The Return of the Native

[Fergie]

Can I open by thanking many club mates for visits, loans of (cycling) books, magazines and wishes of goodwill. 

Last week I was given permission to start putting weight on my hip. The consultant even gave me permission to go on the turbo!  My physio cleared me to go swimming. I am flexible enough to be a car passenger and have done a few local journeys. Taken altogether  this  marks an end of 4months enforced immobility and the start of rehab.  On this basis it is time for an update.

My general state of repair is good. But not 100%.   The back healed well. I incurred significant fractures to the mid vertebrae. Luckily my ribcage and sternum remained intact despite many fractures, especially to ribs. This meant surgeons were able to treat me without use of spinal implants, metal plates, screws, rods etc  These items are often necessary in bad cases but they do restrict flexibility of the spine afterwards. The integrity of the ribcage kept the spine aligned whilst bones healed.   My right hip took a big hit. Bones than normally break did not. Other bones broke in unusual ways. There is complexity and clinical uncertainty concerning soft tissues that surround the hip joint including blood vessels. On this basis I am OK for now but further rounds of surgery may be required in the next year or two. Furthermore I may need hip replacement at some point, or maybe not. But things could have been a lot worse.  The other piece of the jigsaw is facial injuries. These have largely healed and I am only slightly less good looking than before. My front teeth are broken. There's a bit of dental work required now that I have mobility to get into a dental chair.

After four months there's been a lot of muscle wastage. Typically by 3pm I am pretty fatigued. However rebuilding the body is what rehab is all about.  I don't know the timescale but at least I am back on track. 

I am lucky that I did not suffer either damage to the spinal column or head injuries.  I should, more or less, get back to normal although I don't think I will be able to run anymore. It's a bit early to make plans but I'm going to aim to do a few club TTs by July/August and do cross season in October.   Probably Tim Erasmus is unassailable this year but I'll be mounting a comeback in April 2015!

To all members: Good racing in 2014 whether on road,  against the clock or, by autumn, in the mud. Hopefully I start seeing you a bit more as the summer looms.

RGDS F 

[Graham]

Good to hear your on the mend

[Johan Hirlandt]

Excellent news Fergus, you are on the march so to speak!  

[Ben Hughes]

Good to hear your making a good recovery Fergus

Regards,

Ben