October 18th, 2026
Almost five weeks ago, I had another follow-up appointment with my surgeon. He was the one who performed the major operation last December, which included inserting an arthrodesis nail to stabilise my ankle and tibia. As with every check-up, a new set of X-rays was taken.
Two tree ago, I received a phone call from my previous surgeon, who had been looking after me before this latest operation. He expressed some concerns about how well my tibia is healing and the current alignment of my leg. Apparently, the results are not quite as satisfactory as he had hoped.
From my point of view, however, things are looking rather encouraging. I experience virtually no mechanical pain. The only discomfort that remains is some neuropathic pain, which I can fortunately keep under control with Pregabalin. Above all, I am thoroughly enjoying my regained freedom of movement after more than three years of casts, orthopaedic braces and crutches. Being able to simply put on a pair of shoes and go for a walk has become a pleasure I never imagined I would appreciate quite so much!
Of course, the absence of pain does not necessarily mean that everything is progressing as it should with the bones. My surgeon therefore wants to make sure that the fracture is healing properly and, more importantly, prevent any complications that might arise in the longer term.
He has therefore suggested seeking a second opinion from Professor Markus Knupp at the "My foot" clinic in Basel. Professor Knupp is already familiar with my medical history, having been involved in planning the surgical approach for last December's operation.
In Switzerland, however, such arrangements can sometimes become rather complicated for administrative reasons. Consulting a specialist in another canton, particularly one outside the usual medical network, can raise questions with health insurers. Our healthcare system is excellent, but it can occasionally be just as attached to cantonal boundaries as some Swiss people are to their local traditions!
Fortunately, my health insurance company has confirmed that there is no problem with having a consultation in Basel, provided my GP issues a referral to Professor Knupp. This will take place at the end of November.
My GP recently contacted mediX, a network of doctors involved, among other things, in promoting the quality of healthcare and improving medical practices. Following this initiative, a doctor from the network contacted me personally and referred me to the person responsible for liability management and complaints within the hospital group where I have been receiving treatment over the past few years.
The main purpose of this initiative is constructive: to put light on certain complications that arose during my treatment and explore possible ways of improving the quality of care. These include wound healing problems following my most recent operations, as well as a fracture of my tibia that occurred during the course of my surgical treatment. Both complications have considerably prolonged my recovery.
Another issue concerns the cost of home nursing care, which I had to cover myself because my health insurance did not reimburse these expenses. I would like to explore whether some form of financial contribution towards these costs could be considered.
Finally, I also wish to address a more human, but equally important, aspect: the lack of empathy and communication I experienced from the medical team responsible for my care during the operations in December 2025 and January 2026. When a patient goes through such a long and difficult period, the quality of personal support and understanding is just as important as medical expertise.
I would like to emphasise that my intention is not to question the entirety of the care I have received. I have also met some outstanding healthcare professionals whom I remember with great appreciation. However, certain situations deserve to be examined seriously and transparently, so that lessons can be learned and improvements made where necessary.
I am now waiting for an appointment to be arranged with the person responsible, so that we can discuss these various matters openly and constructively.
Thankfully, life is not all about medical appointments and X-rays. I also had the pleasure of catching up with two Australian friends who were visiting Switzerland. They are longstanding friends of my mate Edi, who lives in Perth, Australia. I first met them during my previous trips to that wonderful country. We enjoyed a drink together on a lovely terrace in the heart of Bern’s Old Town. In such pleasant surroundings, our conversation naturally turned to Australia, travel memories and the wonderful times we had spent there.
Seeing them again rekindled a desire that has never really left me: to return to Australia one day. It is a country that has left a lasting impression on me, with its breathtaking landscapes, vast open spaces, remarkable diversity and the warmth and friendliness of its people. There is something truly special about Australia. Once you have experienced it, it is hard not to dream of going back! The only slight complication is that it happens to be almost on the other side of the world. But then again, a few hours on a plane should hardly be enough to discourage a passionate traveller!
I also had the pleasure of sharing a meal with three friends who have been among my closest and most loyal companions since my teenage years. Needless to say, our friendship goes back a very long way, and over the decades we have collected an impressive number of memories.
Two of them now spend roughly half the year in Spain, making the most of their retirement and the sunshine. We manage to get together fairly regularly whenever they are back in Switzerland. With the third friend, opportunities to meet are a little less frequent, but that makes our reunions all the more enjoyable.
It was a particularly lovely evening, filled with anecdotes, memories of our younger days and plenty of laughter. Some episodes from our past have clearly stood the test of time better than our memories have! And it is always amusing to discover that we do not necessarily remember the same events in quite the same way.
These moments of friendship and shared history do a world of good. They remind us that, despite the passing years and the different paths we have taken, some friendships remain unchanged. And that is a real privilege.
Meanwhile, Deniz is continuing his nursing training with great enthusiasm. He is currently working in the psychiatric emergency outpatient service, as well as in crisis intervention and psychosomatic care. It is a particularly demanding environment, where situations can change rapidly and where interpersonal skills are just as important as medical knowledge. Being able to listen, observe, reassure and sometimes defuse emotionally difficult situations is essential.
Deniz is thoroughly enjoying the experience. This field allows him to make full use of one of his greatest strengths: his natural empathy. He has that valuable ability to take a genuine interest in others, listen without judgement and create an atmosphere of trust.
I am particularly pleased to see him developing in a field where his personal qualities can truly shine. Psychiatry requires a great deal of patience, sensitivity and sound judgement. And although his studies remain demanding, he seems to have found an environment in which he can genuinely thrive before returning to the theoretical part of his training in mid-November.
All in all, between medical uncertainties, reunions with old friends and Deniz's progress, the past few weeks have certainly not been uneventful.
As for me, I am continuing to move forward, both literally and figuratively. And for once, I simply hope my leg will be happy to go along with the plan without trying to add yet another chapter to its medical history!
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