Awake and up all night

The flight was not a long one but my arm began to swell and ache under the bandage. I held my arm up as this was more comfortable. We arrived at Gatwick, found our cases then headed for a shuttle bus to where I'd left my car. I told my wife she would have to drive home. The car park bod took my wife to the car which was a short walk away. Wifey had never driven this car, a fairly large automatic. She could not get it out of the rather tight parking space. I hobbled over, we swapped seats as I sat down in the driver's seat. My left arm was useless and it hurt. I asked my wife to operate the indicators when requested, and the auto gear selector. Reverse was duly selected and I extricated the car from the carpark. We headed for the M25, wifey doing an excellent job of occasionally moving the gear selector but mainly indicating when instructed. We got home safely in this slightly unorthodox manner. ASAP I got to A&E and was seen by a consultant surgeon. My phobia meant my logic was a bit weird. I asked him what would happen if I just let nature sort my arm out. I did not care that I might have a very deformed arm. He looked at the xrays which had been taken and said 'if not operated on within a day or two, sepsis would be the likely result and I could die.' I actually liked his blunt answer. During the next day he operated on my left arm, installing a long plate and many screws to hold everything together as the break was a complicated one. I still have the internal metalwork as it settled nicely and did not therefore have to be removed. My recovery took 3 and a bit months before I was allowed to drive again. Work was remarkably understanding, even insisting that me and my wife went to see the ABBA musical in London as part of the Christmas 'do.'  My wife and I became nurse and patient, also becoming closer than we'd been for several years. I returned to work early February. My dear wife died at the scene of her car being hit by a 70mph van which she may not have seen. She was about to be made redundant, perhaps lost concentration for a fatal moment. The road traffic accident was in mid May, about 12 weeks after my return to work. We had both decided to retire on reaching 58 years old as wifey had had major heart surgery in 2002 and had an artificial heart valve. She was a few months older than me and had just turned 58. I stayed on at work an extra year to recover from the tragic loss of my wife, retiring in June 2008.

I suppose the moral of this story is that you just don't know what is round the corner. On a cancer forum we all know that feeling very well. Enjoy life the best you can in the meantime. My cancer was diagnosed in 2017 (bladder). Best wishes to all. Ray xxx

Oh Ray, I'm so sorry sweetheart. That's tragic what you went through and I sincerely hope you've healed somewhat during the intervening years.

You're absolutely right though, as we don't know what could be just around the corner to make our lives go into free fall for the longest time. OH's cancer diagnosis and aftermath has prepared me somewhat if he goes before I do but I try not to go down those dark alleyways too often.

Sorry for being flippant earlier Ray, as I've got used to your stories being on the amusing side and didn't expect the sad ending to this one.

I'll leave it now hon and let you settle down. Night night and sleep well xxx

No worries. I do go on a bit! I did a couple of searches in case I'd blurted this out before. The mention of broken bones just triggered my memories. Goodnight Gill and anyone else who's still awake.  xxx   

Still awake here but really should try to snooze. Thank you for sharing your memories. I am sure you have a wealth of them, good, bad and ugly and mostly happy and amusing.

Gill, my bones are healing slowly. Still wear the bondage boot outdoors.

Nyt or do I mean morning 

Another scan today. Send us all your positivity.

Sending positivity in bucket loads.  Hope it all goes well! xxx

Heaps of positivity heading straight over to yours, Uki  

All the best for today xxx

Hello new here! Not sure how it works and most of these posts look quite old? I’m currently really suffering at night and would love to chat with others in the same boat x

Hi Geeo,

Welcome to the group. There's plenty of people here that are awake at night and are up for a chat! The group us quite active, both day and night! Hope you're ok.

Julie xx

Welcome to the Grro. You have to totally come to the right group. Loads of gorgeous people on here who have helped me through some tough times.