Advertisement
Published: November 4th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Thailand Crew!
Finally together. So I've heard some amazing stories from this island, the location of the infamous and world famous Full Moon parties. And to continue its legends, I became part of its history.
I'll start off with my accident. My hand almost got chopped off by the most evil fan in the world. But thanks to my huge strong bones and some luck, I came out on top. It started out as a great day, it was Halloween and I had just played several hours of beach volleyball and was loving the beach. I returned back to our bungalows for a well-deserved shower, followed by a change of clothes for our night on the beach, which is where all the partying occurs. I was putting on my new party shirt; in goes the right arm, in goes the left.....WHACK! The stupid fans here are so low, combined with the fact that I'm so tall, we met halfway in a clash of war. On full speed, the old metal fan cut me down to the bone. The velocity of impact drove years of accumulated dust in addition to some rust, into the flesh and bone of my wrist. Without too much blood after
Thailand's first fan foulplay victim.
After paying 50,000 baht to get this surgery, I sure hope everything heals well. impact, I ran over to the boys who were eating dinner, and laid my hand down on the table, "guys, I think I need to go to the hospital." We used some saline and gauze bandages temporarily before the hospital got a hold of me.
Jason and I walked only a few blocks to an emergency doctor who was surprised to hear my story, but nevertheless was glad to help us out - at an astronomical 50,000 baht. $1,500 dollars is a lot for 10 stitches and some materials, but I was in no position to argue and I knew I had very good travellers insurance. He had trouble cleaning the wound as the dirt was fused to my skin/bone/"meat." After the minor surgery was done, he hooked me up to an IV into which he injected a half dozen antibiotics - crucial for the dirtiness of the wound. I also got a fresh tetanus shot, just to make sure the rust didn't get the better of me. The clinic put me up in the Bayshore for the night as I was to have 4 more injections every few hours during the night. By the next day I had
Lush limbo
After doing well on the first few rounds, I demanded a handicap once we were into the final few people - they agreed as I clearly had no chance at the given height. received about 20 injections and was feeling quite drugged up, but mentally I was strong as I figured nothing bad could have survived those antibiotics. I was put on a regimen of many multicoloured pills, 4 times a day, for about a week. I have been returning to the clinic every day to get my dressings replaced and the stitches kept clean. I also got another antibiotic shot in the butt - my first - which resulted in a lot of pain in my rear. I was quite lucky in fact, the doctor thought my bone should be broken, but my Lushiousness proved victorious.
I've been keeping it pretty low key since the incident, we moved bungalows to a more chillin, cleaner resort called Top Hill (at the top of the hill overlooking the bay) where we have all been taking it easy. So far it has been healing quite well, so that's good.
The days before and after have consisted of hanging out on the beach, eating tons of great food, playing some great beach volleyball (before), lots of swimming, and meeting sooo many cool people from all over the world. The most people here are Israeli, followed by a tie between Canadians and Swedes, and then quite an array of other nationalities.
The weather has been moderate, November is the rainiest month of the year in this part of Thailand, but it's still very warm and we haven't had to sleep with any kind of blankets as of yet.
Jordan (my cousin) and Randy and Adrian came to the island yesterday (3rd) which makes our group 7 now. Quite a loud and obnoxious group of Canadians.
Tonight we're going to watch some championship Muay Thai boxing, some heavier fighters this time and not all Thais.
Due to our laziness, and my recent injury, we haven't left the area of Haad Rin, (the long beach peninsula at which the full moon parties are held) but we plan to do some exploring in the next bit. Tomorrow is the full moon party, and that should be tons of fun, though I'll have to be careful not to mess up my new hand.
I'll put up another blog before we leave the island, I'll go and take some pictures of the beach and some of the partying for everyone's enjoyment.
I hope everyone at home is safe! Send me an e-mail because I'd love to hear from all of you! (jlush@interchange.ubc.ca - I rarely check my other addresses)
Advertisement
Tot: 0.091s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 9; qc: 61; dbt: 0.0657s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Emily
non-member comment
lots going on there it seems!
First of all, oh my god!! I hope you hand/wrist is ok. What a terrible thing to have happen so early on your travels. I can't believe how expensive it was but obviously with all the care and precautions they are taking it sounds like it's worth what you are paying. Good thing you are there for a while so you don't have to feel guilty taking time to relax and recover. What a gong show all you guys must be around there! Did you win anything at limbo?