Notes From the Orthopedic Surgery Waiting Room

33 days since I broke my fibula.

14 days since the surgeon put a plate and 5-6 screws in my leg to fix the unstable break.

Yesterday I went for my surgery follow-up appointment. The PA and I talked about how putting screws in bones was pretty much like hanging a flat-screen TV -- you better put the screw all the way into the other side of the bone or you're not sinking it into the stud. I stared at my X-rays in horror and fascination.

They took out the stitches. The skin puffed around them li...