Recovery Mode

Bone fragments. That's it, that's what was causing the excrutiating pain. A piece was wedged between the top of the tibia and the femur.
When the nurse called to tell me I'd have to wait another week before the doctor could do surgery, I started crying. I begged her to see if there was any way to make it sooner. Usually I'm all for lounging around, but this couch isn't that comfortable. And, another week probably would have sent Larry over the edge. He doesn't do well when one of us is hurt. Don't get me wrong, he's been going above and beyond caring for me, but he wants me better more than I want me better. It was he who demanded I see the doctor in Shanghai, and thank God I did or I'd still be sitting here with that crazy cast.
Parkway Health has several locations. The site where my surgery took place was the fourth floor of the JW Marriott service apartments. It's one the most distinguishable buildings in Shanghai and a far cry from Kowloon's ER. We were ushered into one of the four suites complete with private marble bathroom and flat screen. Definitely not where the locals are treated. I was wheeled to all my pre-op tests and made the phlebotomists earn their money as they searched for a vein. Even though I had to hop up on to the OR table and the anesthesiologist was fitting me for my face mask and tube while I was still awake, everything turned out fine...I mean I did wake up and all.
Larry was waiting for me in the suite when I came out of recovery and talked with the doctor. He went through the same surgery a few years ago. He also took off the overkill bandages after we got home from Shanghai. My leg was wrapped from thigh to foot and my toes looked like overboiled mini hotdogs. Not sure why the chinese like ace bandages so much, but I have a nice little collection of them now. I'm hoping for a quick recovery as this little mishap has put a bit of damper on 2011's beginning.