you can probably ignore the parts about dope-testing...
here is some of the arsenal i've been using these last few days:
the hardest thing to get around is the cost. when i went to CVS on monday i was pretty intent on spending very little money. but what it comes down to is: "how much is my health worth, and how long am i willing to put up with this wound." in other words, if spending an extra $10 on dressings gets you back on the bike in a week rather than 2, isn't it worthwhile? non-stick "2nd skin" bandages cost a buck apiece, but they're what you NEED to heal. if it really grinds on you just shoplift them i guess.....of the 3 boxes left on the shelf when i got there 2 had been openened and were short a few pieces....
results:
OK, sure...it looks awful...but in all that nastiness is a lot of fresh tissue. the main issue yesterday and today has been extreme swelling from the fall....my elbow is still mobile but about the size of my biceps (ie: Massive!) unless i keep it on ice. but its gross enough looking that i've gotten out of work 3-4 hours early for 2 days in a row.....
unfortunately words cannot describe the pain and horror of digging the big-ass chunk of gravel out that i almost didn't notice because it was deep enough to not really be noticeable until i really went at it with the tweezers....i kept it as a trophy. i'll show you when you come to visit.
Medicine:
not my favorite, but its $2.99 for a sixpack and is 6.2%abv.....makes the overall healing process go by a lot smoother...and its called Simpler Times. i mean, how much more Norman Rockwell-esque can beer get???
