Life Changing Times

…..for a very long time

Due to my lack of, and/or non functioning remaining body parts, wherever I travel I have to find good fixing people. Yes, that is the technical term.

Here in Zambia I found a great, hands on, physio. Who referred me to an equally hands on x-ray technician. I feel the two roles are quite distinct and do not require the same level of touching, but it appears I am mistaken

‘Your hip and surrounding areas are extremely tight and restricting movement’. No shit, I’m in constant pain. ‘Before I treat it further, please get an x-ray to make sure the hip replacement hasn’t displaced’ Excellent advice.

So off I trot on Saturday afternoon to dutifully get my x-ray. I arrive at the place where the large sliding door is almost shut, I manage to stick my head through and ask the gentleman if it’s open.

It was and off we went to a small, dingy room with a metal table and a small x-ray above it. I lie down and then he starts positioning me – more like I’m a corpse than a living, breathing human.

Grabs my shoulders to move me around, then my legs, then prods my hip bones followed by pubic bone prodding. Then the light goes off followed by more manhandling and prodding.

At no point was it creepy – I can pick up creepy male vibes from 100 feet away – it was practical and completely objective. Which is why I had to stifle my laughter at the ridiculousness of it.

Can you imagine that happening in the US or the U.K.?? No words, no permission requested, a male technician alone in a small room with a female patient – he’d be sued to within an inch of his life.

This happened in the same way 5 more times. We even had me sideways with my legs splayed. Twice. Me repressing my laughter each time.

On the very big plus side, my fake hip is fine and sitting exactly how it should. Hence my 16 mile walk yesterday, with a few more to come.