So I got to work on time....

So I drove to work, which was a bit awkward in a manual car, and by the time I got to work the back pain was getting a bit more prevalent. I opened up the library, prepared for the day, but then called my boss to say what had happened, but got an answer machine. I also rang another campus to try and get relief as I had no staff till later that day. Fortunately it was possible for someone to come and relieve me, but it would take them around an hour to get to Sunbury.

When they arrived, I left to go to my doctor's surgery. On the way I dropped off the damaged bike at my local bike shop explaining the situation and damage that had been done. When I arrived at my doctor's surgery it was full, and my doctor was on duty, but no available appointment. Initially I waited in the busy waiting room, but by now the pain and nausea was setting in. I told them at the desk what had happened and I was allowed to go to the emergency room to lie down and wait.

Not too long after my GP came in. Did an initial examination, and then sent me around for x-rays, all in the same building fortunately. Did this, but getting undressed for the x-ray was tough. Then back to the emergency room to lie down. On examination of the x-ray my GP announced you have a thoracic crush fracture on T12. This is serious. You will be off work for quite some time. Because of the location of the fracture there is not a lot we can do, but you must lie on your back as much as possible, no lifting of weights more than 5 kg, and I'll prescribe pain medication and write you a certificate for work.

At this the prognosis reality hit me. A bitter pill to swallow that this was going to effect the rest of my life, but there was the reality to be so thankful how this could of been so much more worse!