Swim training severely hampered by a tin of dog food!

Above: The fattest finger you ever did see after severing a tendon on my right hand middle finger on Tuesday November 06, 2007.

Having returned from a swim in Dover Harbour on Saturday November 03, 2007 I was all fired up to start my swim training the following week. Normally on a Tuesday evening, I swim at Clarice House in the 20 Metre pool there. Unfortunately, this particular evening, I had to attend the Mildenhall Road Estate Community Association AGM in my role as a local councillor. Rushing home to wach a TV programme, I opened the back door to be greeted by our dog Casper who was waving his tail thinking it was food time. I grabbed a tin of "Chappy" dog food, lifted the ring pool lid, put a spoon down to the bottom of the can, and twisted the spoon sharply to access the food. Just as I did, Casper nudged the tin. The lip on the inside of tin, coupled with the turning movement of my hand, ripped through my skin right down to the bone, and blood spurted everywhere. I looked at it, feeling no pain and knew it was serious.

I shouted for my wife who came running while I held the two sides together, and she bandaged it up. I left it until the next morning where I spent about 4 hours in casualty, was lectured by a very nice surgeon about the state of the NHS in England, and was informed that I would require an operation to repair the tendon, but there were no beds and so I would need to have nil by mouth that night, then return to hospital the next day for the operation. I was seriously not happy. Not for any other reason than I was worried about my two way channel swim! All I asked was "When can I swim again?". The surgeon replied "Not for at least 4 weeks". I was distraught.

I spent all day Thursday in hospital, having had nil by mouth, not even a glass of water, since 10.30pm the night before. At 5.00pm I was operated on, and a large 1.6mm diameter steel pin inserted right down the midle of my finger to keep it straight while the tendon, which had been repaired, was allowed to heal. I was thoroughly depressed.

Above: The finger on November 13, 2007 after having the dressing removed to check the healing process.

On November 13, 2007, I attended my local doctors surgery to have the dressing changed, where the full extent of what I had done became apparent. The photos above clearly show it in all it's glory!

I have now had the steel pin removed, but the end of my finger is still very sore, swollen, and it actually looks like it has been sewed together twisted! I have no idea if it will ever be the same again, but at this moment in time, it doesn't feel like it.

Last night I got back in the water for the first time since my dip in Dover Harbour on November 03, 2007. It felt very strange, and my finger did not feel good on the final pull through when doing front crawl. I therefore spent most of the time with hand paddles on, which felt more comfortable.

Above: Meeting 2008 Belgian Channel relay aspirants Johan Rycx and Jean-Pierre at the CSA Dinner on Saturday November 03, 2007.

On December 28, 2007, I will be swimming in The North Sea in De Panne off the coast of Belgium with a 2008 Belgian Channel Relay team I met at the CSA Dinner in Dover on November 03, 2007. I am apprehensively looking forward to it, if that makes sense. It has been a very tough 6 weeks, and it will take a monumental effort to complete my two way, but I will not give up. The one thing that gives me hope is something Tim Cheeseman said to me when we were in France in October. He said "I never start swimming until January each year". The reason this gives me hope is that he did the channel, and about 3 hours back again this year attempting a two way, and I am slightly younger than him! (No offence Tim!).

Well, after that depressing story, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year, and I will be back to form as soon as is humanly possible. I promise!