Trust Tommy

6am starts have never been, are not and never will be welcomed in TommyLand. If I could pay money to never have to be woken early, I would.

I was awake that early because I was due in Cappagh Hospital at 9am for surgery. The car journey up passed in a haze of trying to sync videos to my iPhone and listening to music.

We arrived into the hospital around 08:45 and were shown to the day ward where we waited for the surgeon to call me. I changed into their hospital gown and passed the time watching Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (about halfway through now — very good movie) At about 11:20, I was called by the nurse. In true House style, I was brought down to the OR on a gurney. Not at speed though and not while Foreman, Chase, Cameron, Thirteen, Kutner or Taub briefed me about my condition. Hrrmph.

I waited outside the OR for a moment and slipped off my shoes and socks. Then it was time to go in. I was due to get cortisone injections into the patella tendon to relieve pain. I’d also have that leg put in a cast to prevent me from using it too much in the weeks following the injections.

The injections themselves made me really nauseous for a few minutes until one of the nurses brought me a glass of water, then it subsided. Apart from that, I’d no ill effects. I was wheeled back to the ward where I had some bread and jam and got dressed. After that it was learning what was the most effective hobbling method on the two crutches.

I slept a bit on the way down from Dublin (am home now) which was nice and should reset my body clock somewhat. I have all of tomorrow to get used to the cast and then it’s Wexford for the weekend! Seriously looking forward to that.

The cast is for 6 week and extends from mid-thigh to ankle. I can still wear the same clothes and shoes while it’s on, which is handy.

I’m going to miss drumming for 6 weeks. :( Although I do have a solution in mind it’s a bit of a pipe dream. It involves double bass pedals and bricks.

Shall also miss swimming, but that’s harder to work around.