I Quit.....Not Really, but.....

I've been playing guitar for a little over 10 years now and I would rate myself as very average. I took a few lessons, but for the most part I'm self taught. I have always been envious of musicians that are blessed with natural ability because I'm not. I am thankful for the ability I have because playing guitar has brought me much joy and helped me through difficult times in my life. But when I see a five year old kid playing like the one in the video below, all I can say is.....anyone want to buy my guitar?

Guitar Virtuoso

It's All About Perspective

The above photo has been my view for the last two and a half weeks. Saying that I'm tired of the view is an understatement. It has been mentally challenging. Too much time to think. Too much time to dwell on the unknown. My mind is not going there anymore.

I serve a God who knows no limits.....a God who has no boundaries. I am blessed and highly favored. He has blessed me with a wife who loves me unconditionally. He has surrounded me with family, friends and co-workers who support me. He has provided for my every need. He wants nothing but the best for me. Right now He is molding and shaping me for the blessings He has in store for my future.

This chapter is coming to an end and I can't wait to see what's next.

ps - You can click on the above photo (and any others on my blog) to enlarge it. I assumed people knew this, but Janay didn't so I'm sure there are others who didn't.

9/24 Doctor Appointment

Todays doctor visit went well. He said everything looks great. I can now start to dangle my foot starting with just a few minutes a couple of times a day and slowly increasing the amount of time each day. Hopefully after my appointment next Monday I can keep it down as long as I want. I still can't bear weight on it, but I can put enough on it to lightly pivot on it to allow me to get in and out of the car.

I pressed the doctor for answers to when we can say this is definitely going to heal it. His answer was whenever he tells me not to come back. I explained to him that I needed more than that so I can figure out when I can start working from home. He said what he is watching for is the infection I've been fighting. He said in 3 to 4 weeks he should know if the infection is gone. Keep praying the infection is gone and the healing continues!

9/19 Doctor Appointment

Janay and I made the trip to Wishard today to see the doctor. Overall the visit went well....once he finally graced us with his presence after waiting for almost 2 hours. The doctor said everything looked very good. He wasn't overly concerned about the drainage. He wants us to keep and eye on it and try a new dressing where it is draining. He basically ignored the cultures they took on Monday because once the drainage reaches the outside of the body it will test positive for staph because we all have that on our skin. He said the flap looks good, but we are not out of the woods yet. He still doesn't want me to dangle my foot until I see him again next Monday.

So I will take all of this as good news. Continue to pray against infection and for it to continue to heal well.

Sprockett reminds me everyday that he's glad I'm home :)

Update

Janay and I went to Wishard today because they wanted to see my leg since it is draining. Except for the drainage, they thought everything looked great, which is what we have been telling them. They did culture the drainage and should have the results back for my Wednesday appointment with the doctor.

Transportation is a challenge with the limitations they have placed on me. I still can't dangle my foot or put weight on it. My left leg (the injured one) is my strong leg and I didn't realize how much I depend on it until it was taken away. I can't get into the back seat of our car without using my left leg. We tried and quickly gave up. Fortunately Janay's sister and brother-in-law loaned us their minivan (much to the dismay of their 6 year old daughter Carly) and solved the transportation problem. What a blessing it has been! They removed the rear seat and one of the middle seats allowing me to slide into the back and lay down. This allows me to concentrate on praying for Janay's driving :) Just kidding sweetie! :)

Since I can't dangle my foot, we had to come up with a different wheelchair. Imagine that....a guy already in a wheelchair having to borrow a wheelchair....just doesn't seem right. Fortunately my boss (and good friend) at work, Don, had a wheelchair for me to use. It's a little small for me, but it's only temporary and is good enough to haul my big carcass around. The wheelchair did a nice body slam on me in the back of the van today when Janay turned a corner. She got quite a laugh out of it. I wasn't laughing, but I was glad to hear her laugh. Laughter helps get us through :)

The above are just a couple examples of the help we have received from our friends and family. Ultimately, God will see us through this. He has surrounded us with people to be His hands and feet. Thanks to all of our friends, family and even strangers for praying for us and supporting us. May the Lord bless you all ten fold!

Prayer Request

I've had a new area on my leg start draining recently that's caused us to be a little concerned. Please join us in praying against any possible infection. Also pray for physical and mental strength for both Janay and myself.

“With Faith, all things are possible”- Matthew 17:20

Daily Reminder

My circumstances will not determine my attitude.

Photo Link to Updated Burn Photos

The link below will take you to the entire gallery of photos from my burn journey. As always, these are somewhat graphic, so proceed with caution. If you do find these interesting, the newest photos are at the bottom of the page and start after the photo of Janay modeling the hospital gowns. Click on the picture to enlarge it and get a description of what you are looking at. I did my best to describe them, but this is my first time looking at what they did to my leg, so I could have made some mistakes in describing them. I can look at the pictures fine, but it's still too fresh for me to look at in person. Give me two or three weeks and I will be fine :)

Burn Photos

Home Sweet Home

I got home this afternoon at 2. Saying that it is nice to be home is an understatement. Five days in the hospital seemed like an enternity. Janay was able to stay with me the entire time and that helped my mental well-being soooo much.

The doctors are pleased with the progress of the flap. I can not dangle my foot at all until I see my doctor again on September 19th. That makes things a little difficult, but if that is what it takes for proper healing I will do it.

Continue to pray for good blood flow. Pray against infection and blood clots. Pray for good rest for Janay and I both. You prayers are appreciated!

Rule Breaker

So I was bad today. Doctor's orders are made to be broken, right? Plus, I have them on a minor technicality....no one ever told me I couldn't put any weight on my leg this time. I suppose the nursing and physcial therapy staff assume after seven surgeries and showing me x-rays where they took a chunk of bone out down to the marrow I should know what to do. But I HAD to take a shower this morning. Washing at the sink just doesn't cut it. That works fine for a few days, but there is just nothing like a good soaking.

Fortunately I still have a shower chair that I acquired in 1995 when I had my spinal cord injury. Janay pulled it out of the attic last summer after I was first injured. The shower chair allowed me to hang the leg with the wound vac attached out of the shower while I soaked and scrubbed the rest of my body. All I can say is......Aaahhhhhh! Plus, I gotta smell good for surgery tomorrow :)

More Surgery.......

Janay and I went to the doctor today and I am having more surgery this Thursday (9/6). The doctor is performing the the simpler flap surgery that will only take 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I can come home after 2 or 3 days.

The doctor initially wasn't convinced to go this route, but after discussing it with us he was. He was hesitant because the tests came back positive for staph infection on the bone. The orthopedic doctor spoke with us last Thursday and said in his opinion the staph was nothing to worry about because it appeared to only be on the surface of the bone. He wasn't surprised by this because my wound was open all the way down to the bone and since we all have staph on our skin, he would expect to see it on the bone as well. As far as the ortho doctor was concerned, whatever surgery Dr. Sood (my burn doctor) decided to do, ortho did not need to be involved in. Dr. Sood would clean up the exposed bone area during surgery and cover it. The oral antibiotics I am on will take care of the infection.

Please pray that the flap takes and that all signs of infection are gone. God has been with us through all of this and He will see this to the end! I am healed....I'm claiming it!