I mentioned the other day that I am restarting Couch to 5k to help my stamina. This is such a great app and I was progressing well. I started Week 4 Run 2 and completed my five minute brisk walk warm up in our local park, only a couple of minutes from home.  The nice voice told me to run for three minutes. I set off through the trees and … suddenly I was flat on my face. A pesky tree root jumped out in front of me.

I was really shocked. I became aware that I was lying still saying “Ow! Ow! Ow!”. A nice man appeared and asked what he could do to help. I could feel that my nose REALLY hurt and was bleeding. Steve (for that was his name) gave me his clean cotton handkerchief and asked who he could call for me. My phone was stuffed down my sports bra and, as everything was aching, was rather inaccessible. Steve called D on his phone. Another nice man (name unknown) gave me extra tissues - I was leaking quite a bit. D arrived and helped me home.

We called 111 (the non-emergency health advice number) and they recommended I went to our nearest Urgent Treatment Centre (Accident and Emergency in old money).  I had to wait a couple of hours, but wasn’t in terrible pain - more discomfort. When I was called through two excellent nurses took care of me, checking me over, carefully removing grit from my wounds, cleaning and bandaging me.

I admit I felt rather sorry for myself. I had scrapes down my leg and shoulder. It was clear which side I had landed on. The next day the bruising came out. I had two impressive shiners and purple splurges down my arm and leg. I looked like I had done several rounds with a heavyweight boxer and come off by far the worst. Obviously I took a selfie to put on Facebook to get lots of sympathy!  It’s part of my one-person campaign to have real photos on social media, not ones with careful lighting, filters and makeup, showing my best side.

I received a call from the Ear Nose and Throat department giving me an appointment just one week after my accident. They need the swelling to reduce in order to examine my condition.

It is now six days since my fall. I have been gently massaging plenty of bio oil into my scars and the bruises are progressing through their rainbow. There is still a lot of soreness and I still look quite a state, but much improved from day one.

I have even been out on a couple of very gentle jogs to complete my Week 4 challenge.  I’m VERY careful when I run through that avenue of trees. I feel very proud that I “got back on the horse”.  In the big picture it’s only a minor setback.

Susannah

A Moodscope member