News Flash!

November 21, 2012

Euphoric! I cannot express just how relieved I am after the consult with McWonderful today.

Arriving a few minutes before the appointed 9:00 hour, I knew better than to pull a Mannix move jumping out of the moving vehicle from our past hurry-up-and-wait experience. After successfully checking-in at the hospital clinic, I hunkered down with eyes peeled for ammunition for my Blog. If it weren’t for the ample-eyed sweet disposition petite receptionist at the front desk I could still be parked in the unforgiving vivid purple plastic chair not realizing I was lingering in the wrong waiting room! Drat! She accompanied me, lugging my resilient well-used BECU (for those of you who don’t live in Seattle-it’s the name of a fairly large credit union) cloth bag securing far too many bit of paper, a hint of mildew worn paperback on Lyndon Johnson abandoned by the former farmer, my taut black leather purse with enough goodies to survive two weeks time in the jungle and essential thermal water bottle generously filled by the sullen teen girl arms crossed in a pissy youth fashion. We ended up in the x-ray area where the bald-headed burly Mr Clean technician cheerfully greeted us as, one-by-one, we were escorted into the secured room for our shoot. I knew the moment I glanced at the image, everything looked as it had in the original film. Simply needed McWonderful to confirm my deduction which he did, two and a half hours later.

In the meantime, back in the front waiting room where I confirmed I was supposed to be via several in-the-know looking people who must think I am an absolute idiot…tend not to share that I am a N. American though that misinformation causes a lot of confusion for people having to repeat themselves over and over. I don’t appear to have a disability nor am I accompanied by a helper or a companion animal!

Ana came back to collect me. Not sure why she was so distressed by the holdup since our last hospital clinic appointment took up half the day. I felt incredibly guilty about the extensive delay and suggested I hail a cab or request an ambulance ride back to the farm (the hospital offers transport for patients in need.) Ana insisted she could hang around but was extremely disturbed and antsy. I raced into the back waiting room when they called my name and slipped into Conference Room #3, uninvited, to wait for McWonderful. I felt I had the right of way since my film conveniently landed on top of the pile. Beat out the cute tall dark polite young man who was limping along with a cane. Ha! Shameless!

McWonderful kissed me hello on my best side cheek with a loud smack and affirmed my optimistic diagnosis. I am able to begin bear down on my foot. He implored for my forgiveness since he gifted me such a atrocious Brasilian souvenir. Claims he will be headed to New Orleans in February. With a “Good luck” and another smooch on the cheek and I departed Conference Room #3 for the last time.

 

Obviously relieved I chatted non-stop on the way home. You know how I can be! I expounded on some of the writings I created and Ana was quiet and reflective. She extended an invitation to join she and her family over the holidays in Peruibe where her parents live the majority of the time. Ana did share we hadn’t really gotten to know one another in the past month and a half due to the unconventional and strange circumstances. She did seem a bit remorseful about the past four weeks. It has been regrettably excruciating and unavoidable as far as I can tell.

As we turned off the main highway, there was a nine year old boy sized beast running across the road. It looked a bit like a monkey to me but Ana insisted it was a “creature of the forest” clearly not a monkey. I will have to ask her to show me on-line. Pulled over but were unable to spot the renegade. I felt a bit discombobulated as though we had just spotted Big Foot or some other fantastical creature.

Since it was on the main rural road to the farm, we made a quick stop at the local clinic to say farewell to McFabulous (more puckers on the cheek!) and get some last minute advice regarding my physical therapy. Unfortunately the PT is off on holiday so I will have to wait until I arrive in Sao Paulo to get a more detailed regime. For now I work on rotations, use a ball for flexibility and resistance and within a month or so should be able to walk without a cane.  

And so my friends, off to the next adventure! Thanks for all of your steadfast support during this month of incarceration. Though the sequestered part of the journey is nearly behind me, I realize and count on further opportunities to learn and consequently grow from. Dangitall!