I should have fed the cows!

We started yesterday's bike ride feeding the stray street cows. It is believed doing so brings good luck. So, the first stop of our bike trip was to feed some cows and bring us good luck.

This morning, we had to be at the airport at 4 am to catch our flight to Katmandu, Nepal. It was a quiet, warm, calm morning.

We arrived at the Delhi Airport, and it was already crazy busy this early in the morning. While at the airline counter, we had to check in our carry-on bags, so I had to take my camera and batteries out of the suitcase.

To do so,  I placed my purse on the counter, and in a second the entire counter came down smashing my finger between it and the counters edge. The pain was intense but not as intense as the look on my face and the airline clerks face when we looked at my magled, broken finger.

Perhaps in a bit of of stock, but mostly just denial, while on my way to the first aid room, I said I've got to get to Katmandu, just bandage me up and I'll fix it there!

Of course that's not an option.  They cleaned my wound and the Dr came to take a look. They have to send me to the hospital.

While the Dr was doing the surmountable amount of paper work, I had visions of being sent to the cheapest busiest low quality hospital around. I tried to sound light hearted and said, "you're taking me to a good hospital right!"

Once the paperwork was done, I was taken by ambulance for my trip to what I hope is a good hospital.  While arriving at the hospital Norm noticed a sign touting they are among the top five hospitals in the world. I hope that's the case.

While in emergency they took me for xrays and the surgeon came to say they may have to amputate at the knuckle. I asked her to do what she could to avoid it.  She sent me back for another xray, returned and said they could maybe save the end but I might need a second surgery at home. I had to sign a waiver though allowing them to amputate should they need to.

Later a second surgeon came and said they will try to keep it, but my skin was pretty messed up so I might need a skin graft as well.

Thankfully, they got me into surgery around 4 pm.  There were two surgeons and 8 to 10 other people in the operating room.  A couple hours later I woke up, feeling relieved I could see my finger nail below the mound of bandages.

While in the hospital the airline company had someone stay with us the entire time. They also made sure we had tickets to fly out whenever we wanted.
The next morning at the ticket counter, the manager and a bunch of staff greeted us. They gave me a card a staff member made herself,  they gave us seats without someone beside us, and had us board the plane with zone 1. Indigo Air was very concerned, sympathetic and attentive. They said the airport authorities will contact me as it was their infrastructure that failed.

Thankfully G Adventures is amazing. They organized our new pick up time at the airport, and drove us to meet our group who were touring Katmandu. We only missed the previous day and the first-morning tour. The trip continues, but maybe if I fed some cows on the way to the airport, things would be different.

Cleaning wound at the airport

Ambulance ride to the hospital

Surgery done, I have a full finger!