Break A Leg!
Michael: “You’ve got to write a blog post, with pictures. Make sure Linda brings your camera when she picks you upâ€.
Dan: “God’s punishment for not being with you in Indianaâ€.
Beware of black ice on the driveway when you fetch the morning paper—or better yet, train your dog to get it.
I did neither…these pics illustrate the consequences.
(How exactly did this happen? Random interplay of gravity and physics).
In post-op bed at Emerson, having nice lunch before going home.
Ensconced comfortably in bed with Paxie watching over me.
Cast resting and movable wireless office established, thanks to nurse and case manager Linda.
Hardware sure to set off all airport metal detectors. Someone said I’ll need to carry a special medical card to get through.
Day 5: Re-gaining some freedom with my own “scooter libby”.
Big hugs and thank-yous to:
Mark and Adam: That Hendricks Gin Mark brought over is awesome!
Marjie and Freddy: The sunflowers and assorted nuts and chocolates basket was soooo nice.
Jim and Jim: Your get-well cookies arrived – had a couple with morning coffee.
Greg: Your visit and watching another episode of West Wing together was heartwarming.
Kathryn and Ro: For the idea and motivation to find me a leg scooter.
Lil, Cris, Val, Jack, Ilia, Anita, LaRad, Marjie, Becca, Greg, Jim, Polly, Drew, Kathryn, Susan, JimD, JimE, Betsy, Deb, Ruth, Bonnie (who did I forget?): For your calls / email / cards / visits.
Emerson Hospital ER staff (Julie, Nancy, Maureen, Paul): For your TLC, and Dr. Sackwell, for the deft reduction that put my foot back in proper alignment and took away the worst of the pain.
Emerson Hospital pre and post op staff (Judy, Michelle, Glasford, Jo, Sandy, Ariani, Mwaniki, Kathy): For your bedside manner, attentiveness, and for patiently answering all my questions.
Dr. Beyloume: For whisking me off to another planet before surgery.
Dr. Driscoll: For the great ORIF (open reduction & internal fixation) and temporary syndesmostic screw.
Miscellaneous thoughts:
Ginger: A twist on your favorite movie. Linda’s got “The English Patient†(her dad) downstairs. I’m the “Mexican Patientâ€, upstairs.
Sounds from shower after 4 days in bed (with cast in garbage bag): “oooohhhhh….aaaahhhhhh…oooooohhhhh…â€
New-found mobility: Anybody need anything at Costco?
Hey I like your little scooter, I bet it really helps moving around the house. Ita also nice to see that lillte paxie is there by your side. I think it was all an excuse to get the royal treatment
Comment by Cristy — February 10, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
Awwww! How cute is Paxie?
Looks like you’re doing well, even though that x-ray picture is mildly horrifying!
Comment by Deb — February 10, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
Dan, I didn’t realize you actually needed surgery. Speedy recovery. Black ice can be brutal. Be careful on that scooter. The English Patient and The Mexican Patient! I love it. Good luck to Linda. And if your convalesence takes time away from her being with little Conor, good luck to you.
Comment by LaRad — February 10, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
Hermanito… Nada más te faltó un tornillo en la cabeza!
Hey, do you remember when we were sick (kids) mom always put a bell next to the bed in case we needed something? That is just what you need now!! Sooo conveniant! And Linda, Arthur and Paxie would love it :-)!
Chet says “Tell me that what you get for not keeping your foot where it’s safe…in your mouth!”
(He’s jealous.)
Hasta mañana, Lilly
Comment by Lilly — February 10, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
My gawd, Dan, those look like screws I use to fasten studs to concrete. Did you consider telling your ADHD surgeon that two would be enough?
Comment by michael — February 10, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Michael, I’ll take that up with Donald a week from Tuesday and make sure he’s not charging extra for the extra screws. Plus I think he left one in there floating around by mistake.
Comment by smiling — February 10, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Yeah, what is that one doing there?
There was a piece on NPR this afternoon … “Weekend America” or something, a part of the show in which they read letters to people from whom they do not expect a response. This was from the current owners of a house needing remodeling, addressed to the 30-year-ago carpet installer, about the number of staples used, and the randomness thereof. We should send them your pix, Dan.
Comment by Jennifer — February 10, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
Holy Catfish! A whole bunch of pictures of Smilin’ Dan, still smilin’, and X-rays, too. (I had earlier considered asking “Where’re the X-ray’s?”, but dropped the idea as too gauche.) The scooter looks like a great mobility device. You could replace the wheels with skis and fit right in at the disabled area at Copper Mtn, CO. I saw some one-legged guys scooting down the slopes there the other day in contraptions similar to that.
Keep up your vigilance against black ice!
Comment by rakkity — February 11, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
I wonder if you can get through airport security now.
Comment by Hilster's Mom — February 12, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Your Xray looks very similar to my husband’s (he also fell and broke his ankle on ice). He and I actually have flown since then (while he was still in the cast), and airport security didn’t care about any of our documentation — they just had to pat him down separately.
Do you have to get your hardware removed when it heals? He does — now that the cast’s off he can’t bend his ankle with it in there.
Comment by Lazy Lightning — February 12, 2007 @ 5:38 pm