The Day When the Accident Happened…
On Thursday the 4th of July, I was looking forward 11:20am when I would finish work at the kindergarten for the day and could resume preparations for my Japan cycling trip. Unfortunately, I did not come back home this day – I have not been home since – I had an accident during one of my morning classes.
I teach English, 2-6 years old Chinese kids, and as you may imagine I have to be very active to attract and retain their attention during the classes. I don’t speak Chinese at the level where I could explain new words, so I have to illustrate them.
I was in front of twenty 4-year-olds making them laugh. I turned around and my foot got stuck to the floor. I felt bones in my left knee separate and crack. I lost all control over my left leg and fell to the ground.
It apparently didn’t look as dramatic as it felt. Kids thought I was playing with them so they fell to the floor, pushed their way to jump on me and as I was protecting the knee with hands, they wanted to touch it more. The two teachers who accompanied me during the class were laughing and teasing kids, Even me shouting to them didn’t help (they don’t speak English). It took very long 5 minutes before they realised I was not joking, asked kids to sit down, and called Agness.
All the way to hospital, nobody took it seriously, I even thought that I’m exaggerating, but I simply couldn’t move my leg and was in excruciating pain.
First Impression of Chinese Hospitals
Dalang Hospital was the closest one and the doctor was the first person to finally take me seriously. I was rolled in from the parking lot to the reception on a hospital bed. My knee was bent and I couldn’t move it. I had to take few x-ray scans, which were useless in the long term, but showed the doctor I can have my leg straighten up.
The doctor had to put the bones back in place. Two men held me down while he forced my leg to straighten up. I certainly don’t want to have that done to me ever again.
Few hours later I was able to go on a wheelchair and start the second round of scans, 9 in total. Looking at them, the doctor said that I may have a surgery, but there’s a good chance I will not need one.
They took great care of me in Dalang Hospital. All the staff was amazing, with nurses worrying about me being so far from home. They were all coming to talk to me and take photos. Whatever I need, I got it before even asking. I had my own wheelchair to go around the ward and beyond. Some of my students’ parents work in Dalang Hospital, so they were visiting me, it was convenient for Agness and all my other friends to come over.
Dalang Hospital does not specialise in treating this type of injuries, they recommended to me that I should go to Dongguan Hospital of Chinese Medicine. That’s the hospital where I am now, it’s a one hour taxi ride from my home in Dalang. They have totally different approach to the patient here, i.e. patient is a source of money, no need to care too much. When we arrived at the hospital by school bus (so that I can lay on the floor), I was not allowed to be rolled in on a wheelchair, because this privilege applies after being seen by a doctor and paying for the first night in the hospital. Not to mention that 8 wheelchairs were chained just few metres away. My boss had to bribe the doctor, for him to see me (no details, but a lot of money). There were few other unusual in Western countries behaviors, but that’s enough to paint the picture.
The Shocking Diagnosis
The most annoying aspect of being in a Chinese hospital is that nobody tells you anything. It’s not only the case of language barrier. My doctors speak English, however they are very reluctant to tell me bad news.
I thought it was something minor, few weeks with a leg in a cast, a bit of pain and that’s all. It only crossed my mind after few days to ask how long I will not be able to walk. Then, reluctantly, the doctor said “several months”. It blew me away. I asked for specifics, just to be told “6 months or so”.
The news rushed to my head, I was speechless. That wasn’t the answer I ever expected to hear. I was devastated. What if I cannot cycle long distance again? What if it doesn’t heal well? Nobody can answer this, and I’m not sure if I really want to know.
Bitter Sweet Truth about Chinese Medical Care
It won’t shock anyone that Asia is cheap – as long as you are healthy. Hospitals certainly are not cheap in China. This applies to foreigners even more than to locals, which is understandable.
One night stay in a hospital can cost up to $300, as it is in my case. Then, they try to keep me here as long as they possibly can. Whereas in Dalang Hospital I had injections daily and understood I need to be there, in Dongguan Hospital I had no attention or any medical assistance up to now. I might have gone home and come back for surgery, and it would not change a thing. However, they have me hospitalised, because I pay cash.
If you ever have to stay in hospital in China, please remember to take cash with you, because you need to buy food. I think this is because normally Chinese people are surrounded with friends and relatives all day long in hospitals, so they don’t need food served by hospital staff.
The good side of Chinese hospitals is that the nurses are usually friendly and helpful, water is free and microwaves available. The doctors will make a thorough assessment through all kinds of examinations.
The downside is that when you get transferred, as I was, you need to undergo all the tests again – and pay for them. The new doctor will not approve of the previous results and needs to check again.
Enormous Support
Throughout my stay in hospital I had an enormous support from everyone around. I had my friends visiting me daily and cooking for me amazing Chinese dumplings. I received so many fruits that I could feed entire ward. My work was very supportive and provided me with anything I needed. My co-teachers visited me to say that students missed me. Even some parents came along to see how I was doing.
I had a limited contact with my family, who’d want me to come home. I truly would love to, especially now. They are with me all along.
Agness was amazing support to me, keeping me sane here. She also told me about all the amazing messages from you all on Facebook, twitter and emails.
I would like to thank you all for the support – it means a lot to me!
Recovery
I’m awaiting surgery next week, after which I will stay in bed for some time. Then I will need to exercise the knee, probably for a long time, and I hope to regain full capabilities as soon as possible. Doctors say it will take long time, but I’m positive and determined to get back to cycling and traveling.
Of course, this accident will not kill the spirit of travel. I don’t know how feasible it will be for me travel, but I certainly won’t give up. You will soon probably read a few “disabled-friendly” articles on eTramping.
Final Reflections
On the 27th July 2013 I was going to board a ferry in Shanghai, which would then take me to Osaka in Japan. Then I wanted to cycle around this beautiful country. I wanted to fulfill my passion of cycling, fulfill my childhood dreams of seeing Japan, and raise money for charity.
I did not make it official, although I was about to when the accident happened. I have gathered most of the gear I needed: bicycle specially prepared for the length of the trip and my individual needs, camp cooking kit so that I can eat cheaply, tent and everything I need to survive without hotels, and everything else in between. I also managed to sketch the route and had few days of training behind me. The goals of the trip were as follows:
- to cycle 2000 km or more
- to raise a minimum of $2000 for a charity in Cambodia
- to explore Japan from a different perspective
- to travel for 30 days in Japan and spend less than $25 a day (on average, since entrance tickets were to be included in the calculation)
- to understand myself better by traveling and camping solo
- to prepare for a much longer trip in the future (cycling the whole continent)
I wanted to cover the whole trip in details and thus make it easier for others to follow in a similar –inexpensive – fashion.
What’s next? New experience! I will now get a chance to experience life from a much different perspective. Now, it’s my chance to see how many obstacles wait for people who are not as mobile as most of us. Although I do not make any plans for this summer, I want to try and show that disability should not stop people from pursuing dreams. It should only make them do it in a different way.
When it comes to Japan, it’s my mission to travel Japan more than ever.
I think that everything happens for a reason. Maybe there was something much worse cooking up and the knee injury saved me from something worse in Japan. I will not know – life is life – and I want to take it as it is. Now it’s time for me to experience life from a much different perspective.
105 thoughts on “The Day That Ruined My Travel Plans For 6 Months”
Sorry to hear about this Cez, it must be really hard going through all of this when you are so far from home. Fortunately Agness is there to support and help you, it looks like she’s been awesome!
I like your optimism and how you are ready to find the best part of your new condition.
I can’t believe how expensive Chinese health care is, have you got an insurance that can help you with those fees?
I hope your recover is fast and painless, Japan won’t run away, I’m sure you’ll make it there :)
Hey Franca, thank you! I’m fine here having a lot of friends and support. It’s only family that I’m missing, but I’ll see them as soon as I can.
Finding positive things about it wasn’t actually that hard, there could be as many good things as bad things, as long as this is only a temporary state.
School pays, because we are insured through them and it happened while I was working. That’s really convenient and fortunate in this situation.
Happy travels!
Cez wracaj szybko do zdrowia i pamiętaj ze co Cie nie zabije to Cie wzmocni. W końcu jesteś twardziel!
Daj znać jakbyś może potrzebowal cos z Polski czy Anglii to wyślę paczkę ;)
domyślam się ze Chiny rządzą się swoimi prawami ale może warto żebyś się zainteresował jakimś odszkodowaniem. Chyba macie jakąś polisę jak tyle podróżujecie? A poza tym to jakby nie patrzeć był wypadek w pracy.
Wiadomo juz kiedy będziesz mieć zabieg? Trzymaj się mocno Cez
Czesc Radzik, dzieki wielkie! Wiem, wiem. Jest tez inne powiedzenie – co Cie nie zabije to Cie wk**wi. :D
Dzieki za propozycje, ale serio wszytko tu mam.
Plisy nie mam jak podrozujemy (chyba czas to przemyslec), ale w pracy mialem, wiec za lecznie nie musze placic. Na innego rodzaju odszkodowanie raczej nie mam co liczyc, ale najwazniejsze dla mnie zeby byc dobrze zszytym.
Juz jestem po operacji, i wnioskujac po tym za dalej oddycham i nic mi nie ucieli, to wszystko gra.
Jak tam Sie tobie powodzi? Kiedy do mnie przyjedziecie z Emma?
Pozdro!
Oof! Tough break, man! I knew you were in the hospital, but didn’t realize it was this serious. Wishing you the best, and sending mad positive vibes from Beijing.
You’re lucky the first hospital took care of you like it did! You should see the state of the hospitals in Xi’an, where I lived for 6 months. Not the type of places you even want to stand next to, much less walk in the door (think run-down hospital from a horror movie).
Beijing and Dongguang definitely aren’t close, but they’re closer than a lot of other places in the world, where your friends and family might be. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help!
I have seen hospitals like this around China. Even here there are some like this, but my school took me to the new one. It’s definitely a lot harder to choose hospital when you’re in a smaller place.
Thank you very much for your offer of help. I really have everything I need here (apart from family). Nevertheless, If you come by (dongguan or anywhere else near Hong Kong), let me know and we’ll go for a pint.
I love that you are keeping positive regardless of all that has happened to you. $300/day is alot of money for hospital care. wish you a speedy recovery post surgery so that you can get out of there soon .
I stayed in hospital for two weeks and I’d rather not go back :D /still can’t walk, but at least I’m at home now (my home in China).
All the best to you!
What an awesome post, it’s great that you’re so positive and turning a bad situation into a new experience! Looking forward o hearing all about it!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
I wouldn’t be a traveller if I didn’t see an adventure everywhere around :D Plus, I always wanted to see what it’s like to difficulty moving around and how it influences life.
Cheers!
Hi Cez!
I’m sorry about your painful ordeal! Keep your chin up! I’m sure your recovery time will go by fast! Just a pause in your journey in some ways or a different way of experiencing things. I’ll be saying prayers for you and Agnes!
Thank you for your kind words and your prayers!
Hello Cez, I’m sorry to read about your accident and wish you the speediest of recoveries – hopefully you’ll defy the lengthy estimated time of 6 months!
I was really touched to read about all the support given to you by your friends and pupils in China (and least not Agness!) – you’ve obviously made an excellent impression as a teacher and friend. But this is no surprise, as this post really highlights your positive outlook in life and the type of person you are.
I hope your surgery goes well, and I’ll be interested to read your ‘disabled-friendly’ articles. I can’t help but feel you’ll inject some humour into them!
Thank you Shing for your kind words. I’m flattened to read your comment. I will do my best to inject as much humour as possible in all of the disabled-friendly posts (and others too).
Stay safe and happy travels!
I think your surgery is tomorrow (which is now today in China). Steve and I are sending you our thoughts. You will have a lot to write about seeing the world from a wheelchair. Don’t know how China is, but in the US accessibility isn’t uniform.
Shocked to read about the Chinese medical system. I thought excellent medical care would be available for FREE. I’m a bit stunned.
Wishing you a successful recovery. Hugs!
Thanks Billie. As of now I still can’t move around (twice I went out for few hours and twice I had 39+ degrees fever after). Well, As soon as I can move further, I’m going to visit few places in China, and write about it. Unfortunately, I don’t have a wheelchair, so it will be about struggles with crutches and a backpack :D
They say China is Socialist, but there’s probably less socialism than in most western countries.
It sounds like your getting a lot of support from your friends which is essential in times like these. I hope your knee gets better soon and you can fulfil your dream of cycling in Japan :)
Thank you Jennifer. I never realised how important it is, and even less I knew that I have so many good friends around me. It’s really uplifting.
Dude, I am SO sorry to read about all this that’s going on with you. Talk about terrible luck. And all for a simple mis-step in class. The money-grab thing is fairly common with doctors in Asia. Even in Japan, doctor’s and dentists pull their tricks by making you keep returning for stuff that should be covered in one visit. But 300$ a day!! That’s just nuts! I’ll be looking forward to reading about a speedy recovery. You’re young and in good shape, which will help a lot, I’m sure. Just don’t push it. You gotta recover completely so you’re ready to ride — and have a few beers with me — in Japan!! Get well soon, buddy!
Cheers Mike. I’m actually really happy it didn’t happen to me in Japan, there I would have a real problem. Still, as my misfortune shows, you can’t ever know what’s gonna happen next day. Even as safe environment as school can get you on a wheelchair.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to a pint of Japanese beer with you!
I’m so sorry to hear this Cez. I’m glad the first hospital took good care of you and that Agness and your friends are supporting you over there. Also glad to see you kept you positive attitude. Wishing you a fast and full recovery, so you can still get your cycle adventure in Japan afterwards.
Thank you Freya! Ohh the first hospital was amazing, and even though I didn’t like the second one, they probably fixed my knee. I am going to Hong Kong this week to get a second opinion.
Get well soon Cez, we’re happy to see you optimistic :)
6 months is nothing and will pass quickly and as you said, you will see and experience your life from different perspective.
Thank you. Indeed, time goes by so quick, that I just realised etramping was abandoned for nearly a month due to busy schedule (both mine and Agness’s). I promise to get to it now.
Hope you get better soon and it will make going to Japan even more exciting! Good luck with the operation and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!
Thanks Kirsty. Operation went well (I hope – nothing missing and I’m still breathing, good signs).
Cez, we are so sorry to hear about your accident, but we are glad to hear that you have a lot of support and encouragement, and it looks like you are staying very positive throughout the experience! We will be thinking about you and wish you the speediest of recoveries. Japan will still be there waiting for you when you are well, and I have no doubt you will still cycle it. Your determination is inspiring!
Thank you! Japan is waiting and I am waiting for Japan. Stay safe on your travels!
Oh no that’s gutting, I hope you get better soon. My sister-in-law is from Shanghai and she told me once about how everyone in China is so scared of getting ill because of the huge costs of healthcare.
Thanks. I can confirm that. People around me are so worried about me because they know it’s hard to keep afloat in China after accident. It is ridiculously expensive here. Still, I’m in very good hands and don’t need to worry.
I feel you man!
I was suppose to become a hiking guide in Guatemala and broke my foot 3 days before I was to start. I’m walking again but recovery is going to take many more months. I’m surprised how much muscle mass I lost.
Despite the negatives, breaking my foot was a surprisingly positive experience. I learned a few new skills such as Spanish and playing guitar.
I hope the pain goes away quickly and you find a way to use this experience in a positive way.
Aww man, you also had an accident before something important to you. Finding the positives about it – in my opinion – is the most important. Once you fully recover you will be able to become hiking guide, who speaks Spanish and can entertain your customers – that’s awesome!
I also lost some leg muscles, but I’m not concerned cause I will easily rebuild them on the bike, but what I gained is some arm muscles (thanks to the crutches).
Speak to you soon!
Cez, your piece was amazing – it sounds as if you’ve been to hell and back, and survived! There are bits of horror in there – like the part where you were being held down in a hospital bed (OMG…). But there was also brilliance in there – it’s great to see that after everything you are more determined than ever, and still smiling in your pictures. Stay strong – I know you will. Sending all the very best for a quick and painless recovery, T + A :)
Thank you! I must say that being help down while my leg was straightened was nothing compared to what I had after surgery. Japan and other cycling trips are now even more important to me than they were before, even if I have to do it on a handcycle (yes, already checked them out:D ). All the best to both of you too!
Wow, that is crazy. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Glad you still have a positive spin after what happened.
Angela, I didn’t realise how good it will be for my upper body muscles training! Thank you for your kind words
Wow, I’m so sorry about your injury and wish you a speedy recovery!!!
Thanks Erika, I will do my best :D
6 months? that’s horrible! But everyone seems like they treated you very well. Here’s to a speedy recovery!
Thanks Hogga. It will be long and as much as I’d love it to be much quicker, it will give me time to see the world properly from this point of view.