Well, it was fairly painless. My hubbie and I have been given a phased return to work on a part-time basis. This week we're just doing 4 hour days. Perfect to break ourselves in.
It was quite good being back. It'll get us into a better routine. Also, everyone I've spoken to has been really supportive and concerned about how we've been.
Getting back to normal. Well, normal for us!
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Back to work
My hubbie and I go back to work tomorrow, after over 9 weeks off. We were planning to return last week, when our sick line expired, but our office won't take us back until we've been signed back.
The first appointment we could get to be signed back was yesterday. It was an appointment for my hubbie (I couldn't get one until today!!!), but I went along as we've got exactly the same thing wrong with us. Thought, as getting signed back is a formality, we could get both our forms at the same time.
Well, the doctor was happy to sign both our forms, but had never heard of any business insisting their employees get signed back. I've since discovered there used to be a back to work form the doctor signed, but that was done away with years ago.
My hubbie then called the person in HR who we've been dealing with. Now, we had been offered part-time return to work. Basically, get paid our full wages, but over up to 8 weeks work part time hours. As we'd been offered that we had to have a caveat on the sick line (that's all it was, it just had a "expiry" date), stating we were suitable for a phased return to work.
So, we headed back to the doctors, apologised profusely to a somewhat surprised doctor, and got an additional note added. I didn't think going back to work after being off sick would be so much hassle.
I've looking forward to going back. I need a bit of routine back, though tomorrow will be hard as we get up for work at 5:30ish!!! Haven't done that for over 9 weeks. We're starting on 4 hour days, so by the time we've checked out e-mail in-boxes, gone through stuff on our desks, caught up with notices on the intranet and had meetings with HR and our respective line managers, it'll be time to come home.
In other news, my hubbie has just found some "interesting" vegetables in the fridge. Mmh, yes I need a routine - my cleaning schedule is all to pot!!!
The first appointment we could get to be signed back was yesterday. It was an appointment for my hubbie (I couldn't get one until today!!!), but I went along as we've got exactly the same thing wrong with us. Thought, as getting signed back is a formality, we could get both our forms at the same time.
Well, the doctor was happy to sign both our forms, but had never heard of any business insisting their employees get signed back. I've since discovered there used to be a back to work form the doctor signed, but that was done away with years ago.
My hubbie then called the person in HR who we've been dealing with. Now, we had been offered part-time return to work. Basically, get paid our full wages, but over up to 8 weeks work part time hours. As we'd been offered that we had to have a caveat on the sick line (that's all it was, it just had a "expiry" date), stating we were suitable for a phased return to work.
So, we headed back to the doctors, apologised profusely to a somewhat surprised doctor, and got an additional note added. I didn't think going back to work after being off sick would be so much hassle.
I've looking forward to going back. I need a bit of routine back, though tomorrow will be hard as we get up for work at 5:30ish!!! Haven't done that for over 9 weeks. We're starting on 4 hour days, so by the time we've checked out e-mail in-boxes, gone through stuff on our desks, caught up with notices on the intranet and had meetings with HR and our respective line managers, it'll be time to come home.
In other news, my hubbie has just found some "interesting" vegetables in the fridge. Mmh, yes I need a routine - my cleaning schedule is all to pot!!!
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Frustation
The accident - and I hate calling it that, as it happened due to gross carelessness - has really annoyed me. It's all the things I discover I can't do:
Apparently, we can claim from the other side (the insurers of the woman who caused the accident) for loss of amenity, which includes all of the things I've listed above. I'd imagine there will be potential wrangling over how much our loss of amenity is worth. I really don't care. No amount of money will make up for not being able to do the things I, we, enjoy. Things I need for my sanity and to remind me there is always more to life.
The other thing that's getting to us both is do we replace the Pan? Yes, we want to get back on the horse, but the longer the wait, the harder it'll be. Will either of us manage it? My hubbie's a big guy and even he is planning to ride my hornet for a little while to get used to using his shoulder for biking again. I may have to get a smaller bike (125 or 250) to build-up my confidence and ability again. Argh!!!
Earlier this week, my hubbie was looking at the potential replacement for the Pan. He'd always said when the Pan needed replaced, he'd want to get a Goldwing. From my prospective, it's a comfy looking pillion seat. It's also a 1800 engine flat 6! Apparently my face when I realised that was a picture of delight! That said, even an early model is £4k more than the Pan was worth. It's a lot of money to put to another bike, but hey, life's too short. We discussed the pros and cons of the Goldwing verses the Pan. Then I realised what was really annoying me. It was having to have that conversation at all. Again, if someone had looked at a junction, there would be no reason to replace the Pan and we wouldn't have even been discussing it. Well, not yet anyway!!!
Anyway, that's my rant. I'm sure everything'll be okay in the long run, but at times it doesn't feel like that.
- Birdwatching. Yeah, it's sad, and not very rock and roll, but I really enjoy birdwatching. Okay, I can do it, but not if I need to use my binoculars. Mmh, that'll be almost all the time. Although I can get them up to my face and they are really modern lightweight ones, I can't hold them to my eyes for any length of time.
- Motorcycling. That's an obvious and, as I said in my last post, not until at least the middle of May.
- Driving. Still haven't driven the car since the accident. Although my shoulder's much better and improving by the day, I still get pain when I get dressed and put on a jacket sometimes, so I'm worried I'd hurt myself changing gear and be concentrating on not hurting my shoulder, rather than driving safely. Not good.
- Cooking. Well, until yesterday. I love cooking. It gives me a lot of pleasure cooking for my hubbie and I and for others. That said, until yesterday, I may have hurt myself while lifting a pan (even with my good side) and been totally put off dinner by the pain.
- Gardening. I'm not the world's greatest gardener, but I try to keep my garden tidy. I had to get my parents round to cut my grass the other day.
- DIY. Again, it's said, but I like building stuff. My hubbie and I have done most things in the house. We've friends who are doing a self-build on a former church and, prior to the accident, we would go round to help them out. Unsurprisingly, we won't be doing that for a while. And it's just at the point when our mates could probably really do with the help.
- Photography. My hubbie and I really enjoy photography. We've a selection of film SLR cameras and a digital SLR, with a selection of lenses. Just over a week ago we were at a friend's wedding. As we enjoy photography and, even if I say so myself, pretty good, we made an album up of the photos my hubbie took. Ususally we'd both be taking photos. On Saturday, my hubbie's sister gets married and he's taking the part of father of the bride. So, I hope I've improved enough to take some photos. I'll be really annoyed if I can't.
- Climbing. About once-twice a month, prior to the accident, my hubbie and I would take ourselves off to the EICA to do a bit of climbing. We were improving, abet slowly, but we were starting to really get into it. Goodness knows when we'll be able to go climbing again.
- Camping. My hubbie and I enjoy camping. It's cheap, fun and a great way of seeing this beautiful country. We usually go camping for our main summer holiday. We love the freedom of just throwing the tent, sleeping bags etc in the bck of the car and heading in a general direction. I don't think that's going to happen this year. Some nights I can't get comforatble in my own bed, there's no way I'd manage on a camp mat. Also, we have a 4 man tent and it takes a reaonable amount of effort to erect, especially in a bit of a wind. There's no danger we'd manage it at the moment.
Apparently, we can claim from the other side (the insurers of the woman who caused the accident) for loss of amenity, which includes all of the things I've listed above. I'd imagine there will be potential wrangling over how much our loss of amenity is worth. I really don't care. No amount of money will make up for not being able to do the things I, we, enjoy. Things I need for my sanity and to remind me there is always more to life.
The other thing that's getting to us both is do we replace the Pan? Yes, we want to get back on the horse, but the longer the wait, the harder it'll be. Will either of us manage it? My hubbie's a big guy and even he is planning to ride my hornet for a little while to get used to using his shoulder for biking again. I may have to get a smaller bike (125 or 250) to build-up my confidence and ability again. Argh!!!
Earlier this week, my hubbie was looking at the potential replacement for the Pan. He'd always said when the Pan needed replaced, he'd want to get a Goldwing. From my prospective, it's a comfy looking pillion seat. It's also a 1800 engine flat 6! Apparently my face when I realised that was a picture of delight! That said, even an early model is £4k more than the Pan was worth. It's a lot of money to put to another bike, but hey, life's too short. We discussed the pros and cons of the Goldwing verses the Pan. Then I realised what was really annoying me. It was having to have that conversation at all. Again, if someone had looked at a junction, there would be no reason to replace the Pan and we wouldn't have even been discussing it. Well, not yet anyway!!!
Anyway, that's my rant. I'm sure everything'll be okay in the long run, but at times it doesn't feel like that.
Friday, 20 March 2009
No biking today
Or for another two months. That's what our consultants have told us. Fair enough, especially when they pointed out the screws holding our clavicles together will strip out of the bone if we over do it - nice!
But, it's a little frustrating. I mean, just look at the weather. It's never usually this nice in March. I remember 5 years ago today (it was our wedding day) it absolutely tipped it down. My hubbie and I, before the accident, had been planning heading away for a few days for our anniversary. He'd even suggested, if it was reasonable weather, we'd do a bit of touring on the Pan. Sod's law that it's glorious sunshine eh? Knowing our luck, when we are able to ride, it'll be really heavy rain.
I suspect we'll be so itching to get back in the saddle not much'll hold us back!
But, it's a little frustrating. I mean, just look at the weather. It's never usually this nice in March. I remember 5 years ago today (it was our wedding day) it absolutely tipped it down. My hubbie and I, before the accident, had been planning heading away for a few days for our anniversary. He'd even suggested, if it was reasonable weather, we'd do a bit of touring on the Pan. Sod's law that it's glorious sunshine eh? Knowing our luck, when we are able to ride, it'll be really heavy rain.
I suspect we'll be so itching to get back in the saddle not much'll hold us back!
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Post-op update
My hubbie and I are got home following our operations last Friday. His was performed on Wednesday, with mine on Thursday. I think we both caused issues for the surgical teams as our ops took about double the usual time. As I've said before, we don't do things by halves!!!
We're glad the ops are over - we both saw them as the first step on our road to get our lives back. Now the physical healing process can begin. In just over a weeks time, we have follow-up appointments with our respective consultants and, a couple of days later, the physiotherapy begins.
During our hospital stay, the staff were amazing - if somewhat surprised to have a married couple with the same injury, getting the same operation. It's never happened before. One of the theatre nurses suggested to me we'd need to get matching anoraks now!!! No - that won't be happening.
We've follow-up consultant appointments next week. The physiotherapy starts then too. The pain's subduing, which is good. At least the pieces of collar bone aren't moving any more, though we're both aware of this foreign object inside us, which is a little disconcerting when you're body realises it!
One bonus of this all, and you have to look on the bright side, is people turn up to do our dishes and take our ironing away. My hubbies more enthusiastic about that than I am and he doesn't generally do either!!!
It's sad, but I like housework (not very rock and roll. eh?). But, I don't want anything to get in the way of our recovery. We're not to use our arms or left shoulders at all for at least 2 weeks. Believe me, that's easier said than done.
Someone asked us the other day what we'd rather be doing and both of us said we'd rather be at work. If we were at work, we wouldn't be signed off sick, so the accident would never have happened. That said, we can't change the past, only look to the future and what the replacement to the Pan will be.
We're glad the ops are over - we both saw them as the first step on our road to get our lives back. Now the physical healing process can begin. In just over a weeks time, we have follow-up appointments with our respective consultants and, a couple of days later, the physiotherapy begins.
During our hospital stay, the staff were amazing - if somewhat surprised to have a married couple with the same injury, getting the same operation. It's never happened before. One of the theatre nurses suggested to me we'd need to get matching anoraks now!!! No - that won't be happening.
We've follow-up consultant appointments next week. The physiotherapy starts then too. The pain's subduing, which is good. At least the pieces of collar bone aren't moving any more, though we're both aware of this foreign object inside us, which is a little disconcerting when you're body realises it!
One bonus of this all, and you have to look on the bright side, is people turn up to do our dishes and take our ironing away. My hubbies more enthusiastic about that than I am and he doesn't generally do either!!!
It's sad, but I like housework (not very rock and roll. eh?). But, I don't want anything to get in the way of our recovery. We're not to use our arms or left shoulders at all for at least 2 weeks. Believe me, that's easier said than done.
Someone asked us the other day what we'd rather be doing and both of us said we'd rather be at work. If we were at work, we wouldn't be signed off sick, so the accident would never have happened. That said, we can't change the past, only look to the future and what the replacement to the Pan will be.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
No operation today
My husband and I had our operations called off. There were no beds for us. It's a pain (in more ways than one!), but other people's needs were greater than ours. We are walking wounded. The ops have been re-scheduled for next Wednesday.
That's all. The paper work for insurance claims are starting to come in. Again, another pain, but it'll get done in due course. Most of the paperwork will be my husbands, but I'll need to claim the replacement costs of mt kit (helmet, jacket, trousers and, potentially, gloves).
On the other hand, we walked away from a car/bike crash. We've got off lightly and everything will get sorted out in due course.
That's all. The paper work for insurance claims are starting to come in. Again, another pain, but it'll get done in due course. Most of the paperwork will be my husbands, but I'll need to claim the replacement costs of mt kit (helmet, jacket, trousers and, potentially, gloves).
On the other hand, we walked away from a car/bike crash. We've got off lightly and everything will get sorted out in due course.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
RIP Pan 1
Yesterday my husband and I visited the police recovery agency to collect our belongings from the Pan and inspect the damage. I think a picture tells a thousand words -
As you can see, the forks are bent, the front fairing is totally knackered, as is the side panels. We also saw the brakes are no longer functioning - believe me, they were on Saturday! - and the head stock (thing that attaches headlight, dash board etc to frame) is bent. Given this damage the frame is almost certainly bent too. The 1300 Pan European has an aluminium frame, and it's nigh on impossible to fix on of those when it's bent.
Bottom line is, we're pretty certain it's an insurance write-off. I've told my husband I do want to get on my bike and behind him, though given our injuries, that won't be for 2 or 3 months anyway. That said, if the insurance company says the Pan is repairable, I wouldn't trust it. I'd always doubt how well the frame etc had been repaired and would not have confidence in it. My husband thinks the same and would dig is heels in with the insurance company, if necessary.Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
In other news, we are both getting plates surgically inserted to hold our collar bones together. Without them we won't regain full use of our arms (i.e. no raisin our arms above shoulder height - just think how often you do that!). I'm hoping the plate has a high ferrous content so we can stick fridge magnets to our collar bones!!!
All in though, especially now I've seen the damage to the Pan and the car that pulled out in front of us, I firmly believe we were being looked after. We walked away. Our injuries will heal and the bike's replaceable. Everything else is optional.
As you can see, the forks are bent, the front fairing is totally knackered, as is the side panels. We also saw the brakes are no longer functioning - believe me, they were on Saturday! - and the head stock (thing that attaches headlight, dash board etc to frame) is bent. Given this damage the frame is almost certainly bent too. The 1300 Pan European has an aluminium frame, and it's nigh on impossible to fix on of those when it's bent.
Bottom line is, we're pretty certain it's an insurance write-off. I've told my husband I do want to get on my bike and behind him, though given our injuries, that won't be for 2 or 3 months anyway. That said, if the insurance company says the Pan is repairable, I wouldn't trust it. I'd always doubt how well the frame etc had been repaired and would not have confidence in it. My husband thinks the same and would dig is heels in with the insurance company, if necessary.Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
In other news, we are both getting plates surgically inserted to hold our collar bones together. Without them we won't regain full use of our arms (i.e. no raisin our arms above shoulder height - just think how often you do that!). I'm hoping the plate has a high ferrous content so we can stick fridge magnets to our collar bones!!!
All in though, especially now I've seen the damage to the Pan and the car that pulled out in front of us, I firmly believe we were being looked after. We walked away. Our injuries will heal and the bike's replaceable. Everything else is optional.
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