"I want to thank all those in my rescue and care."

I slipped and fell in Glencregagh bluebell wood while out walking with my friend in mid May. 

It did take two hours for the paramedics to arrive but they were brilliant. I apologise for not remembering their names. They administered gas and air which brought great relief. A while later two Fire brigade crews arrived to rescue me with a special one wheel stretcher and great strength and skill. Thank you all.

I then was put safely in an ambulance accompanied by the two paramedics and brought to the RVH. Unfortunately another long wait ensued but those two lovely young paramedics stayed with me and chatted to me and were just brilliant. I did notice a black bit appearing on my ankle and it started to get bigger during this long wait….

Eventually when it was getting dark I was admitted to the hospital where all manner of activity began. X-rays revealed I had broken my ankle in 3 places, right, left and back and it also was dislocated although the paramedic had dealt with this much to my relief when looking after me in the wood.

I was told I might need emergency surgery or else surgery the next morning.

A doctor came to see me the next morning and informed me that I would probably have to wait until the end of the week for surgery because my skin was compromised and needed to be observed….worst case scenario foot could come off! Anyway he reassured me that was highly unlikely…..

At this point I want to thank all the nurses and staff who looked after me during that night and day. I learned that my operation was to be on the Wed of that week much to my relief. I wish to thank L. Murphy, the lovely surgeon and her colleagues, the anaesthetists, Doctors Deirdre and Claire.

Thank you for your reassurance and lovely manner prior to the operation and for your great expertise and excellent work. I do not have enough words to express my appreciation of your worth and value and skill. You are all simply amazing humans!

To all the staff involved in my recovery post op I am very grateful. 

I didn’t realise that the next day after surgery that I could possibly go home if I was able to manage stairs! Unfortunately I did feel a bit lightheaded and not quite ready so opted to stay although as a result I was later informed that I had to transfer to Musgrave Park hospital as my bed was needed in RVH.

The amount of money and effort involved in that alone makes me wonder about the state of our health service never mind the stress it caused me. Nonetheless I felt I would be safer being monitored in a hospital one more night….

Musgrave Park staff were lovely and it was very tranquil there although I just sensed I had to get out of there the next day. I had become quite dehydrated due to missing meals and not getting water between all the waiting to-ing and froing. The doctor in charge warned me if I didn’t drink enough water that night I’d not be going home, thus I spent the night trying to get two jugs of water into me which obviously necessitated a few trips to the toilet in a cast with a zimmer frame needing accompaniment as I was in unfamiliar surroundings and unfortunately another night with no sleep.

When the physios appeared I was ready to tackle the stairs. I would have tried Everest I was so desperate to get home.

I don’t think they were overly impressed with my stair efforts but I assured them I would have support at home and when I got some sleep I’d improve. Thank you to the physios for giving me the go ahead.

I also wish to thank the amazing Occupational Therapist Christine! She was like an angel and a beacon of hope and gave me lots of help with practical ideas to help me with mobility and independence. She is another truly amazing, competent, caring human. 

Also having just been for my follow up visit to the RVH I wish to thank all those who work in the Fractures ward especially the nurses who put on the casts and the very skilled man who removes casts! More fabulous humans.

To conclude I left that afternoon with an aircast boot which is a great invention! It has given me a new lease of life. Thanks to the Red Cross for the hire of a wheelchair to help make my visit to hospital appointment more accessible. 

The amazing contribution all these people make - you are all doing a great job in the most difficult circumstances. I wish you all well and thank you from the bottom of my heart.