Lucky by Ed Jackson

Author:Ed Jackson [Jackson, Ed]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Homeward Bound

‘You’ll be able to come back soon,’ Dad said, as I stared out of the car window while he drove me back to the hospital.

‘I know,’ I responded, trying to focus on his words, ‘but what I really want is to be discharged.’

With my first night away from hospital ticked off, I was now completely focused on being discharged. The average hospital stay for a patient with my injuries is four to six months, sometimes longer. I was aiming to be discharged in under three. I was incredibly lucky that Restart, the charity that supported rugby players, was still keen to pay for my physiotherapy. Having spoken to Pete and Kim, they had both agreed to work with me on a private basis and had capacity to see me several times a week. Ironically, I would actually have more access to rehab once I left hospital than I was currently having.

‘Sue and I have been talking about that,’ Dad responded. ‘You and Lois would be more than welcome to come and stay with us. The house in Cardiff isn’t very suitable for a wheelchair. Much better that you’re with us.’

I took a moment to think about it; it made complete sense. Their house could have been designed for a wheelchair user with its wide hallways and flush flooring. Even better, it had its own gym as Sue was a personal trainer. I would be able to work on my rehab eight hours a day if I wanted to.

‘Thanks, Dad,’ I responded, a plan already beginning to form. ‘I’ll have to ask Lois but I’m sure she’ll agree. This could be perfect.’

Something else was also becoming a possibility: I might actually be able to make it to New York to see Fleetwood Mac in six weeks’ time. I was still in a wheelchair with a catheter, but that didn’t prevent me from flying if the consultant would agree to it. What better way to persuade her to grant permission than showing I was able to function outside of hospital for a month? Now all I had to do was actually get myself discharged. I’d ticked off everything on the list and was just waiting for my catheter to be removed.

A few days later, the swelling on my knee had gone down so I was able to go back to physio with Kim. Whilst I’d been away, she had arranged for me to have a fitting for a FES contraption that would help lift my left foot. With the wires in the correct place on my left leg, the FES would monitor my movements through a pressure sensor under my heel. When it was time for my left leg to lift up it would send a pulse of electricity through my leg, causing the muscles to contract and my foot to raise. This meant that Lois was now out of a job as my Chief Foot Raiser. I didn’t think she minded too much as she was busy preparing for her well-deserved netball trip to New Zealand.

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