Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 18 May 2016, 18:22:52
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Hi Guys,
This Sunday I was unfortunately involved in a head on collision as a front seat passenger. We were travelling at motorway speeds and went directly head on with a vehicle that came onto our side of the road from the opposing carriageway on an A road.
I'm struggling to work out how We are all still alive to tell the tale. Statistically a head on at those speeds almost always results in death.
I'm currently in hospital with a broken back, neck, ribs, and airbag burns. The driver had minor injuries, the occupant of the other car fractures.
For reasons which most will understand I don't wish to talk about how or why it happened or the circumstances. Neither do I want sympathy, I just want to talk and share.
I'm just properly fed up and keep having flashbacks both awake and asleep. I'm also in extreme pain and stuck in hospital for a long time. I can move my limbs but won't walk for months and then it will be with a frame. I feel degraded having to go to toilet in a bed only separated by 6 others via thin curtains.
I know I must sound ungrateful. I recognise I am ultra lucky to even be alive. I count my blessings.
It's amazing how we take the small things for granted, such as walking to the bathroom or sitting up to have a coffee!
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:o :o :o
WTF
Well, initial thought is thank Christ for that.
I think I need a moment to take it in.
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Was it work related?
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Was it work related?
Yes, it was, but that really is all I can say :y
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Hell fire!!My crash back in 2011 was bad enough but nowhere near that horrific.Main thing is you've survived to tell the tale.Can't be pleasant having to rely so much on others for the things you normally take for granted as do-able.Here's hoping you make a full and speedy recovery :y
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I'm just properly fed up and keep having flashbacks both awake and asleep.
IME, they do fade over time, along with the other anxieties.
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Ouch, doesnt sound fun at all.
All the best with the recovery, given the circumstances guess there will be no barriers to decent physio etc when the time comes
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Blimey James. Really hope you pull through.
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This is terrible news James,it seems by what you have told us that you are in not a good place at the moment,I know that the many forum members who know you, will wish you a full and speedy as possible recovery. :(
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Bloody hell James
Sounds like you have been in the wars this time and the road to recovery is going to take time by the sound of it I Wish you well
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Kin ell James :o
Is this the right time to ask you for 6 numbers for Fridays lotto ?
As said, your alive even though you've got a rough road ahead, you will get there :)
As Jamie says, the flashbacks and other head shit will fade as the time goes on.
Take it day by day, then week by week and (I know this bit is easy for us lot to say but) keep your chin up mate :)
Hoping for the best outcome for you James :)
Be nice to the nurses and if you feel like setting the world to rights, get yourself on here and let rip :y
All the best
Steve
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Be nice to the nurses
Do they still dress like in the Carry On films? If so, I might have to drive into a wall...
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Bloody hell ... at least you still breathe and have working limbs, which sounds like a miracle ... best wishes on what's going to be a very long road to full recovery
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And I thought I was having a bad week :o
Kind of puts things in perspective. As said, count the blessings and don't dwell on the what ifs, lifes far too short.
Think positive and think forwards :y
Hope you have a strong and complete recovery ;)
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Be nice to the nurses
Do they still dress like in the Carry On films? If so, I might have to drive into a wall...
They don't, but scrubs can be sexy ::)
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James, you may not be looking for sympathy, but you are getting it!
I showed SWMBO your post and she asked me to add her well-wishes to mine. As you know, she only met you just the once, but has a high regard for you and always refers to you as "that nice man"; I couldn't have put it better myself!
Ron.
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Be nice to the nurses
Do they still dress like in the Carry On films? If so, I might have to drive into a wall...
If they did and knowing my luck, i'd probably end up getting a bed bath by a couple of Hattie Jacques lookalikes with brillo pads ::) ;D ;D
Oooh matron :D
Oh yeh, apologies James if that lot made you laugh and it hurt
You know were all a bit mad on here :y
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Be nice to the nurses
Do they still dress like in the Carry On films? If so, I might have to drive into a wall...
If they did and knowing my luck, i'd probably end up getting a bed bath by a couple of Hattie Jacques lookalikes with brillo pads ::) ;D ;D
Oooh matron :D
Oh yeh, James hope that lot made you laugh.
You know were all a bit mad on here :y
Fixed :y
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So sorry to hear what has happened. Keep your chin up and wishing you a full recovery.
We do take our good health for granted and it is tough when we lose it and then have to fight the good fight to get back to full strength. Keep positive, take each step at a time on your road to full recovery. :y
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Shocking news James, really sorry to hear this. Having spent 3 months in a hospital bed due to a r.t.c. (many years ago) I can only advise that you need to switch your mind into a different mode. All the things that were important before Sunday, actually aren't really important at all.
The only thing that's important now is to try to relax into a prolonged period of bedrest, find whatever suits you best to occupy your time, accept that's how things will be for a while, and allow yourself to be selfish and concentrate on your physical and emotional wellbeing.
It takes time to get over the trauma, theres no way round that. I used to lie awake at night for at least a couple of years trying to remember the actual impact. It seemed desperately important at the time, but of course as time goes on the minor details become pretty unimportant altogether. You realise just how fortunate you have actually been to survive and carry on with life, when so many others don't.
Hope your recover is a complete and speedy one. :y
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So sorry to read of your accident don't know you but believe me the thought of having a serious accident is something we all dread, just hope that your recovery will be as swift as possible, but thank god that you have survived which in itself seems like a miracle from your post.
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Been reading through this trying to think of a pearl of wisdom to drop, or some words of succour. There are none. Unfortunately things like this happen and, as has been said, your big job now is to get better and look after yourself. I would imagine the first week or so will be painful and worrying and, after that, painful and boring. Stay strong, lad, your strength of character has never been doubted by me.
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To James sorry to hear what has happened as with everyone else wish you a speedy recovery and fingers crossed your back on your feet soon
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If they did and knowing my luck, i'd probably end up getting a bed bath by a couple of Hattie Jacques lookalikes with brillo pads ::) ;D ;D
Oooh matron :D
Last time I was taken to A&E in the back of an ice cream van, I recall the paramedic girlie being a hottie, and the young thing that was tidying me up in A&E being a fine little fille.
However, once fixed up, and after checking records, they insisted that I needed a tetanus in the 'arris. Given my phobias, and not being particularly keen on a prick up the arse, and knowing from previous experiences with such things that when it comes to minimising the torture, you want "experienced"... ...I was so glad when stood "vulnerable" and bent over, that it was a big old bird, very matronesque like wielding the enormous syringe...
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Keep your chin up James and get well soon ...... :y
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Thoughts are with you James, get well soon!
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James,
Really sorry to hear your crappy turn of events... But, you're alive and will recover. Because of your circumstances (both how it happened and the fact that it happened as an RTI) mean your care will have been constantly targeted at minimising further damage. A friend of mine was taken off of his bike in London by a van driver and suffered similar types of injuries several years back and is now in better shape than me ;)
Hard as it sounds, you need to switch off and just do as you're told. It is amazing what can now be done with the advance of modern medicine. One tip I'll give is that if you have the morphine on demand button then use it! The flashbacks and nightmares will fade, eventually. Ask for a counsellor to visit you.
Most of all, rest and try not to worry... You will recover from this and be fit again. It's not going to be a walk in the park but with your determination and the exceptional care you have had/will get you can overcome this :y
All the best from all of us here
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So sorry to hear about this, James. :o
All the best for a complete recovery, granted that it's going to take time.
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James so sorry to hear this,hope you have a quick recovery ,your a great bloke and brilliant mechanic on my Omega all the best Paul
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Hi James,sorry to hear this all the best from me and the wife.Dean.
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Jeez, seems like someone was watching over you on Sunday James! :o
Not much I can add to the above, just take it easy, enjoy the nurses and morphine and let nature take its course. :)
All the best and keep us informed of your progress. Good luck! :y
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As with BigRon, I am afraid that you are also going to get my deepest sympathy, I cannot begin to imagine your pain and discomfort. My wife and I wish you all the very best for a steady improvement and full recovery.
Best wishes
Chris :y :y :y
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FFS James, so sorry to hear this, but at least you are in one piece.
Hope you have a speedy and full recovery ;)
Best regards
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Horrendous
You have been so inspirational over what ten years with your projects, here's hoping you get succour from us forum members
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Hang on in there bud. :y
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Get well soon , hope you recover quickly.
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On my recent hospital stay, they shoved me in a private room for a day (no room in the ward) and that was boring! I was glad when they moved me into the ward, so ime your better off with other patients around you....and I bet some of those carnt get out of bed either!
Wishing you a full recovery James :)
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We have never met, but I feel I know you having received so much good advice from you and followed your clutch change guide. Tricia and I send best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
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Wishing you all my best for a speedy and full recovery James.
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Sounds like the airbag did it's job :y
Glad you're still sort of in once piece, and . . . . . alive
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It's a long time since we met and last talked but both Margaret and I are so sorry to hear this.
It's all been said already. Just do everything you're meant to to recover ASAP.
Kind regards,
Bill.
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All the very best to you. 👍
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That's shocking news James, I've only met yourself and good lady once but you're r a True Gent, by the grace God you are still with us. I'm sure you will make full recovery James :y
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Jesus H Christ! Well, not sure what I can add to the combination of sympathy, well-wishing, shock and matron jokes. But give us a shout if you need any more bits for the Omega. You should be out tonight, or perhaps the end of the week, yeh? :y
All the very best, mate. :)
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Sorry to hear about the incident James, time and patience needed sadly in this case to let the magic of the human body do its stuff :y
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FFS. The lengths some folks will go to so they avoid buying the chips on the back shift......
::)
Get well soon chap. All the best. :y
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Mate so sorry to hear about this. Life is shit on very many occasions. However try and look on the bright side in that you're still with us and with recovery time hopefully you'll be back to normality as quickly as possible.
All the best mate!!!
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OMG.. Only just seen this :o :o :o What a shocker,You have been in the wars James...Well your in the right place to get sorted out..Keep your chin up mate.
Steve
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I hope you recover a.s.a.p.
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I see he's got his mug in Facebook & twitter ;D ;D ;D ;D
All the best matey :y :y :y
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I see he's got his mug in Facebook @ twitter :o
Really :o. So much for being reserved...
Get well soon :y
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Ive only just seen this, chin up James, all the best, take it easy and get well soon. Chris. ;)
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I've only just clocked this :o :o,sounds like it was bloody tough going,glad you are still here mostly in one piece,get well soon :y
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sorry to hear that james :'( :'(
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Any update on how james is getting on :-\
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Any update on how james is getting on :-\
Thank you for all your kind words, I shall update in the v near future :y
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It's been over a week now so I am guessing your bruises should be several interesting shades of purple - that and the initial adrenalin and euphoria at having survived will have worn off.
Hope all is well and you are keeping your pecker up. :y
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Onward and upward :y
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Bloody hell, I disappear for a few weeks and James turns crash test dummy.
Hope recovery's going well dude, all the best from MrsGK, Furry GKs 1 and 2, and I :y
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In my thoughts, James.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. :y
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Hi all,
Thank you for all your well wishes. I am now continuing my recovery at home. The most serious of the injuries is the spinal compression fracture. One of my vertebrae has cracked into lots of pieces in the collision. I have been given a spinal brace, which I have to wear 24/7 with no exceptions including sleeping.
The pain is still immense, I am also now noticing other injuries more, for example, ribs from presumably the seat belt.
I've been told the break, whilst stable, is close to Spinal nerves. I have another scan next week. I wake up every day with tingling hands, wrists, and loss of feeling in various places.
The emotional side is also very difficult. I am used to doing so much for myself and being very independent, and now I could not even contemplate doing something as basic as an oil change, and probably won't be able to for a long, long time. Sleep is just not happening, and despite having supportive family, it's amazing how something like this affects your personal relationships.
The speed at which I was travelling usually results in fatalities. Granted I was in a 15 plate Volvo estate, but I still fail to see how I've walked from a crash of that magnitude.
I just keep reminding myself how grateful I am that, (albeit painfully and for short distances with crutches) I am still able to walk and do the most basic things for myself.
Thanks again for all your well wishes. And, just for Big Griffin - cheeky sod - I am totally reserved, the picture on Social media was not posted by me!! ;) :y :y
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Good luck with the recovery, James!
*notes down "Volvo Estate" on the list of possible next cars* :-X
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Good luck with the recovery, James!
*notes down "Volvo Estate" on the list of possible next cars* :-X
Seconded, healing takes time, and isn't all about breaks and strains. One day at a time :y
As far as the collision goes, you were unlucky... looked to be offset with a passenger side bias. Square on and you might have gotten away with ribs, bruising and whiplash. That said, that same offset almost certainly spared the driver of the C1 certain death, and fortunately no passenger in it either.
Try to take comfort in that as your body and mind mend ;)
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Good luck with the recovery, James!
*notes down "Volvo Estate" on the list of possible next cars* :-X
Seconded, healing takes time, and isn't all about breaks and strains. One day at a time :y
As far as the collision goes, you were unlucky... looked to be offset with a passenger side bias. Square on and you might have gotten away with ribs, bruising and whiplash. That said, that same offset almost certainly spared the driver of the C1 certain death, and fortunately no passenger in it either.
Try to take comfort in that as your body and mind mend ;)
All agreed in principle mate, and I am, naturally, over the moon there were no fatalities. :y
The only thing I'd say is, are you basing said offset on the pictures in the press? Having been at the scene first hand, all I can say is that (in my view) the pictures taken by the press (ie, the angles they are taken at) are extremely biased.... sadly while enquiries are ongoing, I won't be able to say anymore, unless it becomes public
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Having said that, I've just seen another article where it seems more unbiased and factual. I must admit I've intentionally not really looked it up too much :-[
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I am. And fully understand your position re events...
Pics of tother car are clear enough, ie more than one and one clearly taken looking straight at the front of it. Pics of the Volvo limited to driver side
Anyways, your colleagues will worry about all that, so you don't have to :y
Just concentrate on getting better :y
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Good news that you're home James! :y That's a positive step on your road to recovery. :)
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Dear all,
Many thanks for your kind words and I thought it only right I post an update.
It's now just gone two and a half months since the date of the accident, and whilst I'm not out of the woods injury wise, it appears I have defied the doctors on quite a few levels, and already have a better quality of life than was envisaged, when I was first taken to hospital after the crash.
Firstly, the injuries to my neck and arm were essentially hairline, and have not caused any prolonged problems or required any treatment.
The most substantial injury, and the one that causes concern, is the smashed vertebrae in my back. This vertebrae is in the lumbar spine, which is in close proximity to the spinal cord / nerves which control the legs, bladder, bowel, and, um, reproductive abilities. I'm somewhat embarrassed (but not ashamed) to say that I have suffered with all of those areas, for example, I have lost a significant amount of feeling in my left thigh, and my groin area, and whereby I used to be able to "hold it in" if I need the loo now, I have to go, pretty sharpish.
The most recent scan shows that the vertebrae has been compressed by over 30% in size, and the disc above it is badly damaged. The first MRI scan shows the fracture in close proximity to important nerves, though I didn't understand exactly what, apart from, it's likely to be related to my ongoing symptoms.
HOWEVER, on a bright note - within a week of being in hospital (bearing in mind I was told I'd be unlikely to walk for several weeks) - two physiotherapists were able to get me first sat up on my bed, and then stood on my feet. I was fitted with a back brace, which I am still wearing, to support the facture, which was thankfully deemed as stable. Over the next few days from there I was walking short distances on the ward etc, and gradually increased that.
I am now at the stage whereby I am entirely weight bearing on my legs and can walk a reasonable distance before too much pain, eg, I can do a mile or so. This, is a godsend - I never thought I would have this kind of mobility again.
Bending forward is agony, which I'm told is due to the damaged disc more than the broken bone, and fact sclerosis is forming around the fractured vertebrae.
I have been referred for physio and am obviously still off work. I am under close supervision of a spinal specialist consultant, and have another MRI scan in a few weeks to see how things are progressing.
Whatever happens, although my physical abilities are much reduced, I will have a reasonable quality of life and independence and won't have to rely on others to do really basic things for me such as washing and showering, which we once thought might be a life long thing. I can even drive, although I Can't sit down for more than around 40 minutes with the pain, and have to get up and walk around.
I will return to work at some point, and in some capacity, very worst case as something like an office based investigator. Depending on the physio, I may well in time be able to return to full frontline duties, and thus, go back to traffic, which is where I came from. It hasn't been ruled out, especially in light of my unexpected progress.
I wouldn't expect anything less from a workplace injury, but, work have been brilliant and I have had nothing but support from every angle. And so have my friends and loved ones.
I am, overall, thrilled with the progress and am positive. Although far from fixed, (no cambelts yet I'm afraid!) things are looking very good. Thanks again for all the support and kind words :y
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Great to hear that things are a bit better than anticipated :y Keep mending ;)
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Great to hear that things are a bit better than anticipated :y Keep mending ;)
Seconded, but with the caveat that you don't over do it :y
I met a chap at work who had had a double knee replacement but now can hardly walk... The reason? Simply two days after his Op, his grandkids visited, and he felt able to dance around with them... What he hadn't appreciated was that the painkillers were still working :'(
Long story short, one day at a time, but positive news all the same :y
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One day at a time, James. At your age it's difficult to take things slowly, but you must be patient. As you will be aware by now, it's not just the physical injuries that will take time to heal and, as soon as is appropriate, I'd bugger off for a while.
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All the best to you James.' Get well but don't do anything to hinder your recovery
As everyone is saying, one day at a time
Keith ABS
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Good to hear you're doing well* :y
(*probably not the right adjective but you know what I mean)
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I am so pleased that you are doing so much better than predicted, no doubt due in part to your positive attitude. Great to hear from you again James, and best wishes for your continued recovery. :y
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KBO, as Churchill used to say 'Keep Buggering On' :) all the best.
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Nice to have an update. I was wondering only the other day. Great that there is good news and more so that you are so positive about it.
Onward and upwards.
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That's great news James. The lumbar spine injury will either heal or they will stabilise for you ;)
I know first hand how terrifying and embarrassing it is to have to rely on other people to do the simplest of tasks for you... After my surgery I had to rely on family to do all sorts of things that they shouldn't have to do. But remember that it is short lived and that they love and care for you.
As far as recovery goes, keep with it. Do what the physio tells you and, above all, follow advice! Don't rush it and take each day at a time :y
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Good news James and all the best for your continued recovery! :y
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Very sorry to hear about the crash James but very happy and glad that the recover is coming along well . Wish you all the best Man :y
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Glad to hear things are coming on well, James. :y
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As others, I was wondering how you were doing.
Thanks for the update, its nice to know things are getting a bit better for you. :y
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Really encouraging news this.Family rallying round and being supportive should be a given,but it's good to hear that work is being so inclined as well.As others have said listen to and take heed of medical advice,take it one day at a time,stay positive and get well soon. :y
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Delighted to hear recovery is going well :y. Bear in mind, as others have said, not to get impatient and over-do it, as I imagine that sort of setback could be permanent.
If you need basic servicing on car, and can get it this far, just shout... ...although I need to rest my back for next week or 2 (soft tissue, so nothing to worry about - in my case its only pain, and that will go away).
Excellent news.
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Just seen this ................
Great news James :y
Well chuffed for you mate :)
Just remember too push but you can push too hard bud so not to fast eh ;)
Oh yeh, you never did tell us about those bed baths did you ;D
Thought i'd ask been a dirty middle aged perv like :-X :D :D