Staying in Budapest

The hospital had said to have the bandage changed and the drain removed in 2-3 days. We’d planned on Sunday , but my leg was swelling in the too-tight bandage and there was some blood seepage, so we made an appointment at a clinic, but couldn’t get in until the afternoon.

In the meantime, we had a short driving tour by Eszter and Lasse to see the chain bridge, the castle + funicular and the Shoes on the Danube Memorial. This latter is to honour the Jews who were ordered to take off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies fell into the river and were carried away. It represents their shoes left behind on the bank. Very moving.

Eszter and I sat on a bench at each spot while Steve and Lasse took pictures.

So then, the clinic. Very nice and professional. No waiting since we had an appointment. The doc cut off the bandage and was very worried. He’s left the drain in and started me on antibiotics. He’s worried about the infection, which was hidden by the hospital bandage and said the bandage was so tight it cut off the blood flow which reduces healing. I have to go to the clinic every day until flying home. We’ve booked into a nice apartment hotel because I just could do the steps at Eszter’s (of course she had offered to let us stay with her). The hotel is downtown and close to the clinic and walking distance to groceries and pharmacies, so Steve will be able to keep me fed, while I lie or sit in bed and do nothing.

We will no longer be going to Bratislava or Vienna and will have to change our flight to go out of Budapest. The doc thinks I’ll be able to fly home, as planned on Saturday, but says it will have to be 1st class so I can keep my leg elevated. He is worried about the infection and a chance that I could lose my leg if the infection doesn’t get better, so not taking any chances.i feel like I am in good care.

Eszter and Lasse are coming for lunch and a visit before taking me to the clinic at 4.