PLATES & PINS

I was able to summon the resident doctor within about an hour post-op, who clearly laid out the procedures that were done:
Right elbow - stress tested and determined not fractured enough.
Right wrist - 3 pins to be removed in two weeks
Left wrist - more complicated, requiring a plate and 3" incision on underside, 2 pins, and a wire used from the outer side to place the bone that is supported by the plate.
Sinus injury - could not be addressed because the MRI or CT was not sent from Mt. Sinai to St. Mike's with the rest of her file.

Tomorrow I will be at St. Mike's at 6 AM convincing a doctor to assign a social worker on our case (it's not automatic at this hospital). Then it's over to Mt. Sinai to physically obtain her MRI CD, and on to floor 11, where I will politely press the team there to tell me WHY THE !@#$ DID YOU NOT SEND AN MRI OF BETA'S FACE INJURY WITH HER TO ST. MIKE'S ????
It's unbelievable that the doctor's at St. Michael's never received this with her file. Though it may be a stroke of luck to delay her release a bit longer (for recovery reasons), her sinus injury seems to have been mishandled the whole way along. The main focus by all has been the wrists, but some acquaintances have illustrated, and I will second, that such a sinus fracture could still have potentially harmful consequences. Look it up.

As Crystal just blogged below, Beta, and her associates are all relieved that the surgery has now taken place. it really feels like we can begin on the road to recovery. Soon enough we'll be again one happy family back home, with but one extra mouth to feed.
This morning, Sylvija and I chose to surprise Beta (pre-op) by bringing in Stella. We broke our own rules because originally we thought it would be too upsetting for our formerly suckling infant to witness. As it turns out, the morning visit upset Beta at first, who could've sworn that Stella didn't recognize her ! I think on the contrary, Stella was just cautiously sizing her mom up. Even our baby seemed to know that you can't just jump into a person's arms who is lying down wearing two casts and hideous blue frock.

And finally, as Crystal was speaking of Beta's humourus spirit towards the situation, I believe I can quote her half joking that she will be in a "painorama of pain" for the next couple of days. Anyone who doesn't agree should try putting 1/8" pins through their wrist bones.

goodnight,

-Steve