While cycling in France on 22 March, an overtaking car decided to knock me off. As a result I was admitted to Beziers Hospital (Southern France on the Mediterranean side). So I now have two screws in my left ankle, broken ribs a slight dislocation where the collarbone joins the shoulder and ligament damage also on the left side. As I was out cycling all I had with me was 25 Euro, and a mobile phone that was only partly charged, but no phone charger. So for the first six days it was whatever charging I could scrounge and being as frugal as possible with the usage. Nothing to read and not being able to understand sufficient French to follow the television it meant all I could do was look at the wall. My brother flew out to drive my campervan home and popped in with a few bits for me, so now I could charge the phone and read a book a day on my Kindle. The medical treatment in France was excellent, sadly the hospital food did not match. My French is aimed at the important things in life, restaurants, bars, hotels and campsites, not stays in hospital, of course where the hospital staff had some English for most of them it was at my level of French, so some interesting attempts at communication. By the time the travel insurance company got their act together it was Easter so the earliest they could fly a nurse out to fly back with me was 5th April. Although the delay was frustrating, it worked to my advantage because I do not think I could have managed on my own at home if I had been repatriated any earlier. Even now I am only managing because friends are helping me. My GP has arranged visits from the District Nurse and I have now had the staples removed. However when my GP tried to arrange an urgent appointment for me at the fracture clinic, the earliest date they can get is early July, so I now have to arrange a lift to A&E. My biggest problem is the injuries in the shoulder area prevent me from using crutches and I’m not allowed to put any weight on my left leg, however friends have lent me a zimmer frame and I can get about with that. So at the moment I feel I am practising for when I am old and decrepit. Up untill the accident I was having a good time.
Sorry to hear of your misfortunes. I used to think cyclists were treated more considerately here than in the UK, but clearly its not universal. Your experience with the hospital is in line with my wife's - world class healthcare, rubbish food. Not what you would have expected for the home of gastronomy. On the bright side, no excuses now for not practicing those editing skills!
Ooh Bob -- so sorry to hear of your misadventure and injuries . ,but glad to hear you have eventually arrived home , I hope the recovery goes well - Best Wishes and take care ! xx
I totally feel for you! Wow, what a crazy event. I have to admit, I never buy travel insurance, but after reading your experience, I know that I probably should...but still probably won't. I wish you a speedy recovery.
That's a nasty reason for not posting here! Sounds like you've been through a lot, but hopefully now you on the uphill run!! So where is home? Wishing you a speedy recovery :)
Just came across this -- seeing that white casted leg even in month view easily caught my attention as I have had my leg in such a cast a couple of times. I, too, was hit by a. car while riding my bike in Europe and ended up with a broken clavicle and bent scapula, three chipped teeth and jaw injury -- in Germany, and I had to fly home (actually. I have flown home with broken bones three times!). I was trying to figure out where you lived because most of your recent postings appear to be in Europe, around Germany where I spend a lot of time. I hope you've had a full recovery! Mine was a few years ago and I recently had a cortisone shot in that shoulder and still take pain killers to sleep from times to time.
I'm in no hurry to match your record. I live just south of London, but am lucky in that I can travel a lot. Thanks for following, I will have a look at your posts when I get back from my current trip. Internet service in Uzbekistan is not great.
November 8th, 2018
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