Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Everyone knows about my escapade this morning by now and I appreciate the phone calls and concern.  I’m still not exactly sure how it happened, but for the sake of my journal I’ll post a few comments.

We had the early shift today and arrived at the temple at 6:00 a.m.  It had snowed an inch or two overnight and the parking lot and cars were all covered in a nice white layer.  It was still snowing when we left our apartment.  The temperature was close to freezing and the roads were melting in a few places.  Glade drove me right up to the temple doors and stopped for me to get out of the car.  I dropped the umbrella on the ground, bent down to pick it up, closed the car door, and then some how lost my balance while stepping up to the sidewalk, and while falling to the ground, twisted in a way that resulted in a broken ankle.  Glade didn’t know that I was down since there were two or three cars dropping people off and pedestrians to watch out for, so he proceeded to the parking lot and there I was, crumpled on the ground.  Several nice people helped me up and with their assistance, I hobbled into the temple and sat on a bench.  I had a feeling it was more than a sprain—which I had firsthand experience with in Honduras! “

It was suggested that we look for a “Patient First” facility instead of “Urgent Care” and we waited until 8:00 when it opened.  There were no crowds of people with the flu thank goodness.  They expedited the process very efficiently and the PA who read the X-ray showed it to us pointing out that a bone was definitely broken—the fibula.  So, “armed” with new crutches, a fiberglass split, and a referral to an Orthopedic Surgeon’s office, we returned to our apartment.  I realized that my tailbone hurt and walking with the crutches was uncomfortable.  We’ll see how things are in the morning! 

A dose of 600 mg of Ibuprofen, although 800 is allowed, seemed to manage the pain, so that was good.  Tomorrow morning, I have an appointment to get a cast or maybe a boot, and will have it for about six weeks!  What a way to end this mission.

Thanks for your love and prayers!  Good night.  😊