My return from Guadalajara was more tiring than I had originally planned on. Of, course, I should have expected it. We did have a bit of adventure, rather small events that made for a long day.

We flew out on Monday, and we got a wheelchair for transport at the GDL airport. Good thing as it was quite a distance from our gate to the taxi stand. Gaby had called for an UBER taxi when we got off of the plane. We were told 8 minutes – perfect time to get to the stand.

Upon arriving there, she got a note that the guy had cancelled us! And charged her 25 pesos for the cancellation! And he did it twice! Ok, it’s not raining, I’m sitting down and we have another one on the way!

A Nissan Sentra pulled up, very popular there, and whisked us to the Dr. appointment about 50 minutes away. We arrived, and were the first clients, or so it seemed 40 minutes later and several people being seen before me, the DR came out and got the x-ray proceedings going. He mentioned that since we were going to be in his office for a longer period of time, he was seeing the others first. I guess I didn’t send him the memo about the other things I’d planned to cram into my few hours in GDL.

So, x-ray done, and in his exam room. We check flexion – 90 degrees, no pain anywhere during that move. Good to go, same as before surgery. Since I didn’t have more than that before, and the knee is the same one, he doesn’t think I can get any more, but I can keep trying.

Flexion is better than when I was checked out after the hospital, but certainly not straight. Lying on his exam table, he was able to place two fingers between the back of my knee and the table. The goal is to be flat and not allow any fingers there. Lots of work to be done on very tight muscles.

Review of the x-ray: I was very disappointed to see that it looked exactly like the one done 5 weeks ago, regarding the bone healing or knitting together. He fully expected it to be like this, so I relaxed just a bit. I know that when donor tissue is used, there is always the possibility of rejection from the host. After more discussion and some education about ‘stimulating the bone’ I felt better. I can apply 20-30 kg on my left leg, and when in the pool walk when submerged up to my shoulders. This little bit of pressure should start the knitting process.
The next x-ray in 5 weeks.

We then called for another UBER taxi and jumped in under a downpour. This guy’s car was so fogged up inside, he almost got into two wrecks – honked at twice! Then from the left lane, made a right turn across a left turning car! We were heading to a mall in search of another pair of shoes for me. This mall has a pay parking lot and you must enter through an automatic gate. We handed him the fee for this, 5 pesos, and he grumbly went inside and pulled up next to the door. Phew!

Meanwhile, Gaby’s phone was down to about 12% battery. We needed this for the taxi’s. She’d gotten a few minutes at the doctors office, but not enough. Right across from the chosen shoe store was a Starbucks, so she found an outlet while I purchased my shoes. 20 minutes later she barely had any more charge. I handed her my charger and it worked much better. I told her to keep it until we got to the hotel in case she needed more charge and she placed it in her purse.

It was now about 9pm and the shops were closing. Not only was I in search of shoes, - the search was successful - I was hoping for some time to look for a birthday present for Tom’s upcoming birthday. The shop I wanted to look in was already closed, so no need to stay here any longer.

Gaby felt like she had enough charge, so she called the next car. None available, and when it was, it was 2.8 x the normal rate! It’s pouring, we’re on the curb under the awning, and trying to communicate to the driver he must come inside.

He arrived curbside and was pleasant about going inside. I slid in and put my backpack on my lap and crutches along side. Gaby started to get in and dropped her phone outside the car, in the rain, into a puddle! She threw the x-ray and her purse in and grabbed the phone. All good there, as it landed case side down in shallow water.

Off we go to La Moresca, a recommended restaurant from the doctor. Along the way the phone dies. Evidently when using Uber you stay connected while you’re in route. . The driver passed her his charger, but it didn’t work well. So dead phone.

Arriving at the restaurant we gathered all our stuff and got out. I looked back to make sure we had all our things and saw an unplugged charger on the floor. I assumed that it was the drivers and because it was unplugged, was the reason she wasn’t getting a charge.

Once seated in the restaurant and searching for the charger, it was evident that the charger I saw on the floor of the car was MINE and it was no longer in her bag, but on the floor of the last taxi! Now we can’t call the guy as her phone is totally dead, so we have to be patient and wait while it charges and hope the guy doesn’t get a fare to the airport at the other end of town!

Dinner of homemade raviolis with pesto and a very good pizza, 2 glasses of a Montepulcciano (sp?) wine, and sangria, was very good, albeit very late about 11. She was finally able to make contact with the driver, who graciously agreed to come back with the charger. We paid for our meal and met him outside. He then agreed to take us to the hotel! He got 5 stars on his rating!

It’s now close to 12, the hotel has a reservation and we’ve called to say we’re still coming. We get checked in and are given a key. Up to our room, #217 and discover it’s got one bed, not the two we asked for. Back down to the desk, and they give us #401, the suite we were in for the 2 weeks before. We only need a bed for about 7 hours, but we’ll take it. Up we go, only to find that the key lights up the little green light, but the door won’t open. By this time, we’re really laughing!

She headed for help and returned with the night manager. He couldn’t make it work either. Back to the desk he goes and returns with another room key, around the corner. We got in, had 2 beds, and had another good laugh! Finally!

Tuesday morning was just fine… although the TV kept turning off, then on again all on it’s own……the flight back and return to La Paz was totally uneventful.
I went for a short walk in the pool, about 8-10 minutes worth and the laid down for the rest of the afternoon.

My knee felt good Wednesday morning when I got up. So I did some more time in the pool last night, about 30 minutes.

This morning my knee is telling me that between all the events of the past few days, and the new walking, that the time I did in the pool yesterday was probably a bit too much. It felt fine at the time and also last night.

I keep checking the 20-30 kg every time I walk into the bathroom by pressing my foot on the scale. I don’t feel that I’m overdoing it pressure wise, but maybe activity wise.

So, today, Thursday, I’ve had a quiet morning in the condo, writing and doing some reading. I’m off to meet some friends for a birthday lunch, after which I think I’ll return for another rest!
Finding that activity line – good vs bad is difficult!