This 5 day stretch was very tough. I think I have said that about all the ones as of late. But each one has been a step above the other. :)
An update on our rider who got thrown in the clink. He was charged with a criminal offense, something along the lines of defaming the president of Malawi. He spent 4 nights in a Malawi jail. He has been released but not rejoined the tour as yet. No word on what happened with the charges other than he is out. He had to engage a local attorney and I suspect this was a very expensive little adventure.
On to the topic of medical... It is a tough thing when you get a cut or scrape here. They heal slowly and typically go the route of infection. You need to put anti bacterial stuff on anything and everything. One of the riders got a mysterious bite. He doesn't know what but it has turned nasty. He has been on anti biotics both oral and injections for 5 weeks now. They are daily draining the fluids from the wound. There is a doctor who is a rider and he feels there is something that is in the wound that they cannot get to. Waiting to get to a hospital where it can be handled properly.
And talk about tough... the one rider who fell back in Egypt and had to have a hip replacement is back. He has a new hip and is riding again. Not sure I would be doing that.
And lastly, but most grossly... one rider said she kept feeling an itching in her ear. So the medic irrigated her ear canal and guess what?! You won't believe this. A small beetle crawled out as it didn't want to drown. How gross ... a beetle had crawled into her ear. Who knows when.
That is just the worst.....
Here is where I am now. We are heading west across the continent.
We have three riding days until we get to Victoria Falls. Then we have 3 days off. I can't believe it 3 days! The legs certainly need it.
No rain, a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI glad the rider is no longer in the can. Yes I'll bet it was very expensive. He is probably lucky he had the money to get out of jail.
This guy with the infection has been riding all of this time?
I hope he gets to a medical facility where they can help him soon. That is down right scary.
The guy with the new hip is tougher than I am.
And the lady with the beetle in her ear has no infection or is no worse for caring the beetle across the continent? Well that worked out better than I would have guessed.
Three days? You won't know what to do with yourself. Good luck and enjoy the falls. It is wonderful.
Ray
Happy Easter Mike,
ReplyDeleteWhile visiting our grandkids, we took a look at your journey on their globe and let me tell you, It looks a whole lot more epic in 3 dimensions--you're covering impressive changes in latitude-and probably just as many changes in attitude. Victoria Falls with its grandeur, bungee jumping and devil's pool should be interesting. Hope the imprisoned rider catches up in time to enjoy it with the group.
Bob and Linda