Here's to already broken resolutions (and wrists)
Who would have thought 2021 could have any more surprises in store?
After closing-up the Seed studio, we decided to skip town to Mallacoota for some rest and relaxation after the hectic year that was 2021. We discovered incredible beaches and saw, first-hand, the regeneration of Mother Nature after the 2019 bush fires.
At Bittangabee Bay, while we were exploring the cliffs, I slipped from a rock-face and fell eight feet. While I was lucky to avoid bumping my noggin …I braced the fall with my wrist. Ouch.
My friend said, “Whatever you do, don't look.”
So, of course I did. Retrospectively not looking was good advice as – it is scary to see the ulna and radius bones poking out of your arm. I knew then I was in a bit of trouble.
It takes a village to get help when you have an accident in a remote area. Bittangabee Bay is close to nowhere and nothing. No phone reception and a long drive down a bumpy, 4X4-only track.
A small community of campers helped me off the rocks and out of the sun. The next thing I needed was an ambulance. Stat. Easier said than done.
One of the people on the beach had a two-way-radio and managed to contact Parks NSW. Their team got in touch with Ambulance NSW and they deployed sexy pin-drop, satellite capabilities to figure out where the ‘eff’ we were.
Meanwhile, on the beach, Tash and Joe (holidaying doctors) set up a medical team and a morale support group around me. It was a long wait for help to arrive and the pain was intense.
I learned a little about mindset: Initially I was told I was in for an hour’s wait. I prepared myself for this. Then word came down-the-line that it going to be a whole lot longer. This was hard news to hear.
Dr Joe went in search of some pain relief amongst the campers – the choices were…limited. I was offered Panadol, magic mushrooms, hash cookies and marijuana. I opted for conventional relief as I didn’t want to ruin anyone else’s NYE plans.
The ambulance arriving was a sight for sore eyes and sore wrists. I was successfully evacuated, with a two-hour drive to Bega Hospital. There I received emergency trauma surgery and wonderful care.
At every stage of this little adventure, I felt cared for and, in good hands. I am so grateful to ordinary people going out of their way to help a stranger in need. To Parks NSW, Ambulance NSW and the NSW Health service at Bega, truly, thank-you.
When these unexpected things happen, I'm so grateful to be reminded of how compassionate people can be in an emergency. Also, for this practice of yoga where I could breathe through it and in the end know everything would be okay.
I will be taking a little break (oops bad pun) from teaching while these pesky bones heal. But you will see me in the studio supported by the fantastic team of Seed Yoga teachers who have once again, and who always do, step up when needed.
Happy New Year and see you on the mat in 2022.
Lisa x