December 08th, 2026

Thursday morning begins on an almost ordinary note: I wake up after a night that was finally restful. Well… almost. The evening before, sleep had been reluctant to cooperate. The medication did not seem fully convinced by its own purpose, and the fentanyl pump had been disconnected during the day. After consultation between the nurse and the on-call physician, a decision was made: the pump was reconnected. Two doses later, sleep, now visibly reassured, finally arrived. It seems that even pain sometimes needs strong arguments.

Early in the morning, the assistant physician, Dr. Vacca, comes by with news that immediately changes the outlook: discharge home is planned for the following day, Friday. He adjusts the medication, prepares the prescription for the pharmacy, and slightly increases the opioid dosage. The goal is clear and openly stated: pain under control and, at last, peaceful nights. At this stage, it sounds almost like a luxury.

The previous afternoon had already marked an important milestone. A new cast was applied and the dressing completely renewed. Dressings were added to promote wound healing and reduce the risk of infection. The healthcare professional specialising in cast application, whom I have known for more than two years now, once again did an excellent job. The cast fits perfectly: stable, comfortable, and precise. When professionalism is consistent, it becomes reassuring.

On Monday morning, a follow-up appointment is scheduled at the orthopaedic centre with Ms Jufer, a wound care specialist. She will assess the progress of the healing process. She is also the clinician who treated me after my return from Morocco, a welcome sense of continuity in an already extensive medical journey.

After the new cast is applied, it is straight to radiology. Two images are enough to reveal the full extent of the procedure. The result is impressive. The new plate measures nearly 20 centimetres and is secured with six screws. The nail implanted on 15 December is also fixed with six screws. In addition, two cerclage wires encircle the tibia and the plate to further increase stability. A true piece of precision engineering. Having spent my entire career in the precision engineering industry, I cannot help but admire the quality and rigor of this work. When the human body meets engineering, the result commands respect.

From Friday through Sunday evening, a home care nurse from SPITEX will visit to administer Clexane injections, an anticoagulant used to prevent thrombosis. In principle, from Monday onward, this treatment should continue in tablet form, without the need for nursing assistance. In mid-February, an appointment with Professor Krause is scheduled to evaluate the progress of recovery. Until then, the instruction is clear: weight-bearing on the leg must not exceed 20 kilograms, which is approximately the weight of the leg itself. Over the next three months, during which I will be wearing the cast, this load will be increased gradually.

Finally, tomorrow, Friday, the logistics of returning home are organised. Urs, my mother’s reliable neighbour, who already accompanied me on my return on 22 December, will come to pick me up after lunch. A stop at the pharmacy is planned to collect the medication. One last step before leaving the hospital, with the quiet satisfaction of closing yet another chapter in this medical journey, and a very real desire to rediscover the comfort of home.