The real problem was, we had a long walk to get back to where we were parked. It was a huge struggle because the pain was excruciating. I could only take a few steps before I had to rest for fear of passing out. I fell on the knee that I hurt badly in a cycling accident in 2007, and it has been extra sensitive since. I split it open right over an existing scar.
John & I struggled to the lower parking area. People were so nice - many could see there was a problem and stopped to ask if I was OK or needed help. I had offers of kleenex and other things. When we got to the lower lot I sat on a bench and John ran up to the upper parking area to bring the car down. He stopped at the visitors' area to see if they had a first aid station, which they do. He warned them we'd be coming in as soon as he could get me.
The people sitting next to me on the bench were a bit horrified by the cut when I finally had the courage to look at it. I have to admit I was alarmed too!
John texted to say he had the car and was coming to get me so I moved from the bench toward the parking area. I didn't know a man had been watching me. He jumped up from where he sitting and helped me over to the rock seat he found. John then got me into the car - not easy as my leg was unbearably painful at that point.
He got me to the visitors' centre then went to park. I asked for the first aid person. She was amazing. She cleaned it all up and made some little butterfly bandages to keep the wound together. She made me sit for a half hour because it was still bleeding. Once I was able to leave we decided I needed to go to the hospital in case something was broken. I couldn't bend the leg without crying in pain.
Fortunately there is a hospital in Selfoss, Heilbrigdisstofnun Sudurlands. It was VERY expensive for me to be seen, but we didn't know what else to do. I should probably have waited until the next day, but we were leaving Selfoss in the morning. The nurse cleaned it out again, and put new tape on it. It didn't need stitches thankfully. They had to call the x-ray technician in as it was a Sunday. She took a bunch of x-rays, none of which showed any fractures.
However, my leg was so painful that walking was challenging, so on the way out of Selfoss we stopped at a store for me to get a cane. That made a huge difference. It was still painful but at least I could get around more safely.
This is what my knee looks like a little over a week later. The bruising & swelling are still there, as is the soreness. Sometimes my kneecap feels like it's going to split in half. I can go upstairs slowly, but not down at all.
The problem is I developed a blood clot in that leg. We don't know if it's from the injury, the travel, because I've had one before, or some combination of all of those, but I will be on blood thinners for several months. It was worth it though! And on the bright side, I didn't ruin the pants I was wearing! There is no hole, and the bloodstains came out. I'm happy because I really like those pants.
This beautiful wall hanging was in the waiting room. I assumed it was a quilt but then realized it was hand knit. Gorgeous! I was going to take a picture of the description but it was only in Icelandic.
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