On temporary hiatus

So, this past week, I developed what the doctors call an "abscess". It was located in my left upper armpit, where two of my lymph nodes swelled up to the size of large lima beans. After five days of watching them get gradually worse, I decided to see a doctor.

The doctor prescribed an "emergency drainage surgery" where I would have to have my lymph nodes cut into and drained of their infection.

Four hours and 38oo meticais (~$120) later, I was under the knife, (or box-cutter, rather), after a few shots of local anesthetic and some iodine swabs.

No release form. No insurance card. No ID.

I received surgery in one of a state of the art hospitals...ahem...circa 1954.

My surgeon, (dressed in a plastic butcher-like apron with matching plastic mask) sent me on my way just minutes after the surgery, prescription in hand.

Seven or so minutes later, the anesthesia starts wearing off and I feel every cell that was sliced into that had oozed its blood and pus. The kaleidoscope of colors I was seeing went nicely with the rush to find a pharmacy to get the prescribed antibiotics.

Here I sit, three days later, with a new bandage and two new slits in my arm. I'm praying for a quick recovery so I can get back into the garden, where my nemeses are scorpions and millipedes!! ...Wait... that's not what I meant. ;)

It's not exactly what I call a vacation I was looking forward to, but, WOW, what an adventure!!