We have the best Trauma center right here at San Francisco General, and it's 1 out of just 100 in the US. It's the only one in the City of San Francisco. It's the only center in the entire region prepared for our POTUS, Barack Obama himself, if it were ever necessary. It's where the Police officers come if they're shot or involved in a car wreck. The emergency orthopedic surgery she had was performed quickly and effectively by the (apparently) best bone surgeons in Northern CA. In short, if you have this kind of real trauma, I'm told you don't want the private hospital - you want this one.
Life throws surprises at you from time to time. Most of the time we only pause to consider those who help us in a traumatic event, after it's already happened. Well, me too. So let me salute and thank all of the trauma staff, the nurses, and Jodie's surgeons and doctors, and particularly the gorgeous Ms Chauncy down in Emergency who provided a bit of warmth and humanity, pillows and fresh blankets, and a reassuring smile, all admidst the screams and the blood of the trauma unit on a Friday night. Be thankful for these people. You might need them when you least expect it.*** Update - interested in the culprit injury? Check these out. ***
*** Another update - whilst I don't have Jodes' films, her new leg looks like this person's (and will forever) ***
*** Final update - we've been back to the Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic for follow-up, and things are looking good ***
The procedure she had is called an intermedullary, or intramedullary nailing. In essence, a titanium rod is inserted the length of her tibia and then secured with screws. None of this will ever come out, so it'll be the last thing that breaks if she ever gets in another mess (let's hope not!). It'll be 2 weeks before I can leave her at home alone for any time, but she's healing well, and learning her new crutches. Thanks again bone docs! :) Physical therapy starts in a week and a half. That should be fun.
<rant> My entirely contrary entry about the health insurance people, their companies, and their fucked up profit on the back of human misery practices - no doubt about it - will be coming under separate cover. First things first. </rant>