December 25, 2004

• Cathy's Break ...

  Her Left Hand

  Cathy has been working at the Robinsons-May store in Bonita Mall lately. Today she stepped on a promotional gift box that had been dropped behind the counter and fell hard on her left hand on top of the glass display case, cutting the back of her hand. It rapidly became apparent that more was wrong than a cut on the hand since her wrist and fingers continued to swell despite being treated with ice.

  Cathy managed to drive home one-handed. Once she got home, I drove her to the Ready Care center at Grossmont Hospital, the only one we found open (two other industrial accident centers / Ready Care centers were closed and we decided not to check a third). Most Ready Care centers are only open during regular working hours, 8:00 to 17:00 on Monday through Friday but this one was open 8:00 to 20:00 seven days a week. We arrived shortly after 17:00 and Cathy was seen promptly.

  At least one bone in the hand itself is broken. Her treatment required x-rays and a short cast, so it took a while. Delia left her job about an hour earlier than she told me she would, at about 17:30, so we were not home when she got there. Delia's first reaction was to come to the hospital, a pointless gesture because we were almost done there.

  Cathy didn't have to pay at the Ready Care because it was a third party claim that the store should pay. The doctors advised her to get a lawyer and go after the store for lost pay, too.

  I suggested she heat dinner for us (a ham I had picked up with a few simple fixings), but she said she was too tired for that and made a counter-suggestion, that we eat out. I let her hash it out with Cathy as we set off to find a pharmacy that was open to fill the prescriptions she had been given.

  Apparently the only open pharmacy in San Diego East County is the Save-On at Navajo and Fletcher Parkway, between La Mesa and El Cajon, a 24/7 operation. Armed with antibiotic pills and ointments and pain killers, we headed home, still discussing with Delia by phone where we might eat.

  At home we switched from Cathy's Altima to my Malibu and, with Delia, started out for Marie Calendar's. But Cathy wanted to make a detour on the way back, out to Spring Valley to drop off a DVD and Christmas present for Wendy, the manager of the Spring Valley Blockbuster. Then, in a flash of brilliance, Delia asked if there wasn't a restaurant near Wendy's Blockbuster ... and we wound up going to TGI Friday's, the first time I've been there (Cathy and Delia have both been in the place repeatedly but never before together). The restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived but began to fill later.

  I ordered potstickers for an appetizer for the table and garlic chicken for myself; Cathy got broccoli soup and wings of fire; and Delia got the Jack Daniels beefsteak, a thick cut which she ordered well done. Delia was very unhappy with her choice due to the excessively sweet sauce and the overcooked meat. Cathy discovered that she really needed both hands for her meal and made a bit of a mess. I'm the only one who enjoyed the meal completely. By the end of the meal, Cathy was in considerable pain. Shortly after popping a pill, she was drowsy.

  Cathy and Wendy exchanged their presents and we headed home. Wendy gave Cathy a DVD (naturally) and some other neat stuff. I have no idea what Cathy gave Wendy but it made her happy, whatever it was.

  • 03:03
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