Struggling author needs help from medics

[reallymadwoman]

No - not the sort carrying straightjackets!

One of my characters is a man in his 70s and has fallen and broken his hip. Now whilst I'm quite happy making this stuff up as I go along, it would add just a tiny note of realism if I got at least some of the treatment details right.

I'm an as yet unpublished author, so I can't afford to pay for research, don't know any nurses, care staff or doctors who could help, and suspect the staff in the local A & E might get annoyed if I follow them around with a tape recorder yelling questions over the screams and groans.

If anyone would be willing to help with answers to specific questions or even (being really optimistic here!) an outline of likely treatment/care and how recovery tends to proceed, I would be eternally grateful and promise a 'credit' in the book when it's published - being even more optimistic with that one!

I have had a search on the internet, but all I've found is stuff most definitely directed at professionals and full of really big words.

[tiglet]

Hi there

Hubby works for the RCN - I can ask him to ask nurses if that would help.

What specifically do you want to know?

[reallymadwoman]

Thanks for the offer, as to what I want to know .... I haven't a clue really cos I have no idea what I'm talking about.

For starters, how long would my character be likely to be in hospital? When he went home, would he be able to walk on crutches, or would he be in a wheelchair? How long for?

[tiglet]

OK - i'll send the link to Mr Tiglet and ask him to get you some help - hopefully some will be forthcoming!

[reallymadwoman]

Many, many thanks. I can just see the credit now - medical research Mr Tiglet.

[tiglet]

Don't - he has describe my book as "chick lit, but intelligent chick lit".

Hmmm ....

[reallymadwoman]

Mind you, I can also see my photo on the dust jacket, my name on the front in big shiny letters, the appearances on chat shows etc etc ...

[reallymadwoman]

Probably not too far off a description of my books, so perhaps best not to mention that!

[tiglet]

He's probably right - my agent hasn't disagreed!

[reallymadwoman]

I'm jealous - you have an agent!!!!

I'm on my third book, the last one was described as 'very nearly there, but not quite' so I'm hoping it really will be third time lucky. However, if it isn't I'm not going to stop. I'm working (which I never thought I'd be able to say again) at something I love doing. How many people can honestly say that?

Incidentally, I've just mentioned your user name to my daughter, and she immediately said 'the tea towel lady' as your phone call is legendary in this house.

[tiglet]

Well, if the book doesn't sell, it will be nice to be popular for something!

[WebMaster]

"very nearly there" is a lot better than a lot of famous books have got. It's always surprising when you here how a now famous book was rejected by dozens of publishers before it was accepted.

[reallymadwoman]

bump

[sillygirl1]

I used to do audits on hip fractures for a major London teaching hospital, some findings were

Hip fractures are usually preceded by a urinary tract infection
Most fractures took place in my area on a Thursday (pension collection day it was then)
Most fractures took place in the summer when people were more active

If any of this is any use feel free to use it.

[reallymadwoman]

Thanks sillygirl1

[tiglet]

I've re-emailed hubby (he claims he didn't get the last one - hmmm )

He says, and I quote:

"Our Primary Care advisor will look at this and have a think next week. She's very nice, but I can't say whether she wil agree or not...

M xx"

So, I'll let you know.