Well, I have just poured myself a nice glass of red wine whilst I ponder on how to start this, my first ever blog !
Were I a more disciplined person then I should likely start at the beginning, thankfully though I have never been famed for adhering to convention, and so I shall start in the 'now', the here and now, today !, how I arrived at today dear reader will become clearer with the fullness of time.
So why am I writing a blog, and what do I hope to achieve ?
I can answer both of the above questions with one simple reply, 'boredom' !, this is my humble attempt at halting the progress of the four walls that surround me from closing in anymore than they already have, on reflection that statement could have you believing that I currently languish in one of Her Majesty's 'no star' hotels, but no, I am in truth safely cocooned within my own home, bathed in the warm expensive glow of a heating system supplied by British Gas, yet my walls continue to crowd my space, and I will explain why.
Five weeks ago I underwent a below the knee amputation of my right leg, nothing new or courageous about that, I am not after all the first to wave farewell to a limb, and I certainly wont be the last, and this unfortunate adjustment to my life alone does not explain my current predicament, nor does the sometimes unbearable agony inflicted upon me by the enigma that is phantom pain, a manifestation that continues to confound the best medical brains the world over, yet a feature that many of us amputees have to live with.
The same can be said for the embarrassing discomfort of having a bag permanently strapped to my left leg, a bag connected to a tube that was unceremoniously inserted into my bladder via the only 'opening' available, "this wont hurt a bit" promised the young Nurse assigned to the task, she was right it didn't, 'it hurt a lot' !
No, the blame for my current fervour can be laid squarely at the feet of our wonderful British NHS.
Shortly after my operation I was visited by a very nice lady with a tape measure, she was measuring me she said for my very own wheelchair, a chair that would offer me some freedom and independence, a chair that five weeks later I am still awaiting the arrival of !
My discharge papers, along with a list of medication and guidance for my GP, contained a catalogue of highlights that I could look forward to in the coming days and weeks, regular visits to physiotherapy for a course of exercise, trips to the urology department in the hope that the aforementioned 'tube' may one day be separated from my person, and my once proud member's independence restored, the clock is ticking, and still no invite to either !
But there is hope, after numerous phone calls to various hospital departments, I have today been granted an audience with the Consultant Surgeon, the person responsible for separating man from limb five weeks ago, and hopefully the keeper of the answers to my many questions.
I will dear reader keep you updated on any progress on my return !
