Broken Shoulder Slowed Me Down

Writing from Hospital

Can you believe a broken shoulder slowed me down?! Holy moley! Who would have thought that a 5 minute visit to the Doctor at the local Health Hub medical centre at 9am on the 11th January 2026 could end with TWO ambulances – actually, make that THREE ambulances!

I saw my Dr for a regular appointment, 5 minutes in total, and as I walked out past the Reception Desk the Universe gave me a surprise – I FELL – heavily – on my right shoulder and hip. I remember screaming as Nurses and staff came running and tried to help me – I was in agony and they managed to help me sit with my back resting against the Reception Desk and as my screaming from pain subsided, they gave me painkillers and stayed with me till not one but two ambulances arrived.

The female ambos were absolutely amazing, managing to get me on the trolley with clever inflatable devices!

Hospital #1

It was about an hour after my fall when I was taken to Caboolture Hospital, xrayed to show a BROKEN RIGHT SHOULDER (yikes!), and I was told I was to be taken to the smaller Kilcoy Hospital. I stayed in a huge waiting space for the entire day, alone, in much pain.

At around 6pm I managed to walk slowly to where I had seen a Nurse walk by, and grabbed someone’s attention. I told them I’d been there since 10am (so around 8 hours so far), and asked why the ambulance hadn’t arrived yet to take me to Kilcoy Hospital.

The Nurse was shocked, checked the computer screen, and by the look on her face I guessed no-one had arranged for the ambulance. So I asked her if that was true, and if so, could she please let me know what I needed to do to arrange for an ambulance.

Hospital #2

At 8pm I was finally put on an ambulance stretcher on wheels, bundled into the back of the next ambo, and taken to the next hospital – an hour’s journey over some crazy wild bumpy country roads as we climbed up steep road on rolling hills. The all-female ambo crew were incredible and totally amazing!

I was now about an hour’s drive from my Doctor’s office in Morayfield.

We arrived at Kilcoy Hospital at 9pm. Without boring you with details, I stayed in this small country hospital for a total of 10 weeks. As my right shoulder slowly started healing I learned about the physio exercises I needed to do several times per day to help my shoulder, arm and hand mend. The hip and badly bruised leg would heal in their own time (the massive black and blue bruising under my right arm (in the armpit) lasted for several months more.

4 Beds in my Hospital Ward

I was one of four patients in Ward 8 (I was in bed 8.2) and over the 10 weeks I had some amazing and fascinating fellow patients. I have a whole new regard for Nurses, Doctors, staff, hospitals, and fellow patients – I learned so much and am still in awe of the whole experience xxx

Update: Recuperating in the countryside

31st March 2026 – I’ve now been out of hospital for two weeks, staying at a new friend’s place in a lovely little self-contained room/cottage with a garden view (a short walk behind their house on their huge property). I’m about 30 mins drive from the Hospital.

My shoulder’s improving, I look out the sliding glass doors to their beautiful yard filled with amazing trees, shrubbery – and the occasional kangaroos!

I am now well enough to go for slow walks up to the front gate, but don’t want to venture too far just yet – slow and steady. I also walk down to the bottom of the property where two beautiful horses wait patiently, expecting me to bring apples (which I did once so far), and it’s a gorgeous scene. Breathtaking beautiful Australian bushland (forest).

Oh how I wish I had all my silk painting dyes, silk and brushes etc with me … alas they’re in storage in another town, so that will have to wait until I can drive – something I am sooo looking forward to! 😀 (I’ve been told that might be many more weeks yet, so I have to keep up the physio exercises and pretend I’m driving! 😀

In the meantime, friends brought me pencils, watercolour paints and other fun arty-farty things while I was in the hospital, some posted books to read, and crossword and word puzzle books to drive my brain crazy, and kick-start it back into thinking hard mode! (You know who you are, Nat-ah-lee! 💕) so I am wracking my brain on word puzzles, and sketching again – just small ideas so far – and it’s all great exercise for my right shoulder and hand 😀

What about clothing you ask?

Great question! One of my beautiful Nurses found some fabulous comfy clothes in the “left behind” box downstairs in the Hospital, so I started to accumulate a few pieces of comfy clothes (spacious knee length dress and colourful long sleeve tops), and even purchased some undies for me, so I could change into different clothes each day 🙂 Gave me some self respect and help me to feel “normal” under the circumstances xxx

VaniVanGo

My Toyota Hiace campervan had been staying at my Doctor’s office location, so my new friends drove it here to my new location, and it’s great to see VaniVanGo every day.

I walk over to her, and can now open the side door with my left arm, but don’t have the strength to climb in … yet! Baby steps. Taking my time. I know I’ll soon be able to climb in, but not yet drive.

A Broken Shoulder Slowed Me Down – but that’s a whole new part of this Adventure!

Has this tale of my latest adventure made you smile? The good news is I’m healing well, and I hope you’re well too and looking after yourself. If you’re being arty-farty, creative or doing something else you love, I would be so happy to hear from you with your news.

Click here to send me your message / update – can’t wait!