Good Leg. Sit. Stay.

[billroper]

The repaired leg bled pretty extensively during the rest of the evening and night, although not much got out of the bandages, just a little bit when I was putting on my shoe in the morning really. daisy_knotwise drove me to the doc with Katie in tow, as I'm supposed to wait at least 24 hours after anesthesia before driving. (Not that I didn't feel fine.)

The leg felt pretty good when I got out of bed. Less good as it spent more time down. When the nurse unwrapped it at the doc's, the bandages were pretty much a sodden mess. The surgeon decided to leave the wound open and let it heal naturally to help make sure that we didn't trap infection in there, which does indeed seem reasonable -- just bloody. And other than the really deep hole (like down to the bone), it really does look much better than it did yesterday. He removed and stitched up various infected areas and the rest of the leg is pretty much a normal color.

(I'm hoping this isn't just from blood loss. :) )

However, the consensus was that Gretchen, Katie, and I could very carefully travel to Texas. And that I should keep my leg up as much as possible, which means that we're going to have to move Katie's car seat to the other side so I can put my leg on the center console. That wouldn't be so bad if the seat were easier to install properly.

Katie is currently napping, Gretchen is picking up my new prescription for Cipro, more bandages, and food for fuzzbucket_cat. Me? I'm looking up motel rooms in Marion, Illinois, because I'm fairly sure that's as far as we're going tonight. :)

Comments

[smoooom.livejournal.com]

I really shouldn't be complaining about my foot. I really hope things heal well this time.

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

As a seasoned I-57 traveler, I recommend the following:

GenKota winery at Mt.Vernon IL, which is actually north of Marion, so they might not still be open by the time y'all go past, depending on when you hit the road. Maybe on the flipflop...

Reeves Boomland at Charleston MO.
Cheapest gasoline in the central part of the US, clean restrooms, down-home-cookin' meals at Wally's ChewChew if you're coming past at a mealtime, and Really Good Fudge even if it ISN"T meal time when you get there.
Their gas prices are worth NOT filling-up at Marion if you can manage that; they are about 65 miles further south on I-57.

[whl.livejournal.com]

On the extended run (I-57 onto I-55, south),I'd be tempted to put it still in the boot heel of Missouri, but at the Matthews, MO exit on I-55. (Missouri Route 80; I think the signs talk about it being the exit for the Ferry, but I could be wrong.) I fill up at the Love's truck stop, which I think has a Subway and a Chester Fried Chicken. But I haven't tried eating at them, so your choice may be better. I can recommend the restrooms, however.

I routinely plan my trips between northern Mississippi to Wheeling, IL so that I should be just about empty at that point.

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

I fill at Charleston even if I don't really need more than half a tank, just because the prices are so low. There are two exits for Charleston, and both have fireworks dealers with cheap gas. I just happen to have discovered Reeves first, because it is on the right on my way to Chambanacon...

I know of the Love's stop you describe at Matthews; there is a Flying J at the same one I think, but I'm just such a long-time customer of Reeves...

[carolf.livejournal.com]

no. don't want leg to stay. want it to work very hard at healing.

fingers crossed.

[at least on right hand. torn rotator cuff left shoulder - typing hunt-peck.]

[daddy-guido.livejournal.com]

I can come reinstall the car seat if you'd like - I'm pretty damn good at it. Practice, you know.

Helpful hint - have a "big person" compress it into the regular seat, then adjust all the tension straps whiloe it's compressed. When the "big person" lets up on the pressure, that puppy should be drum tight.

[min0taur.livejournal.com]

Definitely want that leg to sit still and stay where it is, and devote all its available energy to kicking out the microscopic squatters. (I don't think they could read a sign that says "I am not your real estate," but that's the idea.) Healing energy to you from us.

[(Anonymous)]

Leg? Operation?! Bleeding?!?

Jeez, I leave town for a couple of weeks and all hell breaks loose.

Take care of yourself, Bill.

Sam Winolj