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!