Update on things learned so far

Hello, everyone.

This is a small update on things we have learned since the forced end of our walking this summer. Three lessons so far:

(1) Wet rocks are slick.
(2) There are more than one model of crutches. They are not functionally equivalent.

The crutches (muletas) the pharmacy in Spain had

 The Spanish crutches only go up to about the elbow. (I have no idea whether the more classic form below was also available. Maybe I should have butted in and asked the doctors to write a note describing the recommended model? but that might have yielded what we got anyway.) All of the patient's weight is on the hands. The cup like shape at the top, which is just above the elbow in use, is only to keep the crutch straight. DH found it extremely uncomfortable. Making them more so, the pharmacies had nothing like athletic tape or handlebar tape or tennis racket tape to pad that hand grip. It's just unadorned hard plastic.

Crutches from a pharmacy in Texas (more expensive but not high priced)

The Texas crutch is not unaltered--when DD2 got it from the pharmacy while we were flying in, she also got a package of "crutch pillows" which makes them more comfortable to use--the pillows are on the top where it goes under the armpit and on the hand grip. Not wonderful and great, y'all understand, but more comfortable. Also appears to me to be more stable as the torso is involved in bearing weight and steadying the stick with this model.

DH saw our own physician for his recommended 1 week followup and now he has a "boot." (This is a removable gadget, which comes in various types, to immobilize the foot or ankle. This one goes all the way up to the knee.) The boot is more comfortable than the previous splint and when he is allowed to begin putting weight on it, the rigid sole will also help.

The doc says that when everything is healed, DH will be able to walk on trails again.

(3) There will be a set of hiking poles for DH, as well as the set I use, when we resume our interrupted pilgrimage. You may not need them for 9/10 of your pilgrimage, but on the day you need them, they pay for themselves.