Brooke's continuing adventures

They operated two days later. Just from judging my surroundings, I knew I was in good hands. That didn’t keep me from worrying though, and I was most worried about the anesthesia. What if I woke up in the middle? What if they couldn't wake me up after? The anesthesiologist turned out to be a cute little old lady in her seventies, who told me she'd had nine surgeries, so she knew what it was like to be a patient. She offered me two options: a shot to numb my lower body and another shot to make me sleep, or the mask, where they might have to put a tube down my throat to control the breathing. I didn't' like the sound of that and asked her what she thought was best, She said the shot, so that's what I did.

Before I knew it, it was over. But the effects of the anesthesia were not. I was pretty out of it for the rest of the day, and I couldn't keep anything down, not even water.  Now the cast was gone and instead the leg was bandaged with a tube going into the knee to drain the fluid. After a few days of that, I got a cool metal and foam brace, which is super light and way better than a cast. I can even take it on and off to shower (although I couldn't for the first 2 weeks. I've had enough of sponge baths and washing my hair with the toilet sprayer!).

Bill and Judie had me come stay with them for a week after I was released from the hospital. They were life savers, so organized and efficient. They really fixed me up and made me feel welcome and comfortable.  Now I’m at Larry and Leah’s house, across the street from the hospital, and they are wonderful as well. Larry was giving me a ride to physical therapy so we thought it would be more convenient to stay with them. Of course, as soon as I moved here the doctor said I no longer needed to go in for physical therapy. Still, it’s nice to be so close for follow up appointments. Larry and Leah live in a beautiful condo with tennis courts and a pool, none of which I can use.  There’s never a dull moment though, as they have a 2 year old boy who keeps me thoroughly entertained.  

Not being able to walk is a big challenge, but I'm starting to get used to the crutches. I even ventured out of the house the other day to meet one of my travelling buddies for lunch while he was in town. If I had to be stuck somewhere recovering from an accident, this is a pretty good place to be. I have wonderful friends to take care of me and others passing through town on occasion. There are a million options for places to go in the city, even if it is a challenge to get around once I get there. There’s wonderful medical care, great food, and most of the comforts of home. I have a new found appreciation for Bangkok.   

I was in the hospital for 6 days. They put five screws and a plate under my knee to support it. I guess I screwed my knee up pretty good. They say I can't put any weight on it for 3 months, and I won't be fully recovered for at least 6. This is going to be a long year.  

After my accident, my dad informed me that the Lonely Planet says that Lombok is not the place to learn how to ride a motorcycle. It says that many tourists come home in wheelchairs, or worse, in boxes, so I consider myself very lucky. Apparently I should be better about reading my guidebooks, (not that it would have necessarily stopped me). I’ve been searching, however, and I have yet to find this passage.