Oct. 29, 2024

Horowitz Travel Oct. 29, 2024 No surgery…yet. She put David in a boot and will X-ray in a week to see if the break is stable. If it is, he’ll wear the boot for 6 weeks. It gives him more mobility in that he can put minimal weight on the boot when transferring to car, chair, etc., and can remove it for a shower. We’ve been using wipes for “sponge” bathing and washed his hair in the sink. Still, there’s nothing like a real shower with that hot water pouring down. Here’s hoping the teen-age healing kicks in and he’s boot free for our granddaughter Talia’s college graduation in Dec. Always good to have a goal. Toby

Horowitz Travel October 25, 2024- We’re waiting for the results of the CAT scan done this afternoon. Meanwhile, I was remembering the words of a guide we had in India. He said that it was easy to be caught up in the filth, poverty, and illness you see there when touring. But we have to keep looking for the lotus in the mud. With all the problems we are facing now, I looked out a window in our building and saw the lotus. We are having a spectacular autumn. Toby

Horowitz Travel Oct. 24, 2024-othopedic surgeon I love David’s orthopedic surgeon. She’s not fast to operate, yet cautious. Her office staff is kind and caring. Bottom line is that with the X-rays from DC and one more she took today, there may be a horizontal fracture as well as the one we knew of. If so, surgery may be a consideration. She ordered at CAT scan for tomorrow and will let us know. She has 4 femur surgeries tomorrow and the staff said they had 6 broken ankles this week. I’ll report as soon as we know. Toby

Oct. 23, 2024

Horowitz Travel Oct. 23, 2024 How is it going? We’ll, yesterday morning while getting ready to leave Judi’s, I brushed my teeth with hydro-cortisone cream. BTW they don’t itch. We did get to an urgent care clinic after landing yesterday. They splinted the foot after X-rays. It’s definitely broken at the end of the tibia where it joins the ankle. It’s a displaced fracture of the lateral malleous. They wouldn’t discharge him without him signing an AMA unless we promised to go immediately to a hospital to see if there was a blood clot. We agreed and ended up at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. I really loved driving after dark in a strange area. The hospital is affiliated with John’s Hopkins but the ER was more like a cross between a MASH unit and an Israeli triage center. It was so crowded I had to find and push the wheelchair. When David was called I wasn’t allowed to go with him. He ended up sitting in a back hall with the rest of the “non life threatening” cases. There was no clot. We got to bed at 2AM. I was surprised and pleased I was able to drive the entire 6 hours it took to get home. David offered to spell me but he was in great pain and I thought better of it. We were greeted at our building by people I refer to as “my village.” A friend and neighbor secured a wheelchair and knee walker from the building’s “gimp supply closet.” The doorman met us in the garage with the wheelchair while others helped move the luggage. We had texted Daniel from the road and invited him to treat us to a Chinese dinner when we arrived. He showed up with all the fixings. It was Tuesday, after all, our family dinner night. Today we’re trying to figure out how David can maneuver using knee and regular walker. There are some things that can’t be done from his recliner. It’s stressful on him and his pain level is high. I can’t wait to see the doctor tomorrow. Hopefully she has a device to stabilize it more. We’re bringing an orthopedic boot from a former ankle break to the appointment. Maybe it will be useful. Still don’t know if surgery will be needed. I managed to get to the grocery store. There too, people asked about David. I guess we’re weekly fixtures. Since retirement he helps shop and pack. I’ll let you know Toby

Oct. 21, 2024-Potomac, MD

Horowitz Travel Oct. 21, 2024-Potomac, MD We landed at Dulles airport and were met by a driver that Judi uses. He took us to her condo and helped get our luggage upstairs. We went to an urgent care nearby at about 6pm. In 24 hours, the foot went from slightly swollen to bruised, very swollen with swelling going up the lower leg. The clinic took X-rays, pronounced the end of the tibula broken (acute displaced lateral malleolar fracture), splinted it, and told us to go to a nearby ER to be certain there wasn’t a blood clot. The ER had to cut his jeans up the seam so they could do the ultra sound. There was no clot. They left the splint on, gave him a walker, and sent him out. We were home but midnight. SIGH. David messaged the doctor at home who treated him for the cracked patella on the other leg. We like her a lot but this is ridiculous. We will drive home to Akron tomorrow. David will not share driving so it will be a slow trip as I’ll need several breaks. Picture is of Business class pods. Toby

Oct. 21, 2024-to DC

Horowitz Travel Oct. 21, 2024-to DC Was that 12 hours we spent in the Istanbul Business Lounge? Yes. Did we survive? Yes. Were we happy about it? No. We couldn’t get a bed but managed to doze and graze our time away. We watched young parents be outsmarted by their infant. Every time they thought he was asleep and tried to put him in his stroller, he woke up screaming. This went on for hours. The other pastime was observing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern noses. The varieties are endless. It’s like there’s a design competition for variety in length, bumps, and humps. I can say that as I belong to a group of folks whose Eastern European noses rival the best of today’s survey. Then there were the shoes. Sneakers galore paced by in a parade of wedged, zippered, gilt, and neon. It was an international diversity of brands worn by people from all corners of the world. It would have been wonderful if we could have locked the doors and refused to open them until those within agreed on a plan for world peace. Cleaning never stopped. Floors were constantly being swept and mopped. Swarms of workers dusted continuously. Food service areas were wiped and polished incessantly, and the player piano never quieted. NEVER. Boarding time finally arrived and we were wheeled right past the secondary bag search for US passengers and on to the plane. Our accommodations are more like a first class mini-room. We have a sliding panel between us, much like a confessional, and a door to afford more privacy. There’s a shallow closet, drawers, and cupboard We kept falling asleep before dinner was served, barely staying awake to eat our sea bass and lamb chops. Managed to sleep 6 hours and were awakened by the not so subtle breakfast preparations . I guess breakfast is going to be chicken salad and mousse. Don’t know what the real time is and don’t care. We have a couple of .hours before landing. We’ll try to make the clinic today but may have to wait overnight. I’ll stay in touch. Toby

October 19, 2024- forever Thessaloniki

Horowitz Travel October 19, 2024- forever Thessaloniki The hotel informed us that we can stay in our room until tomorrow. They are extending checkout until our airport transportation arrives. The bar is supplying us with bags of ice and David is in bed with his leg elevated. He has plenty of pain pills from the pain clinic at home so at least there’s that. Thank goodness for Netflix. I’m watching The Hours. It’s not exactly uplifting but it fills time. I may be forced to partake of the cannabis vending machines I saw as I cruised the streets foraging for lunch. Tourist that I am, I took a photo. A man explained in broken English that it only has cbd products. We have new thoughts for our arrival. We will probably go to an urgent care near Judi’s instead of waiting to drive home. At least they’ll X-ray and perhaps immobilize the foot for the drive to Akron. Can’t wait to get this return trip started Toby