Last Thursday -Hours after I am dressed in civilian attire,
eaten lunch, watched one ridiculous show after another, wrote several letters
(for those of you who already receive these from me over the years know I
generally write no less than 10 pages per letter!) and read (none of which I
will remember) a book.
The nurse comes to collect me and gives me my intake paper
(can’t read any of it since McWonderful scribbles like a school boy) and scoots
me along to the ambulance. Have to tear out the directions from my calendar.
Ana gave them to me the day before; thank goodness I remembered to ask! The
nurse couldn’t find the paper she had jotted down the information. She took the
crutches and asked if the physical therapist had talked to me about this. No,
of course not, she was probably afraid to deal with a patient that would
obviously need them. Dario drove to the place to pick up a pair for me but they
didn’t have a document they needed to release them to him. He called to ask me
if they had given me this slip of paper…no! He got an authorization doc that
required a CPF number (I do have one from ten years ago when I was here and got
married but Ana was not certain it was still valid so I used my Passport
number) and my local contact info. They gave him a pair of crutches that had
seen better days. The cushions under the armpits are torn and tattered, there
are no rubber tips on the ends so Dario cut up some scraps and taped them
on…everything here is jimmy-rigged so I fit right in!
Where was I?
The elderly man driving the ambulance looks over the
directions and asks me a few questions. I honestly had not been paying much
attention driving to and from the farm. Had only taken that trip twice since I
arrived, once in the dark. Yet, he seemed satisfied with my responses and
opened the back of the ancient van. There sat a stretcher on one side and
built-in plastic formed seats on the other. I scooted in backwards onto the
stretcher and soon realized it was too short for me to lie prone. Hanging onto
the side rails and partially sitting upright was very awkward and impossible
for me to secure my foot. I opened the window on the left side, a tiny slider
that gave me a bit of cool air in the stuffy (and slightly smelly) vehicle. I
could see out the back as well but the right side was windowless. When we
stopped to let a passenger out and pick up another woman, I told the driver
that I was moving to the seat. He looked doubtful but agreed. Watched while I
cinched and adjusted the seat belt then closed the double doors leaving me to
my own devices. The first bit is fairly flat highway then we turn off onto the
rural road and drive 12 km. With the many long rainy days, the pits in the road
are enormous. I can tell the driver has experience for he drive carefully and
allowed approaching cars the right of way. The usual 45 minute ride took, oh, I
don’t know…a very long time. I had my right arm wrapped under my left knee to
prevent the foot from bouncing on the cot. Braced my right leg against the far
wall of the van. Yes, sounds like fun, doesn’t it? I also had to worry about
what I was going to do about getting crutches once home or..what could I use in
the meantime. When I arrived, Ana grabbed one arm and the driver the other and
I hopped onto the verandah and flopped onto the large cushionless chair. Wow,
how beautiful it is here! I kept repeating…this is soo nice, it is gorgeous and
green and everything is in bloom. Felt like I had been deprived of the air of
life for six days.
Scooted along with a plastic stool Ana had drummed up from
somewhere and a matching one hovers over the drain hole in the shower. Scooted
and scratched along the tile floors without much effort since Ana had removed
all of the throw rugs, bless her heart!
The last few days I have had a few spills but nothing major.
Coupla spin-outs on my butt. The tile was sweating since we had a long day of
rain yesterday and then very hot steamy day today. Of course I didn’t notice
any of this in the last few weeks since I could walk!
Even hanging laundry on the line, getting a glass of water,
up and down to turn on the fan or grab a banana, sitting requires a chair with
a cushion next to it to prop up my leg, helping with the dishes wears me out
perching against the sink, can’t sweep or make the bed easily, write a letter or
type this is problematic too. I am using a plastic tray, off to the side, tips
a bit for reading in bed, etc. Can’t slip it over my legs because my left knee
is propped-up to stabilize the elevated foot. Cuta ran off and everyone chased
behind him. I was sorry I couldn’t help as well. He is home now, can’t be loose
since he goes after the motorcycles and cars in the road. All of this makes me
consider my brother-in-law’s world, having been in a severe accident when he
was 18 and using a cane or wheelchair since then. Wow.
Toes like fat breakfast sausages. The leg above the bandage
is tight and plump. I have been rotating heat and cold packs but it doesn’t
seem to make a dent on the bulbous foot. I am a bit disheartened but…whatever!
Two lazy days of doing nothing but reading, blogging,
looking at emails, watching soccer, eating, visiting with Ana and Dario,
watching Ana cut Preta’s long hair and wishing I could talk with Taelor.
Haven’t spoken to her since I got here October 4th. She is starting
her Cabaret show and I wish I could see it somehow. Break a leg, not a foot!
Denise, my friend in Florianopolis,
is encouraging me to go there to rehabilitate. It may be a good option in a few
weeks time but I feel a bit unbalanced to be making the long bus trip and
organizing everything. I have a big piece of luggage I left in Sao Paulo that would have to be bused over as
well. Two bags to drag along from here and on crutches..hm. I will talk with
McWonderful on Monday to see what he recommends. Stitches come out then and I
can find out about the swelling..or perhaps it will be a mute point by then.
Tomorrow is Sunday and I have no plans. Who knows what will
happen!
Until then, my friends…
One last note, I so appreciate all of the prayers and well
wishes coming from all of you. For those of you who asked if I am in need of
anything-thank you! I think, for now, I am ok. Life is simple and I am counting
on having no expectations.
Cat’s miaoing outside the door, crickets chirping and frogs
croaking..life is good!
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