The consultant

Well after going round the houses I met the consultant, 20 minutes earlier that scheduled. After a few twists, pushes and pulls, it looks like I have "more than usual movement" just below the knee cap. It could be a tendon but I will find out more in a few weeks time. The swelling has gone down somewhat but not enough for a meaningful exam. Still I came out with some strong version of ibuprofen and painkiller combo.
I was back at physio and that went smoothly. Chatted to Mike about the next possible England coach and the fact that we are in the group with Croatia, our new Poland.

Appointment on Friday 16th

Well this went smoothly. Buses ran on time, appointment on time and things are looking promising. Okay so it was only 15% arch loss and not 20%. But is that a glass quarter full or quarter empty (so to speak). I'll take it as quarter full thank you.

The GP Take 2

Once again I'm on the phone to the GP...
0830 answer machine...it disconnects me
0831 to 0840 answer machine...it disconnects me
0940 answer machine...it disconnects me
1030 ...it disconnects me
1130... in queue position 1
So I get through and oh dear the computer goes down. No appointments can be made....
1340... in queue position 1
1341... please hold
Hurrah! A human! Well you don't need a doctor the nurse can see to that.... shall I book you an appointment? Humph! Yes please...

The GP

My daughter was experiencing some pain in her ears. So bright and early the following morning (but not early enough) I called the surgery's 08444 number to make an appointment. Only to receive a message saying the surgery is experiencing high volume of calls (the apology came first) then please try later...click. It took eight attempts and by the time I got through, the surgery was full for the day and the could not book appointments because the computer system was down. STOP!
Here is a crucial service unable to use its system to make bookings without any fall back method? As a ICT manager I find this rather disturbing. Common sense would say use a paper base fall back system. Common sense would say this is one service that should have a stand alone system built in that would then update the main system when it came back on-line.
I wonder if it was included in the system but had to be cut for budget reasons?

Physio today

Well my next physio appointment was better. Mike (the physio dude) put me on that funky machine again. Unfortunately the swelling is still a problem and it means they are still unable to determine the problem.
So lets hope next week its gone. I'm still on two crutches for longer walking distances. My exercise routine is still in place and seems to be helping or at least keeping my other muscles going.

Next appoint....

Yesterday I went to my first physio session. I've been heavily relying on the crutches, which does hurt the arms and palm after a while. Once I dropped the kids off to school, I went to the bus stop to catch whatever turned up. The all go to Dewsbury. By the time I got 300m from the school, I was sweating buckets and the arms were killing me. Made it though and the non-kneeling bus turned up. Just my luck!
At Dewsbury bus station, typically two buses were late, but I had load of time available. I got on the bus and had a pleasant ride to the hospital.
Now when I arrived at the other end, there was no signs for the wing, I was suppose to report to. I found the main entrance, spotted a hospital guide who told me I had at least another 500m walk, through the tunnel, to the physio department. Very helpful and knowledgeable man. By this time I am struggling and had to stop a few times to rest my aching arms. Imagine my dismay when I was told, on my arrival, that I had to go back through the tunnel because I was in the wrong place. Well yes I did and found the acute physio department. They weren't see anyone and referred all their cases to the physio department. Well I wasn't about to move again. So I stayed they while the physio worker called a porter to take me back.
After several apologies from the receptionist, it turned out that there was a new procedure she was not told about, hence the mix up.
I was my physio, Mike, who put me through so fancy gadgets (there was this cool machine that moved my muscles while shocking me) after taking a few notes. He gave me a shortcut to the bus stop (cheers Mike!) and some exercises to do. By the end of the session I was able to put some pressure on my leg taking some strain off mt arms. Hurrrah! Oh and they were in their target of seeing patients within 10 minutes of their appointment time.

Next appoint soon.

Thursday 1st November 2007 2030hrs

So I checked in with my injury to my local hospital A&E. Wait time 2-3 hours. I had a banter with the receptionist about keeping fit by playing football (soccer if you're in the US), after which I was duly checked in and told to take a seat (if you're interested; the receptionist ask why I don't take up golf to which I quipped, thats not a real sport...)
A quick scan of the room shows nothing particularly interesting, some toddlers and kids, police and shackled prisoner. I await my first call.
Forty five minutes after my arrival, I get my assessment call and was greeted by a rather up beat smiling nurse. I gave her the low down, nobody tackled me, mini-blackout then sudden pain, with a popping sound (yes in that order). That last bit was met with an inhaling "suooo" sound. No beds available for her to examine me so back to the holding tank.
More constables arrive, no prisoners this time but something kicked off outside of the hospital and I mean no where near it.
Its now 11pm and I'm in a room waiting to be seen by a doctor. Its another 20 minutes before he gets to me. He pokes, pushes and twists most of which cause serious discomfort. His assessment, torn inner knee muscles. A nurse pops in and I get issued some serious pain killers, crutches, leaflets about knee injury and physio department number to call in the morning.
11:55 pm I'm outta there, taxi home and well, thats it.