Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Mission Accomplished

In a previous entry I mentioned having Green Herons nesting in our spruce trees and my unsuccessful attempts at photographing them. I arrived home from work the other night and noticed two of the babies sitting on a branch in plain view. Of course my camera is in the house, so I go in and get the camera only to return and see the last baby walking back into the tree out of sight. Now they are messing with me! Bring it on, birds!

After several hours of stalking (if it's even possible to "stalk" in a wheelchair) I finally spotted one of the adults walking inside a nearby pine tree towards an outer branch. Finally it moved into an area where I could get a picture just before it flew off to look for a snack. This is my first experience watching Green Herons and they are fascinating. The spruce tree they are nesting in is very large and full, making the birds very difficult to spot. Stare at the tree long enough and you will spot one walking on the inner branches. They don't hop like a typical bird, they walk slowly. It's a little odd to see something slowly creeping around in the inner shadows of the tree.

Reviewing the pictures on the camera I feel satisfied that I fnally got a decent picture. Feeling one with nature, I realize that nature is calling. I set the camera down in the grass and seek privacy behind one of the spruce trees. While enjoying the freedom only a man can enjoy, the heron returns and lands directly above me. Once again, he's messing with me! The bird quietly sits on the branch swaying in the evening breeze as I retrieve the camera. Fully expecting the nervous bird to take flight any moment and ruin opportunity number 2, I raise the camera and shoot away. The heron finally spreads its wings and retreats to the security of the massive spruce tree. Another simple backyard moment.

Of course, Sara Lee was right there to supervise and offer suggestions on stalking technique.

June 27th Update

Today's update is......I still don't have a surgery date. Three weeks ago today was when I saw the doctor and agreed to the free flap surgery. I'm a little frustrated at not knowing when the surgery will be. I spoke with the nurse on Monday and she said they have some new patients that are currently requiring alot of surgery time. New admits will most likely start coming in this weekend with the Fourth of July close. Patient census always goes up around the fourth, so that could push me back a little further. My best guess is the surgery will be sometime the week of July 8th.....we'll see. In the meantime, I just keep praying that it will heal up before I have surgery. One thing I do know......God is still in control.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Think Your Day Is Bad?

This poor dog tangled with a porcupine. You can read more about the story here. Talk about a bad day!


Sunday, June 17, 2007

June 18, 1995

Twelve years ago.....how does the time pass so quickly? Yet I remember the day like it was yesterday. That was the day of my spinal cord injury. We all have dates in our life that stand out. Defining moments, turning points, epiphanies. My life has never been the same since.

Sunday's motocross race was in Uniontown, a small town Southeast of Seymour. I recall sitting on my Honda CR250 in the staging area before practice feeling confident. My Honda was running great and I always enjoyed the track layout at Uniontown. As the flagman waved us onto the track for practice, I quickly noticed the track had been watered heavily due to the extremely hot and dry condtions we were experiencing. The water quickly pooled in various areas of the track due to the high clay content.

One section of the track had a high speed jump followed by a quick right turn. After the turn was a downhill straight. Water had collected at the bottom of the hill creating quite a mudhole that slowed many riders. I saw the hazard as a possible opportunity to pass riders come race time. There was a bump just before the bottom of the hill that I thought if I carried enough speed down the hill, I could use the bump to jump over the mudhole.

On the next practice lap I attempted to make the jump. It was timed almost perfectly, but I didn't have quite enough speed to clear the mudhole. More speed.....that's the answer. On the next approach I twisted the throttle a little further to gain the extra speed. What I didn't anticipate was the extra rebound from the rear suspension the speed would cause. The upward force of the suspension rebounding kicked the seat into my butt, my feet off the pegs and all of my weight over the front wheel. The front wheel planted firmly into the clay mudhole stopping the motorcycle's forward momentum. My body's momentum carried on. I knew I was crashing. Survival mode kicked in.....protect myself. Realizing I was going over the handlebars I ducked my head, putting my chin to my chest, in an attempt to roll once I hit the ground. I don't remember much about the actual moment of impact. I remember it hurt and knocked the wind out of me. It didn't take long until I was able to get my breath back. Phewwww.....I survived.

Crashing is not something foreign to a motocross racer. After a hard crash, you slowly assess the damage on your body. Right hand, right arm.....check. Left hand, left arm.....check. Right leg, left leg.....right leg, left leg.....RIGHT LEG, LEFT LEG.....nothing.....strange. Still lying flat on my back, I reached down with my right hand to feel my leg.....strange.....I thought I felt someone elses leg.....then realized it was my leg. I could feel my leg with my hand, but couldn't feel my hand with my leg. I began to cry.....

This race was a sanctioned American Motorcycle Association (AMA) event. The AMA has strict guidelines for their events. One rule requires all events to have an ambulance with paramedics present. Another requires flagmen to be positioned at various locations around the track. The job of a flagman is to watch for downed riders, notify other riders that someone is down ahead and to notify officials if medical assistance is required.

My wreck was right in front of a flagman. Still lying flat on my back, he came over to me and asked if I was ok. Because the wind was knocked out of me, I couldn't speak very loudly. I told him I was not ok. He asked what was wrong and through my tears I told him I couldn't feel my legs. I clearly remember him squinting his eyes, bending over to get closer and saying, "What? I didn't hear you." I repeated that I could not feel or move my legs. A shocked look came over his face. I'm sure it was only a few seconds, but it seemed like he stared at me for several minutes. He then got on the radio saying he needed the paramedics.....quick. I have no idea who that flagman was, but I wonder if he remembers that day as vividly as I do.

Lying there waiting for help, I started praying. I don't remember exactly what I prayed, but I remember being filled with peace. I can't honestly say I heard a clear, audible voice of the Lord, but I do remember being filled with this indescribeable peace and knowing that everything was going to be ok.

I could go on and on with the details from that day. This blog could turn into a book. I was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in Seymour. X-rays revealed a fractured back. Lifeline was called to fly me to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. I spent a month at Methodist. Then I spent two months at Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana as an inpatient and the next six months as an outpatient.

Of all the details I remember, it's strange that I don't really remember the first time I saw Janay. I know it was at Methodist because I didn't see any family until I got there. The single most important person in my life and I don't remember. By the time I reached Methodist I had been given pain medication, so maybe the memories are blurred because of that. What I do remember is still having that peaceful feeling that only God could give during a difficult time such as this.

People have often asked if I wished I could go back and change that day. First of all, it's a pretty stupid question because that's not possible. I'm sure every one of us has something we wish we could go back and do over again.....but we can't. My answer to that question is, I would only go back and change things if I could retain the life lessons I've learned from the experience. Probably an equally stupid statement as the original question because it's not possible either, but it's how I truly feel.

Obviously this story goes much deeper than June 18, 1995. This is the date my new journey in life began. I never want people to look at me and just see someone who is disabled. I want people to see an overcomer in Christ Jesus.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Update with a Little Extra

Hello all! There's nothing really too new to report on my leg. I'm still hoping and praying that it will heal up before surgery. I think it has healed a little, but it still has a ways to go before the doc will cancel surgery. No set date for the surgery yet either.

Thinking about having surgery has me appreciating the little things I take for granted everyday. Waking up in my own bed....being able to reach over and touch my sleeping wife....showering. The free flap surgery will require a two week hospital stay. Ugh :(

This "appreciative" state of mind first came over me after my spinal cord injury. My busy life suddenly became painfully slow. Instead of life speeding by, I started seeing things I never noticed before. Photography became a way for me to share these everyday life treasures. The past week I've found myself appreciating my back yard. Knowing that in a few weeks I'll only be able to admire it from the recliner has most likely fueled these feelings.

We are blessed with a beautiful, park-like back yard. The previous owners put lots of work into planting perennial flowers that we now get to enjoy.

There are several Blue Spruce trees that are close to 40' tall. Birds flock to these trees for a safe nesting haven. This summer we have green herons nesting in the spruce trees. I have yet to get a picture of them, but I'll keep trying. I did capture this hummingbird while waiting for the herons to show. I never would have guessed the hummer would try to feed on the last few blossoms of the flower. Maybe he appreciates the small things too.

One evening during my green heron photo quest, I was kept company by one of our cats, Sara Lee. Sara loves to share her back yard with us. If she comes inside, she usually wants nothing to do with us. Outside she turns into a different cat. She craves attention and affection. She follows me (or anyone else) around the yard. She loves to pose for the camera, so when the herons rufuse to show their beaks, Sara gets the attention. I'm amazed at how animals have such individual personalities. Sara is definitely unique. Our other cat, Sprockett, is scared of his shadow outside. That explains why there are no pictures of him. I'll save him for a future blog entry.








My world is spinning a little slower these days. I'm seeing those little things that tend to go unnoticed. I'm appreciating my "normal-abnormal" life. I'm going to go appreciate my bed now and tell my wife how special she is.

Today was a good day......even with one broken spoke.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Timeline

This entry is mainly for myself, but others might find it interesting as well. As I said before, I wish I had started this blog when I was first injured to have a journal of what happened when and what might have been going through my head at that time. I have a Post-it note on my desk at work that I have kept a few dates on. Knowing how my desk is, that note will be lost one of these days. I'm surprised is has lasted this long. The following is a timeline of events.




  • April 23rd - Date of burn. Visit the E.R. at Community South.

  • April 24th - First visit with Dr. Troiano.

  • April 26th - Surgery no. 1.

  • May 5th - Homografts from surgery no. 1 not taking. Dr. Troiano determines the burn on the left leg is much deeper than initially thought. He cuts away dead tissue until he reaches the bone. I consider this surgery no. 2.

  • May 10th - Referred out to Wishard Burn unit to Dr. Sood. I'm admitted to Wishard with surgery planned for he next day.

  • May 11th - Surgery no. 3. Burns are debrided and I stay at Wishard while the doctor decides the best course of treatment.

  • May 16th - Surgery no. 4. Dr. Sood decides to go with the least invasive treatment route, surgically apply Integra and attach a wound vac.

  • May 17th - Disharged from Wishard with portable wound vac treatment. Because of the wound vac, I have to travel to Wishard three times a week for dressing changes.

  • June 19th - Surgery no. 5. Admitted to Wishard for skin graft surgery.

  • June 20th - Discharged from Wishard. Wound vac therapy continued.

  • July 18th - Return to work.

  • July 31st - Wound vac finally removed.

  • August 12th - Regranex gel added to wound to promote healing.

  • September 6th - Wound heals over but opens back up again due to drainage.

  • January 16th - Bone scans are ran and detect a mild infection in the bone.

  • February 6th - Surgery no. 6. Bone biopsy surgery at Wishard to test for infection. Results are positive for sensitive staph.

  • February 12th - PICC line inserted (does this count as another surgery?) to administer IV antibiotics for 6 weeks.

  • March 25th - PICC line removed.

That brings us up to the present. As of today I still don't know the surgery date. Surgery no. 7 coming up. Seven is the number of completion in the bible, so it's quite fitting that the seventh surgery will be the last.



August 28th - Surgery no. 7. Went in to have the free flap surgery, but the doctor found a pocket of infection and couldn't do the free flap. Instead he cleaned up the wound bed, took a bone biopsy to check for infection.

September 6th - Surgery no. 8. The doctor performed a pedical flap surgery instead of the free flap. It's less invasive and shorter recovery.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Update for June 6th

Hello everyone! Well, we didn't hear the news we wanted from the doctor today. The doctor believes more surgery is needed to get my leg to heal. The news wasn't a shock to us because at my last appointment he told us if it wasn't healed the next time he saw it then we needed to discuss the next step.

The next step is a free flap surgery. The reason my leg won't heal is because the tissue can't heal over the exposed bone. The exposed area is very small, but it's enough to keep the wound open. Muscle will be removed from my abdomen and implanted over the bone. Then a skin graft will be placed over the free flap. The doctor said the success rate of the surgery is approximately 98%.

Vascular surgery is involved, so that complicates the surgery. Blood flow must be restored to the implanted muscle. Because of this, I will have to stay at Wishard Hospital for 10 to 14 days so the free flap can be monitored. During this time my foot will be elevated 24/7 so the veins and arteries can heal. If too much blood flow is introduced too fast it can damage the delicate circulatory system to the implanted muscle.

It's looking like another summer in the recliner. Do I want to have the surgery......no. Do I need to have the surgery......yes. Could God heal it between now and the surgery date......of course, and that is what we will continue to pray for. Janay and I are at peace with the doctor's decision. We came away from the appointment with positive attitudes. I don't have a surgery date yet, but it will probably be the first week in July.

On a lighter note, when the doctor was giving us details about the free flap surgery, he said a rectus muscle would be used for the implant. Red flags immediately went off in my head, but I kept my mouth shut. As he continued my fears were put to rest when he grabbed his lower abdomen showing where the muscle would be removed. When he finished, I spoke up and admitted that he made me very nervous when he said a rectus muscle would be used. As you have probably already figured out, the abdomen is not where I thought the rectus was located.

No broken spokes today..........just one nervous rectus.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

I Think I'm Weird.......

I've always had my suspicions, but today while mowing the yard I realized how much I enjoy mowing. This is supposed to be work, a chore, a task. Not for me. Once I get into the "mow zone" I often find myself in deep thought about whatever may be going on in my life. Today's "mow zone" thoughts centered on why I like to mow.



At first it seemed obvious. Much of the yard work falls into Janay's hands because I physically can't do it. Mowing is one thing I can do, so maybe I like it for that reason. But as I made another sweeping pass across the back yard I thought back to my childhood and remembered how I enjoyed it as a kid. I recall firing up the old rear engine Snapper riding mower and heading out to do laps on my imaginary race track in the back yard. Typically I was leading the pack around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but sometimes I was blazing though the desert in the Baja 1000. Needless to say, sometimes the back yard had some interesting patterns when I was finished.

Hmmm......as I finish up the back yard and head through the gate to the front yard, I'm realizing this "mow zone" thing goes back further than I thought. Once the front yard is reached it's decision time.......will it be straight or angled stripes on the yard today......straight. Back to the "mow zone".

Maybe that's the answer.........mowing stripes onto the yard is another outlet for my artistic side. The lines catch the eye of the unsuspecting passerby and draw them in like leading lines in a photograph. Nah......this can't be it. The only stripes I thought about while mowing as a kid were the racing stripes I pictured on the side of that old Snapper. Plus, I had no artsy side growing up. I first picked up a guitar when I was 25 and didn't get into photography until I was 31.

Could it be that age old "Man and Machine" thing? Have I always been pulled into this mowing thing just because I'm drawn to the tools needed to get the job done? Extensive research was performed before making my lawn mower purchase. I wanted to make sure I had just the right tool for the job before I wrote that check. Push mower? I don't need no stinking push mower! Not to mention I couldn't operate it if I did have one (disability does have its advantages).

As the last stripe is laid on the front yard, I've concluded I might just be weird. My neighbor on one side lets his grass get so high he needs to bale it when he's finished. The other neighbor's doesn't know how to level his mower deck so the blades on one side cut at a different height than the other side. This makes for a real interesting looking yard. He's also the one who likes to cross the property boundary into my side yard. I think he does this on purpose in an attempt to break me out of my "mow zone". Sometimes it works.

The yard is finished. The mower is put to rest in the shed. Another hour of deep thinking while mowing has passed. Am I alone on this? If I am, go ahead and call me weird. I guarantee the next time my rear hits that seat and the blades are engaged, "mow zone" will once again kick in.

ps - Today was a good day......no broken spokes.