So having got the news from the doctor of my thoracic crush fracture on T12 I rang my wife via mobile phone from the emergency room. I then pulled myself together, struggled over to the pharmacy to get my pain medication, and then awkwardly drove the short distance home.
On getting home with my wife's assistance we put together the pullout couch in the backroom that overlooks the decking and view, and has a television and we could extend the phone cord into the room. This was going to be my residing place for many hours, days and nights after this event.
I then rang my boss to tell her my news and prognosis. She then went to work to sort out the workplace situation, and went exploring the appropriate contact phone numbers and contacts for our workplace's OHS people and TAC phone numbers.
Fortuitously at the doctor's surgery the x- ray people particularly emphasized to me this is probably going to be a TAC case. Keep a copy of ALL your receipts! Good advice! I did take copies of my bills before heading out in the afternoon to Medicare to see what I could get back from the $200+ I had already forked out that day for doctor's bills and x-rays.
Showing posts with label bicycle accident. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bicycle accident. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
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!
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!
Monday, September 8, 2008
It all started on the 10th of July....
Having riden my bike to the staff meeting at Sunshine campus the day before I was enthusiastic to ride to work as I had the opportunity. It was a bit cold, a bit wet, but I rugged up and set out early as I knew I had to open up Sunbury campus by 8:30, and knew from experience I needed to allow a good hour and a quarter. So off I set with backpack full of workstuff and a change of clothes, reflective vest, and xenon light ablaze.
Only about 2 kilometres from home I approached an intersection I've passed through many times before by bike and by car. Old Calder Hwy and Burrowyre Cresent in Keilor. There was a late model Ford Falcon at the intersection turning right, but waiting for traffic to clear. I had right of way, and I thought the driver had seen me approaching. Then, when I was right in front of the car, it came out of the intersection and I landed on the bonnet of the car. The driver must have realized something was wrong pretty quickly as she stopped, and I slid off the bonnet and went down onto the dark, cold, black hard road surface
Only about 2 kilometres from home I approached an intersection I've passed through many times before by bike and by car. Old Calder Hwy and Burrowyre Cresent in Keilor. There was a late model Ford Falcon at the intersection turning right, but waiting for traffic to clear. I had right of way, and I thought the driver had seen me approaching. Then, when I was right in front of the car, it came out of the intersection and I landed on the bonnet of the car. The driver must have realized something was wrong pretty quickly as she stopped, and I slid off the bonnet and went down onto the dark, cold, black hard road surface
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