07/22/2026
Hello everyone.
I’m just chilling at NRGH for a follow-up X-ray for my back.
You are probably not wondering at all why Casey is waiting for a follow-up X-ray on his back, or why does he look so feral … but I’ll tell you anyway.
This is actually day 9 of the saga. On July 12ty I fell from a ladder and fractured 3 vertebrae: T12, L1, and L2. But not critically. The emerg docs consulted neurosurgery in Victoria and neuro was happy with how things were sitting so no surgical or bracing interventions needed. Just rest and pain meds for the near future.
It has been an adventure. From giving the poor student paramedic tips on assessment, to seeing an emerg doc whom I’ve known for years - and who is an absolute gem - to being helped by one of my retired rugby players who is now an emerg nurse, to my wife scoring all the home equipment I could need, to managing my own acute care mobilization at home.
It will be a short a recovery considering what it could have been.
I started with a two wheeled walker because I could not put all my weight through my back; I was able to ditch that a few days ago. I’ll hereby call that walker Wilbur.
I can stand or sit for about 1.5 min before everything starts to clench and get hot; however, it improves a bit every day.
My favourite piece of gear is the bed rail that I can grab to help roll, reposition, and get up.
And I’m not able to stand long enough yet to shave my face - hence the feral looking Papa Smurf white beard. I’m using that as my motivation to push my tolerance every day so I can shave it off. I don’t know how people tolerate beards. It is sooooooo itchy!!!
More adventures to come.
