Aged 18, straight from school in 1960, I was introduced to the somewhat harder reality of Old Wimbledonians rugby.
The tallest in the back row of the Extra A (third) team was where I began; soon to be tried in the second where I was tackled simultaneously by two heavies who sent me crashing to the hard ground on my left shoulder. I rose to my feet, swung my arm round a bit, and packed down in the scrum grasping my second row partner’s arm for support, and continued the game.
I have never recovered from this, although I did continue playing until I
was aged 45, alongside my friend Geoff Austin, for the Old Whitgiftians, when I was able to throw the affected arm out in a straight line ready to jump for the ball as it crossed the outstretched arm of the man in front.
Although I often bore pain running down from the shoulder to the palm of the injured arm, I could generally tolerate this, yet there would be periodic flareups taking me first to NHS facilities and eventually to an osteopath. Over the years I have tried steroid injections, physiotherapy, and eventually the osteopath’s manipulation, which was about 30 years ago. Nothing worked.
For the last three or four months I have been unable to move my neck left, right, up, or down. Realising I would never again manage to dance the hokey cokey – or in fact anything else – this afternoon I kept an appointment with New Milton Chiropractic clinic where I received the most thorough examination ever, including x-rays which had never before been offered. A fault in the x-ray equipment caused too much delay to permit a proper diagnostic explanation, so I will commence a series of treatment beginning on Friday, starting with the diagnosis.
This evening we all dined on Kings House Chinese Takeaway excellent fare with which Jackie and I drank the same wines as yesterday.
Wishing you a boatload of relief, Derrick
Thanks very much, Donna
I hope that good examination will lead to treatment that relieve at least some of the pain!
Thank you so much, Janet
I am sorry to hear about your injury and the lack of appropriate treatment, Derrick. I hope this new treatment will be effective and provide a welcome relief. Feel better soon!
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
It does pay to be the squeaky wheel when it comes to any medical establishments. Hopefully the rugby and league unions will place stricter guidelines regarding play to preserve the players mental and physical health at all levels. I hope the new treatment brings you relief, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Suzanne. As you know, safety has become a key factor in the professional game and it certainly needs to be bearing in mind the size, weight, speed of the modern players.
I hope the treatments do the trick!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Commiserations regarding your health. Let’s hope they can find a cure, or at least more relief for you. Getting older… is not for cissies, is it?! ‘Im and me survived cancer many moons ago and are still battling on. We both read and write a lot, which keeps the mind from rusting, and listen to lots of music. Onwards and upwards! Best regards.
Thank you so much, Joy. I know there will be no cure, but relief would be good.
I do hope that your shoulder is sorted soon!
Thank you very much, Kim
Wow, Derrick, I hope that the doctors can help you get your movement back. I know how this feels because I have three herniated lower lumbar which stop my life completely when they go out. I have a handicap tag for my truck. Get well, my friend! ????????❤️
Thank you so much, John
You’re welcome, Derrick. ????????????
It seems that all of our IOUs from our youth come due with a vengeance (and pain) as we age. At least we can still hopefully enjoy our wine and delicious meals.
Thanks very much, Pat
Good luck with the treatment. Knowing what is wrong will be a very good start.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
I remember that game we are pictured in very well. It was against the Old Brightonians, who played in identical colours to the Old Whits, so we had to wear white shirts. The shirts were all small size, so how you and I fitted into them I’ll never know! Our local chiropractor Neil is amazing – any back pain I go straight to him, and he always sorts it out. However, I can’t do the Hokey Cokey either nowadays.
Thanks very much, Geoff. I knew you would have something to add – and you did very well.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been in chronic pain, Derrick. I hope you get some relief. I enjoyed your photos!
Thank you very much, Alys
You know I can relate to your appalling neck problems and I so hope that someone suggests a untra sound scan and a second Xray to finally get to the bottom of your problems.
I had a long telephone conversation with my spinal specialist today and another face to face review is booked for the new year. Let’s hope we both find relief very soon.
That would be good Sue. Thank you very much for the solidarity
PS. sorry for those awful typos. It should have read An Ultra Sound Scan!
No problem, Sue
I am sorry you have been in chronic pain all these years, Derrick. I hope the chiropractor is able to help you. A good chiropractor is a blessing.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
I hate the way injuries sustained in our youth can continue to torment us in our later years. Hope that the medical exam results will bring you some relief.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
I hope you can get some relief soon. I’m surprised you’ve not had x-rays, but at least it sounds as though you’re finally going to get some proper attention.
Thanks very much, Linda
Ahhh … those old football injuries from years ago, certainly come back to haunt us Derrick …
Cheers, Ivor
It’s always good to get to the bottom of things in the mind … and to relax in the body to let it happen. Good luck Derrick! I’m rooting for you ????????????
Thank you so much, Val. Maybe Yoga would have been better for me 🙂
Hi Derrick, I hope you get some relief soon from your rugby injury.
Thank you very much, Barbara
We sometimes think we’re invincible in our youth and become much more careful as we age. Best wishes for comfort, relief and better mobility in your renewed healing journey. Anything is possible, so be persistent.
One class of students called me Superman – at least I didn’t have his nasty accident. Thanks very much, JoAnna
We’re lucky to have made it through those wild times.
I’m so sorry to hear this Derrick. I hope you find the answer to getting rid of the pain.
Sending a hug
Thank you so much, Mimi X
It is such fun seeing the much younger you. It has been noted by others, yet so true that our youthful activities come back to bite in later years. My ‘bites’ relate to carrying overloaded rucksacks whilst hiking in the mountains.
Thank you very much, Anne
How awful Derrick. I hope you get the help you need!
Thanks very much, Diane
I hope your treatment is effective, Derrick. They should have had quite a few more years of treating rugby injuries by now !
Indeed. Thanks very much, John
Some injuries we carry them with us for our entire life! I hope you’ll find some relief with the new treatment!
Thank you so much, Riba
Oh, yes, those sports injuries can haunt us later in life. (sad face) I’m so sorry to hear you have been in such pain for so long.
I hope and pray you get some help soon.
Keep us updated. We care about you! We are cheering you on!
(((HUGS))) ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
I hope the treatment will help, Derrick. Do let us know how things go 🙂
Thanks very much, Sandra. I will
I really liked the photographs
I hope that the new therapy will give good results soon, dear Derrick!
Thank you very much, Luisa
You’re more than welcome!
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve had to suffer so long from the pain of this sports injury. I hope the new examination leads to effective treatments. <3
I picked you out in that photo, and it's wonderful that you and Geoff are still in contact (even if not playing rugby ;)), and that he commented, too.
Thank you very much, Merril. Geoff continued longer than I did. I only stopped when we moved to Newark and I thought it too late to join a new club
You’re welcome, Derrick.
And thank you for the additional details!
I grew up in Rugby where ‘rugger ‘ was obligatory I was small (still am) and I hated it…https://apetcher.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/rugby-and-the-world-cup/
I’m happy to hear you will continue seek treatment.
I am sorry to hear about your chronic pain, Derrick, and I hope the examinations will lead to effective treatments. I spotted you right away in the photo.
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I am so sorry that this issue has plagued you throughout your life. I think more attention is paid now to young people’s injuries to prevent this kind of lingering trouble. At least my grandson(who has twice broken his arm) was watched very carefully after. I think the chiropractor is a great option.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth
You are welcome.
What a bugger, Derrick. Those old injuries always catch up with up in the end, don’t they? … hope the treatment gives you some relief.
Thanks very much, Widders. You would know
Fingers crossed that they can provide some relief. My OH played both rugby and water polo well into his 40s suffering numerous injuries but none too long lasting.
Thanks very much, Sheree
I hope that you can finally find some relief. Carrying an old injury around for so many years is not pleasant. Sending good vibes your way!
Thanks very much, Dale
That’s proper rugby right there.
Thanks very much, Gary
Oh the scars of a well lived life. Good luck with the medicos.
Thanks very much, Lindsey