Medical Day
Last night, after advice from Emmett and Geri, I decided I should go to the hospital today. The driver called me yesterday as I rode home from the crash (as gingerly as I could given that I still wasn’t sure how injured I am) and let me know that she was going to go on vacation with her family today. Seems like it might take some time to get this all dealt with.
I headed to Sunnyvale’s Urgent Care clinic, aware that there was some kind of program for people with no income (I’m currently “between opportunities”). On the way there, I was passed by a sidewalk bicycle rider — wearing headphones, but no helmet, wobblingly riding down the sidewalk on the left side of the street, paying no attention to anything, blowing a red light and a “Don’t Walk” sign — and thought how ironic it is that someone completely oblivious to her own safety is riding along and I, an extremely competent transportational cyclist, am going to the hospital. After talking to a nice lady down there, I was informed that it would probably be best to get back on the train and head for San Mateo, since I am a current resident of San Mateo County.
So, I jumped back on the train and headed for San Mateo. It was getting toward afternoon at this point and I wanted to get through with the visit so I could head down to Menlo Park, get my bike, and do my miles. Since the Same Day Care clinic at San Mateo County General Hospital is almost always booked solid by 8 in the morning, I had to go to the emergency room.
They took x-rays of my chest and my right hand and wrist. The diagnosis: chest wall contusion, severe right hand/wrist strain (can’t rule out fracture). Since the physician’s assistant on duty could not rule out a fracture, I was placed in an immobilizing splint, which hardened like a cast and was wrapped in ace bandage. Fuck.
I now have an orthopedist’s appointment on August 9 and cannot remove this thing until then. My ribs hurt like hell and so does my injured arm, but I thought I was only sprained. No getting wet, no getting sweaty, and certainly no bicycling. I can’t play video games, write, type very well, work, dance, or play any musical instruments. Damn.
I left the hospital with a bag of drugs (Ibuprofen and Vicodin), and got back on the train for my journey home. I’m pretty pissed that I’m being couched for the stupidity of someone else. I really need to be on my bike.
Well, let’s hope nothing is broken. Now, I guess I’ll just have to be content watching my movies again and again.