Monday, September 21, 2009

To blog or not to blog...

It was a real toss up whether to blog about this or not. Is this something I should or shouldn’t post about? What is my blog about? Writing, living in Bangkok, stuff about me. Anyway, this is the part of expat life that scares the bejeebers out of me, so maybe I should say it.

Last Thursday night my Dad (who’s 80th birthday I blogged about here) had a fall in the garden while he took Leo out for his last of the evening pee (the dog’s, not my Dad’s.)

It was a 999 job. He was hurt so my mum and sister weren’t too keen to move him without help. The paramedics thought he’d broken his hip; my Dad, a retired doctor didn’t think so. It strikes me as very odd that as he lay on the gravel, very clearly a patient, my Dad was diagnosing himself.

An x-ray failed to be sure. So they scanned him. It turned out that he has broken his ischium, which is part of the pelvis. This is better news than breaking his hip which would have meant an operation with a general anaesthetic which would not be safe because of his range of medical issues. They don’t do anything for a broken ischium except pain relief and physio.

Sometimes I really hate being away from home.

19 comments:

Jen said...

Gosh, it must be tough having to hear such things on the phone and not be within helping distance. Glad it wasn't his hip though.

Caroline said...

Hope he gets better soon. I think you did the right thing blogging it, now we can all send lots of positive thoughts along the wires x

Sue Guiney said...

I'm glad you blogged about this, not only because we all care about you and yours and can now send our best wishes, but because it brings up a difficult issue of expat living. It's better that people realize it's not as "glamorous" as some might think. Wishing him well!!

Flowerpot said...

Once again JJ we have written similar blogs - this is quite spooky! I do feel for you and hope your dad gets better soon.

Carol said...

Awww hon, I know how hard it is to get news like that!! I'm sending hugs to you and hugs to your Dad!!

C x

HelenMWalters said...

That must be hard honey. Sending you hugs.

Kate said...

That sounds awful - wishing you all the best

Kate

Jenny Beattie said...

Spiral, it is *sigh* but yes, good news it wasn't his hip.

Caroline, thank you and please do.

Sue, thank you. Yes I think that's how I felt.

Flowerpot, I've been over to yours already. It's getting a bit spooky, isn't it? Thank you too.

Carol, thanks.

Helen, thank you too.

Jenny Beattie said...

Ooops, you snuck in there, Kate. Thank you.

Rebecca said...

oh- that must have been scary and horrible for you and would definitely make you miss home. Glad it wasn't anything more serious. X

sheepish said...

Thinking of you and your dad and the rest of your family. I think it helps to share.

Marcie Steele said...

Sending Cyber hugs to you and best wishes to your dad JJ xx

Jon M said...

That is tough. I hope he gets well soon! And look after yourself too!

Jenny Beattie said...

Rebecca, thanks for your kind thoughts.

Sheepish, thank you. I think it does. And I find it quite difficult to keep quiet.

LPlate, thank you... got the hugs!

Jon, thanks to you too.

Liane Spicer said...

Hope your dad gets well soon, JJ. Thank goodness surgery won't be required.

Beth said...

It doesn't surprise me that your dad was diagnosing itself. It will have helped him dissociate from the pain to be concentrating on what was wrong.

I'm so sorry to hear that :( It must be so hard for you hearing that from so far away. I'm glad he'll be OK.

Helen said...

I read this yesterday, but didn't get chance to reply as baby needed attention. Needless to say you've been in my thoughts since. Hope he gets better soon and lots of hugs to you. x

Bluestocking Mum said...

Oh dear - poor dad and you. How frustrating to be so far away.

Ditto SueG's comment.
I hope your dad recovers quickly.
x

Jenny Beattie said...

Thanks Liane.

B, that's a good point. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

Helen, well thanks for coming back to say so! And thanks.

Bluestocking mum, thank you.