Everything was moving along slowly after my fall and I thought that I was getting better, not so, woke up Wednesday morning and I couldn't move without stabbing pain. Took half an hour to make up my bed and longer to have some breakfast, Patty called in to say good morning and told me to sit down and relax. She called next door and Jules came and they decided that I needed to go to hospital and quickly.

Chris from the huge 4W truck took over the pulling down of the pop top and bolting the cupboards whilst the others helped putting away of other stuff eventually we were underway with Jules driving my Hi Ace and me sitting in the Starship with Billeee. We went to the nearest hospital at LaTrobe and I checked in to the emergency reception. No value in Billeee and Jules hanging around so they went into LaTrobe and waited for my phone call.

Eventually I was called and a doctor checked me out and ordered Xrays, Patty called in and we waited to have the scans. The end result of all this was that I have 2 cracked ribs but the good news was that there was no lung or spleen damage so I was given some painkillers and a prescription for more. Was told to do deep breathing and coughing exercises and advised that pneumonia was a distinct possibility it I didn't take the prescription and do the exercises.

So I am walking round like a little old man and I do not like it one bit, within 4 days the worst will be over and after 2 weeks I will be a lot better then in 8 weeks I will be good as before. I have no intention of changing my plans but will take it easy, at the moment Billeee and Jules are parked beside me at Penguin Lions Reserve and on the other side Marjinka the lady with the coaster that we met at Preservation Bay when Billeee posted those misleading photos.

So where would I have been if there were not friends from the Grey Nomad's Forum ready to jump in and help or if it had happened at the top of Mt Roland last month on my own? The mind boggles and tells me to be more careful and not to undertake difficult adventures on my own in the future.

Boy - driving John's Hi-Ace - couldn't tell you how many years since I drove a car without power steering - and a column shift!! At one stage I couldn't find a low enough gear to turn a corner, so coughed my way round in a higher gear - oh, well - not bad, though when I went to park in the car park at the hospital, I couldn't find reverse, and had to get Billeeeeeee to find it and back into the park for me!!!!

John is fine, and we are making him take it easy - and take his pills. Off to the farm tomorrow.

Gday...

Glad ya found the cause of the pain and that you are on the mend. I broke ribs once and they are a damned nuisance. Although it is boring, follow the doctor's advice to the letter - ya gotta get better young fella - there's heaps of country to see yet

I must admit it is one of the few things I do worry myself about, being a solo traveller and camped by myself 90% of the time - an injury or sickness that incapacitates me with no-one around. Thankfully you had mates with ya

However, life's too short to worry too much. At least if the worst were to happen I would go doing what I love

Cheers - John

Get well soon John, I hope the ribs get better soon and the pain killers work ok and you are able to enjoy the Festival ok, your van should fit in well there with all the painting etc.

Had a bit of a chuckle about Jules post, I remember driving your van to the airport to pick you up when you got back from Bali, I thought it went well for the age of the vehicle, being an auto/power steering driver these days the manual and steering column gear shift did take me back a bit though. Well done Jules.

Ouch..Poor John, please get better soon.

halfpint wrote:

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See you guys maybe to night at Wynyard if not tomorrow at fesival :)

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 We will be attending the Peacfest tonight and camping in the spots reserved so look forward to catching up again.

After a couple of days since the hospital visit I am feeling much better, still taking it easy here on the farm and Jules (my mum) is keeping me in line with the medication and breathing exercises, she was nominated as my next of kin at the hospital and the irrepressible Billeee told the receptionist that she was my mum.

John

I notice he doesn't call the young fem backpackers Mum Jules....... 

 

Mum indeed - now John behave or I will have to tell everyone that you read "Fifty Shades of Grey" when you were out here on the farm a couple of weeks ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

you are right Jules I did read that book, if it is good enough for Mrs Brown to mention it on one of her episodes of Mrs Brown's Boys and get the audience reaction like she did I thought that it must be worth a read.

Wow that author has a vivid imagination and her characters have amazing recuperative powers, the mind boggles. Did I do those things in my heyday? and so often? If I did it is just a memory now.

John

PS anyone got the other two episodes of the trilogy.

yeoeleven wrote:

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PS anyone got the other two episodes of the trilogy.

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 In your current condition might I suggest Harry Potter instead ?

Get well soon...

Good to hear you are improving John. Keep up the deep breathing exercises as instructed will also help the ribs to heal.

Just shows we are all just human.

Glad to hear you are recovering.

John was lucky to have good friend close prepared to help but for many of us there is not those friends around.

I know I would not get a good reception if I told my kids I was coming home as I needing nursing etc. For me it is keep going till I stop.

Regards
Brian

Yes John, I have read the three books, if you enjoyed the first, then try to get the others, to get the full story...

Cheers Bronnie