Update

I had my second outpatient visit today. The doctor took out the stitches. The foot still looks like a mess to me, but Dr. Samran was happy with it. He says the skin graft is taking and the wound is healing well. He is also sending me to buy a special walking cast that can be taken on and off. It is more comfortable and will allow me to walk without crutches.

Mobile again

I am a bit happier today. That is because I am mobile again. I went and rented an automatic motorcycle today. (My motorbike is still in Mai Ai, a hundred and twenty miles over the mountains. Plus I couldn't drive it, since I can't shift gears with my left foot in a splint). People might be surprised that I would get back on a Motorcycle, but I don't really have any choice. Public transportation in CM is not handicap friendly, as well as being inconvenient. I can't walk more than about 100 yards and that takes me 15 minutes. So I am mobile again, although every outing leaves me exhausted. I still spend most of my time laying down.

Tuesday, June 1

I have been home since Saturday Evening and got my internet connection restored yesterday. Mostly I am lying around in bed keeping my foot elevated. That is to keep the swelling in the foot down. Swelling is bad for the skin graft. I have gotten out of the apartment a few times, but it is very difficult and slow on crutches. I have had several visitors, which perks me up. My life in general is very boring right now. I have my initial outpatient consultation on Friday. It is at the hospital, which means it is quite a way from here. Not quite sure how I will get there. Hopefully the doctor will have good news about the skin graft, and tendon repair.

Wednesday

I should be transferring in about 4 hours. I have settled my bill here, and it wasn't cheap. My insurance only paid about two thirds. I really do need to get out of here. I won't have a private room at first, so I will be on a public ward until a private room opens up. Oh well. I'll contact again when I am able..

Tuesday

Some days it seems like I take two steps forward and one step back. Then there are days I take one step forward and two steps back. I feel like that now. My foot has swollen up again, so I cannot have surgery yet. Also the doctor who is going to do my tendon surgery wants me to move back to Nakhon Ping hospital (his hospital) so he can monitor me and do a special Negative Pressure Wound Treatment that he thinks will work well in my case. It would be much cheaper there, but it is far from the city center and I would get fewer visitors. I would also have to have people bring me food, since I was unable to eat the food there and digest it.

I probably won't have internet access there (or only sporadically) So I won't be able to communicate as easily. I will decide tonight what to do. If I transfer to Hakhon Ping I will try to blog about it before I go.