Glad your omega lives on, Rog, and even gladerer that James seems to be getting back to normal. 
Don't get me wrong. I'm over the moon that I even have mobility given what happened.
But an hour removing two cool packs (VERY light work) and I've been flat out all day today.
Anything remotely physical is, sadly, a big problem 
We all always knew it would be a long haul James and, at your age, being in such a condition must be very frustrating. But, on the other hand, being your age is probably what gave you the chance to make any sort of recovery. Nothing you or anyone else can do or say will make much difference, time will sort most of it out.
When you first posted about your accident, did you ever imagine you'd be in Wales salvaging Rog's omega by now? I didn't, so a lot of progress has been made. I'm sure a lot more will be made in time, but you were always an impatient little bastard! 
I think you've summed up pretty well.
When I first had the accident, (15 May) I didn't know if I'd walk again. I was told by an initial doctor maybe not.
When the senior consultant said I could have a spinal brace fitted and slowly mobilise, I was over the moon. (A more junior doctor told me I might be on my back for months).
At this point I still felt that to be able to walk any further than to the other end of a ward with a Zimmer frame, would be the extent of it, and at the time I was happy enough with the fact that I wouldn't permanently need a carer to take me to use the bathroom.
Since then having been sent home I have in four months recovered enough that my daily quality of life is pretty ok. As from a couple of weeks ago I had my first physiotherapy session and from that point I have weaned off the spinal brace to the point I don't use it from one day to the next.
It is on the advice of the consultant and the physiotherapist that, I have, using thier words, started to "re introduce activities that I used to do."
Starting with gentle walks, basic household chores, driving, and more recently - as you can see - tinkering about under the bonnet of a car for an hour or so with a basic task of cleaning out some plug wells.
I can drive for an hour at a time now before I get pain. Stopping for ten minutes and standing a while and I'm ok to continue.
Yesterday was the most I had done since the crash. I purposely took my toolbox on wheels to avoid much carrying and on the day coped ok. When I picked up the first spanner and started taking the fuel hoses off, I realised straight away that I wouldn't work at anywhere near the pace I did before, and wouldn't be able to do so for very long either.
I was pleased she ran well after cleaning out the plug wells because I couldn't have done any more.
I have been told by many not to over do it. Many folk thought I would do so. But I've actually been very good and have followed the advice of the experts. Including a couple of warm holidays!
I thought buying a project might give me the opportunity to start doing a few things bit by bit and build up slowly as and when I recover more. I'm now not so sure it's the right thing to do as I wonder if I will get frustrated I can't do all the jobs. In the same way I'm frustrated I can't sort out my garage or garden.
I am finding there is a fine line between taking it easy and not doing enough. My physio said that aside of the bone damage, there is a lot of collateral damage to soft tissue and nerves, and is very clear that to a degree I must work through the pain of basic daily things as much as I can, to get things moving again and rebuild strength.
The things I struggle with at the moment are very limited forward movement, and lifting. I still have some other quite personal symptoms including loss of feeling in some areas and a weaker bladder with some leakage after I've been for a pee. This is hugely embarrassing for me still.
Still. I now have mobility (including the ability to drive a reasonable distance) and aside of when I do a few certain things, would describe my pain levels as low enough to not ruin my quality of life. I now take prescribed strong painkillers as and when needed rather than a regular cocktail of them!
I couldn't really be happier with how progress is going. I'm still stiff and hurt and don't have the agility or strength I had before. But things are slowly getting better and I'm enjoying independence.
So thanks for all of the ongoing good wishes
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Topic: Adios Omega (Read 4178 times)