only saw my X-ray and, although I'm no expert, I could see it was a bad break - the surgeon I was speaking to confirmed this! Normally, a broken collar bone only needs a sling, time and pain killers. It will knit itself together normally. The way our collar bones have broken, this won't happen. The surgeon gave us two options:
I have opted for the surgery, as has my husband. Yes, many people we know would say we do everything together, but even we think this is taking it too far! My husband, bless him, asked to delay the surgery so he could better help my post operation. The surgeon explained that wasn't an option as he'd have to potentially get busy with hammers and chisels (way too much information for me!).
The operations are on Wednesday. Both my husband and I hope the metal plates are slightly ferrous - then we'll be able to put fridge magnets on our clavicles!!! Yeah, perhaps we do need to get out more, but not at the moment!
We were at the local hospital fracture clinic this morning. I only saw my X-ray and, although I'm no expert, I could see it was a bad break - the surgeon I was speaking to confirmed this! Normally, a broken collar bone only needs a sling, time and pain killers. It will knit itself together normally. The way our collar bones have broken, this won't happen. The surgeon gave us two options:
- Let the bone heal naturally, but loose some shoulder function - i.e. no lifting our left arms. Or,
- Go into hospital for day surgery and have a plate inserted to hold the collar bone together.
I have opted for the surgery, as has my husband. Yes, many people we know would say we do everything together, but even we think this is taking it too far! My husband, bless him, asked to delay the surgery so he could better help my post operation. The surgeon explained that wasn't an option as he'd have to potentially get busy with hammers and chisels (way too much information for me!).
The operations are on Wednesday. Both my husband and I hope the metal plates are slightly ferrous - then we'll be able to put fridge magnets on our clavicles!!! Yeah, perhaps we do need to get out more, but not at the moment!
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