Captain's Log

April 17, 2003

Hello All,

I have just had a consultation with the Clipper Ventures medical referral system, which put me in touch with an Emergency Room and a then a Doctor.

What prompted my call was a disturbing incident this morning where I was on deck doing a scan of the horizon and thought I would give my ribs a feel to see how they were. After pushing each rib, one gave a sharp pain. I then went down below a few minutes later was enveloped with nausea, cold sweats and nearly passed out. This was not a good feeling when in the middle of the ocean alone.

After speaking with Dr. Ferguson we have decided that I have one fractured rib, maybe two; however, it is not in danger of puncturing a lung as if this was too occur the symptoms would have already shown themselves. As today at noon Bda. time will be 48 hours since the collision with the whales. I will be calling ion again in 5 hours to assure no more episodes of nausea etc, which we believe were associated with pain and the fact that I have been taking Ibuprofen on an empty stomach.

What do I have to look forward to for the rest of the leg ?? It takes 10 weeks for a cracked rib to heal fully so the answer is that I will be in some pain until arrival in Newport. This will just have to be managed like any other problem on board, one step at a time. For the next few days the winds appear light, which will be good for my recovery and to allow the swelling to subside. Ever tried sailing without using your torso ?? just not possible, so I will take the pain killers, a new experience for me and keep sailing towards Newport.

Alan
BTC Velocity