Day 16

We had an appointment set to go back to the Doctor to get the results of the xrays at 8:45. There was some more waiting involved as it was very busy. When we got to see Dr. Hernandez, he informed Katie that a bone in her foot was indeed fractured.

He got on his cell phone and phoned an Orthopedic specialist who he recommended highly. The specialist told him that we could come right over, and this was about 10:15. Dr. Hernandez told him we would be there at 11:00AM.

The clerk gave us the address and off we went. Trouble is she gave us the wrong address, and the address she gave us took us to a Neurological clinic. Oh great...now we had to find the correct adddress. Katie phoned the girl back and she was not the least apologetic. We finally got the right address and it was some distance away. By the time we got there it was about 11:20. After filling out another clip board full of questions and going through the usual insurance hassle, we were told that the Doctor read the xrays and said Katie needed a cast, but he was gone to the hospital to do his rounds.

They told an assistant would be doing the casting and it would be $350. We said incredulously, $350 and we don't even get to see the Doctor? After some discussion we said we wouldn't have it casted unless we got to speak to the Doctor about details of the break etc. They said we would have to come back at 2:00PM.

Off we went to kill time, and we came back for 2. Didn't have to wait too long this time, and the paperwork was already done. This was another Doctor Hernandez, he was very good about explaining everything to Katie. He said the break was in the bone in an area which does not get much blood flow. That basically makes it more difficult to heal and perhaps not at all. If they did surgery they would make a small incision at the side of the foot and put a screw in which would stay there. He said there was a chance it might heal on its own but there is no way of knowing that. He said they could cast the foot and Katie could keep it on until we get home and see an orthopedic specialist there. Another set of xrays will then reveal if the foot is healing on its own...if not...then an operation would have to be done.

The cast was then applied, and Katie picked a bright pink color.

Good thing is that it is a walking cast, so Katie is able to use one crutch instead of two at the moment.

Now it was time to go home after two very trying days. Katie had to wait until the cast set properly so it was difficult getting up the stairs into the trailer, but she managed. Katie just has to make sure that if swelling occurs she keeps her foot elevated, and the doctor prescribed anti inflammatory s and pain killers.

Then it was time to stay home, relax, and chill...which is what we did.

and so ends another trying day in the Valley....

more later...