Picto Diary - 14, 15, 16 March 2018 - Bishop Buys It

(No entries for 14th and 15th)

Above: The Bishop and TIMDT. Emergency Room. Park City Hospital. 16 March 2018. 8:30 PM.

Bishop

Day 25

At 11:00 AM, 16 March 2018, the Bishop was slowly (impulse power) skiing from Cushing's Cabin, atop Flagstaff Mountain at Deer Valley, to the beginning of the Hawkeye run. He had just completed his pit stop/coffee break at Cushing's and was setting out to complete his ski day with five more ski runs before exiting the ski resort at snow park lodge.

Suddenly, skiing at a faster pace, a skier, sight unseen, skied into the rear of the Bishop. The colliding skiers' skis skied on top of the Bishop's skis. The Bishop, having no way of maneuvering his pinned skis, fell backward, hitting his helmeted head and lay, not unlike TIMDT's position after a ski fall two weeks ago, supine with legs, skis still attached, with skis splayed outward in a "V" type formation.

The Bishop's left hip area was hurting badly. Because of his particular positioning, the Bishop could not find a way to move his skis to ease the pain knifing through his hip area. He cried out... "someone please release the binding of one of my skis." There were several people standing by, including the Penitent Perp, a geezer about Bishop's age. The Penitent Perp's wife was there too. I saw that she was wearing a very fancy Bogner parka.

There was some confusion. The Penitent Perp tried to move my skis, which only intensified the pain. "No, no," I cried, 'release the binding of one of the skis." The Penitent Perp finally accomplished this, and I turned over on my side in great relief from the pain.

Penitent Perp's wife asked me if I should call the ski patrol. I said I thought I was OK, but, I just wanted to lie there for a minute or two. After a couple of minutes, I stood up, using a ski pole and the assistance of the Penitent Perp.

A male patroller then skied up. Someone must have pointed me out to the Ski Patrollers. At his request I told him what happened, including the hit to the back of the head. He asked me several questions... my name, where I was at... etc. After determining that I was not concussed, he asked if he should write up my fall as an incident. I said I thought I was OK, and he skied off.

The Penitent Perp and his wife followed up with queries as to my condition. The Penitent Perp said, repetitiously.... "I don't know what happened.... I don't know what happened...." Instead of telling him, "you skied right into my rear, dumbass!" I said, "stuff happens... don't worry about it."

I felt OK. I completed my five runs without pain or any other problem coming from the falling incident.

However, walking to the truck apres ski from Snow Park Lodge was a different matter. I could walk... but, with difficulty... i.e. it was painful in what seemed to be the left hip area.

I went home. TIMDT recommended a steam shower which I took, and bed. I lay down and read myself to sleep.

TIMDT and Mwah (sic) were slated to pick up Bud and Mynduveroan at school and run them down to Salt City Drums for Bud's drum lesson. After that we would meet our extended family for dinner at CPK, Fashion Place Mall.

Though I was still in pain while walking, I could drive comfortably. So, we decided to undertake the afternoon project.

Walking from the car to Salt City Drums and back, and from the Fashion Place Mall parking area (we don't have a handicapped parking permit yet) to CPK, the pain was worse than earlier in the day. I had to walk in short stages.

The CPK family event was great. Watching the grand kids interact made me forget everything otherwise troublesome about my day.

While driving home, TIMDT said, "maybe, as an abundance of caution, we should go to the ER for an X-Ray. At least we could rule out broken bone and, maybe get some insight on the nature of the problem."

We drove directly from the mall to the ER at Park City Hospital. I was admitted immediately. I was in the X Ray room within 30 minutes and getting the ER doctor's report within an hour of arrival. When one talks around with other geezers who retire in Park City, the great medical services always comes up as one of the top reasons. I realized how true that belief was as I was shunted through the very efficient ER process. This is in stark contrast to our experience in Miami, where ER's are often crowded with people and where, before checking in, one has to go through a triage interview. "I'm sorry sir, but, with only a severe stomach ache I'm afraid your wait to see a doctor. will be about five hours."

There were no broken bones. The ER doctor, Dr. Dbeisi, said it was likely a combination of pulled muscles and tendons. I would probably have pain for a couple of more days, but, then, the condition should dissipate. Your prescription will be one week's rest at home, Tylenol, and ice. "Come back here if the pain intensifies." After a week, you should be able to resume normal activities.

A couple of very cheerful male RN's gave us the debriefing and papers associated with my visit. One of them took the image seen above in this report.

Hospital experiences aren't supposed to be fun... but the people from A to Z on this visit, made the experience as good and efficient as I can imagine under the circumstances.

Note: Bishop's repaired right, tibia plateau break seems to be operating at 100%... there was no connection between the fall, yesterday, and the pain suffered in my left, lower back.

Note: Espresso should still come. Not a problem hosting, we always like to see him... but, skiing with me not on as I'm off for at least a week

TIMDT

TIMDT saw Dr. Lind yesterday regarding her injury, almost two weeks ago, suffered during a fall from the Wasatch Lift chair at the "get off."

Ruptured ACL, and torn MCL. Left knee.

"If you were a hard charging athlete, 30 years younger, I might recommend surgery. For you, however, I'd recommend no surgery. You can live without an ACL. You can even ski again. But, you'll have do do some rigorous PT for a while to strengthen your leg. Down the road, we can construct a personalized brace that should enable you to ski comfortably, if that is what you choose to do. If we get down the road, and none of this was working, you can always do ACL reconstructive surgery then."

TIMDT: I have two trips planned... one in May and the other in June. Do you think I'll be able to go?

Dr. Lind: Sure. But you'll be required to do two to three times a week PT between now and then.

TIMDT seemed elated at the prospects for a non-surgical solution to her problem. I expect she'll get into that forthwith AND continue her two to times weekly training sessions with trainer Jada at the Waldorf Astoria Spa.

Meanwhile

Meanwhile, two old geezers hobble around the house helping one another as they can.

Its not as bad as it might seem. Our house keepers, Maribel and Aurellia, visit three weekday AM's a week between them. Daughter FeeBee will go to the market for us. TIMDT has had some friends visit bring a meal and comforting conversation.

I am ambulatory, sans device, around the house... and can bring TIMDT what she cannot carry herself when she walks around using crutches. 30 hours after my event, my pain is still there, but, dissipating as forecast by the ER doctor.

It was fortuitous that TIMDT put an elevator into our home as part of its original construction fifteen years ago.

Two geezers coping OK... but, the coincidence of each of us hobbling around at the same time due to a ski injury seems a bit unreal.