The story of The Arm

Flute players really need two working arms and hands but at the moment, I've only got one. I've broken my right arm and, as I'm right handed, everything is taking me ten times as long, but things are getting better daily.

This is the story of my arm.  I was in Croatia for our summer course. It had all started brilliantly with lots of people from previous years and masses of new beginners. The music I had spent ages planning seemed to be perfect, it was lovely to be back at Villa Soulavy and I was looking forward to various members of my family and friends arriving at various times throughout my stay.

For the first week my son, Mark was the only person with me. On this particular evening we wandered along the coast to look at another castle that was for sale. The plan was to take some photos and then have a meal. While looking at the castle I slipped, just a simple slip on a wet surface (I was distracted by a nasty man trying to drown kittens and killer dolphins circling for their kitten dinner - do you believe that?). I knew I had done something bad immediately. We were over a mile away from the Villa but we walked back quickly. Dario, at the Villa, immediately offered to drive me to the hospital. It was a fast and scary drive. He made sure I was seen immediately (I was in a great deal of pain by this point). The news was not good. It was a bad break and needed surgery. The advice was - at home. I was put in plaster, a huge one which was really, really heavy and Dario bribed a nurse to get some painkillers for me - they don't give them in hospital out there! I had to wait for 48 hours until I was allowed to fly due to the plaster and in the meantime made plans with my GP to see a surgeon at home.

I flew home on my own, which was quite scary and went straight to the hospital. I saw a doctor, who echoed it was bad news. After more x-rays another doctor confirmed it was very bad damage and surgery was need, but they were unlikely to be able to mend it and would probably have to replace the head of the bone.  This would mean long term problems. I was also told to expect a minimum of 3 months in plaster. He also said they wanted a top surgeon to do it (I was more than happy with that) and it couldn't be done for over a week. So he said it was great for me to go back to Croatia! I was so pleased.

Stephen Clark had come out to help me, this was planned before my accident. So I had left the course in his hands with the help of Mark and Andy (lots of ukulele teaching went on) and Kristina. I got back in time for the concert. It was wonderful.

We then had a few days relaxing in Croatia before I came back for surgery.

My operation took place on 6 August. I couldn't have had better treatment. The NHS is totally awesome. I was amazed to wake up to find I wasn't in plaster and the bone had been repaired! The only downside was the pain.

We had our course at the Purcell School starting on 10 August and it was decided I should go providing I did virtually nothing. Gareth drove me back to Brighton on Thursday to see my surgeon who was very happy with the result and all I have is a plaster over the operation wound and a sling for when I go out. I even played my flute in the course concert on Friday. It was only 4 notes, but I played!

So the story of my arm is quite a positive one. It is going to give me some problems with Flutewise over the next few months, but I feel good will come from it. We never know how things turn out. A couple of years ago Erich Tucker came over from Dallas for a Flutewise course. Afterwards he sent me a present of a 'Purple cow pillow' in the post (yes, just the pillow, unwrapped with a stamp on it). I have been wondering ever since what use it might be.  it's been such a source of comfort. Thanks Erich, the Arm loves it!