March 14, 2015
Day 40: Fort Lauderdale: Stir crazy
Today might be a day for a bit of "post partum depression". We are so used to being able to do stuff and to being active, that we are beginning to chafe at the bonds of disability. Disability is certainly a well known field in which to give your (remaining) abilities a workout, but in our opinion it sucks.
A strange part of this is that we two have always had a division of labour, based on our abilities and interests. I, for example, can not fold clothes, am mystified by calendars and appointments, have not the slightest idea how my body works or what is inside it, etc.etc Dodie, a wizard at the things mentioned, and much more, has never changed a bike tire, and shies away from any technology developed in the past 200 years.
So here we are, mid afternoon. Dodie has been working on disassembling one bike and putting it into it's case since 10:00 a.m. I have been ordered to stay back a minimum of three feet. I say I am good to turn screws and yank on stuff, but I am the one who barely knows where his broken scapula is, let alone what it is good or not good to do with it today.
Meanwhile, we have grown concerned by me having swollen ankles, and maybe belly. Our friend Erika, a nurse, suggested we watch fluids in and out, and the belly measurement. So we commandeered the motel's ice bucket as a fluid collector, and a 500 ml water bottle as a measuring cup. Then, using duct tape, we made a (yes) tape measure. A paper clip marks the most recent waist measurement. Then Dodie got out my cycling water bottle and put it beside me. Like a dog, I am trained to always be drinking from that bottle. Otherwise, I will seldom drink at all. It looks like we have been able to establish a reasonable flow through. Good news.
Twelve Hours
Dodie got both bikes into their cases, despite being in a lot of pain and literally not knowing which way to turn a screw to tighten or loosen it. It took 12 hours. Male mechanics in the audience might choke trying to imagine it. But another perspective is one of real guts and persistence!
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