The Injury
Where to begin? If you follow our JM2Z Facebook page, then you will have found out by now that I (Yolanda) had a little bit of a tumble down a couple steps, which resulted in some painful injuries to both my feet. Thursday afternoon, I was helping Andrew bring some things into the house after he ran a few errands in town. When we were done, I made my way back into the house, where I had to step down two stairs from the driveway to the kitchen door. My foot slipped in my sandal and I tripped, whereby I immediately tumbled down the stairs and heard a clear snap with shooting pain up my foot to my knee. I immediately let out a cry and assumed I had broken my ankle. Andrew and I both assumed we would immediately go to a hospital for further care and he and Elizabeth helped me to the car. Unfortunately, I had terrible pain in my other foot (left) as well and even though my big toe and the one next to it were bloody, we assumed they were just a couple scrapes. Once in the car, Andrew made some calls to make sure we had the correct plan of action. We were able to contact a local nurse who said she would came to the house. Nevertheless, it was clear I would most likely not be going anywhere for the evening and so again needed help to get back into the house. So back down the set of stairs and into the closest room, which is our guest bedroom. I was in quite a bit of pain and struggling to reserve myself. I knew that going to the local hospital in town would be rather useless and frustrating. When the nurse arrived 45 minutes later, she did a quick assessment and assumed I had either broken my ankle or torn some ligaments. She was pretty certain, however, that I had broken my 2 toes on the other foot as well. She made a quick trip to a clinic and returned with a shot to help me sleep through the night and also brought a set of crutches. She wrote out a form for me to have x-rays in town the next day and assured me she would return in the morning with another shot so that I could handle the travel. We asked the nurse if we should have gone to the local hospital, which she immediately said no, it would not be worth it.
 Fractured big toe on left foot |  Sprained ankle on right foot |
The Diagnosis
We finally made it to our own room that evening, but not without needing to go up two more stairs. Andrew came up with the great idea of using our office chair which has wheels to push me around, which basically meant only to the restroom and back. The next day, we made our way to the x-ray department, where even the hospital has to send their patients, since their own equipment does not work. I would have preferred to take our small Spacio, as it is easier to get in and out of, but due to how bad the road is where the x-ray department is, we had to resort to taking the Hilux. I had some x-rays taken (after several attempts because the machine seemed to have problems). The radiologist told us that my right ankle was dislocated. When he said my toes were sprained, I asked a second time if the x-rays didn't show anything else wrong with my toes, because I couldn't even stand on the foot. He took a second look and said, actually yes, I have a fracture in the joint of my big toe. Below you can see the x-ray department where we went.
 Thankfully, there was only 1 small step on the other side of the building |  The waiting room was big enough for 5 people |
Afterward, Andrew and I decided the best course of action was to head through to Harare and seek medical help in order to realign my ankle and splint my toe. We packed a quick overnight bag just in case and took care of things at the house. We had several people working at the house for different purposes and needed to give instructions and sort out payment for the week. We finally got to Harare late Friday afternoon and went to a private hospital that has a trauma center. The hospital was very nice and Andrew went inside before I got out to make sure it looked equipped before we actually stayed (we had considered going elsewhere if needed). The staff was very friendly, very helpful and assisted us straight away. While waiting to be seen by the doctor, Andrew commented that inside looked better than 90% of the buildings he had been inside in Zimbabwe. It was then that we were grateful for our American medical insurance, which covers us in any country in the world as missionaries; a monthly expense which has always been hard to swallow, but that we were grateful for right now. The doctor took a look at the x-rays and said he agreed with the fractured toe diagnosis, but not with the dislocated ankle. So he called an orthopedic doctor for a second opinion. Anybody who knows me, knows that I do not like doctors, hospitals or anything else in the medical arena... I'll be the first to admit that I have a phobia in this area, so much so that I always have elevated blood pressure, even for a routine check-up, or as one Nigerian doctor told me in Lincoln, IL, I am worse than his 5 year old ;-)
The orthopedic surgeon assessed the x-rays and assured me that I do not have a dislocated ankle, but a very bad sprain, most likely both torn and stretched ligaments, but without an MRI he couldn't be sure about that. Since the course of treatments were the same, an MRI was not required. He did, however, make a nonchalant statement that due to the bad quality of the x-rays, at worst I may have a hair-line fracture. Nevertheless, he didn't seem too concerned with my ankle and insisted it was a tissue injury and not a bone injury. He gave me a compression sock to wear over the ankle. When he tried to put it on his hand slipped and he hit my fractured toe accidently. Needless to say, I let out a cry. Of course he was apologetic and insisted I finish putting on the sock. After dealing with the ankle, he seemed much more concerned with my left foot and my big toe. The second toe was merely sprained, but the large toe was certainly fractured. Because it was at the joint it would take longer to heal. He prescribed an ortho-boot, of which he gave us a number to call to purchase one, since the hospital did not have any available. After assessing the toes he realized I had several scrapes and open wounds. He was concerned that I could get an infection and prescribed a course of antibiotics in order to be proactive.
The orthopedic surgeon assessed the x-rays and assured me that I do not have a dislocated ankle, but a very bad sprain, most likely both torn and stretched ligaments, but without an MRI he couldn't be sure about that. Since the course of treatments were the same, an MRI was not required. He did, however, make a nonchalant statement that due to the bad quality of the x-rays, at worst I may have a hair-line fracture. Nevertheless, he didn't seem too concerned with my ankle and insisted it was a tissue injury and not a bone injury. He gave me a compression sock to wear over the ankle. When he tried to put it on his hand slipped and he hit my fractured toe accidently. Needless to say, I let out a cry. Of course he was apologetic and insisted I finish putting on the sock. After dealing with the ankle, he seemed much more concerned with my left foot and my big toe. The second toe was merely sprained, but the large toe was certainly fractured. Because it was at the joint it would take longer to heal. He prescribed an ortho-boot, of which he gave us a number to call to purchase one, since the hospital did not have any available. After assessing the toes he realized I had several scrapes and open wounds. He was concerned that I could get an infection and prescribed a course of antibiotics in order to be proactive.
We did call the number after 6:00 pm on a Friday, not hopeful we would get anyone. However, someone answered and said they would bring the boot to the hospital. I sat in the lobby, drinking a cup of coffee (I was very hungry at this point) while Andrew ran around from the front desk, the trauma center and the pharmacy in order to sort out prescriptions, paperwork and payments. A nurse showed up from a different hospital with a brand new boot. She fitted me with it and promptly took our $120 for it (yes, we got a receipt). The ortho doctor made an appointment to see me again on Wednesday. He requested new x-rays to be taken (at the hospital, with better equipment for better quality). He also wants to make sure the toe bone does not move. His concern is that if it does move, surgery will be necessary and he'll have to place my toe with needles and pins. Needless to say, I am rather concerned about that and am praying earnestly that there will be no bone movement whatsoever.
We returned home late Friday night. We generally do not drive after dark on the road between the capital and Chinhoyi, but we felt it better to be in our own surroundings, than in someone else's home in the state that I was. At present, I am yet to walk with crutches by myself for very far. I lack both balance and the ability of a full foot in order to actually make use of the crutches (being a gymnast would come in helpful at such a time.... if only I had worked on my upper body strength. Unfortunately, it was never a requirement at Bible college). Andrew has been amazing, serving me, bringing me liquids, my medicines and anything else I need. I'm not quite sure how I would be doing this alone.
 The hospital beds were really good compared to what we had imagined |  Yolanda's "private room" |
The Takeaway
The last few days I've stayed in bed, except for when I need the restroom. I've been doing a lot of elevating and icing to help with the swelling. This has been an extremely difficult time for me, not because of the pain (even though it's worse than I could imagine), not because of lack of medical assistance right here in Chinhoyi (we had to drive an hour and 45 minutes to get to the trauma center), not because the costs all add up (we're in the wrong line of work in order to be rich), not because of my silly fear of doctors and still uncertainties, no, the real reason is because of my own independence. I'm used to being the carer, not the other way around. My fierce independence has always been a strength of mine, especially when I was single. However, God continues to teach me how we were never created to be hermits, but rather interdependent on one another. He continues to shine through my weakness and my vulnerability, something I continue to deal with in my life. The beauty of marriage, thankfully, is the sacrificial love and service of one spouse to another. Not being able to stand up by myself or even just go to the restroom by myself has been very difficult. Again, God shows His love for me, through my husband. I will admit that the emotional aspect of all of this has been the hardest on me. The frustration of not being able to do things myself, the lack of mobility and the need to have someone else get and do most things for me has been the most humbling lesson of all.
I believe God brings necessary times of rest into our lives. No, I don't think God caused my fall, but He certainly allowed it and although I can't say at this point that I'm at all grateful for it, I can admit that my weakness has allowed my husband to shine and my Lord to teach me continued lessons on patience. Yes, I am strong, but He is even stronger within my weakness. Although my injuries are rather minor overall, the recovery is long - no driving, no heels, no walking and guaranteed pain. Therefore, I choose to spend the next week (most likely longer) resting, recovering and spending time with the Lover of my soul, truly plugged into His Word, not for a lesson plan or a devotional, but merely to bask in His glory and fill my heart and mind with His truth.
Yes, we have lots to tell about the ladies, their knitting and spiritual growth, Rugare and his brothers, Western and Elizabeth, projects we are planning and much more, but for today I decided to remind you that we missionaries are flawed, fragile and even fearful at times. Thank you for partnering with us, because you don't just partner with JM2Z, you partner with Yolanda and Andrew; real people, with real stories and real struggles. May my transparency encourage you in whatever situation you find yourself in today - be it big or small. Know that today His "grace is sufficient for you (and me), for His power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses..... For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-11
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