The Surgeon as the Patient

Dinko ready to lift me onto the plane.

Dinko and Peter, Tamale Teaching Hospital nurse and doctor, took me to Accra. It was Dinko first flight.

My sons,Jim and John, helping me into our house on arrival home.

Cast after the second operation.

Sorry to say it has been an exciting few months. After returning to Tamale Teaching Hospital in January, 2022, I fractured my right leg by falling into an unprotected construction pit as I was walking home after finishing ear surgery at 7 pm on March 1st. My colleagues operated on me the next day, but they were not totally happy with the alignment. Since I was already scheduled to accompany my wife back to the USA in a few days, we thought it best to obtain a second opinion. The return trip home was difficult. The safety officer for Africa World Airlines was not going to allow me to board the small aircraft to Accra until my colleague, Dr. Adjeso, who conveniently happened to be his relative, persuaded him. Upon our arrival in Accra, the next leg for our Delta flight to New York was delayed overnight, but we finally arrived safely in the U.S. on March 6th. The orthopedic surgeon in New York agreed that the alignment should be improved upon and the reconstructive surgery was performed on March 14th. I am participating in daily physical therapy and now able to walk using a cane. The wound has healed and the pain is much reduced. My return to Tamale depends on the ability to heal further. My wife’s friend told her to break my other leg in order to keep me home, but the desire to get back to work is strong.

                                          

My fractured left tibia and fibula with titanium rod.

Iddi visiting me in Tamale Teaching Hospital. He pulled me out of the unprotected, construction hole.