Volume 10 - Issue 1, February 15, 2008 - Lake Chapala Review
Volume 10 - Issue 1, February 15, 2008 - Lake Chapala Review
Volume 10 - Issue 1, February 15, 2008 - Lake Chapala Review
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Page 38 <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Chapala</strong> <strong>Review</strong><br />
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2008</strong><br />
It Started with a Kiss,<br />
Then a Lump<br />
by Alison Solomon That is the question!<br />
Will my problem be solved or must I extract myself<br />
from my Ajijic paradise to remedy this evil threat to limb<br />
and life?<br />
Wednesday, just over a week ago my elbow struck<br />
the cement wall as I rounded the corner at Zaragoza<br />
and Colón. Small shooting funny bone pain caused me<br />
to drop the empty suitcase. A quick rub, grasp of the<br />
handle, I was briskly on my way.<br />
Four O’clock next morning I swung the suitcase onto<br />
the truck bed as I prepared to air freight my wife to<br />
Tacoma for a well deserved visit with small pleasures.<br />
Small evil twinge at the elbow as I released the bag with<br />
a thud. The wife and I met the summoned taxi at the<br />
front gate, exactly 4:30 AM. A quick kiss and my lady<br />
was on her way.<br />
Lonesome me closed the gates and retreated to the<br />
casa. Second cup of coffee to my lips brought the twinge<br />
behind the elbow to speak saying, “evil is nearby.” I feel<br />
the pea-sized lump on not so funny bone, “Ummm pretty<br />
sore, bet it will be gone by tomorrow.” The remainder<br />
of Thursday was long walk, followed by nap and ending<br />
with back yard grilled steak. “Sorry you missed, it my<br />
lady,” I thought.<br />
Daybreak Friday, the lump was a marble filled with<br />
pain, no fever. “Oh hell, evil or no, this is another Mexico<br />
day to enjoy,” I remind myself. The morning rolled into<br />
dusk as an Ajijic walk about, writers group meeting caped<br />
by a superb Nueva Posada lunch among born liars. Some<br />
laundry and lawn water finished another fine day.<br />
“Damn that lump hurts but I bet this Tylenol fixes<br />
it.”<br />
Saturday, woooaa, marble to large nugget and it’s not<br />
gold.” Hot, swollen elbow, tight enough, movement is<br />
restricted. Evil inside me definitely has my attention.<br />
Morning walk was a search for the best doctor around.<br />
Asking around and sometimes showing off my evil elbow<br />
I was met with several names but Dr. Garcia won the<br />
numbers game.<br />
Monday was as soon as anything was going to happen<br />
no matter what evil condition existed within worried<br />
body. Bedded down with all the pain relievers I could<br />
stand for a restless, lonely, Saturday night.<br />
Sunday found the swelling down to my knuckles. Heat<br />
remained and skin stretched tight covering the swelling<br />
elbow to knuckles. Color still good and circulation in<br />
tact, but worry me, worry you, was coming on as the<br />
hours passed. Most of the day spent with evil arm above<br />
my head where it felt the most comfortable. Lots of rest,<br />
but a wasted day in wonderland. Home alone, with evil<br />
and loyal cat.<br />
Monday morning came unhurried as if it were<br />
deliberately prolonging my evil pain. Dressed, driven<br />
and standing aside the Maskaras Clinic front door when<br />
the receptionist showed. We discussed the possibility<br />
of an appointment with Dr. Garcia and I discovered I<br />
had found the best Dr. in the <strong>Chapala</strong> <strong>Lake</strong> area with no<br />
opening till THURSDAY <strong>10</strong>:AM.<br />
I headed east to <strong>Chapala</strong> where I would could pick<br />
up those boots I was having soled. Climate perfected by<br />
Supreme overseer, was on target again as comfort in the<br />
outdoors eased my pain, as I strolled the side walk<br />
A farmacia sign to my right reached out and banged<br />
dumb head screaming, “Try me, and try me.” I stepped<br />
to the counter, presented swollen evil elbow, and<br />
explained in perfect English its condition to the Mexican<br />
lady. She stepped from behind the counter and led me a<br />
few steps down street and pointed to a sign next door.<br />
“Dr. Adoniram Consultation, 20 pesos.” I thanked the<br />
lady and inserted evil elbow in the small waiting room<br />
alongside three young mothers with babies aboard.<br />
“Twenty pesos, not even two dollars, can this be true,”<br />
kept turning in my head as I waited my turn.<br />
My time came as Doc motioned me to the door, as<br />
he’s asked, “Español?”<br />
I replied “Poco Español,” and asked, “Habla English?”<br />
He replied with, “A little”, extending hand with his<br />
thumb striking the first joint of his index finger.<br />
Already at ease, we worked out the sign language and<br />
broken Tex-Mex to strike an agreement on treatment. No<br />
nurse, the Doctor recorded all the information, weight,<br />
blood pressure and prognosis along with description of<br />
the evil within my arm. His prescription for antibiotics,