The tour started on July 15, 2013
Vacation planning adapted to the situation:
July 20, 2013
The previously "planned" return was scheduled for August 2, 2013; we wanted to see old friends, attend the legendary Highland Games for the first time, and much more. Ultimately, the vacation plans had to be adjusted to the situation and improvised.
After visiting our first new and long-time acquaintances and friends, we set off for Edinburgh, the first real "highlight" of our tour this year, which unfortunately ended far too soon for me.
In the worst-case scenario, our holiday together could have ended by midday. On the way to our B&B, my partner noticed that her reliable Honda CB 500 was running roughly. The fork seals on the right fork leg needed replacing because the bike was leaking oil.
We found a small garage and had to source the spare parts ourselves. Anyone who receives such selfless help on a Saturday at 1 p.m. (we even got a GPS!) is bound to get the parts themselves. On the way, my partner got to ride along with me for the first time as a passenger and "buddy GPS." We were able to purchase the parts (which we had requested by phone) from Honda and rode back to the garage.
On this stretch of road, a woman in a BMW station wagon suddenly cut us off, seemingly trying to end our holiday. Luckily, I managed to stop just centimeters away from a bus… a lucky escape. The moped was quickly repaired, and we continued with our planned itinerary.
After attending the Runrig concert in Edinburgh on July 22, 2013, celebrating the band's 40th anniversary, we set off the next day for our next B&B in Fort William. As always on our day trips, we stopped at various sights to take photos and soak up the scenery and atmosphere.
July 23, 2013
One of today's stops took us back to Glen Etive, where I wanted to park my moped properly at the side of the road as always, i.e. engine off, side stand down and get off, i.e. with my right leg over the moped.
Two years ago, in 2011, I parked my moped in exactly this spot, and I did the same again this year! This is precisely the spot of tar I'm talking about!!!!
The following result, which I hope is clearly described, is the outcome:
It was very warm, even hot, that day, and the asphalt at that spot was far too soft, which I only realized when I got off the moped. Unintentionally, it followed me to the left and took a bit of a tumble. To prevent the moped from falling over, I hopped a little further to the left to regain my balance.
Unfortunately, my knee couldn't withstand this unexpected shift in weight and immediately suffered three fractures, damaging the joint in the process. This left me unsteady, and I impulsively measured the road. In an attempt to cushion the impact, I braced myself with my left arm/hand.
Despite this desperate attempt, the ground contact was so violent and unfortunate that I broke, sprained, and dislocated my left wrist. However, I managed to get far enough out of harm's way that my moped didn't fall on me, but instead fell to the ground on its own.
As for the overall condition: No, nothing significant is damaged on the moped; only the clutch lever needs replacing because it's slightly bent. The panniers prevented anything worse from happening.
Since my visit to this attraction was thus brought to a rather quick end, I decided, contrary to my original holiday plans, to visit the Belford Hospital in Fort William and thoroughly test its services.
To finally carry out my plan, I first had to call an ambulance, which then guided me there using GPS. It's a very difficult route. Oh yes, Glen Etive is at the end of a 20-kilometer dead end. The rest of the route isn't any more challenging...
However, the Scottish police were much more inquisitive than we expected and arrived long before the ambulance. After I was wrapped up for transport and my partner was about to follow, she had to go through a question-and-answer session with the police, something the officer could have done much earlier!
The journey to the hospital, I estimate just under 70 kilometers, was an ordeal on the bumpy road, lying flat with my head facing the opposite direction. We thankfully arrived eventually, and I was able to book full board for a short time.
The procedure was very quick, so I was x-rayed and my leg was treated fairly quickly; I think it was around 6:00 PM. I even got something to drink when I asked, that was around 10:30 PM.
Incidentally, a (nicer) police officer also showed up at the hospital, as some information was still missing. After that, my caring partner was finally able to go to the B&B, since she hadn't eaten or drunk anything and was completely exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
Around midnight, I was given morphine so that my wrist could be straightened and put in a cast. Afterwards, I was able to be taken to the appropriate ward. Before I forget: due to our tour planning and my unplanned fall, I hadn't eaten anything since this morning.
On July 24, 2013
around 1:00 a.m., they kindly got me some food; my stomach was apparently getting too noisy, and they were concerned about disturbing the other patients in the room. Considering how often the nurses checked on Murdo and David during the night, I don't think my stomach growling would have been a problem.
I mustn't forget the very kind staff (I'd like to mention at least one nurse named Amy Fulham on ward CAU) who definitely spared no effort. Murdo MacLeod, a passionate but frail smoker, was allowed to go to the toilet or shower on his own across the hall. But when he wanted to smoke, the nurses wheeled him outside in his wheelchair! Oh yes, and of course, brought him back again. He shouldn't get sunburned!
Despite its city location, the hospital is very quiet, with a park, quite small and easy to navigate, and conducts extensive doctor rounds. I was very surprised that almost 15 doctors appeared for each patient during these rounds. Was this based on their expertise, or were they advising on the patient's condition or suggesting more creative treatment options?
I noticed a doctor who noticed that I had noticed him. We both laughed spontaneously, he probably because he knew what I was thinking, and I because I thought I was looking at Tom Hanks.
What's interesting about the rooms is the privacy, as a curtain can be drawn around each bed so that no one else can see what's being done during treatments. The curtains are also large enough to allow the doctor's visit to disappear completely behind them.
During my short stay in the hospital (July 21-22, 2013), we quickly decided to have my treatment done in Germany. Otherwise, I would have had to be transferred to Inverness for the surgeries, and I probably would have had to go to Scotland for the aftercare as well. That would have been great, but unfortunately, a very important person would have been missing, hence Germany.
In this short time, my then-partner, who had nerves of steel, did everything possible to ensure that my transport and the return transport of the moped were arranged.
July 25, 2013
After my first (!) flight, which the ADAC (German Automobile Club) even treated me to over the fjords to Oslo, I arrived at the municipal hospital in Cologne-Merheim on July 25, 2013, and was taken to the emergency room. The hospital only knew that a patient was coming from Scotland, and my name was only given with one "n".
How I was received and how my injuries were discussed is left to everyone's imagination. I was mildly amused and slowly and carefully resolved the whole "performance" after being asked if they could speak German with me. It quickly became apparent, however, that I speak without an accent. *whistles*
After that, the nurses and doctors were able to get on with their work, taking me for the necessary examinations and re-splinting my wrist and knee. Sometime around midnight, I was assigned a room and given a small meal.
According to the doctors, I really tried my best; my wrist and knee are completely destroyed, at least that's what they said after x-rays and CT scans.
July 26, 2013
The wrist surgery: The CT scans were particularly important for the wrist in order to determine the current bone position and to know which bone needed to go where; in addition, the axis also had to be corrected.
July 29, 2013
The knee surgery: In addition to the fractures, the joint space had to be corrected because the bone position was also somewhat crooked….
Following the surgeries, the value of my material has increased slightly, as indicated below, and I will need to keep my distance from electromagnets in the future.
My wrist was augmented with a plate and 8-9 screws, which required a cut of almost 8 cm, and my knee was augmented with 5 screws! Hopefully the materials won't rust!!!
August 2nd, 2013
Discharged from the hospital. Hopefully, there's no deposit on the supplies... Lucky St. John Ambulance crew picked me up from the hospital and carried me home to the third floor, as per the transport agreement!
September 5, 2013
After the splint is finally off after six weeks and I no longer have to wear the bandage, the stitches can now continue to heal in the air, which looks like this on the knee:
The doctors told me after the surgery that there would be six scars, but when I count them, I get seven scalpel tests. It's a shame, really; if there had "only" been six procedures, I could have come up with something nice to describe.
Since I've had water retention in my legs for a few years, I'm required to wear compression stockings. Unfortunately, a pair went missing during my hospital treatments, and of course, I wanted them back. Getting them back even involved the hospital's legal department.
This department actually wanted to know if I couldn't have been more careful. I truthfully replied that this was a deliberate and long-planned theft, since they had even drugged me to get their hands on these valuable stockings. Following my statement, the hospital finally took care of procuring them!
September 13, 2013
Perhaps my colleagues will miss me a little, as almost eight weeks have passed since my unplanned soil sample (July 21, 2013). The surgeries were also seven weeks ago (July 26/29, 2013), so it's slowly becoming time to get back on my own two feet, if possible without walking aids.
I will probably have to work on this for a few more weeks, as the pain in my left knee does not yet allow for any daring steps, movements or exercises.
The muscles and tendons need to be rebuilt and strengthened. Fortunately, I can at least stand somewhat on both legs, even if my left leg can only bear a maximum of 50% of its weight. However, I can use my left hand more effectively, which makes getting up and sitting down easier.
Hopefully the rest will sort itself out quickly now; the holiday was definitely not planned to last this long.
October 8, 2013
My left leg can now gradually be brought up to 100% weight-bearing, which is about time. Now all that's left is the final hospital visit on October 17, 2013, and after that I'll hopefully be able to go back to work. After a few training sessions, walking with a crutch is going quite well, so I'm feeling optimistic!
The advantage of all these tests: I've been battling atrial fibrillation for almost three years, and it looks like my orthopedist, Dr. Appel from Cologne, may have found the cause and can direct the treatment in that direction!!!
October 21, 2013
After a long time, I'm finally allowed to go back to work, which I don't think the doctors had necessarily planned for. After my first day back, I've noticed that I'm experiencing real knee pain for the first time since the "fall"—perhaps going back wasn't such a good idea after all. However, I expect it will get better with time as the muscles, ligaments, and tendons are used again.
The physiotherapy for my knee and now also for my neck continues…
October 24, 2013
A quick doctor's visit due to severe knee pain, which I hadn't experienced before. It was probably a bit too early, and the knee is overloaded, so I took painkillers. Since the end of November, everything has been back to normal, and I can finally put my crutches aside. However, my next moped ride will be a while yet; I need to build up my strength again.