Night Out - Elton John. Part 2: The Turn for the Worse

Sooooo... last night my friend & I were leaving the Elton John concert when my night took a turn for the worse. Our husbands were hanging out back in Leblon and offered to drive down to come and pick us up but we turned them down, mostly because we didn't know the area, therefore finding a meeting place would likely be disasterous. We were FINALLY to where the cabs were, and were sweaty, exhausted, (hello swollen ankles when you are 6 months pregnant and have been standing in sandals for about 5 hours in the heat), hungry, both couldn't wait to eat and shower.

We were steps, about 10 steps in fact, away from getting into a nice air conditioned cab, and cut under an underpass to make the walk a bit quicker. Enter the pipe. I didn't see it coming. Judging by the INDENTS which will surely be awful bruises that are still indented on my shins this morning, I tripped on it at about lower to mid calf height, then proceeded to go down, landing on mostly my left knee. It was a bit of a blur and although I did not immediately feel any pain, I knew something was up with that knee. When I rolled up my pantleg, I saw the gash and what looked like my kneecap. Yep it was that deep. Yikes.

A policeman approached us and asked if I was okay but I quickly said I was fine and my friend asked him to help us get a cab, he pointed to them 10 feet away and said they're over there... ok thanks. I really realized how afraid I am of the police here last night as with both of my two encounters with them I just got the heck out as fast as possible!

We got into a cab and headed for the Sao Vicente hospital in Gavea. After many "detours" (I don't think the cabbie quite knew where he was going) we arrived, met Mr. DRL and I was immediately helped out.

Here's where it gets a bit comical...

After looking at the gash, the ER doctor said she'd have to call in a surgeon to stitch me up and it would be about 20 minutes. We all wondered why they would not have someone ready for surgery in the ER, I mean it is a hospital, right? Turns out there's no PLASTIC SURGEON on duty, just on call. That's right, I have officially had "work done" in Brazil. He had to do a little bit of reconstructive stitching on the inside of my knee (muscles) and I am also confident my scar will not be too bad considering, well, he's a plastic surgeon! And a very nice, English speaking one, I might add. Yes, he offers "other services" - if you want his info, let me know...

I asked if he could throw in extra services for some sort of package deal... no go last night.

So now I need painkillers, antibiotics, no yoga or exercise or beach or pool... sucks. I guess I will finally get caught up on some of that blogging now!

There are so many ways in which this could have been worse, I'm really grateful that:

• My knee broke my fall and therefore the baby is fine.
• Today is a holiday, since my husband and friend were in the ER with me until after 3:30 this morning.
• We were not located in too bad of a place when it happened, meaning I did not have to walk more than 10 steps to get into a car. We'd just finished walking at least a couple of km's to get out of there, it would not have been good if it had happened earlier!
• My friend was fantastic, and not grossed out, and very supportive.
• It was not worse!

I would like to comment that it must seem that my husband and I are incredibly incident and accident prone - this is our 3rd ER visit since moving to Rio, and in fact it's our 3rd since September. Back home going to hospitals just wasn't something that we ever did, but as I often say, in Rio there is seldom a dull moment...

Comments

[Emily]

Eeek! Glad to hear you're alright though. And if I'm ever in Rio and need a hospital I know who to call on for advice! ;)

[Gabriela]

Glad you're ok!

I'm enjoying going through your posts-very informative-love the restaurant reviews . I live here in Rio as well, we've probably crossed paths, or at least have friends in common.

Take care!

[Melissa]

Phew! Glad you are okay! I've been checking back all morning. I was scared something happened to your baby! Hope your knee heals quickly! :)

[Mrs S]

I am SO glad you are okay! I know that had to have been awful!! When you said the word pipe I was thinking OH NO! But Im glad you landed on your knee. The wind slammed the car door on my shins the other day (heavy car door) and I STILL have dents in them. But they also hurt like crazy now! Hope you heal fast!!!

[Fabiola Chiarelli]

Oh My God!!! Take good care of yourself.

Fabiola

[Daily Rio Life]

Thanks everyone! I am moving pretty slowly but rest is important I guess. I go back for a follow up with the surgeon today to see how things are healing. I just hope I don't have to be immobile for too long!!!