[Heybuck]

I feel like it and I must admit to doing a fair bit the last week.

Thursday morning last week, I tripped over at my new factory. Tripped on some steel beams that I had left there (so I can't blame anyone else!!!), I went over, curled my left leg under and managed to snap my left fibula bone and my left ankle.

Not that I thought I had, I just thought I'd sprained it then I decided maybe I had torn some tendons (which I have), so I got up, did a bit more work then climbed into my van and drove it back to our old office. Manual gearchange through peak traffic by the way!!

Bottom line is, my wife picked me up, took me to hospital and from there it has been a story of some operations and about a zillion x-rays plus some overnights in hospital.

Can't walk on it for maybe 3 months according to the surgeon.

The upside though is:
I cannot believe how supportive my family and friends have been this past week. I already had friends helping me move our businees, they have stepped into high gear and are doing all the work while I'm sitting here in a wheelchair.

I guess, the Pontiac will be resting in the garage for some time to come......

Ian

[Bill Hanlon]

Swearing not allowed in this case. Had you tripped over a Pontiac part and $(&^% up your leg swearing would then be allowed.

[gregneun]

sorry to hear about this, get some rest and heal.

Greg

[Engine-Ear]

Geez, Ian, I am sorry to learn of your "bad trip"...re-learning to walk just plain sucks...but it's better than never walking again.

Go with the flow, and "keep on the sunny side", as the old song goes.

[Deadhead]

Ian,

Benefits of swearing probably only apply during your initial encounter.

Hopefully you have some carbs to rebuild or the like to keep you busy.

I am sure supportive Pontiac family members will exercise your GP for you.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[66bonne]

Swearing is permitted ONLY if the accident results in irrepairable damage to a rare Pontiac part.
Best wishes, Ian, for a fast and complete recovery.
If you need some inspiration just talk to Engine-Ear {Matt} about his tribulations.
Jim

[mikediaz]

Heybuck - sorry to hear that man. You're one of the greats of the 62-66 big pontiac tech forums!
Here's to a speedy recovery. Maybe there will be some silver lining in the downtime (rebuild some of those 2bbl tripower carbs you may have sitting around maybe?)

Take care!

[mike nixon]

Hate to hear of anyone [well almost anyone] dealing with this kind of injury. Therapy for this sucks.

Heal quick, and IMO swearing is allowed every step of the way during your recovery!

[64catdroptop]

Ian,

Sorry to hear about your leg... that really stinks since cruising weather is comming up for you.

Get well soon

-r-

[marxjunk]

i hardley ever cuss..unless im around people that cuss..then..i can go toe to toe with the worst/best foul moth MFers on the planet.....ooops there i go again...

[Heybuck]

Thanks for all the kind words. Means a lot.

Still rolling round in my wheelchair but I'm detirmined to reduce the workload on my wife. I got my old Honda Legend (1988) out today - or rather, I got my son-in-law to get it out of the garage - and I took it for a drive. With its big wide opening doors and the seat right back I can slide in and out of it OK.

Next thing is to work out how to lift my wheelchair into it while balancing on one leg!!! I'll beat this.

Whatever, I'm going to work tomorrow.

Ian

[65WJ]

Originally Posted by Heybuck

Thanks for all the kind words. Means a lot.

Still rolling round in my wheelchair but I'm detirmined to reduce the workload on my wife. I got my old Honda Legend (1988) out today - or rather, I got my son-in-law to get it out of the garage - and I took it for a drive. With its big wide opening doors and the seat right back I can slide in and out of it OK.

Next thing is to work out how to lift my wheelchair into it while balancing on one leg!!! I'll beat this.

Whatever, I'm going to work tomorrow.
Ian

That's the spirit. Enjoy your therapy. If she is cute do not overdue it to impress. It does not work.

patrick

[The Boss]

When in doubt, shift 8.

****!

[Keith Vrabec]

Sounds more than a distal fib fracture....You sure it didn't get the tibia too? ( Bimal or trimal fractures)

Distal fib usually not a big deal, not a weight bearing bone. Only problem is if you mess up the alignment of the ankle itself or shatter the heel bone as well.

[Heybuck]

Hi Keith,

Fibula is broken lengthwise about 3/4 way up the leg. Ankle is broken in 3 places (cracked is probably a more apt description for 2 breaks), and is supposedly the problem if not pinned and allowed to heal before I load it up.

Notwithstanding all this, this morning I decided to see how I can load my own wheelchair into the trunk of my Honda. NOT A SMART move. Crutch slipped out from under me, I fell right on my fibula. Holy Moly. I think I just set my recovery back a week or so!! I'm an idiot and will freely admit it...

Ian

[Engine-Ear]

Ian, please don't be a hero.

Let people in your life help you until you are healed and able.

[mrrat1]

Man you have to sit back and take it easy for a short time. Reminds me of when i broke my elbow in a cycle crash........I had to cut off the cast in a week to sand my GTO. I was only 19 at the time so can claim stupidity!!
Do yourself a favor and let things heal before you are down for a very long time!!
All the best Dave

[Bonn66]

Heal fully Ian, i don't want any excuses for not seeing you at the Nats next year
cheers
paul

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

Get well soon mate..

Just imagine the cost if you in the USA with out insurance..
John

[Heybuck]

Insurance......

Yeah, well as I did this at work, even though I am self employed I decided to put my claim through Workcover. I have been paying out the premiums for all my staff for years and years without a claim but the doctors advised me to put a claim in because I might have ongoing problems in years to come.

I have full private health cover so apparently Workcover will make up the entire gap and I won't be out of pocket on this at all.

Initially, I went to the Casualty at the local Public Hospital simply because my daughter who is an intensive care Nurse has always said the best facilities are always at the public hospitals. Despite all the horror stories we hear about long waits and poor doctors in the public system, I could not have been happier with my treatment. FAST admission, loads of x-rays, nurses & doctors all looking after me. Not one cent was paid out or asked for.

It was the hospital that told me I should see an orthopeadic surgeon privately and it has been all good right down the line. Cost me $500.00 for the private hospital which included the operations, overnight stay and everything else. They even gave me a brand new pair of crutches. My wife claimed the $500 from Workcare and the money was back in our hands about 5 days later.

This is my second effort at using the hospital system. First time 11 years back I spent 7 days in intensive care, this time round a lot less serious but in both cases, I can only have praise for the Australian health care system. Works for me.

Ian