Three days ago I\u00a0added another accessory to my wardrobe for the next six weeks — a cast on my right arm from the palm of my hand to four inches above my elbow. Since I am typing with just my left hand, the summary below gives the highlights.<\/p>\n
*Steep, enjoyable hike up part of a mountain in the Andes to a lookout and rest spot<\/p>\n
*Impressed by many flowering lupines plus beautiful views of the town of El Bolson, Lago (lake) Puelo, and snow-capped mountain peaks across the valley<\/p>\n
*On hike down I slipped on loose gravel and sand. Put my right hand behind me to\u00a0lessen the impact of the fall, not a good idea!<\/p>\n
*I heard and felt a large snap in my right wrist.\u00a0Then\u00a0LOTS of pain and funny looking wrist<\/p>\n
*45 min hike down to the car and a 60 min drive\u00a0to no-charge (we found out later) government hospital, most of which was on a bumpy, gravel road<\/p>\n
*Two very painful\u00a0tries by two different nurses\u00a0to get me\u00a0hooked up to an IV with some pain medication<\/p>\n
*X-rays and diagnosis of a broken and out-of-alignment radius<\/p>\n
*No bone doctor on duty that day at government hospital so\u00a0I was transported via ambulance (with lights flashing) to not-free private clinic to see bone doctor there. (An ambulance was required because of my IV, which I did not want removed at the hospital and then re-inserted at the clinic. Two pokes was enough!!)<\/p>\n
*Bone doctor takes 30 minutes to manipulate bone so joint is in alignment again and put on cast while I am under anesthesia<\/p>\n
*Start to learn how to survive as a lefty and keep cast dry in upcoming rainy weather<\/p>\n
*Make plans to get two more x-rays in two different towns – at one week and two weeks after break to make sure joint is healing properly<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Three days ago I\u00a0added another accessory to my wardrobe for the next six weeks — a cast on my right arm from the palm of my hand to four inches above my elbow. Since I am typing with just my … Continue reading