Painkillers

My friend, Mimi, came over from Cooper Island last week and we went to White Bay, Jost Van Dyke for some sun, swimming and Painkillers.  It was lovely (even if my sunscreen was only effective for about 10 minutes into the ferry ride...).

 

Sage Mountain

While I still have a reliable internet connection, I figure I might as well post some photos from Sage Mountain. 

Back when I was exercising and feeling fine (before I twisted my ankle and screwed up my back again) I went walking in this National Park here on Tortola. 

It is a lovely place to walk with lots of trails that are well maintained.  There is a rain forest up there which is just stunning.

So, when you visit the BVI, remember that the beach isn't the only cool place to see!  (Not that I'm knocking the beach because the beaches are pretty darn awesome...)

 

The Things That Try Us

When last I posted, things were going well!  Loving my job.  Loving my home.  Internet wasn't so great but things were going well even if I couldn't blog about them.

At the beginning of May, Oreo made it down here by some miracle and by the ingenuity of a friend who went up to Seattle (much love to Lion!!).

Yep, everything was going my way!

Until June...

On June 15th I was heading out the door to work.  It had been rainy and my stairs were wet.  Building codes mean nothing here and I am well aware of that.  I knew the steps would be slippery (since they used indoor wall tile on the stairs).  I took hold of the handrail and promptly fell down the stairs.  At first I thought I had just badly bruised my back and hip.  I had heard enough horror stories about Peeble's Hospital to want to avoid it at all cost but my friends convinced me that ice was not going to make things better and they called an ambulance.  Now I have my own horror stories about the hospital.  Trust me, don't go. 

I spent two days in the emergency room before they decided to admit me.  I couldn't walk.  I couldn't sit up.  I could barely move.  Still, I didn't want to be admitted.  I wanted to go home and wait for the swelling to go down.  They eventually did a CT scan and told me I had broken 4 vertebrae.  Then they did nothing for the next two weeks.  I refused all attempts to stick needles in me.  I didn't trust the hygenic standards at all.  I won't go into too much detail but I wouldn't eat the food, either, after seeing how dirty it was.  So, I lay in bed watching the wall and waiting for visitors.  Thankfully, I had a steady stream of company which really helped a lot!  I don't know how I would have coped if I hadn't had the distractions!!

Anyway, I survived the hospital.  Not sure how but I did.

The ambulance had to take me home since I couldn't walk back up the stairs.  (They wanted to keep me longer but I just couldn't see the logic!)

Armed with back brace and walker I made it home. 

I walked and exercised my heart out and figured I would be just dandy for work when we reopened for the season. 

But then I twisted my ankle and was in excruciating pain for about a week.  That's when I realized that my recovery would take a bit longer than I had thought.

So, now i am thinking the most sensible plan is to move to St. John and get whatever sedentary job (or jobs) I can find. 

That's the update.

I'm house/dog sitting at the moment (in Little Apple Bay) and there's a fantastic wifi connection so I'm making the most of it.

Figured I'd better update.  It had been way too long.

Wish me luck!  I'll update again as soon as I am able!

Hope you are all well!