All, here is a quick update on my status as the healing continues.
I went back to Tulsa on February 2nd for a follow up visit from the hip surgery in November. If you remember, I had hoped to walk in to his office, but those hopes did not happen due to the fall on the ice injuring my knee. The up side to the visit was that my knee appears to be healing well and as I type this, I am back to using one crutch. Dr. Norris prescribed a new AFO (foot and ankle support). This was needed for a few reasons. My leg has changed a bit since the last one was molded and it really creates discomfort by the end of the day. I need toe support since I am unable to straighten my toes due to the nerve damage they get curled under as I put my shoe on. Finally, since the last operation, I need more arch support to help me walk. Other good news from the visit was the positive prognosis for the nerve regeneration. I am scheduled for a nerve conduction test to see where the activity is and how far it has to go. They estimate about 1"/month.
The bad news from the visit was that the bone graft performed in October did not take and the hip still has not completely healed to the femur. Nearly devastating nes, but I am now using a bone stimulation device with about a 75% chance for healing.
Somewhat good news regarding the reserves. It looks like I am closer to returning to duty. I need to get a letter completed by Dr. Arnold and take it with me when I go to visit in March. Hopefully with this letter, I will get a waiver signed allowing me to serve in a desk environment. I was starting to lose all hope so I try not to get my hopes up too high.
Family is doing well. Cara's practice seems to be thriving. My dad came up a couple weekends ago to help me and Allen repair his exhaust - he had the loudest car in town for a couple weeks and now it purrs. Sam told us last night that his art teacher wants to display one of his pieces in the school library and possibly in an art show.
Cara and I have started looking at the summer lake schedule. We are getting spring fever.
J
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Insufficiency Fractures
Hello,
It seems like it has been a while since I have posted an update. I think during my last post I commented on being able to put full weight on my left leg and I was looking forward. Well, I have had to deal with a minor setback.
Three weeks ago on January 7th, I slipped and fell down on some ice. It hurt, but I did not really think anything was really wrong. Throughout the weekend, my left knee continued to feel worse so I made an appointment with Dr,. Arnold. I got in to see him exactly a week after the fall and even during the appointment, I was wandering if I was making to much of nothing. The x-rays did not show anything, but Dr. Arnold wanted me to get an MRI to make sure. The MRI was done exactly two weeks after the fall and by this time I was really feeling ridiculous. The pain was going away rapidly and I could not help but think this was a waste of time and money. Friday after the MRI I started walking with a single crutch again with little to no pain in my knee. However, when I called Cara to let her know I would be home late from work, she told me the doctor's office had left a message that they discovered insufficiency fractures and I needed to keep all my weight of my left leg to let them heal and to not allow them to become worse resulting in a full fracture. How can this be? No pain in my leg, too small to detect in x-rays. I did not want to post anything because I thought it may just be a bruise and I was over reacting. My follow up appointment from the MRI was yesterday and the doctor instructed me to stay on two crutches for at least three more weeks. He said the bone bruise and fractures would not have a chance to heal with continued impact from walking. If you look up insufficiency fractures, you will find the dominate diagnosis is from elderly women with no known trauma. I am not an old woman, but Dr. Arnold did mention Osteoporosis due to multiple trauma. Wow. He did not mention any need for calcium supplements or other preventative medicine.
Like I said before, there is basically no pain in my knee at this point. It is very hard to stay on two crutches when I know it feels OK to use just one.
Many people come to me daily and ask me when I will be walking again. Will I be walking again. I brush it off saying I am continually healing. Unless you have experienced this degree of trauma, you will never know how long it takes. Cara and I went on a very nice weekend trip to Little Rock last weekend. During the trip, she mentioned that she has noticed an incredible positive difference since this time last year. I agree that my state of mind and my willingness and desire to do more has increased dramatically. If you have not seen or talked to me in the past year, I assure you I am back to my former pre-wreck self even if it is mentally.
J
It seems like it has been a while since I have posted an update. I think during my last post I commented on being able to put full weight on my left leg and I was looking forward. Well, I have had to deal with a minor setback.
Three weeks ago on January 7th, I slipped and fell down on some ice. It hurt, but I did not really think anything was really wrong. Throughout the weekend, my left knee continued to feel worse so I made an appointment with Dr,. Arnold. I got in to see him exactly a week after the fall and even during the appointment, I was wandering if I was making to much of nothing. The x-rays did not show anything, but Dr. Arnold wanted me to get an MRI to make sure. The MRI was done exactly two weeks after the fall and by this time I was really feeling ridiculous. The pain was going away rapidly and I could not help but think this was a waste of time and money. Friday after the MRI I started walking with a single crutch again with little to no pain in my knee. However, when I called Cara to let her know I would be home late from work, she told me the doctor's office had left a message that they discovered insufficiency fractures and I needed to keep all my weight of my left leg to let them heal and to not allow them to become worse resulting in a full fracture. How can this be? No pain in my leg, too small to detect in x-rays. I did not want to post anything because I thought it may just be a bruise and I was over reacting. My follow up appointment from the MRI was yesterday and the doctor instructed me to stay on two crutches for at least three more weeks. He said the bone bruise and fractures would not have a chance to heal with continued impact from walking. If you look up insufficiency fractures, you will find the dominate diagnosis is from elderly women with no known trauma. I am not an old woman, but Dr. Arnold did mention Osteoporosis due to multiple trauma. Wow. He did not mention any need for calcium supplements or other preventative medicine.
Like I said before, there is basically no pain in my knee at this point. It is very hard to stay on two crutches when I know it feels OK to use just one.
Many people come to me daily and ask me when I will be walking again. Will I be walking again. I brush it off saying I am continually healing. Unless you have experienced this degree of trauma, you will never know how long it takes. Cara and I went on a very nice weekend trip to Little Rock last weekend. During the trip, she mentioned that she has noticed an incredible positive difference since this time last year. I agree that my state of mind and my willingness and desire to do more has increased dramatically. If you have not seen or talked to me in the past year, I assure you I am back to my former pre-wreck self even if it is mentally.
J
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Time for Prayer again
All,
I know very few details, but this is what I do know. One of my brothers currently in Iraq, just learned that his young son had a tumor detected in his brain. He is currently packing to come home on emergency leave to be with his family. Please help me to pray for his safe return and pray for his son's recovery. Bobby is a young minister and a dear friend of mine.
I do not even know how to reach out to his family right now. I am sure things are scary, busy and crazy.
Pray for peace and healing.
Thank you,
J
I know very few details, but this is what I do know. One of my brothers currently in Iraq, just learned that his young son had a tumor detected in his brain. He is currently packing to come home on emergency leave to be with his family. Please help me to pray for his safe return and pray for his son's recovery. Bobby is a young minister and a dear friend of mine.
I do not even know how to reach out to his family right now. I am sure things are scary, busy and crazy.
Pray for peace and healing.
Thank you,
J
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I made it to 40!
Yes, I turned 40 today. The reality has not sunk in yet. I honestly still feel like a kid inside. We all know that this journey to 40 years old was not a sure thing.
Regarding the doctor appointment in Tulsa on the 22nd, he did not release me back to Fayetteville or to therapy yet. However, he did tell me that I could start putting weight on my left leg again. I basically walked out on one crutch and have not looked back since. I will see him again on February 2nd (hopefully for the last time) and would like to walk into his office. Not so fast, when I walk without the AFO, my foot comes down at a funny angle. I hope that some of this will change as the nerves heal, but it has me worried.
What a perfect Christmas holiday! As usual, we went to Fort Smith. As we left the Christmas Eve church service, the sleet was coming down and by the time we made it to Carl and Cissy's house it was turning to snow. Cissy's party was great as always and this year we did not need to leave early to go to my parent's house. I can't remember our last white Christmas. Across town at my parent's house we were able to visit with my Uncle Sam and Daddy Ed, my grandfather, S.E. Lee Jr. Mom's dinner was delicious. We missed 2 of my nephews, Benjy and Alex. Due to the weather, they stayed an extra night with their dad in Texas.
Cara and I escaped to the lake cabin to enjoy a couple peaceful nights to ourselves. I took an extra vacation day to do what I am doing right now - relaxing at home.
J
Regarding the doctor appointment in Tulsa on the 22nd, he did not release me back to Fayetteville or to therapy yet. However, he did tell me that I could start putting weight on my left leg again. I basically walked out on one crutch and have not looked back since. I will see him again on February 2nd (hopefully for the last time) and would like to walk into his office. Not so fast, when I walk without the AFO, my foot comes down at a funny angle. I hope that some of this will change as the nerves heal, but it has me worried.
What a perfect Christmas holiday! As usual, we went to Fort Smith. As we left the Christmas Eve church service, the sleet was coming down and by the time we made it to Carl and Cissy's house it was turning to snow. Cissy's party was great as always and this year we did not need to leave early to go to my parent's house. I can't remember our last white Christmas. Across town at my parent's house we were able to visit with my Uncle Sam and Daddy Ed, my grandfather, S.E. Lee Jr. Mom's dinner was delicious. We missed 2 of my nephews, Benjy and Alex. Due to the weather, they stayed an extra night with their dad in Texas.
Cara and I escaped to the lake cabin to enjoy a couple peaceful nights to ourselves. I took an extra vacation day to do what I am doing right now - relaxing at home.
J
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Darrell Slaughter
All,
It has been a while since I have published a post. Life is moving fast. Work is busy. I just finished another class, only 2 to go for my masters degree!
I want to take a moment to reflect on lunch last Thursday.
What many people do not know, my son, Allen, was involved in a minor car accident on his way to school last Tuesday. I was happy to be able to be there and make sure he was OK. As the police officer was writing Allen's citation for "following too close" I took the opportunity to see if he knew Cpl Slaughter. He did and I offered him my phone number. Later that morning, Darrell Slaughter called me and we scheduled a lunch meeting on Thursday.
Darrell Slaughter was the policeman who responded to my motorcycle wreck. He is also a motorcycle operator. Not only did he handle the scene at the accident, but even after the dust settled, he went to the hospital multiple times to check my condition. When he heard I was being flown to Tulsa, he called my father to make sure things were OK. In my opinion, Darrell went well beyond the call of duty. He could have written the police report, sent me off in the ambulance and never looked back. My deepest respect and gratitude for Darrell's actions during, but mostly following the accident will never be properly expressed. It upsets me a little that he recently retired from the force. He would say that he does not need it, but if he was still on the force, I would like to reach out to his supervisor and let him know all of the actions that he did on his own to check on my recovery.
We had a great lunch. It meant so much for me to meet him in person. I hope he understood my gratitude and appreciation. Darrell was also in a motorcycle accident on the job which ultimately lead to his retirement. He is a genuine sincere man, husband and father with great integrity. One of the first things he told me was that there was nothing I could have done to avoid being hit. I had heard this many times, but it was more assuring to hear it from a motorcycle policeman who has been intensely trained in motorcycle safety. He described the accident in more detail than I had ever heard it and let me know more about the condition I was in at the scene. We have exchanged e-mail addresses. I told him about this blog and how it helped us so much through the recovery. The Fayetteville Police Department has lost a very valuable member of their team. I hope we stay in touch for years to come. Darrell is another person that I thank for saving my life that day and he even admits he did not think I would make it.
The actual events during the accident:
The driver was driving her friend's car because he was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with Fayetteville. She noticed after it was too late that she was going to hit the car in front of her. She swerved to the right to avoid hitting the car. As she did, the car struck the curb on the right side of the road and veered back left. Intending to hit the brakes, she hit the accelerator pedal instead. This sent her accelerating directly at me. Darrell said initially I would not have seen her because she was shielded from the car she avoided. Then as she swerved to the left after hitting the curb, if I saw anything I would have thought she was getting in the left turn lane. There was simply nothing I could have done.
My condition at the scene:
I write this because I feel it is important with how I conclude this post.
Darrell told me that my feet were pointing in the wrong direction and it appeared that both of my hips were severely dis-located. I had never heard this. I knew my left hip was shattered, but little has been said about my right hip. I have said before that I had developed heterotopic bone growth in both hips. This is hard to explain especially in my right hip. Maybe this growth was due to the dis-location.
I have not been very patient with my recent surgeries from Dr. Norris in Tulsa. After this past lunch, I feel guilty for being so critical. Dr. Norris and Dr. Stafford will get nothing but praise from me from now on. As far as I am concerned, they performed a miracle to get me to where I am today.
I go back to Tulsa on the 22nd to get x-rays following my most recent surgery. I am optimistic that they will allow me to start putting weight on my left leg. I will post an update after that trip. The battle is far behind me, the wounds continue to heal. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I thank everyone for being there for me.
Darrell, Thank You!!!
J
It has been a while since I have published a post. Life is moving fast. Work is busy. I just finished another class, only 2 to go for my masters degree!
I want to take a moment to reflect on lunch last Thursday.
What many people do not know, my son, Allen, was involved in a minor car accident on his way to school last Tuesday. I was happy to be able to be there and make sure he was OK. As the police officer was writing Allen's citation for "following too close" I took the opportunity to see if he knew Cpl Slaughter. He did and I offered him my phone number. Later that morning, Darrell Slaughter called me and we scheduled a lunch meeting on Thursday.
Darrell Slaughter was the policeman who responded to my motorcycle wreck. He is also a motorcycle operator. Not only did he handle the scene at the accident, but even after the dust settled, he went to the hospital multiple times to check my condition. When he heard I was being flown to Tulsa, he called my father to make sure things were OK. In my opinion, Darrell went well beyond the call of duty. He could have written the police report, sent me off in the ambulance and never looked back. My deepest respect and gratitude for Darrell's actions during, but mostly following the accident will never be properly expressed. It upsets me a little that he recently retired from the force. He would say that he does not need it, but if he was still on the force, I would like to reach out to his supervisor and let him know all of the actions that he did on his own to check on my recovery.
We had a great lunch. It meant so much for me to meet him in person. I hope he understood my gratitude and appreciation. Darrell was also in a motorcycle accident on the job which ultimately lead to his retirement. He is a genuine sincere man, husband and father with great integrity. One of the first things he told me was that there was nothing I could have done to avoid being hit. I had heard this many times, but it was more assuring to hear it from a motorcycle policeman who has been intensely trained in motorcycle safety. He described the accident in more detail than I had ever heard it and let me know more about the condition I was in at the scene. We have exchanged e-mail addresses. I told him about this blog and how it helped us so much through the recovery. The Fayetteville Police Department has lost a very valuable member of their team. I hope we stay in touch for years to come. Darrell is another person that I thank for saving my life that day and he even admits he did not think I would make it.
The actual events during the accident:
The driver was driving her friend's car because he was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with Fayetteville. She noticed after it was too late that she was going to hit the car in front of her. She swerved to the right to avoid hitting the car. As she did, the car struck the curb on the right side of the road and veered back left. Intending to hit the brakes, she hit the accelerator pedal instead. This sent her accelerating directly at me. Darrell said initially I would not have seen her because she was shielded from the car she avoided. Then as she swerved to the left after hitting the curb, if I saw anything I would have thought she was getting in the left turn lane. There was simply nothing I could have done.
My condition at the scene:
I write this because I feel it is important with how I conclude this post.
Darrell told me that my feet were pointing in the wrong direction and it appeared that both of my hips were severely dis-located. I had never heard this. I knew my left hip was shattered, but little has been said about my right hip. I have said before that I had developed heterotopic bone growth in both hips. This is hard to explain especially in my right hip. Maybe this growth was due to the dis-location.
I have not been very patient with my recent surgeries from Dr. Norris in Tulsa. After this past lunch, I feel guilty for being so critical. Dr. Norris and Dr. Stafford will get nothing but praise from me from now on. As far as I am concerned, they performed a miracle to get me to where I am today.
I go back to Tulsa on the 22nd to get x-rays following my most recent surgery. I am optimistic that they will allow me to start putting weight on my left leg. I will post an update after that trip. The battle is far behind me, the wounds continue to heal. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I thank everyone for being there for me.
Darrell, Thank You!!!
J
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Positive Post
All,
I think I may have mentioned that we were going to take this Thanksgiving off. We had a great time at Cara's parents house with all of our families on Thursday. It really was a relief to be able to sleep in on Thursday, casually drive down the hill, eat a fantastic meal featuring both smoked and fried turkey.
I look forward to hosting Thanksgiving again next year, but it was a relief at this time to let Carl and Cissy host it.
Cara and I worked on the office a little Friday morning and Allen and Michael came and helped me run speaker wires for her sound system. I retreated to the house leaving Cara there to continue setting things up. My Mom and Dad went to the office on the way to the Razorback game and decorated Cara's office with several of my Mom's art work. Cara is still waiting for a couple pieces of furniture to arrive, but the office looks fantastic.
I announced Allen's birthday in a previous post, but completely forgot to announce Sam's birthday. He turned 12 last Monday and got the present that he had been asking for for months. I still can't believe we got him a drum set. We set it up after dinner Monday and he has been banging away since then.
Some of you know that along with the nerve pain that I have been dealing with, my back has been giving me a lot of trouble. I am happy to say that both the nerve pain and the back pain are retreating. Not gone, but I feel better today than I have since October 22nd after the osteotomy. Some of the relief could be due to Gene Anderson, semi-retired physical therapist, suggesting and helping me lengthen my crutches at church last Sunday. Some of the relie may be because I started taking a different muscle relaxer. Who knows, some of it may just be my body healing. I have a strong suspition that it takes the body longer to recover from surgery than you think.
Cara saw patients yesterday as her first official day of being self-employed. I mentioned before that the transition occured faster than we intended, but with the help of friends and family, the office was put together in no time and her schedule is full this week. We are optimistic that this will be a successful adventure. She is good at what she does and everyone that she had seen previously came with her and she is already getting referrals from physicians that she has worked with before. Feel free to visit her website. http://drhartfieldtherapy.com/
There is a "contact me" link where you can send her an e-mail.
It would be cool if she got even more messages of encouragement.
Things are getting better everyday.
Like I mentioned before, I woke up today feeling better than I have for a long time. I could not have gone through all of this without the prayers and helpful comments from friends and family. I will update the blog with continued healing such as my appointment on December 22nd, but I will also keep the blog going with updates about what our family is up to. Feel free to check it to see if there is a new post.
J
I think I may have mentioned that we were going to take this Thanksgiving off. We had a great time at Cara's parents house with all of our families on Thursday. It really was a relief to be able to sleep in on Thursday, casually drive down the hill, eat a fantastic meal featuring both smoked and fried turkey.
I look forward to hosting Thanksgiving again next year, but it was a relief at this time to let Carl and Cissy host it.
Cara and I worked on the office a little Friday morning and Allen and Michael came and helped me run speaker wires for her sound system. I retreated to the house leaving Cara there to continue setting things up. My Mom and Dad went to the office on the way to the Razorback game and decorated Cara's office with several of my Mom's art work. Cara is still waiting for a couple pieces of furniture to arrive, but the office looks fantastic.
I announced Allen's birthday in a previous post, but completely forgot to announce Sam's birthday. He turned 12 last Monday and got the present that he had been asking for for months. I still can't believe we got him a drum set. We set it up after dinner Monday and he has been banging away since then.
Some of you know that along with the nerve pain that I have been dealing with, my back has been giving me a lot of trouble. I am happy to say that both the nerve pain and the back pain are retreating. Not gone, but I feel better today than I have since October 22nd after the osteotomy. Some of the relief could be due to Gene Anderson, semi-retired physical therapist, suggesting and helping me lengthen my crutches at church last Sunday. Some of the relie may be because I started taking a different muscle relaxer. Who knows, some of it may just be my body healing. I have a strong suspition that it takes the body longer to recover from surgery than you think.
Cara saw patients yesterday as her first official day of being self-employed. I mentioned before that the transition occured faster than we intended, but with the help of friends and family, the office was put together in no time and her schedule is full this week. We are optimistic that this will be a successful adventure. She is good at what she does and everyone that she had seen previously came with her and she is already getting referrals from physicians that she has worked with before. Feel free to visit her website. http://drhartfieldtherapy.com/
There is a "contact me" link where you can send her an e-mail.
It would be cool if she got even more messages of encouragement.
Things are getting better everyday.
Like I mentioned before, I woke up today feeling better than I have for a long time. I could not have gone through all of this without the prayers and helpful comments from friends and family. I will update the blog with continued healing such as my appointment on December 22nd, but I will also keep the blog going with updates about what our family is up to. Feel free to check it to see if there is a new post.
J
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Back to Work!
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.
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.
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