A Visit to the Emergency Room

 Last month I drove myself to the emergency room to have my toe checked.  I had been shoveling snow, and somehow in the process, between numb toes, changing into dry wool socks, and thawing out by the fire, I ended up with a big toe that was black and blue and very swollen.  

I called Teledoc, and discussed my symptoms over the phone with a doctor.  I was concerned that it might be Covid toes.  It looked like the photos.  He said that it sounded like frostbite, but that I needed to go to the ER.

I was nervous to go to the hospital during this pandemic, but was pleasantly surprised.  They had three empty tents out in front of the main entrance.  I was the only one in the office.  A few employees helped me check in, and I was given a bed in the emergency room.

My doctor suggested that we take an x-ray.  It turns out, my toe was fractured.  They wrapped me my foot in an ace bandage, applied a splint, and let me go home.

Wearing a snow boot kept it immobilized, and it didn't hurt the way I expected.  I iced it, which really helped.  I didn't need to take anything for the pain.  They gave me a pair of crutches, but I found them cumbersome, so I just didn't put weight on it for a while.  

It has healed perfectly.  Soaking in the bath with epsom salts has really been soothing.  It makes the toe joint itch.  My mom always told me that the sensation of itching means that it's healing.  

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please comment in English.  I'm sorry, but comments with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.