It could only happen in Paraguay! Last Saturday, I awoke feeling so relieved. It was the first day of the holidays. I spent the morning on internet and paid for holiday insurance and then sorted out a night in Salta and a nice hotel in Tucuman for after Christmas. I was looking forward to getting into the mountains and away from the intense heat of December/January.
Suddenly my tooth started aching so I set off to the chemist. I was halfway there when disaster struck. It was baking hot and siesta had started. It was very quiet. Suddenly I tripped and fell. I collapsed onto my right hand and arm and heard a crack. I rolled onto my back and the burning heat of the pavement pierced my t-shirt. I will never know how but I managed to get up and stagger to the police station about 25 metres away.
I entered and through a haze of tears I saw two policemen and a policewoman sitting drinking terere. I asked for some help and they just stared at me holding my broken arm. I then ordered them to call a taxi as I needed to get to the hospital quickly. Finally, after twenty minutes, they bundled me, half conscious, into their pick-up truck with 3 policemen and we set off. Then they asked me for directions. I gave them the address and then passed out. I kept coming to and then passing out. Suddenly I woke and asked where we were. By then we should have been at the hospital. We were almost at the bus terminal way way past the hospital.
I made them turn round only to find roadworks blocking our path. We turned right but they had no sense of direction. I was mad with the pain and yelled at them in anger. (Thankfully I cannot swear in Spanish, or I may have sounded angrier.) I managed to steer them back onto the right road and eventually we arrived at A and E.
I was x-rayed and a traumatologist was called from his home. He took one look and said that I needed surgery to pin the bones together. I cannot begin to tell you the cost. Praise the Lord for insurance! The problem was that I could not sign anything and needed Mags and Gwen (directors).
While I was at the police station they asked me for a relative's number. I explained that I live alone (unheard of in Paraguayan culture). Mags and Gwen were out so I gave them Sharon's number. I explained that she would be asleep but told them to yell into her answer phone and wake her up. Apparently they did this and she hot-footed it in a taxi to support me. Eventually we got hold of Mags and Gwen and they came and sorted the insurance so I could be admitted. I had a lovely private room and was put out of pain.
I was in surgery for over two hours on Sunday morning and took all day to come round but I was not sick, thank goodness. They finally allowed me to eat at 8.00p.m. The food was absolutely dreadful but I was ready for anything.
On Monday the doc gave me the news that it would be a two month job to mend and that I could not travel as I may not use the arm at all for a few weeks. Oh what disappointment! At least I was allowed to go back to my flat.
I know that Jesus sees the "big plan" so maybe I have been saved from a worse event somewhere in Argentina. Always look on the bright side of life.
Oh dear, what bright side? Mags and Gwen are off to UK on Friday for two months, leaving me alone in my flat.
I set a prayer chain in action in my link churches. I am now praising the Lord as bit by bit He is helping me to piece together some support. I have just received my Christmas bonus so I am going to eat out this month and hope that some kind soul will cut up my food so I can eat with my left hand. That is an effort in itself. Also getting dressed and undressed left-handed is something of a challenge, but I am doing OK.
I return to the doc tomorrow for a check. I forgot to add that I have since been back for hip x-rays as I had problems walking when painkillers wore off. Thankfully my pelvis is in tact, but I still have problems so I will get the doc to investigate tomorrow.
Suddenly I feel my age.
My school sent me some beautiful red roses and they keep reminding me of Jesus' love for me through others. Also many of you have emailed with encouragement. Thanks for that. It means so much to me.
I will write again when I have some more news.
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