The Foot's hospital adventures...

[fajrdrako]

The best-laid plans for today went strangely. We'd long planned for maaseru to drive me to my appointment at the General Hospital today, but her car is in for repairs, and she had to go for medical tests of her own today. She came and said 'hi' in passing when I was there, waiting for the x-rays.

Vicky and Marion were able to come over for lunch, and they drove me to the hospital afterwards. They were, in fact, wonderful. And so was commodorified, who met us at the hospital fir added moral support. I hope my hospital phobia wasn't too obvious to all.

First, we got lost. At module K they sent us to module O, which turned out to be the section for ear specialists. We got a map in module O that was supposed to send us straight to module A, but it didn't account for a few walls. Eventually finding module A, a gentleman with a saw cut my cast off, revealing my foot for the first time in weeks. It looked footlike. Swollen, a little discoloured, but not too bad.

Then I was sent for X-rays in module X. We talked to a gentleman about television stations, since I was telling Marion about seeing On the Other Hand Death last week - and I promised her a video-party to see it. And we talked to a woman about knitting - she was making burgundy and white gloves. Then The Foot was x-rayed, turning this way and that (easier said that done). Then... back to module A.

They let my friends come with me into the examining room. That was cool. Dr. Beaulé at last paused long enough to answer my questions (and to give me a certificate for the EI people). I got to see the x-rays of my ankle and foot, which looked... footlike. But now I've seen the places it was broken. Four places? Five? I don't relate well to medical details. Tend to react by not remembering.

Then they fitted me with an air cast. My friends had many comments about Storm Troopers - if I had two of them, and could walk, it might even be impressive! But it feels good.

They gave me exercises to do, starting now, before I go for physio-therapy in two weeks. Except for that, for two weeks, nothing else changes: still can't put any weight on that foot. Then I can put 50% weight for two weeks - the physio people will tell me what it means. Then I can walk again on both feet, i.e., mid-June.

And I can't go back to work till July. That was a bit of a shock. I was hoping for sooner.

After we left the hospital we were all thirsty, and commodorified hadn't had any breakfast or lunch, so we went to the Temptation Tea Shop on Bank Street. Marion and Vicky had never had Bubble Tea. commodorified is a Bubble Tea afficionado and I am a Bubble Tea Addict. I had Blueberry Bubble Tea, and enjoyed every drop, though the drink which was by far the most beautiful was commodorified's clear Green Apple Bubble Tea.

Comments

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

I'm good with Xrays, I geek on them.

It looked to me like two breaks and the rest of the odd-looking stuff is dislocation.

And it all looks as if it's coming along beautifully.

Talked to Alayne btw and she is exhausted but I gave her the good news about you and she sends love.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It looked to me like two breaks and the rest of the odd-looking stuff is dislocation.

Yeah, that sounds feasible.

Talked to Alayne btw and she is exhausted

I bet she is! that trip homewards sounded nightmarish before it even happened.

[countrycousin.livejournal.com]

Glad things are going reasonably! Best wishes for getting your foot back to where it not only looks footlike but can also be used footlike.

I got ahead of you on Buffy when you were in hospital, but then duties hit and you're now way ahead of me. I'm saving your comments for when I hit the ep.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It was a bit of a treat to be able to get dressed this morning, so easily - just by taking the cast off and putting it on again.

I have to do exercises now. Stalling a little, since I know they will hurt.

As for Buffy - my watching is a little ahead of my commenting. I'm trying to catch up with myself.

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

Sigh ... I don't think I'll ever make a "morning person."

Glad to have seen you yesterday ... I hope you enjoy the book I lent you.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

I think I'm sometimes too much the morning person: the slightest noise, and I'm awake.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I am sometimes a morning person and sometimes a night person. The problem is I can't manage to be both at once without becoming exhausted.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'll ever make a "morning person."

When I was a kid I was very much a morning person. Even now, I like (or love) mornings: It's the nicest time to walk, early morning, with the air all fresh and clear and dewy.

Thing is, I can write and think better at night.

I hope I enjoy the book too. Thank you!

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

The Temptation Tea Room is one of my favourite bubble tea places -- and their food's excellent, too. I particularly like their small (non-pho) soups: really full of flavour. And their rice and noodle dishes.

So sorry that you can't go back till early July, but at least you should be fully recovered by then, and not drooping after a day's work.

My friend John, who broke his leg skating, had the same basic progress as you, with the 50% weight etc. So it's normal.

What a relief to be able to take the cast off occasionally! I don't know why they call it an "air cast", though; it looks more to me like a plastic cast. But other peoples' terminology can be weird to outsiders.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I particularly like their small (non-pho) soups: really full of flavour.

The soup commodorified got was delicious and unusual. Makes me plan to go in there just to order it sometime.

at least you should be fully recovered by then, and not drooping after a day's work.

Hopefully. I don't know what it is - nothing is very different in terms of what I can do, but the psychological effect of having the air cast and having the exercises to do and so on makes everything feel exceedingly different and better.

So it's normal.

Yes. Sigh. The doctor said (or implied) that I was doing well. As I thought. And really, I have little to complain about: minimal pain, good friends around, good things to read and watch....

What a relief to be able to take the cast off occasionally!

It's amazing. When I was getting dressed this morning, I just lay there for a few minutes, feeling the air on my leg and foot. It was wonderful!

I think they call it an 'air cast' because you can take it off and air the foot. But that's just a guess.

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

I think it's because of those little inflatable pressure-bladders on the inside :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, there's air there too. I find myself unsure as to what I'm supposed to do with those bladders - keep it blown up tight, or loosely, or what?

[meret.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're making progress! *hugs*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So am I... this air cast is really encouraging to wear. And the end is in sight, really.

*hugs* back.

And that's a brilliant icon!

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

I hope all this means it's healing properly as expected, no?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I hope all this means it's healing properly

Yes. The doctor seemed quite happy with my 'progess'. The fact that I think it's all too slow and frustrating just means my standards are unrealistic. Hmmph.

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

good that it's healing well.

Put yourself in the place of your cells, working round the clock to clear the rubble and rebuild a firm construction. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

yourself in the place of your cells, working round the clock to clear the rubble and rebuild a firm construction.

That's it! I'm doing my exercises very diligently. (Bend foot to the right. Bent it to the left. Waggle it up and down. Repeat.)

Let those nanogenes do their thing! Or - let a healing spell from Giles or Willow occur. Right.

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

[Or - let a healing spell from Giles or Willow occur. Right.]

I really shouldn't comment on that. :)

That said - concentrate and send good vibes to your foot.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I really shouldn't comment on that. :)

And - beware what I wish for? Hellmouth Ottawa?

concentrate and send good vibes to your foot

Will do.