Kīlauea Erupting Again!

At around 9:15 this morning, fountains of lava were again present at the Kaluapele crater of Kīlauea volcano. Fountains of lava about 200 feet high were noted.

Other big news about this morning, I fell. It was my own fault. I was rushing to get out of the house for an appointment, so I just slipped on my boots after tucking the laces into them. A couple hours later I walked across the parking lot at Takata Store & stepped up on to the concrete sidewalk when 1 of the laces of my left boot snagged on 1 of the hooks on my right boot & down I went! My left knee & the heels of both hands hit the concrete, but nothing else; there were no scrapes or blood. They were sore but not any more than after having a fall. I did my shopping, then drove home. Which was interesting; certain activities would cause pain in my left hand. While unloading I noticed my left thumb starting to go numb. After putting the freezer & refrigerator things away I headed to the Kohala Hospital ER; all the while trying to figure out how I could get to the Leeward Planning Commission meeting tomorrow. If I was not able to make it, they would not have a quorum.

Just after I checked in, Corporation Counsel Suzanna called. I explained where I was; she asked me to call her as soon as I was done at the ER. 

Dr. Duke did a manual exam, X-rays were taken, & I was given 600 mg of ibuprofen. It turns out nothing was broken but I have a bad contusion. The inflammation of the contusion is pressing on nerves, causing the pain & numbness. I was given this really cool wrist splint, told to ice the area, & take ibuprofen as needed; I told RN Carolyn I usually do ibuprofen followed by acetaminophen 3 hours later, alternating them every 3 hours; then reassessing whether I need to continue with the meds when I wake up the next morning (after not taken anything while asleep). She said that is a very effective way to manage this level of pain.

It fastens with velcro so I can easily do it with my other hand.

The previous time I was in the ER was in 2023 when I tweaked my back turning over in bed, reinjuring a 25-year old weak spot where I had herniated a disc. At that time I got a prescriptions for diclofenac & hydrocodone which I filled & still have; I should not need them for this contusion. From this ER visit I got a cool wrist splint, affirmation that I am doing good in my pain management strategy, & information about my last tetanus shot (2017, so good for a few more years). I try to look for the positive aspects of less than enjoyable things that happen.

When I got back home I called Corporation Counsel Suzanna, told her thanks for the offer to pick me up & take me to Kona but with the wrist splint, I was able to drive fairly well. She insisted on checking in tomorrow morning just in case things got worse overnight. She said students in law school tend to do the ibuprofen-acetaminophen combo throughout school because classes are so hard on the body. Then we talked about what she was really calling me about when I was entering the ER!

And it turns out RN Carolyn lives about 1/2 mile down the hill from me & frequently walks up the hill past the house. She described Moʻo & said she seemed like a friendly dog. I told her to stop & say Hi! if she sees me out in the yard. 

When I got back home, I also had some photos from Tony & Taren. They were relaxing in Kona waiting for their return flight that leaves late tonight. They had ridden 36 miles to Huggo's in Kona from Spencer Beach Park where they spent their last night in Hawaiʻi. 

Tony (Photo by Taren)

Taren (Photo by Tony)

This morning the Roomba surprised me; I heard a noise on the other side of the wall near my bed. The Roomba had gotten past the boxes in the doorway of the guest bedroom! It was catching up on cleaning it had been unable to do since I had moved the boxes there a couple weeks ago. I must have jockeyed them around enough over the last few days so it had just enough room to get by.

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Randy!