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Published: January 7th 2016
It was just four days after I got back to Manila from my trip in Sydney. I was running after Chris to steal the ball from him. Before I reached him my ankle twisted, then my torso followed and twisted to the left, and I heard my bone crack, then I fell. It cracked so loud everyone in the football stadium heard it. I broke my femur.
I couldn't move my right leg. But it didn't hurt. I just felt numb. I knew it snapped. First I called my boss to tell her I won't be able to show up for work the following day, she didn't pick up. I called my sister and told her what happened. It was already past 10PM and I knew she had work the following day so I told her not to come, but she insisted and called my other sister and they drove to the hospital immediately.
I was taken to the X-ray room. My leg was bent and they couldn't take the xray with my leg bent. So they straightened it. I don't believe they've given me anesthesia yet. I screamed in pain as they straightened it. I've never prayed so
hard in my life. It did feel a lot better though after they've straightened my leg. I was taken to my room. Moving from one bed to the stretcher and then to another bed was so painful. I had to do that a few times for the different tests. The littlest movements were excruciatingly painful. I discovered the kind of pain that was exhausting. I never knew that such kind of pain existed. It took all of my energy whenever had I to transfer beds although there were at least three nurses helping me. I was scheduled for operation two days after. A titanium rod was inserted inside my femur. The cuts were made on my knee and hip area.
It was an immediate relief after the surgery. I had an epidural but slept through most of the six hour surgery. Friends, family, soccer teammates who were there during the accident, volleyball teammates, and colleagues visited me in the hospital. Though some very close friends did not visit. I must admit I'm not the sentimental type and would most likely just send a note if it happened to them. I learned that it's important to be there because I
wished they came to visit me. Though I don't blame them. We are birds of a feather so I understand. But from now on I'll make sure to visit friends and family in the hospital.
The first two weeks after the surgery was difficult physically and emotionally. It was difficult for my pride. I prided myself for being strong and athletic. I could do squats and bench presses with weights close to my body weight. I played sports twice a week, regular weight training in the gym, military style bootcamp, yoga, pilates, hip hop class, swimming, and I ate healthy! There's nothing in the healthy living rule book that I didn't follow. After the surgery I had to rely on others for everything! My food, toothbrush, etc had to be brought to me. I had to stay with my sister because my apartment is on the second floor and there's no elevator in our building. I hate relying on others. But during that time I was so grateful for my family. I can't imagine what would have happened to me without them. One of the good things that came out of this is that I now appreciate them more,
and they were able to show how much they care.
The doctor said it would take three to six months before I can walk again without crutches, and at least a year before I can play sports. I won't be able to go to work. I can work from home but I have three months sick leave credits accumulated so I decided to make use of it. I could feel my spirit dying. I knew I couldn't last even six weeks just in bed with stuff being brought to me. Manila is not wheelchair accesible so I can't do anything. So I decided to leave right after the staples on my wounds were removed.
Of all the places I've been to, Vancouver is the most wheelchair accessible. Even the bus would lower itself and let out a platform onto the ground so people on wheelchairs could get on. I didn't see that in Sydney. Developing countries in Southeast Asia are obviously out of the running in being wheelchair accessible. I dound out that it's a luxury only developed countries care to implement.There's way too many people in Tokyo and Seoul for me to consider recuperating there. The US
is prohibitively expensive although I could really see myself in Seattle. So Vancouver was the obvious choice. I have friends and family there who I can call if I need help, and I've never experienced white Christmas before.
When I stepped off the plane for my connection in Shanghai, I was shocked to find that I had to go down to the tarmac using the stairs. It was like I was back in the 90's when they did not have those things that they attach to the door of the plane so you can go straight to the airport building. Totally unexpected because Beijing airport was very modern so I expected Shanghai to be the same. I was very much intimidated because I haven't practiced stairs on my crutches yet because I was afraid to fall. Thank God the American guy I sat next to on the plane helped me to go down the stairs. Then I had to hop on to a shuttle to get to the building. NOBODY gave me their seat. Really China? I don't want to generalize but I can't see that happening anywhere else in the world! You see a guy in crutches you
give him your seat! I thought that was a universal etiquette. Apparently not! When I got to the building another surprise was waiting for me. Escalator! I had to get off the wheelchair and get on to the escalator using my crutches.
I don't know how I was able to do all that just two weeks after my operation. Must be divine providence. The airport personnel who carried my bag and pushed my wheelchair left me at the boarding gate for my next flight where I had to wait for five hours. When boarding time came I asked who was there to assist me. I informed China Eastern Airline that I needed assistance days before the flight. The attendants at the boarding gate told me (rudely) that the airline didn't send anyone. One of them helped me carry my bag. Unfortunately the American guy who helped me earlier was no longer there. I could not have thanked him enough. I had to hop on to the bus that would take me to the plane all by myself. Again nobody offered to give me their seat. The attendant who was carrying my bag told a young man to give his
seat to me.
The flight was the most exhausting I've ever experienced. Good thing the two seats next to me were empty so I was able to put my feet up. During my first flight I couldn't do that and it felt like my wounds were going to burst open during the three hour flight from Manila to Shanghai. I don't think I could have endured that for the eleven hour flight from Shanghai to Vancouver.
So now here I am. It took two weeks for me to get over the jetlag. I seldom go out because even sitting in the car was exhausting during the first few weeks after my surgery. I spent a few days in Whistler because there was no snow in Vancouver and I wanted a white Christmas. I mostly just stayed in the cabin enjoying the warmth of the sheets and the beautiful winter wonderland view outside my window. The library is a delight because of the fast internet and I was finally able to catch up on reading Time magazine. The Whistler library has a gorgeous view of a snow covered park. That sounds ridiculous. Whistler is a ski resort and I'm
writing about their library. The gym lacked equipment!
I'm glad I came to Canada. Where people go out of their way to help a man in a wheelchair. I am so grateful to the friendly people here who help me get on elevators and open doors for me. I never have to worry about not being given a seat on the bus. Everything I need can be delivered to my doorstep. It an expensive choice to recuperate here but it's worth every penny. Oh and I've been learning a lot of things. Like using my head to open bathroom doors and using my head to balance myself against the wall while pulling my pants up. I have much respect for all the PWD out there! I'm also very thankful to my yoga instructors right now. All the standing in one leg poses prepared me for everything that I have to do while standing on one leg now.
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Dancing Dave
David Hooper
Harold the Brave
Wonderful to read this update Harold. You never fail to surprise me. When you contacted me to advise of your freak accident and impending surgery I could not believe the ball of energy I had spent time with only days before in Sydney could have such bad luck. But reading this blog your smile and optimism I got to know, is ever present and will serve you well in your recovery. As the Canadians are the politest folk in the world, I agree with you...no better place to recuperate and recover.