Update from Bill, Sat 9 Dec:
Day 18 today and I thought I would give everyone an update. I've been in Mirabella now for a few days. Last night I had what is arguably the best sleep since the accident. They changed the methodology on delivering pain meds and no longer wait for me to wake up and complain before issuing the next dose. Instead they come in, wake me and have me take the next batch. I fall immediately back to sleep! It's really amazing to feel how that extra sleep changes the dynamics of healing.
When I woke to get ready for breakfast I felt as clear headed as I have in a long time. Breakfast was good, but I'd have turned my nose up at the cold biscuits and gravy if I were at Mama Jane's in The Dalles. Still tasted good though. Richard dropped by for a while and when he left Georgia and Lady went too. Georgia was shooting for the concert in Dufur and managed to time it just right, arriving just in time for her set.
Mom and dad came by before lunch and watched as I ate the Cobb salad and soup. That got them hungry, so they left for a local restaurant.
I spent some time working on the computer I use for invoicing, seems it didn't like something in a recent update and doesn't want to boot. It should be OK after a bit more work. It never rains but pours. 🙂
Afternoon was nap time, I probably got an extra 4 hours or so. Trying to get all the squishy bits to heal.
Pain has settled into dull aches in the foot, pressure sensitivity in the belly wound (getting shallower each dressing change), and the expected aches in the ribs and sternum. Now that those are settling down all the background noise is becoming more 'visible. Turns out that I have a bar across my back, directly behind where the seatbelt angled between shoulder and hip, that is one heck of a lot more noticeable than before. I've also got a lightly pulled tendon in my right wrist that complains when I stretch to reach something.
No PT today, I expect we'll be back at it on Monday. I've been getting better at sliding between the bed and a wheelchair but still need work on my endurance before daring to try it solo.
Digging through one of the police reports today gave us some info on the insurance status on the owner of the other car, which will help some in that I won't have to foot the whole bill on my own, but it's still liable to just be a drop in the bucket.
I now have actual followup appointments for both the trauma surgery on my belly and the ortho surgery on my foot. The belly stuff is very likely to be the gating factor as to when I might be able to go home for convalescence.
The next couple of months are going to go slower and slower, but the end is reachable. Just got to stick with it...
I'm pretty much ready for the new year. Heading home from skilled nursing today, hopefully at least partially back in the saddle tomorrow, there's a big stack of Cisco switches that need to be programmed. There's still a little swelling on the left foot but things seem to be progressing about as well as possible. I'm no longer using any dressings on the foot since all the gotcha areas are no longer weeping. Still using a dressing on the abdomen and I can change it myself though the itching is crazy causing... The wound just keeps on shrinking. Most of the remaining pain is from the ribs though it's getting less and less each day. I am hoping I'll be able to get completely off the oxy-codone over the next few days, I cut my dosage in half a couple of days ago and I'm still doing well. I've got a followup appointment with my regular doc on Friday and a followup on the orthopedic with imaging a week from Wednesday.
Hi Bill,
Great to hear you are mending well, and I am sure it will be a great feeling to be home which will help your recovery as well.
Picture of Trevor enjoying Xmas.
cheers
Peter
First day back home and it's been busy. Georgia came over at 8 this morning and we did the whole shower and get dressed thing. No longer as simple as it used to be! The transfers to and from the shower bench worked as expected especially after removing some of the extra parts to the wheelchair (leg rests) that allowed me to turn around while in the bathroom. Transfers to and from the car were likewise successful although it's a bit of a slog to get up the ramp to the parking area. I had a nice visit to the doctor, going over my new regimen. I've picked up new meds and given myself the latest injection (anticlotting). Had a nice lunch (Mexican) and have just now crawled back into bed to warm up for the afternoon.
I chose to go without the oxy overnight and this morning without undue discomfort, but decided just before lunch to get a dose in me. Moving and climbing around took enough out of me to make me decide medication for comfort has it's place. They sent me home with what looks like too big of a supply and I'll keep working to make sure it is too much. 🙂
I'm extremely grateful for the responce to the GoFundMe site, that money is going to be critical in determining whether I'll be doing a medical bankruptcy or just skating by with a bunch of debt. Since the driver at fault had no insurance I end up footing the bill myself, except for the portion that the uninsured motorist portion of my coverage allows (basically the cost of the ambulance ride). A lot of the medical side is handled by Medicare and since it's the end of the year it's covered by the catastrophic coverage section. Expenses incurred after the 1st are being used to fill my deductible for 2018.
So, the biggest financial hit is the 2018 portion of the medical, second is the cost of replacing my car, third the durable medical equipment not covered by Medicare (transfer board, wheelchair, commode and shower bench so far). I have a stack (literally 6" thick) of bills to go through before I truely understand where I sit, but it's a bunch better than it would be without the donations. Did I say "thank you" yet? 😉
Made a milestone today, so time for an update. 🙂 After eight weeks I was allowed to stand on my own legs today (albeit with my foot still in the boot)! They still won't let me take steps or dance the fandango, but it's still a big event. If all goes as scheduled I'll gradually put more and more weight on the leg until I can go without the boot while still putting full weight on the foot. That process is supposed to take about four weeks and once complete I'll be cleared for driving once more.
At which point I get to go car shopping. 🙂
Well, I'm typically not a Found On Road Dead type, but that bumper looks like it'd serve well to help keep flying debris from starring my windshield. Really just one step from a snow plow, and I betcha I could find one of those used for cheap...
This week I'm practicing walking with a walker (foot still in the boot), standing for balance with body twists and bends, and doing various exercises aimed at strengthening my leg. On Friday I've been promised beginning stairs. One of my milestones is to be able to deal with the two steps needed to get to the pool tables at Zim's Brau Haus. I'm betting on Saturday!
😉
