All,
I have been home in bed long enough. These past two surgeries have really done a number on me. I can honestly say that the nerve pain has decreased (not gone away). Yesterday, I returned to work and lasted the entire day. By late afternoon, I was squirming quite a bit with significant pain. I was exhausted when I got home and layed down with my feet up and went to sleep almost immediately. I am back to work again today and I am happy that this will be a short week. This is a good way to build up my stamina.
Cara went with her parents to Dallas on Sunday and Monday to buy furniture for her new office. Her dad will come up with my nephew to unload the furniture and start assembling the pieces and getting it arranged to Cara's specifications. Things are really coming together and it looks like most of the furniture will be in place in time for her to open the office for business on December 1st.
J.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Signs of healing
All,
I wanted to post a refreshing update.
Last night was the first night that I did not wake up multiple times to take pain medicine. In fact, the only time I woke up is when Cara nudged me so I would stop snoring. The bleeding has either slowed way down or possibly stopped altogether. I am going to continue to heal here at home for the rest of the week, but I am looking forward to returning to work on Monday. I still need to schedule my follow up visits in Tulsa, but surgery is complete. I am going to focus on my recovery from here on out.
Keep thinking about Cara during her transition. The stress of getting everything done is overwhelming. I am confident that this will be a positive change for her and us. We just still need some support for her during the transition phase.
J
I wanted to post a refreshing update.
Last night was the first night that I did not wake up multiple times to take pain medicine. In fact, the only time I woke up is when Cara nudged me so I would stop snoring. The bleeding has either slowed way down or possibly stopped altogether. I am going to continue to heal here at home for the rest of the week, but I am looking forward to returning to work on Monday. I still need to schedule my follow up visits in Tulsa, but surgery is complete. I am going to focus on my recovery from here on out.
Keep thinking about Cara during her transition. The stress of getting everything done is overwhelming. I am confident that this will be a positive change for her and us. We just still need some support for her during the transition phase.
J
Sunday, November 15, 2009
No surgery is minor
It sounds simple enough. Remove a few screws, rotate the bone and re-fix the screws. I had my FINAL surgery last Thursday as scheduled. Dr. Norris said it went very well. The femur was rotated back to the original screw holes. He thinks there may still be some rotation issues in the actual hip joint, but it should not be a major issue. I can remember being in a lot of pain during recovery, but they helped me manage the pain once I got to my room. Just as Dr. Norris and I expected, I was discharged Friday at about noon. After I dressed, I stood up and went to the bathroom. Blood started running down my leg. My nurse applied a new bandage and sent us on our way. The trip from Tulsa to Fayetteville was extremely difficult and I was second guessing the decision to leave the hospital so soon. The pain was excruciating and when we finally got home, the car seat and my shorts were soaked in blood. I could hardly make it to my bed where I was desperate to elevate my leg. Cara immediately applied a new bandage. I took several painkillers and began to relax in bed. The pain decreased quite a bit before my parents got here. Cara's parents were here as well helping with the boys, cooking and helping Cara with her office. I was very happy to have both her parents and my parents with us so Cara could get a break.
I have done very little since coming home other than rest in bed. Things are a lot better now than when I got home on Friday. Cara has been working non-stop on getting her office ready to open. I think the painting will be finished today with the help of several friends. New flooring may be installed this week.
It has been nothing less than wonderful to have all of this support in a time of need.
The surgery was more difficult than I had hoped. I am anxious to get back to work soon, but I am not sure if I will be ready tomorrow.
J
I have done very little since coming home other than rest in bed. Things are a lot better now than when I got home on Friday. Cara has been working non-stop on getting her office ready to open. I think the painting will be finished today with the help of several friends. New flooring may be installed this week.
It has been nothing less than wonderful to have all of this support in a time of need.
The surgery was more difficult than I had hoped. I am anxious to get back to work soon, but I am not sure if I will be ready tomorrow.
J
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Post 2 of 2 - Cara R Hartfield PhD
http://drhartfieldtherapy.com/
All,
You all know that Cara has been my rock throughought our marriage. She has been by my side tirelessly each trip to the hospital. I will never be able to properly thank her for her continued support. Amazingly, she has also been able to continue her career as a clinical psychologist. As we transitioned from Springfield, Missouri to Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2006, Dr. Richard Back, a former employer, invited her to join his established practice. For the past three years she has learned from Dr. Back and has received many referrals throughout the Northwest Arkansas region.
Cara, with the help of other collegues in private practice, is very excited to announce that she will be openning her own practice in Fayetteville, Arkansas serving Northwest Arkansas.
Her practice will be located just off the Fayetteville downtown square at 112 West Center Suite 215.
She has developed a website (copied above) and invites everyone to visit it regularly.
Cara informed Dr. Back of her decision to leave his practice and to open her own private practice yesterday. Her hopes were to stay in practice through the end of this year and open her doors on January 4, 2010. Unfortunately, Dr. Back does not think it is in his best interest to have her stay there through the end of the year. He informed her that she needed to be out of his building one week from today.
We are excited about the transition, but we are not sure if we were prepared for the move this quickly.
Please be thinking about Cara through this transition. She will need all of the support that she can get. While I am layed up from surgery, she will need to pack her belongings, prepare the new office, contact all exisiting clients and inform them of the transistion and when she can continue their therapy sessions.
I will be fine. I ask everyone who reads this post to focus their attention on Cara and her new practice.
As always, thank you for your continued support of our entire family.
Jerry
All,
You all know that Cara has been my rock throughought our marriage. She has been by my side tirelessly each trip to the hospital. I will never be able to properly thank her for her continued support. Amazingly, she has also been able to continue her career as a clinical psychologist. As we transitioned from Springfield, Missouri to Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2006, Dr. Richard Back, a former employer, invited her to join his established practice. For the past three years she has learned from Dr. Back and has received many referrals throughout the Northwest Arkansas region.
Cara, with the help of other collegues in private practice, is very excited to announce that she will be openning her own practice in Fayetteville, Arkansas serving Northwest Arkansas.
Her practice will be located just off the Fayetteville downtown square at 112 West Center Suite 215.
She has developed a website (copied above) and invites everyone to visit it regularly.
Cara informed Dr. Back of her decision to leave his practice and to open her own private practice yesterday. Her hopes were to stay in practice through the end of this year and open her doors on January 4, 2010. Unfortunately, Dr. Back does not think it is in his best interest to have her stay there through the end of the year. He informed her that she needed to be out of his building one week from today.
We are excited about the transition, but we are not sure if we were prepared for the move this quickly.
Please be thinking about Cara through this transition. She will need all of the support that she can get. While I am layed up from surgery, she will need to pack her belongings, prepare the new office, contact all exisiting clients and inform them of the transistion and when she can continue their therapy sessions.
I will be fine. I ask everyone who reads this post to focus their attention on Cara and her new practice.
As always, thank you for your continued support of our entire family.
Jerry
Post 1 of 2 today
All,
I want to make (2) posts today.
This first post is not nearly as important as the one that follows.
This post is just to thank you for your continued support.
I will receive my third nerve block injection today at 1:45.
I must admit that last night was my roughest night to this point. I am going to tell Dr. Ennis that this afternoon and see if he can pump up today's injection.
From there, Cara and I will be going to Tulsa again for another surgery that I mentioned before.
Dr. Norris is going back in to de-rotate my leg about 20 degrees.
The procedure should be fairly minor since the bones have not fully healed.
A small incision, removing a few screws, rotating my leg and re-securing the leg to the hardware. He is expecting me to stay overnight for observation, and we intend to return home on Friday.
With some luck, I hope to return to work as early as Monday.
Thank you for all of your support.
I hope to update my status after tomorrow's surgery sometime this Friday.
Please read the second post for today (maybe you read it first)
Thank you,
J
I want to make (2) posts today.
This first post is not nearly as important as the one that follows.
This post is just to thank you for your continued support.
I will receive my third nerve block injection today at 1:45.
I must admit that last night was my roughest night to this point. I am going to tell Dr. Ennis that this afternoon and see if he can pump up today's injection.
From there, Cara and I will be going to Tulsa again for another surgery that I mentioned before.
Dr. Norris is going back in to de-rotate my leg about 20 degrees.
The procedure should be fairly minor since the bones have not fully healed.
A small incision, removing a few screws, rotating my leg and re-securing the leg to the hardware. He is expecting me to stay overnight for observation, and we intend to return home on Friday.
With some luck, I hope to return to work as early as Monday.
Thank you for all of your support.
I hope to update my status after tomorrow's surgery sometime this Friday.
Please read the second post for today (maybe you read it first)
Thank you,
J
Monday, November 9, 2009
Support
All,
I am certain that I would not be doing as well without the support that I am getting from family, friends and co-workers (which fall into the friend or family category).
The news of needing another surgery last Wednesday was upsetting. I am really getting tired of it. We all hope that it will be the final one and it could happen as soon as this Thursday.
Friday morning I received my first nerve block to relieve the RSD. I want to think some of the pain was relieved, but I still have difficulty standing for extended periods and the nerves are still extremly sensitive along the outside of my left shin and on top of my left foot just behind the big toe.
This morning I received my second nerve block and I still do not notice much of a difference other than the sedative making me feel a little loopy. Thank you Stephen for picking me up and bringing me home.
I am supposed to call Dr. Norris today and let them know how the second shot affected the pain. If it is working, I will likely move forward with surgery on Thursday.
I have another nerve block shot scheduled for 1:45 this Wednesday.
Overall, I had a pretty good weekend. Sitting on the porch watching the Hogs win.
Visiting with Carl and Cissy after the game and it was nice that my sister came by and visited after the game. Her son, Alex, stayed the night and played with Sam and Allen.
Cara and I have several little projects that we are working on. I just wish I could work harder and contribute more. She is really doing an incredible job keeping the house in order, but I can tell she needs some rest.
I will keep you all posted on future appointments and progress.
J
I am certain that I would not be doing as well without the support that I am getting from family, friends and co-workers (which fall into the friend or family category).
The news of needing another surgery last Wednesday was upsetting. I am really getting tired of it. We all hope that it will be the final one and it could happen as soon as this Thursday.
Friday morning I received my first nerve block to relieve the RSD. I want to think some of the pain was relieved, but I still have difficulty standing for extended periods and the nerves are still extremly sensitive along the outside of my left shin and on top of my left foot just behind the big toe.
This morning I received my second nerve block and I still do not notice much of a difference other than the sedative making me feel a little loopy. Thank you Stephen for picking me up and bringing me home.
I am supposed to call Dr. Norris today and let them know how the second shot affected the pain. If it is working, I will likely move forward with surgery on Thursday.
I have another nerve block shot scheduled for 1:45 this Wednesday.
Overall, I had a pretty good weekend. Sitting on the porch watching the Hogs win.
Visiting with Carl and Cissy after the game and it was nice that my sister came by and visited after the game. Her son, Alex, stayed the night and played with Sam and Allen.
Cara and I have several little projects that we are working on. I just wish I could work harder and contribute more. She is really doing an incredible job keeping the house in order, but I can tell she needs some rest.
I will keep you all posted on future appointments and progress.
J
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
2 posts in one day
All,
Please read the previous post from this morning. I really felt like I needed to get some feelings off of my chest. I look forward to any and all comments.
Today's trip to Tulsa was routine to follow up from the previous surgery and to get the staples removed. At the same time I wanted answers on this increased nerve pain in my lower leg. I am sure that I mentioned before that the sciatic nerve was streched when they lengthened my leg and re-aligned the angle of the hip. Nerve pain is not relieved with narcotics like Hydrocodone and I am already on a high dosage of Nuerontin.
Dr. Norris quickly diagnosed the nerve pain as RSD, reflex sympathetic distrophy. He wants me to see a pain specialist as soon as possible to install a nerve block to block the signals in this nerve. Cara just got home and she did some research on the nerve block and learned that it is very effective with nerve pain and is temporary. This means as the nerve heals, the block usually alcohol, wears off.
Now, some less than positive news. As soon as I started using my crutches instead of the walker, I noticed that my left foot was kicked out. It was concerning since it bumped against the walker or the crutch. Dr. Norris is certain that the leg rotated during the procedure. Here we go again yet another surgery. He wants to schedule a derotation after the nerve block, but before the bones fully heal. If we do this soon, it will be a smaller incision unscrewing fewer screws and rotationg the femur about 20 degrees. If we wait longer after the bone fully heals it would be a much more difficult operation involving breaking the femur yet again. For me, it feels like every step forward equals two steps back. I mentioned in my previous post that I am tired of surgery. I am also tired of missing work. Tyson has been nothing less than wonderful throughout this entire ordeal, but how much more will they tolerate? I will move forward with this derotation, but I sure hope and pray that this will be the last surgery.
Here we go again. Please be patient with me and help me maintain my positive attitide. I have to admit that I am about to lose some of my optimism.
Thanks as always for reading and understanding. I love and need the support that I know I am getting.
J.
Please read the previous post from this morning. I really felt like I needed to get some feelings off of my chest. I look forward to any and all comments.
Today's trip to Tulsa was routine to follow up from the previous surgery and to get the staples removed. At the same time I wanted answers on this increased nerve pain in my lower leg. I am sure that I mentioned before that the sciatic nerve was streched when they lengthened my leg and re-aligned the angle of the hip. Nerve pain is not relieved with narcotics like Hydrocodone and I am already on a high dosage of Nuerontin.
Dr. Norris quickly diagnosed the nerve pain as RSD, reflex sympathetic distrophy. He wants me to see a pain specialist as soon as possible to install a nerve block to block the signals in this nerve. Cara just got home and she did some research on the nerve block and learned that it is very effective with nerve pain and is temporary. This means as the nerve heals, the block usually alcohol, wears off.
Now, some less than positive news. As soon as I started using my crutches instead of the walker, I noticed that my left foot was kicked out. It was concerning since it bumped against the walker or the crutch. Dr. Norris is certain that the leg rotated during the procedure. Here we go again yet another surgery. He wants to schedule a derotation after the nerve block, but before the bones fully heal. If we do this soon, it will be a smaller incision unscrewing fewer screws and rotationg the femur about 20 degrees. If we wait longer after the bone fully heals it would be a much more difficult operation involving breaking the femur yet again. For me, it feels like every step forward equals two steps back. I mentioned in my previous post that I am tired of surgery. I am also tired of missing work. Tyson has been nothing less than wonderful throughout this entire ordeal, but how much more will they tolerate? I will move forward with this derotation, but I sure hope and pray that this will be the last surgery.
Here we go again. Please be patient with me and help me maintain my positive attitide. I have to admit that I am about to lose some of my optimism.
Thanks as always for reading and understanding. I love and need the support that I know I am getting.
J.
Motorcycles
Jim,
I always look forward to your comments. You always add humor and make me smile when it is difficult.
All,
I will deliver a new post later this evening or tomorrow with news following my visit to the doctors in Tulsa today. Until then, I feel a need to post a bit of a warning to other bikers.
This blog has been an absolutely wonderful way for people to help me stay positive throughout this journey of healing following a horrific motorcycle accident. It is still a miracle that I am alive and able to make this post and future posts. This miracle is likely a reality due to an outpouring of love, prayers and thoughts from all of my family, friends and even people I have never met.
Let's be honest. Owning a motorcycle was something that I have always thought about. It was always in the back of my mind, but never a priority. It was by chance that I won a contest that allowed me to pursue a longtime desire. It was only a short time, but I looked forward to waking up on a pleasant day and getting on my bike to go to work. The wind, the visibility and the freedom you feel on a bike is simply wonderful. I got on that bike every opportunity that I had and loved the feeling.
I have told friends and family that I do not have any hard feelings about having a motorcycle and I am happy that others can still enjoy their motorcycles. I would be lying if I told people that I do not want to ride a bike again. However, I promise that I have retired from riding a bike. There is no way that I will risk putting my family and friends in this situation again no matter how low the odds may be.
Several bikers ride for years without any incident. Other bikers say it is not a matter of if they will lay their bikes down, but when they will lay their bikes down.
Here is my warning to the other bikers out there enjoying the wind:
Shortly before Bikes Blues and Barbecue this year, a biker was enjoying a ride through a country highway when out of nowhere a deer stepped into his path.
He died through no fault of his own.
Another incident hap penned in this time frame where I do not know the outcome, but the biker was involved in an accident without his helmet and the news reported him in critical condition with severe head trauma.
Just last week I read a report in the paper that hit me very hard and resulted in today's post. A biker and his passenger were enjoying their ride when they were hit by an suv that never saw them. Like my accident, the biker was not doing anything wrong and were hit by a motorist who for some reason did not see them. The biker suffered multiple fractures in the legs and hips like I did. Luckily the passenger was not as severely injured. Thoughts have crossed my mind of trying to figure out who the biker was so I could meet and visit him. His life, like mine will never be the same again.
I have looked through the Internet for other victims that I can share my story with and learn from their recoveries. The only real site that I found seemed to be dedicated to bikers that are getting back on their bikes. Sometimes shortly after leaving the hospital and sometimes years after their accidents. I have not found that person to visit with to this day.
My closing comments:
To those of you that still ride. I do not look down on you and I do not condemn your decision. I only want you to know that you are putting not only yourself, but everyone in your life at risk of suffering a traumatic accident with lifelong affects. If you choose to ride without a helmet, that risk goes up exponentially.
You can talk until you are blue in the face about how safe you are, but that is not the point. The point is that there is no protection great enough to shield you from that motorist or animal that is not paying attention, makes a mistake or loses self control and hits you. It can happen at anytime day or night and the results are not pretty.
One of the many things that I hear during the multiple trips to the doctors is that I am lucky to survive. I have heard that it could take 1 to 2 years to hear - I am well into my second year and still have a long way to go. I have heard that there will be lingering affects for the rest of my life. I will certainly have some form of a limp and I may always require a crutch or a cane - I will work as hard as I possibly can to avoid using a walking device.
I am tired of the surgeries. I am tired of the pain. I am tired of not being able to take my dog on a walk with my wife. I am tired of needing to be cared for.
Please, please please - current and future bikers experienced and novice riders read this post. Seriously understand the risk that you take each time you ride. Please understand that you are not the only one that would be affected by an accident. It may not ever happen. Realize that my accident was a freak accident. Also realize that my accident was not and will not be the only one. Read the paper and watch the news. Innocent bikers are involved in tragic accidents regularly. If I had the ability to go back in time, I would find something other than a motorcycle to bring home from Heartland Honda. The risk is too high. The pain is too real. The changes in my life are permanent and they are not the changes I would choose.
As always thank you for reading this and I know that I am blessed to be able to continue to share my love with my friends and family.
Jerry
I always look forward to your comments. You always add humor and make me smile when it is difficult.
All,
I will deliver a new post later this evening or tomorrow with news following my visit to the doctors in Tulsa today. Until then, I feel a need to post a bit of a warning to other bikers.
This blog has been an absolutely wonderful way for people to help me stay positive throughout this journey of healing following a horrific motorcycle accident. It is still a miracle that I am alive and able to make this post and future posts. This miracle is likely a reality due to an outpouring of love, prayers and thoughts from all of my family, friends and even people I have never met.
Let's be honest. Owning a motorcycle was something that I have always thought about. It was always in the back of my mind, but never a priority. It was by chance that I won a contest that allowed me to pursue a longtime desire. It was only a short time, but I looked forward to waking up on a pleasant day and getting on my bike to go to work. The wind, the visibility and the freedom you feel on a bike is simply wonderful. I got on that bike every opportunity that I had and loved the feeling.
I have told friends and family that I do not have any hard feelings about having a motorcycle and I am happy that others can still enjoy their motorcycles. I would be lying if I told people that I do not want to ride a bike again. However, I promise that I have retired from riding a bike. There is no way that I will risk putting my family and friends in this situation again no matter how low the odds may be.
Several bikers ride for years without any incident. Other bikers say it is not a matter of if they will lay their bikes down, but when they will lay their bikes down.
Here is my warning to the other bikers out there enjoying the wind:
Shortly before Bikes Blues and Barbecue this year, a biker was enjoying a ride through a country highway when out of nowhere a deer stepped into his path.
He died through no fault of his own.
Another incident hap penned in this time frame where I do not know the outcome, but the biker was involved in an accident without his helmet and the news reported him in critical condition with severe head trauma.
Just last week I read a report in the paper that hit me very hard and resulted in today's post. A biker and his passenger were enjoying their ride when they were hit by an suv that never saw them. Like my accident, the biker was not doing anything wrong and were hit by a motorist who for some reason did not see them. The biker suffered multiple fractures in the legs and hips like I did. Luckily the passenger was not as severely injured. Thoughts have crossed my mind of trying to figure out who the biker was so I could meet and visit him. His life, like mine will never be the same again.
I have looked through the Internet for other victims that I can share my story with and learn from their recoveries. The only real site that I found seemed to be dedicated to bikers that are getting back on their bikes. Sometimes shortly after leaving the hospital and sometimes years after their accidents. I have not found that person to visit with to this day.
My closing comments:
To those of you that still ride. I do not look down on you and I do not condemn your decision. I only want you to know that you are putting not only yourself, but everyone in your life at risk of suffering a traumatic accident with lifelong affects. If you choose to ride without a helmet, that risk goes up exponentially.
You can talk until you are blue in the face about how safe you are, but that is not the point. The point is that there is no protection great enough to shield you from that motorist or animal that is not paying attention, makes a mistake or loses self control and hits you. It can happen at anytime day or night and the results are not pretty.
One of the many things that I hear during the multiple trips to the doctors is that I am lucky to survive. I have heard that it could take 1 to 2 years to hear - I am well into my second year and still have a long way to go. I have heard that there will be lingering affects for the rest of my life. I will certainly have some form of a limp and I may always require a crutch or a cane - I will work as hard as I possibly can to avoid using a walking device.
I am tired of the surgeries. I am tired of the pain. I am tired of not being able to take my dog on a walk with my wife. I am tired of needing to be cared for.
Please, please please - current and future bikers experienced and novice riders read this post. Seriously understand the risk that you take each time you ride. Please understand that you are not the only one that would be affected by an accident. It may not ever happen. Realize that my accident was a freak accident. Also realize that my accident was not and will not be the only one. Read the paper and watch the news. Innocent bikers are involved in tragic accidents regularly. If I had the ability to go back in time, I would find something other than a motorcycle to bring home from Heartland Honda. The risk is too high. The pain is too real. The changes in my life are permanent and they are not the changes I would choose.
As always thank you for reading this and I know that I am blessed to be able to continue to share my love with my friends and family.
Jerry
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