Hat Trick Plus One.

The first time it happened I had opted to do a drama course. A whole year of Tuesday afternoons away from the classroom and at the end, if I was lucky I would get a certificate in ‘Child Drama’. I loved the course and took back lots of ideas to school, which in turn the children loved.
 

About two weeks to go and the dreaded ‘exam’ before I would be fully certified. A practical session, everyone acting their socks off, out to please.

‘We need that box off the stage!’

‘I’ll get it,’ I said jumping up and in the process managed to trip and badly twist my ankle.

Unfortunately, after a night of agony, I ended up in A&E and was told I had broken a bone in my right ankle. Plastered from toes to knee for six weeks. It was just before I was to be married and so house hunting was conducted on crutches. I was very tempted to take a parrot and an eye patch with me, but it might have put people off.

All ended well and I did get my certificate but I sometimes wonder whether it was guilt on their part or did they feel sorry for me?

The second time it happened I was at school, working late as most teachers do. Marking books, putting up displays preparing for the next day and having a good natter to friends. I suppose the nattering must have gone on for too long because by the time I’d finished preparing for the next day and was ready to go home everyone, other than the head, had left. Arms full of books and bags I launched myself across the school hall. The very careless caretaker had failed to put up a warning sign saying that the floor was wet and down I went. It was the turn of the right wrist this time. I'm not quite sure how I managed to drive the car home, I couldn't get it on the drive though.
A visit to A&E after a night of agony resulted in plaster from end of fingers to elbow, for six weeks. Once again this was the summer term, trips had been arranged and the dreaded reports had to be written. I did not want to disappoint the children so the planned trip to Alton Towers or some such place went ahead. Not an easy group of children but they were fairly good.

Then there were the reports to write. This was when all reports were hand written. At least ten subjects and a general comment for thirty plus children. Reports are not the easiest of things to write but with your writing arm in plaster even more difficult. They did get done but not in my usual verbose way.

Hat trick time! I had retired with only a few mishaps in the intervening years. It was Christmas Eve and I was going to a carol concert, which is always well supported. It takes place outside the church and the carillon is used to accompany the singing. I am not religious but I do like its tradition and I do know all the words. There is something very special about being in a large group and singing.

Unfortunately I did not get as far as the church. I managed to trip over a paving slab and fell onto my hand. There was no question about it this time, I knew it was broken, the pain was so intense.

A&E beckoned.
Christmas Eve is not a good time to be in the emergency department, or so I thought. Full of drunks, car accidents drug addicts etc etc. I was the only one there! After an interminable wait and an xray I was told that I would need a pin put into the bone and I’d have to come back and have an operation. They let me have Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with huge doses of painkillers, and a temporary support for the afflicted limb.I had to return for the operation and this time had to spend two nights in hospital. I think it was the only Christmas when I didn’t have a glass of wine with my dinner.
 

All went well and the wrist is now fully functioning. When the surgeon showed me his wrist and said he’d had a similar accident and it had not affected him I wondered whether I should suggest I take up surgery!

We are now up to date and hat trick plus one.

New Years Day 2008. Not a bright winter’s day but dry and not too cold. I was beginning to feel a little stir crazy so we decided on a healthy walk.

‘Let’s go to Habberley Valley,’ my other half said. It is a very pleasant place to walk so I didn’t object.

We parked the car. ‘Let’s go to a part we’ve not been to before,’ I said. So we set off on a path that got narrower and wetter.

‘Now be careful,’ he said. ‘You know what you’re like!’

In my usual ‘eyes bigger than belly’ way I declared I’d be fine but I’m sure you’ve guessed what happened. There was a nice shiny tree root just waiting for me as I tried to clamber up a hill. Down I went with pain in my last remaining, undamaged limb. I limped painfully back to the car trying to persuade myself it was just a sprain.

A visit to A&E on January 2^nd found there to be a hairline fracture. I cannot put any weight on it and it is now beautifully swollen with a fine array of colours. Luckily it did not need plastering, just a bandage support and I am having to learn how to use crutches AGAIN!

I am supposed to be entertaining the family on Saturday, we’ll just have to see!