Dear Reader,
I am writing an unusual post today. I’m not sharing a recipe for a typical “Yummy Lummy” meal.
Likely, I won’t be posting for some weeks or months.
I fell last Sunday and fractured my left patella. I had an open reduction with an internal fixation on Monday. The procedure was complicated, as were the anaesthetic and recovery. If any readers have an orthopædic background, you’ll understand that a distal third bisection requires a different approach when compared with routine patella fracture repairs.
A couple of post-operative medical incidents complicated my inpatient stay.
I’m now home and discovering the challenges of living alone with a knee, which is now fixed straight for a minimum of six weeks. I’m looking at three months in a brace with no or limited movement.
I’ve been told not to expect to drive my car again because the damage was to my clutch leg. I may end up with a limp.
So what has any of this got to do with “Yummy Lummy”?
While the blog started as a place of outward expression through food photography and writing, it’s been a hotchpotch of recipes, restaurant reviews, and travel. The focus has changed in later years because I’ve become less inclined to socialise with others. I have been focussing on cooking meals for myself and not making any effort to dine out and write stories. To that end, I started a Facebook Group for people living alone and cooking for themselves. I’m also active in another similar group whose members are past middle age and living alone. We share photographs of what we’ve cooked, and there is some recipe sharing. I usually share the text I’ve written here in those groups.
A few of the older members of these groups have mentioned that they’ve experienced traumatic injuries that have affected their ability to function independently. I’m now more aware of the challenges, especially in the immediate post-operative period.
I must limit my standing time for the next few months. I have to make meals simple and relatively fast. I won’t be able to lift and carry various cooking equipment to my workbench.
I don’t see much point in sharing anything about that, so I don’t know if I’ll post anything unless I temporarily transition to a lifestyle blog for people with an immobilising injury.
I’m grateful to regular readers who take the time to comment on my posts. I hope for you, I’ll resume something like the old “Yummy Lummy” when I can.
While I will continue to work full-time, I will also continue to listen to books and explore the things that interest me. If I find anything interesting, it may end up in a post.
Disability aids
I’ve spent most nights laying awake, wondering how to do things. While in the hospital, my immediate concern was socks, underwear, and track pants. I can’t reach my left foot with the leg straight. The patient next to me told me to buy some disability aids. As soon as I got home, I checked the internet on my smartphone and discovered a shop nearby which delivers. I purchased a 75 cm gripper on a stick, a shoehorn with a hook, and a sock applicator.
I can now change my underwear, track pants/pyjamas, and socks.
Hospital food
Here are some photos of the hospital food. I thought it was okay. The public hospital system is under tremendous strain; everyone does their best. I had the best of care from everyone.
While it doesn’t reflect the food’s quality, I vomited most of these meals within 30 minutes. This week was my first experience with ondansetron. I’m impressed.
Concluding remarks
Finally, thanks to the special people in my life.
Praise God!
I leave the blogging world while traveling and now learn of your injury. I’ve had more broken bones than you can imagine so I have some idea of what you are going through. It has to be extremely hard coping when you are living alone. If there is one person that can overcome this ordeal, it is you. You are smart and very determined and I know you can get through it. While you are recovering, be looking on the internet for some hot looking automatic car. 😊
Hi Karen,
You are very kind. Thank you. Yes, I’m thinking about a new car. My current one is a little long in the tooth, so a modern new car will be a great outcome from this incident. 😃
Beautiful post
Thank you
Oh Gary I am so sorry to hear about that! I hope you don’t feel pressure to post but we all enjoy reading what you have to say and your unique and very clever perspective on things. If it becomes a place for you to express yourself then that is great, otherwise what works for you is the most important thing. Wishing you the speediest recovery.
Hi Lorraine,
Thank you very much. Each day I feel better. I’m hoping each weekend there is something to write about. If there isn’t then that’s okay, I may just draft recipes I make up in my head for when I can lift the pressure cooker onto my bench again. 😊
That’s a great idea Gary! And I’m happy to hear that you’re feeling better each day 🙂
Thanks Lorraine 😃
Sorry to hear – wishing you a speedy recovery
Hi Serena,
Thank you very much.
Big virtual hugs from Texas! Wish I were closer to help you out. Thanks for sharing, so that we don’t worry about your absence. Glad that you are ok otherwise.
[Insert bad joke about encountering Tonya Harding in a dark alley.]
Hope you recover quickly, Nancy.
🥰🍓
Hi Jules,
Thanks for your best wishes for a quick recovery. It will give me more time to read your posts and watch your videos about innovation, patents, and spacesuit design. Your latest travels which you’ve shared on other platforms has been great.
My Mom got a box full of mobility aids before her hip surgery and her favorites were the extra long shoe horn and the long armed gripper. The gripper was so strong she could pick a can off the shelf without my help. I hope this is a time of creativity for you and not just difficulty.
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for reassuring me with the positive experience from your Mum.
I like the idea of this time being one of creativity rather than difficulty. That helps me with perspective. Thank you.
All the best!
I’m so sorry to hear about this, and I do enjoy your posts–all the things you’re reading and your interests as well. When and if you decide to post again, I will be right here devouring every word. In the meantime, know that the entire Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks Team is in your corner and thinking of you.
Hi Cecilia,
Thank you so much. Your kind words have given my spirit a lift. I will continue to read the weekly excitement from “Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks”.
Oh no, Gary!! I’m so sorry to hear this terrible news! I have been thinking about you. You have been the most faithful follower of my new website (for which I am very grateful), and my life has been insanely busy and taken some unexpected turns in recent months (so I haven’t been posting), but I haven’t forgotten you. I am so sorry to hear that you are facing this big challenge. Living alone and recovering from something like that is no easy ordeal. Can your family come help you at all? And could you drive an automatic car in the future? My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Hi Jessica,
I have been wondering when you might return to writing. I have a thought at least weekly to write and ask after you and usually decide not to. I hope the “turns” are good ones and not negative in any way. My daughters aren’t able to visit and help and I’m happy with that. I hear from them regularly and that’s what brings me joy. I am fortunate to have some very special people (one in particular) in my life so I am buoyed and kept in good shape with their good energy.
Yes, it looks like I’ll be selling my car and buying one with an automatic transmission. My current car is just 15 years old and it’s been very reliable. I will miss it.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I truly appreciate them.
Hope you recover well. Wishing you smooth roads, clear skies, calm waters. Take care brother. 🙏
Brother, thank you very much. When I saw your comment, it made me wonder if Spam® might have healing properties. 🤔
Wish you a great recovery too
Thank you very much 😃
Oh, crap, Gary, that really sucks. That was a hard fall…must have hurt incredibly…the X-Ray looks disturbing. I had to look up ondansetron. I hope you get your regular appetite back. I just wrote a friend, a few days ago: “you never know which path your life will take.” Sounds like your life is going to be challenging for the next months…& then PT, which will be an additional challenge. How are you getting to work? You must need to do a lot of work while seated. I hope you can have some ..healthy.. meals brought in, or ordered. Wish I was closer, to do some cooking for you…being south of Boston doesn’t help you! Stay healthy & I really hope your recovery is complete and everything works out better than expected.
Hi Alice,
Thank you. The x-ray is pretty clear. When it happened the pain was enough for me to feel like I may lose consciousness. I am fortunate that much of my work can be done from home using tools we gained and learnt to use during the lockdowns of COVID-19. There are some tasks, however, which will remain undone until I can get to the office. I can’t sit for long in a chair, so I have set my bed up to be a work space. I can sit against pillows with my leg straight. I can stand long enough to cook food quickly and to eat it standing. Two of my work teams bought me a voucher to order meals and have them delivered. I’ll use that as a treat. Thank you for your kind words and generosity.
My goodness, Gary! I hope your pain is being managed well and I wish you all the best in your recovery
Hi Melinda,
Thank you very much. Medications are wonderful 😃
Hi Katharine,
I will miss daily walks and driving a manual car.
My parents are concerned about when we’ll see each other again.
I’m fortunate though to have some special people keeping my spirits up.
Oh no. That will make life difficult for you. Having walks around the lake was one of your great pleasures too. You also won’t be able to go to Brisbane for many months. I drive an automatic and imagine you will need to get one too. I hope you don’t get too fed up while you recover.
Hi Katharine
Thanks. Yes an automatic transmission is in my future.
I’m trying to be positive about the situation.
Oh, Gaz. So sorry to hear this. I, for one, have very much enjoyed your weekly posts and the recipes you create. I hope you recover swiftly and are not too inconvenienced. Best wishes, and get well soon, Emma XX
Hi Emma,
Thanks very much. I hope so to. I’ll see how I go, have a good one.