Then and Now: Two Months since our Accident

Bob was sitting in the front seat on July 30 at 6:30 a.m.  Thankfully, his air bag worked as the car slid into a parked truck when our taxi driver fell asleep.  Unfortunately, the air bag could not cushion his leg.

We were taken to one hospital, then another, and then a third in three days, each hospital with its own stories and characters.

Dr. Amod Harip, the orthopedic surgeon from India, explained how he would put Bob's shattered tibia back together.  Here's Bob, before surgery, and his leg, after surgery, complete with a metal plate and seven screws.  Bob's thoughts:  That's way too much metal!

Ten days later we were off to the hospital in Anuradhapura to take out the 27 sutures.  Brother-in-law Mike and Mr. Sandun, head of the English department where I work, assisted.

 When Bob saw the white boots, he got a little worried.  However, the stitches came out just fine.

Bob's physical therapist named Ajith came once a week for a month or so, moving Bob's leg more than he thought possible and trying to convince him to try the stairs.

Coffee in bed used to be a special treat.  After the accident, it became par for the course, along with three meals a day in the bedroom.  He likes to think of this as his Roman period.

 

Though we don't get to choose which bones are broken, what a gift that Bob's hands were both OK.  Music returned to our life.

Bob paints in bed, like Frida Kahlo.  No doubt riches and fame are just around the corner!

We went back to Colombo after 5 weeks to see the doctor and another physical therapist.  On the desk is a model of the human knee.  So that's what it's all about.

After Bob gained confidence on his crutches, he ventured down the stairs.  This led to helping with meals.  Here is the pot of beets that he peeled on one of his first days downstairs and the pot of soup he got going another day.

Bob practices walking several times a day in the hall from the bedroom to the balcony.  Our Persian runner from Kuwait has been perfect for his practice.

Two months have passed since that fateful July morning.  It's not over yet, but we will carry on!