Where In The World Are David & Leslie?

…Getting Ankle Surgery at Fundashon Mariadal Hospital

Location: Fundashon Mariadal Hospital, Kralendijk, Bonaire
Date: March 5, 2023
Leslie's surgeon showing us the latest x-ray of his handywork.

Its been a while since posting anything here and a lot has happened. The biggest event occurred just after diving Aquarius. Bonaire gets pretty windy and our windshield sunscreen cover had blown out of the truck. Not wanting to pollute the ocean, Leslie went after it. She was not running, but even a careful pace was not enough for stability on the coral debris beach and she slipped. Unfortunately, her foot decided to stay put while the rest of her body fell and she broke her ankle.

As we had no cell service, we flagged down a tour bus and the driver stopped, backed up on to the beach, called an ambulance and stayed with us until they came. The tourists got quite a story to tell and Leslie got some amazing drugs (Ketamine) while they reset her ankle for the trip to the hospital. A week and a half later, she had surgery that included five pins, one rod and two screws. The health care down here is very good for an island this small with a lot of Dutch doctors and medical personnel rotating in from the Netherlands.

Leslie selecting her new cast from an assortment of colors.
Leslie selecting her new cast from an assortment of colors.

Also impressive was the swatch of cast colors. Leslie went with the pink camouflage. While I have been diving with new friends, I do miss my dive buddy. Two and a half more weeks and she will get her cast off and start physical therapy. Just after that, its our first trip back to Chicago for a cancer check-up. With any luck she’ll be back in the water in about six to eight weeks.

Leslie showing off her new pink camo cast following ankle surgery.
Leslie showing off her new pink camo cast following ankle surgery.