How to Fix a Broken Toe - Australia Style

Queensland, Australia

I had been scrambling for over an hour on rocks in my sandals, was finally back on the sandy beach, and kicked the one remaining rock on the beach with my big toe -- hard. I looked down. Yes. Things were unquestionably 'askew'. After an hour of hiking/hobbling back to my remote cabin, I called the nearest medical facility (6 hours drive away) and was advised by a nurse to ...

Nurse: "Just pull it!"

Me: Pause. [In all earnestness] "Are you kidding or serious?"

Nurse: [With light-hearted, enthusiastic energy] "No. It's probably just dislocated. Just do it quickly. It'll be over in just a second!"

Me: [With some concern] "But what if it's broken?"

Pause...

Nurse: "Did you do it yet?"

I have to say that this and numerous experiences in Australia led me to  the wonderful perception that the Aussies are a self-sufficient, handle it, take-it-in-stride kind of people. I genuinely enjoyed their approach to the inevitable little trials, and took it to heart as I continued on to the next part of my trip, a hiking adventure....with what an x-ray ultimately revealed to be a genuinely broken toe. No worries!

Comments

[Ajlouny]

I'm assuming you pulled it as she asked? That would have been the last remedy I would have thought to do.

[heida]

Hi Ajlouny,

I did not take her advice on that one, thankfully. I tried but it was far too painful. Since the bone was so badly broken, it's probably a good thing I didn't stress it further.

- Heida

[Jordan Sneakers]

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