April 3, 2019
Long-time OMB reader Marife Bolena-Sarmiento willingly accompanied me to the emergency room of the University College London Hospital. She hailed a cab, told the driver where to go, and I just followed her.
There was a steady stream of patients seeking urgent care from broken limbs, fainting, etc. Hindi ako nag-iisa. An older man twisted his wrist after he fell in the tub. I felt better after I saw his wrist facing the other way. A 6ft. 8″ tall guy showed me his broken and swollen left middle finger he injured while playing basketball.
A woman came out with a cemented left arm. ulkk, ayaw ko nyan. There was a prisoner wearing gray sweat shirt and matching gray pants with both hands naka-posas pati yung paa merong cadena, with two security officers sandwiching him. Even if he’s a prisoner and presumably a public threat, the hospital sill accorded him with respect and gave him the needed health care. The doctors and nurses moved fast with precision but they still looked happy and accommodating.
Marife patiently waited for me, assisting me in taking off my jacking, putting it back on, buying me a cup of hot chocolate, a bottle of water. I was glad she was there with me.
My xray results showed I have a broken elbow and fractured shoulder. Whaaaah!!1 The nurse practicioner told me they couldn’t put my arm in a cast because I am traveling. She advised me to follow up with an orthopedic doctor as soon as I get to Manila to make sure that it’s healing, She said it normally takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal. The doctor said for younger people who are active in sports, they would do surgery. I don’t like to have surgery, buti na lang.
I hope your elbow is healing well Ms. Annie. You have the most interesting stories and I could listen to it all day. Ang saya!