My visit to NY Bellevue ER May 22, 2011

I tripped and fell flat on my face on the street in NY Sat while at NYCC and dislocated my right shoulder. Missed the Cocktail Party and had my party at Bellevue ER for the next 12 hours. If you must get injured in NY (and please avoid a dislocated shoulder at all costs, never had such pain in my life) Bellevue is the place to go. They took very good care of me, besides the Doctors very good looking. Took 3 tries to put my arm back in place. Last time I had to be put under as just could not stand the pain anymore, although they did give me Morphine (which I dislike a lot). Was released at 6am Sun morning still in groggy condition and walked a block to get a cab to the Con center where some of the girls were staying.

Called Colleen, my roommate, who bless her heart was with me when I fell and went way out of her way to help me. Wanted to go to ER with me, but I saw no reason for her to miss the Cocktail Party too. I also told her to go back to the hotel in NJ as I didn’t know when I would get out of the ER and I would take a cab there if I had to.

As it was, since it was 6am, I went to the Hotel where the Con was and called her from there to bring me at least a change of underwear and jeans, my medicine and toothbrush and paste. Could not even think of trying to change my shirt. I went to the little shop and got a coffee, which I could not drink much of, but hoped it would perk me up a little. Then sat in the lobby and slept until Colleen arrived. She walked to McDonald’s and got me something to eat as I hadn’t had anything since noon Sat and got me a bottle of water and helped me change clothes and freshen up a little. I was going to attend the Seminar and go on the NY tour, no matter what. I paid for them and was by god going. Still very doped up.


Colleen took a picture of me with arm in sling, waiting to board Tour Bus.

Enjoyed the Seminar very much, although I almost zonked out a couple of times. Damned drugs sure take a long time to go away. We had originally planned to go by Subway to the Tour location but took a Cab instead. Only cost $10. The Tour was very good, well worth the money but I never left the van at the stops. Had extremely interesting conversations with the driver, Tony, while everyone else was gone. About politics, news coverage, our lives, gay rights (we are both very liberal), I think that was probably better than seeing sites off the bus.

I had several interesting, intelligent conversations with various people while in NY (most were with black or gay or both guys). Worth the trip just for those times. I had a very long, interesting conversation with Steve in the Lobby while waiting for James. He is just such a super guy, love him a lot. James was really up this weekend, so must have been like herding cats for Steve. I like James no matter what mood he is in and have never had a bad time at any event I have attended.

By this time I had taken off the sling as I just could not function without my right arm. Lots of pain but I was really careful about using it. Cab to Penn Station and Train to Newark Airport, Airtrain to Shuttle pick-up. 10pm by time we got back to Hotel. Shuttle driver offered to drop us off at a nearby Diner and pick us up later since Perkins next door was closed but we decided to order Pizza delivered to room.

Got to bed at 12am and had to get up at 4am to catch plane. Asked for wheelchair service at Airport and sure glad I did. Would not have made it otherwise.

Since this is mostly about me, me, me, I will write a report about the Con later when I am feeling better and post what few picture I have.

Sure wish I had a Recliner now, as it is very hard and painful to get in and out of bed.