Leaving, on a jet plane...

[Dedicated_Dad]

Well.... Today's been an interesting* day...

He had to go back to see the plastic surgeon today - it was the first time he's actually seen his leg. It's BAD.

The skin-graft is HUGE. He's got the expected large ugly straight scar on the medial (inner) side, but the graft is basically on the front-outer side of his shin, and a fair bit larger than my hand with fingers together. It's still swollen to a surprising degree - considering the injury happened on the 9th - and this makes the graft seem even uglier... The best way I know to describe the situation is that medically speaking, I don't think it could look any better, but cosmetically speaking it's hard to imagine how it could look a lot worse.

I vividly remember the first time I saw my leg post-accident/post-fasciotomy/post-graft, and seeing the evidence of the same sort of emotions on his face caused me to need to leave the room for a minute... Needless to say, he took it pretty hard. Honestly, even typing this is hard - sometimes it seems odd how much I love this [strike]boy[/strike] man that was almost a teen - and frankly such a spoiled little @$$ - when I met him. If you'd told me 10 years ago - in the midst of our worst period - that he'd grow to be THIS man, and that I'd feel so much pride, and love him this much, I'd probably have laughed out loud. Somehow it was harder watching him go through that than anything thus far.

On the other hand, it's now clear to him just how badly he's actually hurt himself. He's now much more serious about proper precautions, much more inclined to keep it elevated as he should, much less likely to try to pretend "it's just a flesh-wound." I've been worried because "he just doesn't GET it" and now I almost wish he didn't...

OTOH, he's also showing determination to care for himself. When we got home, he got in his wheelchair (the one he gave me 9 kinds of fit over getting in the first place) and insisted on fixing his own snack, learning how to maneuver and manage in a seated position. He also asked me to "spot" him (for safety) on the stairs - instead of rolling his eyes as he'd done previously. Though it may SOUND like he's resigning himself, the actual effect is much more positive - he now seems to understand that he's really quite seriously injured, but is demonstrating determination to beat it and keep on keeping on... This is a very different thing than the sort of cocksure, cavalier attitude he'd demonstrated before, and I believe actually is a positive development.

The other concern is that he has a pressure-sore on the top side of his foot. All the medical-folk seemed most concerned about this - they want me to check it several times per day, though I'm to only change the dressings on his graft and etc. once. Needless to say, I'm going to be keeping a close eye on this, and we'll be making a quick trip back to Balboa if I see any worsening at all...

Anyhow, that's pretty much my day. I've still got some errands to run, and will try to check in later...

Thanks again for all the prayers - this would be a good time to pray (or "think good thoughts") for his mind as well as his body...

DD

* ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times..."

[Frankingun]

His roommate is having ACL reconstruction in a week or so, they think they're going to care for each other, odds are good I'll have 2 patients...

If you're still here, I'd bet money you're going to have two patients in a bit.

Thanks for the update and glad to hear he's doing so well!

+ 1 to that!

DD, glad to hear things he's home. That should help him a lot. I'll keep you guys in my prayers. And definitely keep on him to do what the physical therapists tell him to do.

[Dedicated_Dad]

Rough night - he woke me up at about ~4:30 AM worried about pain in his foot that wouldn't go away. I looked and found another pressure sore, and what looks like another this AM on another spot. This "boot" they've got him in is clearly a problem.

We called the plastics gal this AM, and she's working on the Ortho folk - we're awaiting callback as I type. I expect to be told to bring him back in later so they can figure out another option - this is just not working... OTOH, they may just tell him to wear the boot when he's up and moving around, and take it off when he's settled on the couch or in bed - seems to me that's a pretty good compromise that wouldn't risk further pressure-sores.

Update later...

DD

[randy]

Thanks for the updates DD,

Hang in there. Don't forget we've got your 6 covered, with good thoughts if nothing else.

[Dedicated_Dad]

Thanks, guys...

Ended up taking him to "the cast room" on base today. The "tech" wasn't particularly motivated, but did wrap it in cotton padding.

When I got home from picking up the air-mattress from B.E. this evening, he told me he'd been having some more worrisome pain, but again it seemed to ease about the time I told him I was on my way home. This has happened a couple of times - I've not left him alone at home for more than a little while - though I'm often not within reach I'm usually within yelling distance... When I have left, it's always been after someone else (roommates, girlfriend, etc) arrived... I wonder if he's worrying about it when his "primary care-giver" isn't around, and relaxing when he knows I'm returning...

On the bright side, though he doesn't necessarily see it that way at the moment, there are signs that nerves are beginning to heal, so prognosis is looking up.

OTOH, I'm worried about one thing: They didn't send him home with any blood-thinners, any exercises, or even compression-hose (the latter two per him). They had me on Coumadin after every accident/surgery, and instructed me to take a regular (not "baby") aspirin tab daily for 6 months. I can't imagine with all the trauma to that leg that this could be anything but an oversight... I intended to call to ask about that this morning, but got distracted by the pressure-sore stuff and didn't remember until just a little while ago after talking about his current pain. I think I'm going to call the ER in the AM and ask them to page the Doc and seek clarification...

As to me, at ~4:30 AM, after he woke me with the pressure-sore problem, I dozed off sitting on the couch. When I came to 3-4 hours later, the pain in my back and legs, not to mention my carpal-tunnel, were all really hammering me, and have continued to do so all day... Thankfully, tomorrow he's planning this bus-trip with his friends - though I think the whole thing is insane, it's going to allow me some much needed rack-time to catch up...

At this point, I'm expecting to be in town for at least another 2 weeks, and as he improves I should be able to (FINALLY!!) make time for those who I feel sorry for having neglected thus far. I am very grateful for your friendship, and your understanding...

If anyone has any input on the blood-thinner thing, I'd really appreciate it, in addition to the prayers!!

DD

[drice]

Jeez,

I haven't been paying as much attention to the blogosphere in the last few weeks as I normally do, and thought I'd catch up today.

And I find this thread.

I was born in that hospital, and I live 20 minutes away. I have 2 air mattresses in the garage and and and and and.

It looks like 308Mike and B.E. have been on top of this. Sorry I didn't pipe up earlier, but I'm here if you need any help.

[308Mike]

DD, since it appears you're going to be here through the first week in May, what do you think your chances are of heading up to the Manzanita Rendezvous and see Rumpshot and probably FlintlockTom?

Who knows, by that time your boy might want to get out and get some fresh air too (if he likes the Mountain Man kinda' thing).

[Dedicated_Dad]

Looks - at this point - like 5/2 @ the rendezvous Rumpshot posted would be a good chance for a GC meet-up. I know Mike's planning on going that day, so that's going to be my day as well - if anyone else can/will come I'd welcome the car-pool opportunity!

DD