A Non-Birding Tale of Woe

Once upon a time in ambulance land, a solo RRV responder was sent to standby in a city that he hates with a passion. Carefully hiding himself behind an electricity sub-station, he hoped that he would go undetected. Wrong! Thanks to our considerate colleagues at the end of the excellent and proven 111 system, a job was found for me and off I went. Arriving at the job, I assessed and arranged for an ambulance to take my patient to hospital for further investigation. This was achieved and my colleagues, Michael and Andy soon had the patient down the stairs, chaired and blanketed and ready for the off. It was then, that this hapless RRV responder decided to place his heavy responder bag on his back and cardiac monitor in hand, and start the descent of the stairs. It was not his day. After two steps he slipped, causing his left leg to buckle underneath him at a rather unnatural angle, and with heavy bag crumpled to the ground. The pain was excruciating. I could not move. I felt sick. I may have said a few choice words! I knew, at this early stage that all was not well and this hapless RRV responder was going to end his shift earlier than planned! A crew was rapidly responded to my aid with a cheery Ryan, Czes, Steve and puppy paramedic Grace. My pride was in tatters as very quickly were my trousers as my intrepid rescuers investigated the state of my left leg. Entonox (gas & air) was offered and I was happy to receive it. Ryan was desperately attempting to get me to have morphine, but I declined his kind offer. It was soon clear that I was not going to be able to walk and an ambulance chair was fetched, ably driven by Czes, giving me a white knuckle ride to the ambulance. I have to say that this was the first time I have travelled in an ambulance as a patient! Arriving at Walsgrave Hospital, I had the embarrassment of being wheeled into triage with colleagues watching. I was soon transferred to minors where I confidently told the doctor that my injuries were muscular and not bony - thankfully he agreed. With some strong pain relief, I was assessed. I could not straight leg raise or weight bare at this time, but bony injury and tendon damage was soon ruled out. It was severe muscle damage with pain from hip to knee. The doctor wanted me to have crutches but I politely declined as I could not face any further embarrassment! I was discharged after a couple of hours but wondered if the crutches should have been accepted as my leg keeps giving way, much to the amusement of the hospital staff. With trouser legs flapping, hairy legs exposed and an unsteady gait, I was discharged home with strict instructions to rest for a week.

I would like to thank all the staff involved for their efforts. It could have been much worse, that it was not, I am truly thankful.