A pause in proceedings

Having had a nerve wracking experience at the Ecuadorian border where we thought we might not be allowed in, followed by a feeling of euphoria once we finally entered the country, we have found ourselves stationary. 

The reason: Rachel's thumb injury. 

She visited hospital in Colombia immediately after it happened and she had it checked twice more in hospitals as we moved through Colombia. However, it was clearly not healing and so she went to hospital in San Gabriel, the first town we stayed in in Ecuador. 

The doctors there discovered a deep seated infection and admitted her for 5 days of IV antibiotics. Following this, she will need to backtrack 40km to Tulcán where there is a bigger hospital with a hand trauma specialist. 

It turns out that the nail was cut at the base in the accident and there is a sharp edge on the cut nail digging in and preventing healing. 

We have no idea what the specialist will say and what the next stage of treatment will be. We will just have to wait and see. 

Whilst our cycling adventures have halted, we are in an adventure of South American healthcare. The hospital here is great and the treatment is free but the language barrier adds a challenge. 

I'm staying in a hostel and get to visit Rachel each day. San Gabriel is a Pueblo Magico and the other day I went to visit a local waterfall. 

It will be a few more days before Rachel gets to see the specialist. Once we have more news then we can begin to make plans for the next stage.