43 Mean Streamlined Machine

I was grateful that my wound didn’t show any signs of infection. Plus I no longer had to wear a bandage, which was much more comfortable in this warm clime.

A second ray of light came the day after, when my surgeon and another doctor showed up from the hospital with the "special machine" that was to be used to cut down the metal rods sticking out of my leg to a more manageable size.

As it turned out, this special machine was a standard issue bolt cutter that any plumbing shop would use. One doctor grabbed these and immediately snapped off one of the twelve-inch posts sticking out of my leg, the metal rod zinging past me.

Happy as I was to see these things getting cut down to size, I suggested that we go at it a little slower so that someone didn’t end up with a bolt in their head. (Granted, this statement may have been a little self-serving since I was the one whose head was at bolt level.)

Soon all six bolts were cut down to size. And so, as soon as the doctors left, I was thrilled to be able to discard the lunghi and pull on a regular pair of cotton shorts. Oh, the simple joys of life.

A couple days later, the gardener helped Dr. Arias complete the trimming of my external fixator, using a hacksaw.

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