Wound Doctor

I had an appointment with the wound care specialist this afternoon for further treatment on the incision. The open spots are starting to heal & show no signs of infection. Looks like another 6 - 8 weeks until they are completely healed. I think I'm a fast healer so I'm thinking 6 weeks or less.... The treatment includes a lot of probing and scraping, especially on the belly button spot. But they do deaden it so I feel discomfort rather than pain when the Doc is performing the treatment.

Duaine

Nurse Connie!!!

Connie has been tending to the open spots (they look gross!) on the incision since I last saw the wound care doctor & is doing a great job. The spot around the belly button has to be packed (don't ask for details - it's yucky) and all 3 spots must be medicated before being dressed..... We'll see what the wound care doctor says tomorrow but I bet he agrees that she's doing a good job..... Now I base my assessment on what she tells me because I have become a sissy. The whole process, especially the packing, is gross. So, how do I cope? I put my headphones on, hook them to the Ipod, crank up the volume, & go to my "happy place" with the Eagles, CCR, Rolling Stones, etc. Oh, I also cover my eyes so that I don't accidentally peek at the wrong time. Hey, don't laugh - it's my way of coping...... More tomorrow after I see the wound care doctor.

Duaine

Milestones

It's funny how things that I used to take for granted I now view as milestones in my recovery. And, interestingly some milestones are probably perceived as insignificant by many people. The past week (especially the weekend) saw several new milestones for me. For example;
- About a week ago I moved from a walker to a cane to assist my mobility.
- Last Thursday night we went out to eat with friends for Connie's birthday (my first time in public). The car ride & sitting in the chair caused me to be awake most of the night coping with pain but it was worth it. We have some terrific friends.
- Friday afternoon I walked out to the front yard and saw our neighbor Tom (two houses down) working in his front yard. I walked down and chatted with him for about 5 minutes before walking home and collapsing in my recliner exhausted but happy. My first venture out of my yard! & did a repeat on Sunday with the next door neighbor Buddy.
- I started walking to the bathroom and standing long enough to brush my teeth & shave. Takes a couple of chores off of Connie.
- Rode to the bank with Connie yesterday & happy to report that, although it's a short drive, I suffered more discomfort than real pain.

My milestones might seem ridiculous to many but to me they are signs of progress. I am coming to grips with the JPS doctor's estimate that it will take at least 6 months to recover. At the time, I just couldn't believe that it would take me so long to recover but now I am much more realistic about the recovery time. I'm happy to be alive and trending in the right direction!

The best things about my recovery are the visits & phone calls from friends and family so don't forget me!!!

Duaine

Another New Doctor - Grrrrrr

Today I saw the wound care specialist that my doctor referred me to. There are two spots on my incision that are not healing properly. One is basically on track but the other is a bigger problem. The Dr. is trying some treatment to see if it helps but he might have to open the wound up and clean it out - minor surgery. Anyway, he said to expect another 2 to 3 months to resolve the problem. Right now and for the near future at least it is weekly visits to the wound care center. Rats!

Duaine

New Doctor

I went to a private practice physician yesterday since I wanted to shorten the drive and the wait times necessary at JPS Hospital. Good decision! ..... Dr McGowen came highly recommended by some good friends and I was very pleased with the results. First, he is going to start weaning me from the heart medication. Neither he nor the JPS doctor can see any reason to continue the medication. At least Dr McGowen had a rational explanation for why they might have put me on the medication to begin with. Second, he has referred me to a wound care specialist to treat the two spots on my incision that are not healing properly. (I had asked the JPS doctor about that option and he refused to refer me)...... I continue to progress in my recovery. The ride in the car was less painful than before. Also, I finally feel that I am starting to regain some strength and am managing the pain more effectively. Still have a long way to go but I'm going in the right direction.

Duaine

Update on Connie

Connie had a Dr visit yesterday & they took the cast off of her hand - yea! ..... She has a little weakness and soreness in the hand from lack of use but it should recover soon with a little therapy / exercise. She bought a brace to wear part time until the hand fully recovers which seems to help..... So, she is pretty much recovered from the accident. We are both thankful for her recovery and look forward to her being completely back to normal soon.

Duaine

Doctor Visit

I spent 3+ hours yesterday waiting for my 15 minutes with the doctor. What a pain in the neck! He did indicate that my recovery is progressing okay although he will not give a projection of when he expects me to be fully recovered or to resume my normal routine. It has to do with the severity of the injuries and he said that makes it difficult plus he said internal injuries are the most difficult recovery to predict...... The lead trauma surgeon did tell Connie last week that he was amazed that I survived & that my injuries were the worst "blunt force trauma" that he had seen anyone survive. Makes me feel tough - at least until the pain hits again..... At least I am still here and my recovery is progressing although much too slow for me.

Duaine

Bored but Better

Well, I am feeling well enough to do my own post, but it's getting very boring being confined. However, I am slowly getting better & am getting out of the recliner to walk around the house and yard a little more. Still have a ways to go but I'm optimistic. Only one complication in my recovery & that is a couple of spots on the incision that are not healing. I have a Dr appt tomorrow so we'll see what he has to say....Connie is doing well slowed only by the cast on her hand. She has a Dr appt Thursday & we're hopeful that the hand has healed enough to remove the cast.

The real positive out of this life changing event has been the prayers, support, and help from our wonderful family, friends, and neighbors (they are like our extended family). I know that the prayers had a big part in pulling me through because I certainly don't merit another chance on my own. I really enjoy the visits and phone calls so feel free to stop by or call. And stay tuned for an update from the Doctor visits.

Afternoon Fun...

Yesterday Kyle had to work a full day and with the kids having been sick I let him decide whether or not we would go for the Saturday afternoon visit with Gran and Papa, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Shawn, Austin, Alex and Gage. When Kyle got home when he called Papa I believe the phone call went a little like this, "Hey, how are you doing today?" "I am bored, get over here". SO, Kyle got all pertied up and we piled in the car to play with Gran, Papa and family. It was well worth it, everyone had fun and it seemed to do good for everyone's spirits. Uncle Doug and Aunt Debbie came by too and we enjoyed getting to visit with them also.

Afternoon Visit...

The kids and I took Gran and Papa lunch today. He actually let me bring him something to eat!
It was cute because he had a kids meal from Whataburger just like the kids! They each got a burger , fries and a toy! Of course Papa happily gave the twins his.
He said his appetite is coming back slowly.In fact he woke up hungry at 2am but Mom was asleep!
Mom changed his bandages after lunch.Good thing it was after or I might not have been able to eat! If you have yet to see his stomach let me tell you it sure is a sight! But not for the weak!
Before we left Papa walked out to the back yard and watched the kids play.
It was a nice afternoon and so good to see Dad looking more like himself.
I don't even want to think what we would do without him. Its hard to believe that we came so close to losing him just a month ago.
Remember Dad loves visitors! Just a subtle suggestion!
Kelly

All's quiet over there

We sure missed Papa and Gran at Mandy's birthday party, but it's nice to know that he was home recovering so he can make it to the birthday party next month. We're supportive of the "take-it-easy" recovery.

Last week when Dad went to his follow-up appointment, he was queasy during the car ride. However, this weekend Mom and Dad went for a car ride around Arlington and Mansfield, and I heard he did pretty well. He's even feeling well enough to have a Whataburger!!!

He sure enjoys all of the phone calls, emails, and visits. Have we said that before???

Dr. visit

Dad had his first follow-up appointment this morning. They took the staples and stiches out of his belly, which has got to make him feel better. The dr. finally refilled his pain meds (thank you dr.) and said he's healing up very well. We choose to think the phone calls, emails, visits, and grandkiddos have a lot to do with it!

Walker?....OR....Jungle Gym?!

Papa gave us permission to put these pictures on the blog so that he could show how much the grandkids are "helping". But it sure was fun, who need a park? We took a chocolate cake with fudge icing up for after Mandy's birthday dinner....Papa loves chocolate. This was the only time she will get cake without eating much her dinner! Papa talked his physical therapist out of coming back, they both think he is moving along so well that he should save his money. He is making about two trips a day to the mailbox depending on weather. He got up and walked around quite a bit while we were there, he can even keep up with Gran moving down the hall these days. He was telling stories from what he remembered at the hospital and all had a great visit.