I'm really hip, now!

[Greynomad]

Hi all.
I guess some of you are aware that while on a THIRD attempt to see the WA wildflowers in season, after just two days on-site I broke my right femur close to the head of the hip joint.
As we were "in the middle of Woop Woop, up Ship Creek" (near Pindar), it took a 2hr wait for the ambulance to take me to Geraldton, then an RFDS flight to Perth to get it fixed.
I now have matching metalwork in both sides.
Saw the Orthopaedic Surgeon on Wednesday, with fresh X-Rays.
The bone is not healing.
So I'll be taken before a meeting of all of Albury's Orth Surgeons, who will pow-wow and come up with the best course of action.
It will likely be the addition of a metal plate to support the already-pinned bone. This will require major surgery. I will know what's to be done within about 4~6 weeks.
Those of you so inclined, please pray for me... & the surgeons.
We still plan a proper trip to the WA wildflowers...

[BruceS]

err... take a plane & a parachute Ray!
Jees that's bad news you got handed out.
Too soon on that rideon mower maybe?

[Dot]

Blimey Ray, So I guess your trip this year is off now? Why not go to the big smoke for the surgery? When I had my back done I had a donor bit of bone implanted for fast bone growth & it worked a treat Hope you have it done soon and this time with a successful result.

[BernieQ2]

Bugga Ray that's not the outcome wanted , speedy recovery when it all happens .
Bernie .

[bagmaker]

Keep up your spirits Ray, especially when talking to the surgeons. Your attitude will add to direction they take. Be positive.

[SteveW]

Keep up your spirits, Ray. You won't feel the pain so much!

[Greynomad]

Thanks, everybody, for your good wishes.
Dot,
Yes, the WA trip has been postponed (yet again).
Donor Bone was discussed as a possibility, but might take a while to find a match in the bone bank, and it's not guaranteed to properly meld with my own (damaged) bone...
My Orth Surgeon is not as keen on that path, but will go with the majority decision.
Also, surgeons from the Big Smoke are already Visiting Surgeons at Albury Base Hospital, so the best of care is available there as well.
I know that ABH's original Oncology Unit was set up by Prof Richard Fox of Melb Uni & Royal Melb Hosp... also my Treating Oncologist in the early years. That was one factor in our choice of tree-change.
There is now a multi-million-dollar you-beaut new Regional Cancer Centre in a purpose-designed building in the ABH grounds: Drs consulting suites, Outpatients, Day Treatment & Hospital Wards (incl Isolation Ward for Bone Marrow Transplants!).
The Day Treatment Centre has individually numbered bays for recliners with all necessary equipment in each - no waiting until another patient has finished with something.
My current Oncologist has moved in.
I reckon the ABH Cancer Centre is now better than Royal Melbourne's!
Anyway, we'll see what happens in the next 4~6 weeks.
(Public patient waiting times are shorter here, too. )

[Greynomad]

Keep up your spirits, Ray. You won't feel the pain so much!

To which spirits do you refer?
Not sure I'm allowed the bottled variety in the ward...

[BernieQ2]

Having and being allowed are two different things Ray .
I knew a bloke that ran SP book plus sly grog from a hospital ward.......wasn't me.
Bernie.

[Greynomad]