All is well!!!!!!!!!!! Well, at least we think so. Lynnette has been released from her short and not so relaxing stay in Cardiology. They say the Ultra Sound showed nothing and the Stress Test was normal. I guess we can chalk this one up to the tiny bit of STRESS that can be felt around here.
David did not stress anyone today. He had plenty of visitors again, two of which were General Brian Tarbet of the Army National Guard and the newly elected Legislator from Utah - I'm sorry that I did not get his name. General Tarbet is a great man and a, long term, great personal friend of our family.
David even received an IPOD from some organization today and was sleeping and entertaining the entire room with the sound level. If 8 times having his bell rung did not damage his ears, they are surely damaged now.
David is eating like a horse, well, maybe a Shetland Pony, and is doing very very well. The "PAIN" team came in today and told us that David could be moved to Walter Reed as early as the end of this week or the first of next week - it is so nice to see him gaining his strength .
I get to go back and be with Lynnette and David in the morning and I am very excited. These are the times when being a Dad is a wonderful opportunity.
Good Night All,
Gordon
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 2246
Hi Friends and Loved Ones,
Today is a mixed bag of feelings and happenings.
David is doing fantastic, he is alert, he is keeping himself busy when he is awake and sleeping very good when he needs to. It is really hard to leave David at any time, but there comes the realization that if we don't leave his room, he feels a little obligated to stay awake and make sure we are not feeling ignored. So, we leave and do something meaningless for awhile.
Randy is a fantastic guy on the floor that I have mentioned before - well, he is a barber too. He gave David a haircut and a shave and yes, Grandma Vasey, he still has the mustache growing. He looked and felt great all at the same time but I'll bet no one got a photograph. We need to get a picture of David and Randy together.
We got some new news today and there will be more surgery for David once all of this surgery is done and healed. If you recall, I told you that this was David's 8th time to get his "bell rung" by explosives of some kind whether it be an RPG, an IED, etc, etc, etc. Well the bell ringing seems to have pierced more than just sound - David was told today that he will need skin grafts over his ear drums. I had absolutely no idea that they could do such a thing. I guess they cut a tiny piece of skin off the muscle behind the ear and graft it on to the eardrum. I'm not sure if I got the facts straight but I understand that the whole process needs to happen well after the other surgeries are done because of the conflicting medicines that need to be used for the procedure.
Is anyone out there counting the number of surgeries?
I know Lynnette will kill me when she reads this but I've been very honest about David and he will be reading this blog to his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren so all the non Top Secret stuff needs to be in here. This morning Lynnette wasn't feeling very good and was a little dizzy so she told David that she needed to run an errand. She went down to the Marine Corps Liaison Office and asked if they could take her to the Emergency Room. When she arrived and told them what was happening, they did an EKG and found some small irregularities so they offered her a Nitro Glycerin Tablet. To the best of my knowledge, the tablet immediately dilates the blood vessels and, if you get a splitting headache - your heart is fine, but if you feel much better almost immediately then there will, quite possibly be a blockage in your heart. I asked Lynnette if she got a splitting headache and she said "No, I immediately felt better!" I informed her that she had given the wrong answer and, to my surprise, she already knew. They said they would have to watch her close for several hours and she told them that was fine and that she would come down from David's room every couple hours so they could check her. They said No No No, you're not going anywhere. So, to make a long story short, Lynnette is currently in "INPATIENT" status on the 3rd Floor Cardiology Wing while David is sitting on the 5th floor waiting for his mother to complete her "errand!" David now knows, he's a bit worried about his mother.
Lynnette has been given 4 Nitro Glycerin tablets and has a Nitro Glycerin Patch. She has an IV hooked up to her and is borrowing some of David's pain meds because after she gets the immediately relief in her chest - the headaches come rolling in. Tomorrow morning they will inject some dye into her bloodstream and then put her through a stress test. Oh yes, I almost forgot, she told me not to tell anyone! How did I do? I told her that I was going to tell because she had every right to have people praying for her too. She may want to kill me for telling, but even if she does, I want you to know, and I know David would agree and so would every one of her children and grandchildren and primary children, she is an incredible individual, she has all the charity necessary to earn her way back into the presence of her Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom (but not yet), and she is the strength that keeps this entire family headed in the right direction. Not to mention the fact that she is incredibly beautiful and I LOVE HER. I know there are an incredible amount of prayers in our behalf and I want you all to know that this IS an answer to those prayers. There is absolutely no better place on this earth to find out that you have a heart problem. We are a very blessed family.
So, flight plans have been changed and there will be plenty to write about while David is in the process of feeling better every day. They have applied a gray foam to David's skin graft donor sites - this foam helps in removing the protective coating that was placed there immediately after surgery.
It's getting late and I need to start packing to get back out there!
I was able to serve in Bountiful LDS Temple tonight and see some very special friends whom I love very dearly. It seems impossible for me to properly express my love for those I serve with in that Temple.
It's going on midnight and I'm going to bed - you should do the same.
All My Love,
Gordon
Today is a mixed bag of feelings and happenings.
David is doing fantastic, he is alert, he is keeping himself busy when he is awake and sleeping very good when he needs to. It is really hard to leave David at any time, but there comes the realization that if we don't leave his room, he feels a little obligated to stay awake and make sure we are not feeling ignored. So, we leave and do something meaningless for awhile.
Randy is a fantastic guy on the floor that I have mentioned before - well, he is a barber too. He gave David a haircut and a shave and yes, Grandma Vasey, he still has the mustache growing. He looked and felt great all at the same time but I'll bet no one got a photograph. We need to get a picture of David and Randy together.
We got some new news today and there will be more surgery for David once all of this surgery is done and healed. If you recall, I told you that this was David's 8th time to get his "bell rung" by explosives of some kind whether it be an RPG, an IED, etc, etc, etc. Well the bell ringing seems to have pierced more than just sound - David was told today that he will need skin grafts over his ear drums. I had absolutely no idea that they could do such a thing. I guess they cut a tiny piece of skin off the muscle behind the ear and graft it on to the eardrum. I'm not sure if I got the facts straight but I understand that the whole process needs to happen well after the other surgeries are done because of the conflicting medicines that need to be used for the procedure.
Is anyone out there counting the number of surgeries?
I know Lynnette will kill me when she reads this but I've been very honest about David and he will be reading this blog to his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren so all the non Top Secret stuff needs to be in here. This morning Lynnette wasn't feeling very good and was a little dizzy so she told David that she needed to run an errand. She went down to the Marine Corps Liaison Office and asked if they could take her to the Emergency Room. When she arrived and told them what was happening, they did an EKG and found some small irregularities so they offered her a Nitro Glycerin Tablet. To the best of my knowledge, the tablet immediately dilates the blood vessels and, if you get a splitting headache - your heart is fine, but if you feel much better almost immediately then there will, quite possibly be a blockage in your heart. I asked Lynnette if she got a splitting headache and she said "No, I immediately felt better!" I informed her that she had given the wrong answer and, to my surprise, she already knew. They said they would have to watch her close for several hours and she told them that was fine and that she would come down from David's room every couple hours so they could check her. They said No No No, you're not going anywhere. So, to make a long story short, Lynnette is currently in "INPATIENT" status on the 3rd Floor Cardiology Wing while David is sitting on the 5th floor waiting for his mother to complete her "errand!" David now knows, he's a bit worried about his mother.
Lynnette has been given 4 Nitro Glycerin tablets and has a Nitro Glycerin Patch. She has an IV hooked up to her and is borrowing some of David's pain meds because after she gets the immediately relief in her chest - the headaches come rolling in. Tomorrow morning they will inject some dye into her bloodstream and then put her through a stress test. Oh yes, I almost forgot, she told me not to tell anyone! How did I do? I told her that I was going to tell because she had every right to have people praying for her too. She may want to kill me for telling, but even if she does, I want you to know, and I know David would agree and so would every one of her children and grandchildren and primary children, she is an incredible individual, she has all the charity necessary to earn her way back into the presence of her Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom (but not yet), and she is the strength that keeps this entire family headed in the right direction. Not to mention the fact that she is incredibly beautiful and I LOVE HER. I know there are an incredible amount of prayers in our behalf and I want you all to know that this IS an answer to those prayers. There is absolutely no better place on this earth to find out that you have a heart problem. We are a very blessed family.
So, flight plans have been changed and there will be plenty to write about while David is in the process of feeling better every day. They have applied a gray foam to David's skin graft donor sites - this foam helps in removing the protective coating that was placed there immediately after surgery.
It's getting late and I need to start packing to get back out there!
I was able to serve in Bountiful LDS Temple tonight and see some very special friends whom I love very dearly. It seems impossible for me to properly express my love for those I serve with in that Temple.
It's going on midnight and I'm going to bed - you should do the same.
All My Love,
Gordon
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010 at 1853
This is a good day. As I had mentioned before, David was very pale and his hands were trembling because he was getting weaker and weaker. They did not want him to go to surgery in that condition so they came in a game him 2 units of blood. He felt great and looked great within a very short period of time.
He is still having the phantom pains but the pain from the skin grafting settled down a great deal over the past 48 hours. His surgery today went great. He came back to the room with NO WOUND VACS - you heard me - NO WOUND VACS. That's fantastic. It feels like every time a tube gets removed it is a reason to celebrate.
The surgical team, especially Dr. Fleming, said that David has really turned the corner and is well on his way to being released from the hospital and should head to Walter Reed within the next couple weeks. Dr. Fleming said they will be applying shrinkers to his legs because, I guess, they really want the legs to be sleek and trim to have the best results with the prosthetics.
A "Shrinker" is a tubular compression material used for control or prevention of edema following amputation surgery, for limb volumetric maintenance, to minimize hypertrophic scarring and to give compressive support for pain relief. Compressogrip shrinkers assure controlled compression, ease of application and wearer acceptance. I sound pretty dang smart, don't I!!!
Actually I copied and pasted that little description for your reading benefit. I shouldn't have told you the truth, I would have sounded brilliant.
Anyway, things are really looking up! I sincerely feel that and say it with conviction. I believe that David is feeling the exact same way. As soon as he got back from surgery, he was starving and Lynnette took off to get him whatever he wanted - you'll never guess what it was - nope, nope, not that either, I told you you wouldn't guess, A HOT DOG FROM 7-ELEVEN, the big honkin' one and he ate the whole thing. The only thing bad about the meal was the fact that his mother is going to have to take days of recovery time to settle down from the drive it took to get the hot dog. To listen to her you would have thought her life was in danger every passing moment of the drive. I tell you, there is a whole bunch to smile about today.
If you think that was incredible, guess what else David did today? Nope, not even close, ya right, not that either... OK, I'll tell you - he called AT&T, by himself, and did all the necessary work to get his cell phone back in commission so his friends could call him and he could call them. He knows he could use our phone but, and it's great to see and feel, he is feeling his independence coming back and it's feels good. Most of us, in our right mind, and without any medications, would hate to make a call to our cell phone carrier - just to deal with many of them is a burden - but he just jumped in and did it.
It is really interesting to write a blog like this. I have found that my words become guarded. When I started to talk about him calling AT&T, I wrote that he jumped in with both feet, I know it's just a phrase, but now the phrase doesn't seem to fit. Then to end that last paragraph with "he just jumped in and did it.", felt really weird too. I'm going to have to find out if it's just my reaction to it or if David feels the same way.
Today Lynnette, her sister Jolyn, and David put on a show to watch and it was, you guessed it, a shoot em' up and blow em' up war movie. In it was a scene that included a man being hit by a shell or a blast of some kind and lying there calling for help. Lynnette had to leave the room. She came back in, after going through several breathing exercises to calm her emotions back down, and told David that she couldn't watch anything like this. He realized the situation and they put on another movie. I am just in awe that David can watch these kinds of scenes, especially after what he is currently going through, and still maintain a cool, calm, and collected demeanor. I know he, and many of his friends, have seen and felt many emotions that most of us will never see or feel or even want to experience, yet these young men just seem to handle it. I really am in awe.
Last word was that David is sleeping and you'll never guess what he is sleeping on! OK, I won't do that a third time. He has sheets on his bed. All this time he has just been sleeping on the bare inflatable bed with a pad here or there to give him comfort. Now he is in luxury with actual sheets. I hope you're feeling good about today too. With great medications to take care of the phantom pain, clean sheets, a very successful surgery day, a step toward a cell phone, and a Big Honkin' 7-Eleven Hot Dog, what more can one ask for.
Our Heavenly Father really does supply us with some beautiful tender mercies to help us push on to the next challenge. Life is a beautiful thing.
All My Love,
Gordon
He is still having the phantom pains but the pain from the skin grafting settled down a great deal over the past 48 hours. His surgery today went great. He came back to the room with NO WOUND VACS - you heard me - NO WOUND VACS. That's fantastic. It feels like every time a tube gets removed it is a reason to celebrate.
The surgical team, especially Dr. Fleming, said that David has really turned the corner and is well on his way to being released from the hospital and should head to Walter Reed within the next couple weeks. Dr. Fleming said they will be applying shrinkers to his legs because, I guess, they really want the legs to be sleek and trim to have the best results with the prosthetics.
A "Shrinker" is a tubular compression material used for control or prevention of edema following amputation surgery, for limb volumetric maintenance, to minimize hypertrophic scarring and to give compressive support for pain relief. Compressogrip shrinkers assure controlled compression, ease of application and wearer acceptance. I sound pretty dang smart, don't I!!!
Actually I copied and pasted that little description for your reading benefit. I shouldn't have told you the truth, I would have sounded brilliant.
Anyway, things are really looking up! I sincerely feel that and say it with conviction. I believe that David is feeling the exact same way. As soon as he got back from surgery, he was starving and Lynnette took off to get him whatever he wanted - you'll never guess what it was - nope, nope, not that either, I told you you wouldn't guess, A HOT DOG FROM 7-ELEVEN, the big honkin' one and he ate the whole thing. The only thing bad about the meal was the fact that his mother is going to have to take days of recovery time to settle down from the drive it took to get the hot dog. To listen to her you would have thought her life was in danger every passing moment of the drive. I tell you, there is a whole bunch to smile about today.
If you think that was incredible, guess what else David did today? Nope, not even close, ya right, not that either... OK, I'll tell you - he called AT&T, by himself, and did all the necessary work to get his cell phone back in commission so his friends could call him and he could call them. He knows he could use our phone but, and it's great to see and feel, he is feeling his independence coming back and it's feels good. Most of us, in our right mind, and without any medications, would hate to make a call to our cell phone carrier - just to deal with many of them is a burden - but he just jumped in and did it.
It is really interesting to write a blog like this. I have found that my words become guarded. When I started to talk about him calling AT&T, I wrote that he jumped in with both feet, I know it's just a phrase, but now the phrase doesn't seem to fit. Then to end that last paragraph with "he just jumped in and did it.", felt really weird too. I'm going to have to find out if it's just my reaction to it or if David feels the same way.
Today Lynnette, her sister Jolyn, and David put on a show to watch and it was, you guessed it, a shoot em' up and blow em' up war movie. In it was a scene that included a man being hit by a shell or a blast of some kind and lying there calling for help. Lynnette had to leave the room. She came back in, after going through several breathing exercises to calm her emotions back down, and told David that she couldn't watch anything like this. He realized the situation and they put on another movie. I am just in awe that David can watch these kinds of scenes, especially after what he is currently going through, and still maintain a cool, calm, and collected demeanor. I know he, and many of his friends, have seen and felt many emotions that most of us will never see or feel or even want to experience, yet these young men just seem to handle it. I really am in awe.
Last word was that David is sleeping and you'll never guess what he is sleeping on! OK, I won't do that a third time. He has sheets on his bed. All this time he has just been sleeping on the bare inflatable bed with a pad here or there to give him comfort. Now he is in luxury with actual sheets. I hope you're feeling good about today too. With great medications to take care of the phantom pain, clean sheets, a very successful surgery day, a step toward a cell phone, and a Big Honkin' 7-Eleven Hot Dog, what more can one ask for.
Our Heavenly Father really does supply us with some beautiful tender mercies to help us push on to the next challenge. Life is a beautiful thing.
All My Love,
Gordon
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 2149
I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday.
I'm really missing being by David's side, I honestly feel quite empty being away from him right now.
I've asked Lynnette to fill me in on everything that has been happening and, hopefully, I can properly portray things from a few thousand miles away.
David's last few days have been about sleeping and just letting the healing process take over. Late Friday night David had some guests and so Lynnette tried to build a little tent over his legs to allow for the air to keep drying the skin harvested areas of his legs and yet maintain a level of dignity for David as he visited with individuals. The visits went on and then things quieted down. The only problem was that nobody had noticed that the sheet that had been used to make the tent over his legs had lowered enough to be touching the wounds and it stuck and, although not a great amount, it had to be carefully peeled away from the legs because it had dried a little. They worked very carefully at it and it did not seem to be any great problem. With the harvested areas, it takes about 5 days to have a good firm surface and every time the blood seeps through, it starts that 5 day count all over again. There has been enough blood loss during the skin grafting surgery and the seepage over the past 4 days that David is looking quite pale and will, more than likely, need another unit or 2 of blood when he goes into surgery tomorrow. They are not worried enough to give him blood right now but, in all appearances, it will be needed tomorrow. His red blood count is low enough that his hands are beginning to tremble.
The pain in David's skin harvested areas are really starting to relax a bit and, unfortunately, the phantom pains are coming back. I asked him which pains he preferred, the skin grafts or the phantom pains and he really wasn't very excited about either of them. They are able to give him special nerve blocking medications that help with the phantom pains but then he is, once again, on his way to La La Land. (La La Bye, and Good Night... - you know the song!)
David really loves to hear from his friends. Today he received email from Jonah Dornbos out of California, and Adam Roberts who was involved in the incident with David in Afghanistan. David really likes to have us set the laptop computer on his chest and he just reads and laughs and enjoys they way buddies converse about the tasks they are involved in. I have to tell you that these EOD Techs are really a breed of their own, I sincerely have not met one of them that I did not immediately like even though I flinch a bit at some of the expletives they use. They are really a great group of men and I believe I could trust them with anything.
David had several EOD Tech buddies drop by today and, although it was really a very very hard day for him to be alert and conversant, he thoroughly enjoyed their visits. Once they were gone and everything settled down, he was able to sleep. Well, maybe not sleep, he was able to get to sleep then be awakened for a pill or two, then get to sleep and be awakened to have something to eat, then get to sleep and be awakened to take another pill, then get to sleep and be awakened to have his vitals taken and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on...............
That's what we call sleep in a hospital.
For those of you who read this blog and, hopefully not, feel discouraged by the fact that these vibrant young men are lying in beds with parts missing, please change your thinking to the way they are thinking: "We are lucky to be here talking about how bad it could have been!" and "I am very excited to hit the next phase of this rehab, what's done is done and it's time to move on to the next phase of my life, just in a different direction than I anticipated!" and "I have an amazing amount of opportunities ahead!" Every Warrior I have met is finding a way to have an incredibly bright outlook on the future and this incredible military and these amazing organizations are doing everything possible to make it all happen. They don't see the restrictions, they see the opportunities. My heart does go out to those soldiers with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries). I am grateful David's intellect it 100% in tact.
As I have thought about this past week and the different times my tears have got the best of me, those tears have all been out of gratitude that my son is still the witty, fun, caring, unselfish, considerate, motivated individual that he was before the blast. Sorry, leaving his room and having to come home did not produce tears of gratitude. But the countless answered prayers, blessings, mercies of our Heavenly Father - the future is very very bright.
Enough Philosophy for the Night,
Have a great night and make it a point to do something for someone tomorrow!
All My Love,
Gordon
I'm really missing being by David's side, I honestly feel quite empty being away from him right now.
I've asked Lynnette to fill me in on everything that has been happening and, hopefully, I can properly portray things from a few thousand miles away.
David's last few days have been about sleeping and just letting the healing process take over. Late Friday night David had some guests and so Lynnette tried to build a little tent over his legs to allow for the air to keep drying the skin harvested areas of his legs and yet maintain a level of dignity for David as he visited with individuals. The visits went on and then things quieted down. The only problem was that nobody had noticed that the sheet that had been used to make the tent over his legs had lowered enough to be touching the wounds and it stuck and, although not a great amount, it had to be carefully peeled away from the legs because it had dried a little. They worked very carefully at it and it did not seem to be any great problem. With the harvested areas, it takes about 5 days to have a good firm surface and every time the blood seeps through, it starts that 5 day count all over again. There has been enough blood loss during the skin grafting surgery and the seepage over the past 4 days that David is looking quite pale and will, more than likely, need another unit or 2 of blood when he goes into surgery tomorrow. They are not worried enough to give him blood right now but, in all appearances, it will be needed tomorrow. His red blood count is low enough that his hands are beginning to tremble.
The pain in David's skin harvested areas are really starting to relax a bit and, unfortunately, the phantom pains are coming back. I asked him which pains he preferred, the skin grafts or the phantom pains and he really wasn't very excited about either of them. They are able to give him special nerve blocking medications that help with the phantom pains but then he is, once again, on his way to La La Land. (La La Bye, and Good Night... - you know the song!)
David really loves to hear from his friends. Today he received email from Jonah Dornbos out of California, and Adam Roberts who was involved in the incident with David in Afghanistan. David really likes to have us set the laptop computer on his chest and he just reads and laughs and enjoys they way buddies converse about the tasks they are involved in. I have to tell you that these EOD Techs are really a breed of their own, I sincerely have not met one of them that I did not immediately like even though I flinch a bit at some of the expletives they use. They are really a great group of men and I believe I could trust them with anything.
David had several EOD Tech buddies drop by today and, although it was really a very very hard day for him to be alert and conversant, he thoroughly enjoyed their visits. Once they were gone and everything settled down, he was able to sleep. Well, maybe not sleep, he was able to get to sleep then be awakened for a pill or two, then get to sleep and be awakened to have something to eat, then get to sleep and be awakened to take another pill, then get to sleep and be awakened to have his vitals taken and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on...............
That's what we call sleep in a hospital.
For those of you who read this blog and, hopefully not, feel discouraged by the fact that these vibrant young men are lying in beds with parts missing, please change your thinking to the way they are thinking: "We are lucky to be here talking about how bad it could have been!" and "I am very excited to hit the next phase of this rehab, what's done is done and it's time to move on to the next phase of my life, just in a different direction than I anticipated!" and "I have an amazing amount of opportunities ahead!" Every Warrior I have met is finding a way to have an incredibly bright outlook on the future and this incredible military and these amazing organizations are doing everything possible to make it all happen. They don't see the restrictions, they see the opportunities. My heart does go out to those soldiers with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries). I am grateful David's intellect it 100% in tact.
As I have thought about this past week and the different times my tears have got the best of me, those tears have all been out of gratitude that my son is still the witty, fun, caring, unselfish, considerate, motivated individual that he was before the blast. Sorry, leaving his room and having to come home did not produce tears of gratitude. But the countless answered prayers, blessings, mercies of our Heavenly Father - the future is very very bright.
Enough Philosophy for the Night,
Have a great night and make it a point to do something for someone tomorrow!
All My Love,
Gordon
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 0721
Good Morning,
I just talked with the group and all is going somewhat OK. While I was talking with David, they were trying to do another blood draw from his left arm. The left arm has been poked and prodded sooooooooo many times that the veins are in stealth mode - they just want to be left alone so it is extremely hard for the nurses to gain access to a good blood source. David has a "Pick Line" in the artery on the inside area of his right bicep, but each time they draw blood from there, they have to flush the line first, the flushing fluid skews the lab work and they can't get an extremely accurate look at his blood counts. David's red blood count has been down the last few days and color has been a little white, we have been told that it is partially because of the little bit of blood loss during the surgery, the skin graft procedure and the pain associated with it, and the enormous amount of fluids still being given to David through his pick lines. I think the ideal count their looking for is a 10 and his last reading was 7.2 which is not critical at all but it is worth keeping an eye on.
Last night the Brecht sisters, they are really mother and daughter but their friendship with each other would make you think they are best buddies. They brought David more treats and fun movies to watch. David really appreciates all the treats and goodies but, for the most part, he is really unable to enjoy them like we would. We ask, sometimes too many times per day, what sounds good for him to eat and then we try to scramble and find it because he really needs to keep up on his protein. He has enjoyed a few of the truffles they brought him. The Brechts are wonderful friends and I have to say that David's Marine friend, David Moran, has great taste in women. Audrey is beautiful, inside and out. (Don't get jealous, Mr. Moran, I just wanted to let you know, if you're following this blog, that you made a great choice - she's a keeper)
David tried to watch Grumpy Old Men last night but did more dosing than watching. When I talked with David, and after having been by his side for over a month, I could hear and feel the lack of strength he has due to his pain, the drugs, the his incredible fatigue. If any one of you call David, please know that he will be putting an extreme amount of effort into having an intellectual conversation and in caring his thoughts from his brain to his mouth and trying to carry your thoughts from his ear to his brain, but now is still not the time to do any more that just visit.
Two days ago we were talking with a Master Sergeant and they were talking about all the wounds people had received. ( In order to protect David's privacy right now I have to be a little vague, but I want you to understand that last paragraph. ) The Master Sergeant was talking about things lost in the blast and David gave him all the details but left one significant detail out so I quickly added that detail into the conversation - David was absolutely shocked and a little mad at me because he thought I hadn't told him. I felt so bad because we had discussed the situation 5 to 7 times (that would be about 6 times) and he had totally forgotten. I'm was looking in his eyes each time we discussed it and thought the drugs were low enough that he was well aware but, oh my, was I wrong. I would venture to say that one of the only things he remembers from the ICU was his Purple Heart Ceremony, and I believe he remembers that because there is a fairly large photo of the ceremony on the wall right in front of him.
If you remember, in some of the first blogs, I typed the words of a letter that was given to David on his flight from Afghanistan to Germany. We read that letter to David in the ICU and he loved it. We gave it to him yesterday and it was as though he had never seen it. He was extremely touched by the sentiments of that young female soldier. He said he didn't know what he was doing to warrant such high praise from someone he didn't even know or couldn't even remember because of the sedation he was under. We could only tell him that his ability to assist those assisting him, his humor, his dedication and respect, his leadership, his compassion, his unselfishness, all shown to this girl while he was laying on a very uncomfortable gurney on a bumpy airplane and sedated to the hilt, was the reason she felt like giving David such respect and praise.
During this whole process, I have thought a great deal about a close friend of mine, Sharon Gardner, whose son lost his leg because of a blood clot. I thought I could really feel his pain but I found, through this, that I had absolutely no idea what he was feeling. Most the time you're not sure what you're feeling, numb, extremely grateful, caring, upset - there are just so many words to describe all the feelings of the day and that's what I'm feeling, what about David.
I feel like I'm rambling a bit and I'm sorry. I have been given many comments about this blog and the questions that come up, when I talk to people in person, lead me to believe that more information is needed so I am trying to give you some of the insights I feel.
All My Love,
Gordon
I just talked with the group and all is going somewhat OK. While I was talking with David, they were trying to do another blood draw from his left arm. The left arm has been poked and prodded sooooooooo many times that the veins are in stealth mode - they just want to be left alone so it is extremely hard for the nurses to gain access to a good blood source. David has a "Pick Line" in the artery on the inside area of his right bicep, but each time they draw blood from there, they have to flush the line first, the flushing fluid skews the lab work and they can't get an extremely accurate look at his blood counts. David's red blood count has been down the last few days and color has been a little white, we have been told that it is partially because of the little bit of blood loss during the surgery, the skin graft procedure and the pain associated with it, and the enormous amount of fluids still being given to David through his pick lines. I think the ideal count their looking for is a 10 and his last reading was 7.2 which is not critical at all but it is worth keeping an eye on.
Last night the Brecht sisters, they are really mother and daughter but their friendship with each other would make you think they are best buddies. They brought David more treats and fun movies to watch. David really appreciates all the treats and goodies but, for the most part, he is really unable to enjoy them like we would. We ask, sometimes too many times per day, what sounds good for him to eat and then we try to scramble and find it because he really needs to keep up on his protein. He has enjoyed a few of the truffles they brought him. The Brechts are wonderful friends and I have to say that David's Marine friend, David Moran, has great taste in women. Audrey is beautiful, inside and out. (Don't get jealous, Mr. Moran, I just wanted to let you know, if you're following this blog, that you made a great choice - she's a keeper)
David tried to watch Grumpy Old Men last night but did more dosing than watching. When I talked with David, and after having been by his side for over a month, I could hear and feel the lack of strength he has due to his pain, the drugs, the his incredible fatigue. If any one of you call David, please know that he will be putting an extreme amount of effort into having an intellectual conversation and in caring his thoughts from his brain to his mouth and trying to carry your thoughts from his ear to his brain, but now is still not the time to do any more that just visit.
Two days ago we were talking with a Master Sergeant and they were talking about all the wounds people had received. ( In order to protect David's privacy right now I have to be a little vague, but I want you to understand that last paragraph. ) The Master Sergeant was talking about things lost in the blast and David gave him all the details but left one significant detail out so I quickly added that detail into the conversation - David was absolutely shocked and a little mad at me because he thought I hadn't told him. I felt so bad because we had discussed the situation 5 to 7 times (that would be about 6 times) and he had totally forgotten. I'm was looking in his eyes each time we discussed it and thought the drugs were low enough that he was well aware but, oh my, was I wrong. I would venture to say that one of the only things he remembers from the ICU was his Purple Heart Ceremony, and I believe he remembers that because there is a fairly large photo of the ceremony on the wall right in front of him.
If you remember, in some of the first blogs, I typed the words of a letter that was given to David on his flight from Afghanistan to Germany. We read that letter to David in the ICU and he loved it. We gave it to him yesterday and it was as though he had never seen it. He was extremely touched by the sentiments of that young female soldier. He said he didn't know what he was doing to warrant such high praise from someone he didn't even know or couldn't even remember because of the sedation he was under. We could only tell him that his ability to assist those assisting him, his humor, his dedication and respect, his leadership, his compassion, his unselfishness, all shown to this girl while he was laying on a very uncomfortable gurney on a bumpy airplane and sedated to the hilt, was the reason she felt like giving David such respect and praise.
During this whole process, I have thought a great deal about a close friend of mine, Sharon Gardner, whose son lost his leg because of a blood clot. I thought I could really feel his pain but I found, through this, that I had absolutely no idea what he was feeling. Most the time you're not sure what you're feeling, numb, extremely grateful, caring, upset - there are just so many words to describe all the feelings of the day and that's what I'm feeling, what about David.
I feel like I'm rambling a bit and I'm sorry. I have been given many comments about this blog and the questions that come up, when I talk to people in person, lead me to believe that more information is needed so I am trying to give you some of the insights I feel.
All My Love,
Gordon
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, June 24, 2010 at 1135
Good Morning,
Today is a very bad day for me, but David is feeling much better now that the skin grafts are settling down. Today is bad for me because I have to go home to sell my Allstate book of business and officially begin my new Independent Agent career. It is a very emotional day for me because, for the next two weeks, I can't be here to run interference, to help lift him, to help comfort him, to talk with him and to hold him when I say, I Love You! I'm also a little concerned about keeping this blog updated for you.
David really is doing much better today and his appetite is doing well. He has had many guests already today. You should have been here yesterday, you would have thought it was a social gathering, there was 3 of us guys talking about things over by David's bed, 4 women talking girlie talk on the other side of the room and a female injured Captain standing in the middle of all of us trying to talk with David. The Captain was very considerate.
Got to Go,
Gordon
It's now 2359 and I am in Utah. I feel quite empty without Lynnette and David. My great friends, whom I love dearly, Todd and Karen McKinnon, picked me up at the airport and we enjoyed our 5 mile per hour ride home from the airport - ya gotta love that eternal Utah road construction. Great friends, like many of you, have made this whole experience much easier and we thank you for all you have and are doing.
When I left David's room I went by the nurses station and asked Randy, a big Teddy Bear of a man with a great heart, to do me a favor. He said "Anything for my man Lyon!" I asked him to please watch out for my son because I had to leave for two weeks. Yep, I started crying again, just like I'm doing while typing this - you'd think I'd be cried out by now. I went back to the room and just sat there while the Physical Therapist went through exercises with David. I was still quite emotional when Randy burst into the room and just gave me a big hug. Yes, mistakes have been made by a few staff members, but they all are here and doing the best they can for these great men. I have to say men because David quickly corrected Lynnette this morning when she made a comment about these young boys........."Mom, these guys are fighting for their country and they have had their legs blown off in the process, they are MEN!" Lynnette was graciously reproved and is working on hiding that little motherly instinct.
Every time David makes a move, like pushing the button to raise or lower his head, the skin grafts on his legs stretch or constrict and he seeps fresh pools of blood. He is keeping the pain level at approximately "4 to 6" which I would probably guess is 5. It's funny how I have never heard him say 5 but he quite often says 4 to 6.
David has had several people visit in preparation for some of the upcoming procedures in the rehabilitation process. David will, more than likely, be spending a few more weeks in the Naval Hospital and then will be transferring to Walter Reed. He will probably stay in Maryland until the X-fix is removed and the Ulnar Nerve transplant has been completed. By then he will have a good feel for the capabilities of Walter Reed and will gather enough information to make the decision as to where to do his prosthetic rehabilitation.
I've asked Lynnette to take notes throughout the day and let me know what the day was like so I can keep all of you informed. I sincerely hope I can portray an accurate picture of the events of each day without being there myself.
If any of you have particular questions you would like to ask about this whole experience or you would like to ask David directly, please feel free to contact me at noylnodrog@msn.com and I'll try to give you a better picture.
I wish you all a great night!!!
Love,
Gordon
Today is a very bad day for me, but David is feeling much better now that the skin grafts are settling down. Today is bad for me because I have to go home to sell my Allstate book of business and officially begin my new Independent Agent career. It is a very emotional day for me because, for the next two weeks, I can't be here to run interference, to help lift him, to help comfort him, to talk with him and to hold him when I say, I Love You! I'm also a little concerned about keeping this blog updated for you.
David really is doing much better today and his appetite is doing well. He has had many guests already today. You should have been here yesterday, you would have thought it was a social gathering, there was 3 of us guys talking about things over by David's bed, 4 women talking girlie talk on the other side of the room and a female injured Captain standing in the middle of all of us trying to talk with David. The Captain was very considerate.
Got to Go,
Gordon
It's now 2359 and I am in Utah. I feel quite empty without Lynnette and David. My great friends, whom I love dearly, Todd and Karen McKinnon, picked me up at the airport and we enjoyed our 5 mile per hour ride home from the airport - ya gotta love that eternal Utah road construction. Great friends, like many of you, have made this whole experience much easier and we thank you for all you have and are doing.
When I left David's room I went by the nurses station and asked Randy, a big Teddy Bear of a man with a great heart, to do me a favor. He said "Anything for my man Lyon!" I asked him to please watch out for my son because I had to leave for two weeks. Yep, I started crying again, just like I'm doing while typing this - you'd think I'd be cried out by now. I went back to the room and just sat there while the Physical Therapist went through exercises with David. I was still quite emotional when Randy burst into the room and just gave me a big hug. Yes, mistakes have been made by a few staff members, but they all are here and doing the best they can for these great men. I have to say men because David quickly corrected Lynnette this morning when she made a comment about these young boys........."Mom, these guys are fighting for their country and they have had their legs blown off in the process, they are MEN!" Lynnette was graciously reproved and is working on hiding that little motherly instinct.
Every time David makes a move, like pushing the button to raise or lower his head, the skin grafts on his legs stretch or constrict and he seeps fresh pools of blood. He is keeping the pain level at approximately "4 to 6" which I would probably guess is 5. It's funny how I have never heard him say 5 but he quite often says 4 to 6.
David has had several people visit in preparation for some of the upcoming procedures in the rehabilitation process. David will, more than likely, be spending a few more weeks in the Naval Hospital and then will be transferring to Walter Reed. He will probably stay in Maryland until the X-fix is removed and the Ulnar Nerve transplant has been completed. By then he will have a good feel for the capabilities of Walter Reed and will gather enough information to make the decision as to where to do his prosthetic rehabilitation.
I've asked Lynnette to take notes throughout the day and let me know what the day was like so I can keep all of you informed. I sincerely hope I can portray an accurate picture of the events of each day without being there myself.
If any of you have particular questions you would like to ask about this whole experience or you would like to ask David directly, please feel free to contact me at noylnodrog@msn.com and I'll try to give you a better picture.
I wish you all a great night!!!
Love,
Gordon
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 1509
Today is sleep day.
The nurse just drew some more blood, or tried to draw some more blood. To me it looked a little like a gangster sticking a needle in someone and rotating it around a bit to make sure it hurt pretty good. It took so long to draw the tube of blood that the blood clotted in the draw tube. David could tell she was having a bad day so he offered her a Root Beer Popsicle, (I could have understood a cherry or lime, but a ROOT BEER), this son of mine is a saint too. She enjoyed the popsicle and I think she really enjoyed the gesture. Within minutes, David is sleeping again.
David came through the surgery with flying colors. Mainly red. He now has all three open wound areas closed with new skin, and yes, they were able to avoid the tattoo on his back. The only problem with the closed wound areas is that they have caused 3 new wound areas - they took two from his right leg and 1 from his left leg. If you have never seen a skin graft before, it is a little like a motorized PLANER/CHEESE SLICER that cuts a 2"wide strip of skin that is approximately 1/16" deep and about 8 to 10" long. Before the surgery, as you may have recalled, I told David this was really going to really hurt and then a corpsman came in later and told him it did not really hurt - it was more of a burning or a stinging sensation. Last night David said, "Dad, you were right - this really hurts!" From that point on we have tried to keep him sleeping as much as possible. You know, nurses really are quite incredible, but when they each have 5 to 13 guys, all with wounds like these, they tend to forget the little things that really can make a difference. (i.e. Softly walking into a room, turning out the lights when they are trying to sleep, closing the door so the room can remain quiet, not catching a tube in the bed rail, not catching an x-fix under the bed rail, etc, etc, etc) I'm not holding a grudge, it's just that when it hurts him, it hurts me and David has to reassure Lynnette that it's OK!
When David was coming out of anesthesia, he thought we were in the wild west and was wondering where his cowboy hat was. He saw pebbles and dirt all over the floor. He soon realized where he was and he told us to get him back to his room because he didn't like it there. He also told us that when he had his arm surgery for his compound fracture, several years ago, he remembered coming out of sedation in the recovery room and thought that he had died - the ceiling was painted with clouds and the room was the perfect temperature and he just rhought he had died and this was his new beginning in Heaven until an "Indian Guy" stuck his head in view and asked how he was doing. He enjoyed some ice chips and we headed for his room.
The recipient area of the skin grafts will be left alone for 5 days. We have been told that the pain should be tolerable after about 2 days. After the 5 days the wound vacs will come off and David will be almost TUBE FREE. I know he is really looking forward to getting back in the wheelchair. Hopefully, by then, the sauna outside will be down to a cool 90 degrees and 98% humidity. It is a scourcher today.
David woke up to get more medication and I asked him if he wanted to say anything to all of you. He wanted me to tell all of you that he is "moving forward, doing what he is suppose to do, and that he'll be out there with all of you soon!", then he fell back to sleep. I know it sounds like his recovery it is going great, and it is, but, the necessary medications make it very difficult for him to carry a complete thought or a meaningful conversation more than a few minutes - it is all going to just take time.
I keep getting interupted and it has taken me almost an hour to write this so, I'll write more later.
Aubrey and Laura Brecht came in yesterday and it was great. They brought all kinds of goodies and they brought David a great Mickey Mouse Pirate Hat from Disneyland. They also had a folder of letters from the Silver Mine School in Connecticut and those beautifully fantastic kids drew David great pictures and wrote him notes and letters - it really put many many many many many many great smiles on his face. Thank You!!!!!!!!!
For all of you EOD Techs out there - David wanted me to tell you that he received a certificate for a PELICAN case of his choice and you can't have it.
Thank You All,
Gordon
The nurse just drew some more blood, or tried to draw some more blood. To me it looked a little like a gangster sticking a needle in someone and rotating it around a bit to make sure it hurt pretty good. It took so long to draw the tube of blood that the blood clotted in the draw tube. David could tell she was having a bad day so he offered her a Root Beer Popsicle, (I could have understood a cherry or lime, but a ROOT BEER), this son of mine is a saint too. She enjoyed the popsicle and I think she really enjoyed the gesture. Within minutes, David is sleeping again.
David came through the surgery with flying colors. Mainly red. He now has all three open wound areas closed with new skin, and yes, they were able to avoid the tattoo on his back. The only problem with the closed wound areas is that they have caused 3 new wound areas - they took two from his right leg and 1 from his left leg. If you have never seen a skin graft before, it is a little like a motorized PLANER/CHEESE SLICER that cuts a 2"wide strip of skin that is approximately 1/16" deep and about 8 to 10" long. Before the surgery, as you may have recalled, I told David this was really going to really hurt and then a corpsman came in later and told him it did not really hurt - it was more of a burning or a stinging sensation. Last night David said, "Dad, you were right - this really hurts!" From that point on we have tried to keep him sleeping as much as possible. You know, nurses really are quite incredible, but when they each have 5 to 13 guys, all with wounds like these, they tend to forget the little things that really can make a difference. (i.e. Softly walking into a room, turning out the lights when they are trying to sleep, closing the door so the room can remain quiet, not catching a tube in the bed rail, not catching an x-fix under the bed rail, etc, etc, etc) I'm not holding a grudge, it's just that when it hurts him, it hurts me and David has to reassure Lynnette that it's OK!
When David was coming out of anesthesia, he thought we were in the wild west and was wondering where his cowboy hat was. He saw pebbles and dirt all over the floor. He soon realized where he was and he told us to get him back to his room because he didn't like it there. He also told us that when he had his arm surgery for his compound fracture, several years ago, he remembered coming out of sedation in the recovery room and thought that he had died - the ceiling was painted with clouds and the room was the perfect temperature and he just rhought he had died and this was his new beginning in Heaven until an "Indian Guy" stuck his head in view and asked how he was doing. He enjoyed some ice chips and we headed for his room.
The recipient area of the skin grafts will be left alone for 5 days. We have been told that the pain should be tolerable after about 2 days. After the 5 days the wound vacs will come off and David will be almost TUBE FREE. I know he is really looking forward to getting back in the wheelchair. Hopefully, by then, the sauna outside will be down to a cool 90 degrees and 98% humidity. It is a scourcher today.
David woke up to get more medication and I asked him if he wanted to say anything to all of you. He wanted me to tell all of you that he is "moving forward, doing what he is suppose to do, and that he'll be out there with all of you soon!", then he fell back to sleep. I know it sounds like his recovery it is going great, and it is, but, the necessary medications make it very difficult for him to carry a complete thought or a meaningful conversation more than a few minutes - it is all going to just take time.
I keep getting interupted and it has taken me almost an hour to write this so, I'll write more later.
Aubrey and Laura Brecht came in yesterday and it was great. They brought all kinds of goodies and they brought David a great Mickey Mouse Pirate Hat from Disneyland. They also had a folder of letters from the Silver Mine School in Connecticut and those beautifully fantastic kids drew David great pictures and wrote him notes and letters - it really put many many many many many many great smiles on his face. Thank You!!!!!!!!!
For all of you EOD Techs out there - David wanted me to tell you that he received a certificate for a PELICAN case of his choice and you can't have it.
Thank You All,
Gordon
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 at 0915
Good Morning Everyone,
Go ahead, call me a slacker. With Ethen and Heather here for the last few days, we haven't been getting to sleep until at least midnight and there is so much going on throughout the day that it is hard to find time, or take time away from David, or Ethen, or Heather, or my incredibly beautiful and wonderful wife, to stop and write in this blog.
Yesterday was non-stop busy. I finally had to ground the nursing staff. I came into the room after being with Ethen for awhile and David's food tray was sitting on a chair, about 7 feet away from David. I immediately got a little upset and went to meet with the nursing staff. I found the food had been there for almost 2 hours and asked them if they had any idea how he was suppose to jump out of bed and grab his tray from the chair, then jump back in bed, make himself good and comfortable, cut up his meat with one hand, and have a relaxing meal. I promise I was kind, but I told the staff that their only duties were not administering medications and asking what his pain level was. The nurse that caught the tube in the rail a few days ago almost flinches when I walk by, but, it's not because I was mean, it was because she knew she messed up.
David is really getting his appetite back. Yesterday was a great eating day but he still has to play close attention to the proteins and not just calories. We keep trying to buy him things he'll eat but when it comes he takes 2 or 3 bites and is full. It's not that he doesn't love the hospital cooking, we all know how wonderful hospital meals are. He did have a great portion of Chicken Alfredo from the Cheesecake Factory. The bad part is that my mom always taught me to clean my plate and now I have to clean his too!
I'll try to get some pictures on the blog real soon. David took his maiden ride on his wheelchair about 3:30 yesterday. It was absolutely beautiful. He drove into other wounded soldiers rooms, went down and visited with the Marine Liaison Office and asked the Marines if he could get anything, "ANYTHING!", for them - I was having a hard time keeping in the tears about then. Then we went outside and he want to go close to a plant, any living plant. About that time my brother, Jann, called and it was like I then had permission to let my feelings go - I couldn't even talk (oh crap, I'm doing it again), it was just so incredibly GREAT to see him sitting up, mobile, breathing fresh air, soaking in the humid rays of sun, and feeling more free that he has in over a month. I handed the phone to David and I think that got Jann's emotions flowing as well. I don't think I have ever felt this close to David and I LOVE IT! We travelled all over that hospital and he was even trying some speed shifts. He did get a bit stuck in a corner of the elevator and, I can tell you first hand, those motorized wheelchairs are heavy and hard to move by hand. It's luck David has such an incredibly muscular father - people always want a six pack, I've got a keg!
Ethen and David were beautiful together. From time to time Ethen would not go near David but I felt, and so did David, that it was the fact that he was 4 and had toys in the room and he was very tired. Ethen didn't seem bothered in regards to David's missing legs or injured arm, he just keep asking when he was getting his robot legs. He would leave the room for 3 hours and come back and ask Daddy if he had his robot legs yet. It was really a great experience to have them together. Heather was fantastic with both of them, she is an incredible mother and patient to boot.
Today is surgery day and David is a bit nervous, but I think that's my fault for explaining the procedure to his. He'll do great anyway.
When I left his room to write this blog, the Psychology team was visiting with him and was very impressed with the way he was handling everything. She asked many many in depth questions and felt that David was incredibly blessed not to have much more serious issues to deal with, especially considering the injuries he sustained and the fact that this was the 8th time that David has really had his "bell rung" by a blast. I've learned many things that could have had a very negative effect on his psychological response, those things are not meant for an open forum but I am very impressed with David's commitments to "the completion of the mission!"
I had assumed that the skin grafts would mean that the 3 wound vacs would be removed, but I was wrong again. The wound vacs are still used, at a low level, to keep the skin from stretching and it gives the grafts a better chance of healing properly. We don't know, at the present time, if the x-fix on his right hand will be removed or not.
I think I've kept you from you daily duties long enough. Take care and please know that we are very appreciative of you thoughts and your prayers.
All My Love,
Gordon
Go ahead, call me a slacker. With Ethen and Heather here for the last few days, we haven't been getting to sleep until at least midnight and there is so much going on throughout the day that it is hard to find time, or take time away from David, or Ethen, or Heather, or my incredibly beautiful and wonderful wife, to stop and write in this blog.
Yesterday was non-stop busy. I finally had to ground the nursing staff. I came into the room after being with Ethen for awhile and David's food tray was sitting on a chair, about 7 feet away from David. I immediately got a little upset and went to meet with the nursing staff. I found the food had been there for almost 2 hours and asked them if they had any idea how he was suppose to jump out of bed and grab his tray from the chair, then jump back in bed, make himself good and comfortable, cut up his meat with one hand, and have a relaxing meal. I promise I was kind, but I told the staff that their only duties were not administering medications and asking what his pain level was. The nurse that caught the tube in the rail a few days ago almost flinches when I walk by, but, it's not because I was mean, it was because she knew she messed up.
David is really getting his appetite back. Yesterday was a great eating day but he still has to play close attention to the proteins and not just calories. We keep trying to buy him things he'll eat but when it comes he takes 2 or 3 bites and is full. It's not that he doesn't love the hospital cooking, we all know how wonderful hospital meals are. He did have a great portion of Chicken Alfredo from the Cheesecake Factory. The bad part is that my mom always taught me to clean my plate and now I have to clean his too!
I'll try to get some pictures on the blog real soon. David took his maiden ride on his wheelchair about 3:30 yesterday. It was absolutely beautiful. He drove into other wounded soldiers rooms, went down and visited with the Marine Liaison Office and asked the Marines if he could get anything, "ANYTHING!", for them - I was having a hard time keeping in the tears about then. Then we went outside and he want to go close to a plant, any living plant. About that time my brother, Jann, called and it was like I then had permission to let my feelings go - I couldn't even talk (oh crap, I'm doing it again), it was just so incredibly GREAT to see him sitting up, mobile, breathing fresh air, soaking in the humid rays of sun, and feeling more free that he has in over a month. I handed the phone to David and I think that got Jann's emotions flowing as well. I don't think I have ever felt this close to David and I LOVE IT! We travelled all over that hospital and he was even trying some speed shifts. He did get a bit stuck in a corner of the elevator and, I can tell you first hand, those motorized wheelchairs are heavy and hard to move by hand. It's luck David has such an incredibly muscular father - people always want a six pack, I've got a keg!
Ethen and David were beautiful together. From time to time Ethen would not go near David but I felt, and so did David, that it was the fact that he was 4 and had toys in the room and he was very tired. Ethen didn't seem bothered in regards to David's missing legs or injured arm, he just keep asking when he was getting his robot legs. He would leave the room for 3 hours and come back and ask Daddy if he had his robot legs yet. It was really a great experience to have them together. Heather was fantastic with both of them, she is an incredible mother and patient to boot.
Today is surgery day and David is a bit nervous, but I think that's my fault for explaining the procedure to his. He'll do great anyway.
When I left his room to write this blog, the Psychology team was visiting with him and was very impressed with the way he was handling everything. She asked many many in depth questions and felt that David was incredibly blessed not to have much more serious issues to deal with, especially considering the injuries he sustained and the fact that this was the 8th time that David has really had his "bell rung" by a blast. I've learned many things that could have had a very negative effect on his psychological response, those things are not meant for an open forum but I am very impressed with David's commitments to "the completion of the mission!"
I had assumed that the skin grafts would mean that the 3 wound vacs would be removed, but I was wrong again. The wound vacs are still used, at a low level, to keep the skin from stretching and it gives the grafts a better chance of healing properly. We don't know, at the present time, if the x-fix on his right hand will be removed or not.
I think I've kept you from you daily duties long enough. Take care and please know that we are very appreciative of you thoughts and your prayers.
All My Love,
Gordon
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tuesday 22 June 2010 at 1135
I went home about 10:30 last night and was just too dang tired to do much but go to sleep.
David has a pretty good day yesterday. The Physical Therapy technician came in with the occupational therapist and had David setting up to almost 90 degrees. He said it felt great even though it was stretching his back quite a bit. Remembering that his bed is inflatable, I don't think he will be able to set up that far against a solid surface. Both of the technicians were female and one ended up climbing up on the bed and kneeling behind him while the other on stood to the side and supported the left shoulder. The actually did that twice and the second time I was able to reach in and give his entire back a good washing - he was really pumped just thinking about setting up.
Next they worked on some strength training. The had him lift both legs 10 times and had him do 3 repetitions of that exercise. Then they had him press both legs as far down, 10 times, and do 2 repetitions of that exercise. Then they had him squeeze his rear end, as tight as he could, 30 times. Then they worked with his right hand and forced the wrist as far forward as his pain would allow and worked with each knuckle and joint in the same manner. At this very minute, they are reheating the brace, on his right arm, in an effort to reposition it to straighten the wrist and the knuckles. It's all good moves. After he sat up so well yesterday, they ordered him a wheelchair so he could drive himself around and outside. I am a little worried about that transitioning from the bed to the wheelchair and back again because of the tube that was pulled the other day. He is extremely tender from that. When I expressed my concerns with him, he calmly said that we would work through it - obviously he feels that the pain is worth the freedom.
David and I discussed the actual incident again and, in my mind, it is great that David has the attitude that he can talk openly about the event. This morning, SSGT Fraley, the soldier I mentioned the other day that had a skull fracture from a large chunk of shrapnel in the side of his head, came in to see David and they had a nice chat and a good laugh. SSGT Fraley also had injuries to his left shoulder that messed up one of his tattoos and David is worried about the skin grafts tomorrow because he doesn't want the Cysteine Chapel tattoo on his back to be messed up. We'll do a special request for them to leave that tattoo in tact.
David is eating much better now because he does not want that feeding tube back in.
He slept great last night. His energy level was much better today. There are so many things that are going pretty good. David will be out of commission for about 5 days after the skin grafts because they really need to keep his movement level low while the skin grafts take hold. After that, they will be evaluating if he can transfer to Walter Reed or to Balboa Hospital in San Diego.
I need to get back into his room.
Love to All,
Gordon
David has a pretty good day yesterday. The Physical Therapy technician came in with the occupational therapist and had David setting up to almost 90 degrees. He said it felt great even though it was stretching his back quite a bit. Remembering that his bed is inflatable, I don't think he will be able to set up that far against a solid surface. Both of the technicians were female and one ended up climbing up on the bed and kneeling behind him while the other on stood to the side and supported the left shoulder. The actually did that twice and the second time I was able to reach in and give his entire back a good washing - he was really pumped just thinking about setting up.
Next they worked on some strength training. The had him lift both legs 10 times and had him do 3 repetitions of that exercise. Then they had him press both legs as far down, 10 times, and do 2 repetitions of that exercise. Then they had him squeeze his rear end, as tight as he could, 30 times. Then they worked with his right hand and forced the wrist as far forward as his pain would allow and worked with each knuckle and joint in the same manner. At this very minute, they are reheating the brace, on his right arm, in an effort to reposition it to straighten the wrist and the knuckles. It's all good moves. After he sat up so well yesterday, they ordered him a wheelchair so he could drive himself around and outside. I am a little worried about that transitioning from the bed to the wheelchair and back again because of the tube that was pulled the other day. He is extremely tender from that. When I expressed my concerns with him, he calmly said that we would work through it - obviously he feels that the pain is worth the freedom.
David and I discussed the actual incident again and, in my mind, it is great that David has the attitude that he can talk openly about the event. This morning, SSGT Fraley, the soldier I mentioned the other day that had a skull fracture from a large chunk of shrapnel in the side of his head, came in to see David and they had a nice chat and a good laugh. SSGT Fraley also had injuries to his left shoulder that messed up one of his tattoos and David is worried about the skin grafts tomorrow because he doesn't want the Cysteine Chapel tattoo on his back to be messed up. We'll do a special request for them to leave that tattoo in tact.
David is eating much better now because he does not want that feeding tube back in.
He slept great last night. His energy level was much better today. There are so many things that are going pretty good. David will be out of commission for about 5 days after the skin grafts because they really need to keep his movement level low while the skin grafts take hold. After that, they will be evaluating if he can transfer to Walter Reed or to Balboa Hospital in San Diego.
I need to get back into his room.
Love to All,
Gordon
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day Sunday 20 June 2010 at 2325
Happy Father's Day to all you Fathers. David's brother, Michael, had one of the best presents I know of, his wife, Tiffany had a baby girl today at about 6:30 PM, she was 6 lbs. and 19" long. She has a bunch of dark hair and is beautiful. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lynnette and I both felt bad that we were not there for the birth of grand child 17, and now 18. I have no doubt that Michael and Tiffany and Mary Jayne and Kevin understand completely but I very much miss being able to put my cheek next to the cheeks of those beautiful little babies and just feel the softness of their skin. They are just so precious.
I guess this is David's blog so I best get talking about David. He had a good Father's Day. He received a very cute card from Ethen, heard from a couple High School Buddies, Danny Diehl and Ryan Whicknick, and had several conversations with family members and with one of his Marine buddies. He had each of those conversations, you'd better sit down for this - well, are you seated?
If your not, this is at your own risk. He had each of those conversations WITHOUT A FEEDING TUBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You heard right, the feeding tube is out. One small step backwards for liquid INSURE and one giant leap forward for our Marine.
There were no bent fixators, no jerked tubes, no setbacks at all.
David is extremely tired and the rest is exactly what he needs right now but he is still having to deal with a great amount of the Phantom Pains. I asked him, again, what they felt like and he explained it as such: "it feels like my legs are hanging over the end of the bed and my feet keep falling off!" It is both painful and disturbing at that same time. This healing process takes many different turns - I'm wondering what is next. David phantom pain is relieved when we rub his lower back, so I am trying to find out if there is anything that has been developed, like a heating pad, that can do a light massage on different areas while he is laying in bed. I just got the thought that he may be having a problem with his siatic nerve and it is causing the pain down the legs. I guess it's time for more research.
David was talking to me about the experience immediately after the blast when he saw how badly he was hurt. David had to go through some Field Medical Training and he knew exactly what to do and had to get those around him to take care of specific tasks. He instructed one soldier to apply a tourniquet and another one (I guess it could have been the same individual) to kneel on the artery of the other leg. He was instructing them how to put in the IV lines and I am thoroughly amazed at the training of these Marines. I asked if his limbs were numb from the blast and he assured me that he felt everything. He said he had to keep a cool head and take charge of the situation - he also expressed that he was trying to joke with the other soldiers to keep things as light as possible.
You know, there are many things that we can say against the military, but, as a father of 4 military boys, the military really builds men.
David was feeling a little gloomy today until he received an email from a person very important to him. I won't mention names. I can tell you that his entire day brightened up after that email came.
David is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. I really have no way of knowing when he will be taken to the OR. He is scheduled to have all skin grafts done that day, so it could be a lengthy procedure and, as I understand it, very painful for the next several days. They brought 6 more soldiers in today. I believe 4 went directly to the 5th floor - which is great. The other 2 went to ICU, and I don't have any idea how many are never coming home from those same incidents. I know of one because I talked to the soldier who had a large piece of shrapnel sticking out of his head directly after a blast that killed the soldier, directly in front of him, that stepped on the IED.
I hope David continues to learn more and helps stop these IEDs from having such a devastating effect on these individuals.
I have mentioned, several times, the soldier that was in the room next to David in the ICU. A member of his extended family told us tonight that his death was eminent. I am guessing that his wife of 4 months is the one who is going to have to make that final call. He has been given no chance of recovery and she has been told that any infection he gets is probably going to kill him. He has lost all four limbs and they have had to take his hip as well. I, so vividly, remember having to give the doctor permission to take off David's pinky finger and it was heart wrenching. This 22 year old sweet young girl has had to give permission to take off her husband's second arm and now she is, probably, going to have to give permission to terminate the support that is keeping him alive. I'm not sure what her faith is, but my faith gives me comfort for that young man - knowing that he will receive his perfect body back again - knowing that he will be at peace, with no pain, and knowing that he will be very busy learning about and helping his Heavenly Father.
Once again - Happy Father's Day,
Congratulations Michael and Tiffany,
Dad and Gordon to you non-family members
P.S. I am writing so late that I have not checked my grammar, and have not checked to see if I didn't complete a word or left one out, so please forgive this tired old man.
Lynnette and I both felt bad that we were not there for the birth of grand child 17, and now 18. I have no doubt that Michael and Tiffany and Mary Jayne and Kevin understand completely but I very much miss being able to put my cheek next to the cheeks of those beautiful little babies and just feel the softness of their skin. They are just so precious.
I guess this is David's blog so I best get talking about David. He had a good Father's Day. He received a very cute card from Ethen, heard from a couple High School Buddies, Danny Diehl and Ryan Whicknick, and had several conversations with family members and with one of his Marine buddies. He had each of those conversations, you'd better sit down for this - well, are you seated?
If your not, this is at your own risk. He had each of those conversations WITHOUT A FEEDING TUBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You heard right, the feeding tube is out. One small step backwards for liquid INSURE and one giant leap forward for our Marine.
There were no bent fixators, no jerked tubes, no setbacks at all.
David is extremely tired and the rest is exactly what he needs right now but he is still having to deal with a great amount of the Phantom Pains. I asked him, again, what they felt like and he explained it as such: "it feels like my legs are hanging over the end of the bed and my feet keep falling off!" It is both painful and disturbing at that same time. This healing process takes many different turns - I'm wondering what is next. David phantom pain is relieved when we rub his lower back, so I am trying to find out if there is anything that has been developed, like a heating pad, that can do a light massage on different areas while he is laying in bed. I just got the thought that he may be having a problem with his siatic nerve and it is causing the pain down the legs. I guess it's time for more research.
David was talking to me about the experience immediately after the blast when he saw how badly he was hurt. David had to go through some Field Medical Training and he knew exactly what to do and had to get those around him to take care of specific tasks. He instructed one soldier to apply a tourniquet and another one (I guess it could have been the same individual) to kneel on the artery of the other leg. He was instructing them how to put in the IV lines and I am thoroughly amazed at the training of these Marines. I asked if his limbs were numb from the blast and he assured me that he felt everything. He said he had to keep a cool head and take charge of the situation - he also expressed that he was trying to joke with the other soldiers to keep things as light as possible.
You know, there are many things that we can say against the military, but, as a father of 4 military boys, the military really builds men.
David was feeling a little gloomy today until he received an email from a person very important to him. I won't mention names. I can tell you that his entire day brightened up after that email came.
David is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. I really have no way of knowing when he will be taken to the OR. He is scheduled to have all skin grafts done that day, so it could be a lengthy procedure and, as I understand it, very painful for the next several days. They brought 6 more soldiers in today. I believe 4 went directly to the 5th floor - which is great. The other 2 went to ICU, and I don't have any idea how many are never coming home from those same incidents. I know of one because I talked to the soldier who had a large piece of shrapnel sticking out of his head directly after a blast that killed the soldier, directly in front of him, that stepped on the IED.
I hope David continues to learn more and helps stop these IEDs from having such a devastating effect on these individuals.
I have mentioned, several times, the soldier that was in the room next to David in the ICU. A member of his extended family told us tonight that his death was eminent. I am guessing that his wife of 4 months is the one who is going to have to make that final call. He has been given no chance of recovery and she has been told that any infection he gets is probably going to kill him. He has lost all four limbs and they have had to take his hip as well. I, so vividly, remember having to give the doctor permission to take off David's pinky finger and it was heart wrenching. This 22 year old sweet young girl has had to give permission to take off her husband's second arm and now she is, probably, going to have to give permission to terminate the support that is keeping him alive. I'm not sure what her faith is, but my faith gives me comfort for that young man - knowing that he will receive his perfect body back again - knowing that he will be at peace, with no pain, and knowing that he will be very busy learning about and helping his Heavenly Father.
Once again - Happy Father's Day,
Congratulations Michael and Tiffany,
Dad and Gordon to you non-family members
P.S. I am writing so late that I have not checked my grammar, and have not checked to see if I didn't complete a word or left one out, so please forgive this tired old man.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010 @ 2244
This was a great day and a lousy day - all rolled up into one.
Ethen and Heather showed up about 11 this morning and it really meant a great deal to David. Ethen was very happy to see David but did not want to touch him or let David touch himself. David handled it very very well and Ethen, within an hour or so, asked if he could get up on a chair and give his Daddy a hug. It was very sweet.
Ethen wanted to be like his Daddy so he got an ace bandage and put it around his knee. I have no idea how he came up with an idea like that.
David was having a pretty good day but had another BIG BUMP in the road today when his nurse put down the side rail on the bed and caught a drain hooked to David. It is the first time, through all of this, that I have heard him call out in pain. It hurt him really bad and continued that excruciating pain until she put the rail back up. He has been hurting all day. Also, for the first time since the accident, he actually complained about "PHANTOM" pain. He said that his feet have been really hurting all day long. I asked him what it felt like and he just said "It really hurts and I don't like it!" The staff has received orders to give him special medication to, specifically, that care of that type of pain.
We were talking about 8:30 tonight and he said he was worried about becoming discouraged. He said he wasn't quite sure if he was discouraged or not but just showed some concern, which, in turn, was very discouraging to me.
The pulled tube did not do any damage, but it really brought his pain to the surface.
After all that, we started talking about getting him in a wheelchair so he could tool around the ward. I mentioned that the pain he was feeling from the earlier mishap would really be bad and he really didn't care, he wants to be mobile - no matter what.
Between David and I, we have figured out how to take care of some of his needs without rolling him from one side to another. Today they staff brought in a big contraption, a bit like a trapeze, and told us that "Ortho" would be in to install it in the bed. They didn't come in so I installed it. David is now able to grab a hold and help us lift him instead of rolling him. It is so, so much less painful to him.
I sat and read many of the emails and comments that many of you have sent to him. He really enjoys the ones that bring great memories of fun things he has done with friends and fellow Marines.
I know it sounds like all, except a few mishaps, is going pretty good. It is really important for you to all realize that, although he has had many guests, although he is trying to refuse the pain medications, and although he is still on a great deal of medications to take care of different things going on in his body - he is only alert for short periods of time. We have tried to have extended meaningful conversations but he just doesn't have the strength to keep up with it just yet. When he grabbed the trapeze for the first time he had a good look at his arm and was quite amazed at the reduced size and strength, and that was his good arm. David has been use to running for miles with an 80 - 120 pound pack and a weapon and now it is a bit of an effort to stabilize a glass of water so he can drink by himself. I have absolutely no doubt that he will gain all that strength back again, but it is going to take an enormous amount of effort.
I'm heading back over to David room right now.
My love to all of you.
Goodnight!
Gordon
Ethen and Heather showed up about 11 this morning and it really meant a great deal to David. Ethen was very happy to see David but did not want to touch him or let David touch himself. David handled it very very well and Ethen, within an hour or so, asked if he could get up on a chair and give his Daddy a hug. It was very sweet.
Ethen wanted to be like his Daddy so he got an ace bandage and put it around his knee. I have no idea how he came up with an idea like that.
David was having a pretty good day but had another BIG BUMP in the road today when his nurse put down the side rail on the bed and caught a drain hooked to David. It is the first time, through all of this, that I have heard him call out in pain. It hurt him really bad and continued that excruciating pain until she put the rail back up. He has been hurting all day. Also, for the first time since the accident, he actually complained about "PHANTOM" pain. He said that his feet have been really hurting all day long. I asked him what it felt like and he just said "It really hurts and I don't like it!" The staff has received orders to give him special medication to, specifically, that care of that type of pain.
We were talking about 8:30 tonight and he said he was worried about becoming discouraged. He said he wasn't quite sure if he was discouraged or not but just showed some concern, which, in turn, was very discouraging to me.
The pulled tube did not do any damage, but it really brought his pain to the surface.
After all that, we started talking about getting him in a wheelchair so he could tool around the ward. I mentioned that the pain he was feeling from the earlier mishap would really be bad and he really didn't care, he wants to be mobile - no matter what.
Between David and I, we have figured out how to take care of some of his needs without rolling him from one side to another. Today they staff brought in a big contraption, a bit like a trapeze, and told us that "Ortho" would be in to install it in the bed. They didn't come in so I installed it. David is now able to grab a hold and help us lift him instead of rolling him. It is so, so much less painful to him.
I sat and read many of the emails and comments that many of you have sent to him. He really enjoys the ones that bring great memories of fun things he has done with friends and fellow Marines.
I know it sounds like all, except a few mishaps, is going pretty good. It is really important for you to all realize that, although he has had many guests, although he is trying to refuse the pain medications, and although he is still on a great deal of medications to take care of different things going on in his body - he is only alert for short periods of time. We have tried to have extended meaningful conversations but he just doesn't have the strength to keep up with it just yet. When he grabbed the trapeze for the first time he had a good look at his arm and was quite amazed at the reduced size and strength, and that was his good arm. David has been use to running for miles with an 80 - 120 pound pack and a weapon and now it is a bit of an effort to stabilize a glass of water so he can drink by himself. I have absolutely no doubt that he will gain all that strength back again, but it is going to take an enormous amount of effort.
I'm heading back over to David room right now.
My love to all of you.
Goodnight!
Gordon
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010 at 1900
Great Surgery Day
This will be a short blog just to let you know that David's surgery went very well today. They checked all the wounds on his legs and everything is healing extremely well. They also check the forearm where the skin flap was taken from and everything looks great there too. The surgeons anticipate skin grafts next Wednesday on all areas. That's Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The hand team also made some changes by taking half of the x-fix off of the area that was stabilizing his wrist. Now he'll be able to gain some flexibility to his wrist.
All of this is GREAT!!!
David is really working hard to get his appetite back. We're hoping he'll have a chance to take a ride around the area in a wheelchair in the next few days. He is really looking forward to seeing some of the other soldiers in the area.
We are all very pleased with the events of the day.
Love to all,
Gordon
This will be a short blog just to let you know that David's surgery went very well today. They checked all the wounds on his legs and everything is healing extremely well. They also check the forearm where the skin flap was taken from and everything looks great there too. The surgeons anticipate skin grafts next Wednesday on all areas. That's Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The hand team also made some changes by taking half of the x-fix off of the area that was stabilizing his wrist. Now he'll be able to gain some flexibility to his wrist.
All of this is GREAT!!!
David is really working hard to get his appetite back. We're hoping he'll have a chance to take a ride around the area in a wheelchair in the next few days. He is really looking forward to seeing some of the other soldiers in the area.
We are all very pleased with the events of the day.
Love to all,
Gordon
Friday, June 18, 2010 at 1025
I'm very sorry I didn't post a new blog last night - I had to purchase a new laptop and I took it to our sleeping quarters to do the blog and realized I left the Internet cord in David's room.
David was actually very comfortable yesterday. It was extremely busy with guests. In the last two days he has had 15 to 20 visitors. Many of these young warriors become mentors after they have healed pretty well. Five of them came to see David. They had many different injuries. One of them still had his own leg on the right and had a regular prosthetic on the left, he was also carrying another one of his legs in his hand. All of these young men were very open when talking about their injuries. One in a wheelchair and wearing special compression stockings over his legs (one taken off just below the knee and the other a few inches above the knee. It was very interesting to watch him as he would just pop his leg up to his chest - he had that leg moving everywhere like it was new toy. I thought about that for quite awhile and started paying attention to what I do with my own legs - I realized that my legs are pretty active all the time too! It is quite surprising when I see what David is, currently, unable to do that are so routine for almost every one of us.
David was visited by the United States Marine Corp Gunner, which is a very big deal and David has a great amount of respect for these individuals. The Gunner showed David his injuries to his right hand and explained that he had many of the same procedures done to him. He had about 60% strength and usage of that hand and it was not obvious that he had received such serious injuries. I believe David's will be a bit more obvious because of the loss of his finger and the many deep scars that will be on his arm, but 60% usage and strength sounds great.
David has requested that we now be present when he is in recovery. It is very confusing when he comes out of sedation and it is very calming when we can be there to bring him to a point of focus.
It has become a bit of a traumatic experience every time David needs to be taken to X-Ray. To switch him from his own inflatable bed to the steel x-ray table and then roll him from side to side and take 5 or 6 different x-rays, then switch him back to his own bed is extremely painful. This last time he requested that I be the one to assist in X-Ray. Talk about cheap help. I was able to talk the x-ray technician into leaving David on his own bed and was able to assist in positioning David for each x-ray. It was still painful, but is was much much much much less invasive and painful for his. We were all very pleased. If I was an inventor, I could sure come up with some better ways to do some of this. Each time we had lift him and slide a plate under him, then position him, then take the picture, then slide it out and see if the x-ray gave them the information they were looking for. Then we would repeat that 5 more times. I know I worked up a little perspiration. It's also nice that I know how the bed works and can try to provide David with the most comfort.
Today is surgery day. The ORTHO team came in last night to get consent forms signed and told us they were going to be working on the wound vacs for both legs. They are just going to be doing a good inspection of the muscle and skin to make sure all is going well and then they will revise the wound vacs to allow the wounds to close even more.
We are watching the wound vacs all the time and the one coming out of the area on the forearm where the skin flap was taken has not put out any fluids for 2 days, so, I'm hoping things are healing enough to close that wound. I'm not sure if they actually do the close before they are ready to put on the skin grafts - it makes sense that they would want the wound open when that is done. Do I sound like a surgeon now?
I was called about 11:00 last night by the surgical team working with David's arm and they informed me that, today, they will be removing the external fixator (x-fix) from Davids wrist area. They want get his hand back in motion. He will still have pins in the broken bones in his hand but, if you recall, the fixator was in place to insure the range of motion between the thumb and the index finger one the skin flap heals - the skin flaps can easily constrict that area, when it heals, without the fixator.
Occupational Therapy also came in yesterday for about two hours and built David a cast that will enable them to change positioning of his fingers and wrist. The cast is a special material that is only put on the under side of the arm and wrapped with ace bandages to keep it in place. The cast is made of a material that is heated, in a water bath, to about 156%, which makes it pliable again. Each day they will come in and reheat the cast and change the position of his wrist and fingers to get him back to full range of motion. It is quite an impressive process and the young woman doing it is very fun to work with. She is very playful with David as she works through the process.
David was also visited by the IDEO company and was interviewed for almost 2 hours. They will be using some of David's thoughts in order to create better living environments for these wounded warriors.
So, all-in-all, it was a good day. The best part of the day was when we were told that the x-rays showed that the x-fix on his pelvis was not bent and did not damage the pelvic bone. If we're looking on the bright side, the incident with the x-fix catching on the bed gave the surgical team the incentive to revise the x-fix to a much lower profile. They were able to build an entire x-fix frame between the current x-fix and his skin and then disassemble the old one and cut the rods down another 4 to 5 inches.
That was a long blog - hopefully it helped you feel what we're all feeling. Many of the emotions now are when the good things continue to happen.
I'll Blog Later,
Dr. Lyon
David was actually very comfortable yesterday. It was extremely busy with guests. In the last two days he has had 15 to 20 visitors. Many of these young warriors become mentors after they have healed pretty well. Five of them came to see David. They had many different injuries. One of them still had his own leg on the right and had a regular prosthetic on the left, he was also carrying another one of his legs in his hand. All of these young men were very open when talking about their injuries. One in a wheelchair and wearing special compression stockings over his legs (one taken off just below the knee and the other a few inches above the knee. It was very interesting to watch him as he would just pop his leg up to his chest - he had that leg moving everywhere like it was new toy. I thought about that for quite awhile and started paying attention to what I do with my own legs - I realized that my legs are pretty active all the time too! It is quite surprising when I see what David is, currently, unable to do that are so routine for almost every one of us.
David was visited by the United States Marine Corp Gunner, which is a very big deal and David has a great amount of respect for these individuals. The Gunner showed David his injuries to his right hand and explained that he had many of the same procedures done to him. He had about 60% strength and usage of that hand and it was not obvious that he had received such serious injuries. I believe David's will be a bit more obvious because of the loss of his finger and the many deep scars that will be on his arm, but 60% usage and strength sounds great.
David has requested that we now be present when he is in recovery. It is very confusing when he comes out of sedation and it is very calming when we can be there to bring him to a point of focus.
It has become a bit of a traumatic experience every time David needs to be taken to X-Ray. To switch him from his own inflatable bed to the steel x-ray table and then roll him from side to side and take 5 or 6 different x-rays, then switch him back to his own bed is extremely painful. This last time he requested that I be the one to assist in X-Ray. Talk about cheap help. I was able to talk the x-ray technician into leaving David on his own bed and was able to assist in positioning David for each x-ray. It was still painful, but is was much much much much less invasive and painful for his. We were all very pleased. If I was an inventor, I could sure come up with some better ways to do some of this. Each time we had lift him and slide a plate under him, then position him, then take the picture, then slide it out and see if the x-ray gave them the information they were looking for. Then we would repeat that 5 more times. I know I worked up a little perspiration. It's also nice that I know how the bed works and can try to provide David with the most comfort.
Today is surgery day. The ORTHO team came in last night to get consent forms signed and told us they were going to be working on the wound vacs for both legs. They are just going to be doing a good inspection of the muscle and skin to make sure all is going well and then they will revise the wound vacs to allow the wounds to close even more.
We are watching the wound vacs all the time and the one coming out of the area on the forearm where the skin flap was taken has not put out any fluids for 2 days, so, I'm hoping things are healing enough to close that wound. I'm not sure if they actually do the close before they are ready to put on the skin grafts - it makes sense that they would want the wound open when that is done. Do I sound like a surgeon now?
I was called about 11:00 last night by the surgical team working with David's arm and they informed me that, today, they will be removing the external fixator (x-fix) from Davids wrist area. They want get his hand back in motion. He will still have pins in the broken bones in his hand but, if you recall, the fixator was in place to insure the range of motion between the thumb and the index finger one the skin flap heals - the skin flaps can easily constrict that area, when it heals, without the fixator.
Occupational Therapy also came in yesterday for about two hours and built David a cast that will enable them to change positioning of his fingers and wrist. The cast is a special material that is only put on the under side of the arm and wrapped with ace bandages to keep it in place. The cast is made of a material that is heated, in a water bath, to about 156%, which makes it pliable again. Each day they will come in and reheat the cast and change the position of his wrist and fingers to get him back to full range of motion. It is quite an impressive process and the young woman doing it is very fun to work with. She is very playful with David as she works through the process.
David was also visited by the IDEO company and was interviewed for almost 2 hours. They will be using some of David's thoughts in order to create better living environments for these wounded warriors.
So, all-in-all, it was a good day. The best part of the day was when we were told that the x-rays showed that the x-fix on his pelvis was not bent and did not damage the pelvic bone. If we're looking on the bright side, the incident with the x-fix catching on the bed gave the surgical team the incentive to revise the x-fix to a much lower profile. They were able to build an entire x-fix frame between the current x-fix and his skin and then disassemble the old one and cut the rods down another 4 to 5 inches.
That was a long blog - hopefully it helped you feel what we're all feeling. Many of the emotions now are when the good things continue to happen.
I'll Blog Later,
Dr. Lyon
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 1500
What a Day!
David's sister just had a baby girl, London, and what a beautiful little sweetheart she is.
David has had a heck of a night and day.
Last night, about 0100, the nursing staff were trying to get David to swallow a very large pill that had been broken in half and, with the feeding tube still down his throat, the pill got stuck and he had to throw up. If they're ready for that to happen it is not a big deal, but, you guessed it, they weren't ready. Needless to say, David didn't get to sleep for awhile.
In the early morning they had to give David a good cleaning. They rolled him to his left side and took care of everything and when they tried to roll him on to his back, he wouldn't roll and they couldn't figure out why. We found out later that, the reason he they couldn't roll him back over was because the fixator was stuck under the side rail of the bed. Finally they rolled hard enough that the fixator popped free. I wasn't there when it happened and David later told me that the pain was excruciating. I was helping him get situated and noticed that the rod sticking out of the left side of his pelvis was bent and pressing into his thigh. I immediately contacted the nurse and they pulled the Ortho physician, Dr. Kennedy, who is absolutely wonderful, out of the Operating Room and brought him straight to David. That surgeon was extremely upset at the way this was handled and the fact that nothing had been said about the incident. My concern was that the pin had been pulled out of the bone and they would have to open him up all over again. X-ray was brought to the room and, after 3 or 4 angles x-rays, they determined the bone was not compromized. Both Lynnette and I were in the process of crying about they fact that everything appeared to be OK and we received word that we had a new grand-baby. Talk about a mixed bowl of emotions.
David is sleeping very well now. I've learned how to program and un-program his inflatable bed and we can stop it from beeping all night long. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
I'll write more later - it's time to get back in there!!!!!!!!!
Gordon
David's sister just had a baby girl, London, and what a beautiful little sweetheart she is.
David has had a heck of a night and day.
Last night, about 0100, the nursing staff were trying to get David to swallow a very large pill that had been broken in half and, with the feeding tube still down his throat, the pill got stuck and he had to throw up. If they're ready for that to happen it is not a big deal, but, you guessed it, they weren't ready. Needless to say, David didn't get to sleep for awhile.
In the early morning they had to give David a good cleaning. They rolled him to his left side and took care of everything and when they tried to roll him on to his back, he wouldn't roll and they couldn't figure out why. We found out later that, the reason he they couldn't roll him back over was because the fixator was stuck under the side rail of the bed. Finally they rolled hard enough that the fixator popped free. I wasn't there when it happened and David later told me that the pain was excruciating. I was helping him get situated and noticed that the rod sticking out of the left side of his pelvis was bent and pressing into his thigh. I immediately contacted the nurse and they pulled the Ortho physician, Dr. Kennedy, who is absolutely wonderful, out of the Operating Room and brought him straight to David. That surgeon was extremely upset at the way this was handled and the fact that nothing had been said about the incident. My concern was that the pin had been pulled out of the bone and they would have to open him up all over again. X-ray was brought to the room and, after 3 or 4 angles x-rays, they determined the bone was not compromized. Both Lynnette and I were in the process of crying about they fact that everything appeared to be OK and we received word that we had a new grand-baby. Talk about a mixed bowl of emotions.
David is sleeping very well now. I've learned how to program and un-program his inflatable bed and we can stop it from beeping all night long. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
I'll write more later - it's time to get back in there!!!!!!!!!
Gordon
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 1351
For a day without surgery, this has been a very busy day.
They decided to pull two of his JP Suctions on the right leg, which is a small tube that runs inside the wound, or wounds in this case, and has a clear rubber ball on the end that is compressed to create a light suction to draw extra fluids from the wound. David tried to let them pull them without any extra pain meds and that, very quickly, presented itself as the wrong decision. It's a bit like pulling a dried, firmly attached scab, from a nerve ending. He received some extra doses of pain meds and gave it another try. We were successful but I knew it hurt because it hurt me and I didn't feel a thing. I gave him my hand to squeeze on the last pull and and he still has a pretty good grip.
Last night we had to turn David and I supported his left shoulder. I knew he was really in pain because he aggressively started growling and his muscles were trembling. Within seconds he is back talking and assuring Lynnette and I that everything is just fine. Yah Right!
Next, the Physical Therapist came in to offer him some more pain. The natural, most comfortable, position for David's legs to be in is totally spread eagle. I guess the hips become very stiff if left in that position for any length of time, so the therapist wanted to start working with him to get his legs back together - pins or no pins. So she and I began to push and, oh my gosh, it didn't even seem like any pain meds had been given. Then we positioned two Saline bags and three folded blankets between his right leg and the side of the bed to keep it that way.
Next, it was time for X-ray which required going over every bump in the hallways and through the thresholds of the elevators and then moving him from one bed to the hard X-ray table and then back to the bed and back over the thresholds and all the bumps and tile floors and back into his room. Then we put new pads under him and washed his back - that required us to tilt the bed up, the myself and a Corpsman held him in that position while they lowered the bed away from him. Once that was done it was time to get the Saline bag and the three rolled up blankets back in place between his right leg and the bed rails. Then myself and a corpsman used a pad and lifted his entire torso up so they could adjust everything below him.
Other than all that, he has rested comfortably while visiting with Lt. Col. ????? and four other visitors. David is a very popular guy. It's nice being a little famous for receiving his Senior EOD Certification and Badge from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
David is eating as much as he can but it is still, obviously, not enough to give him the calories or protein he needs, so, the feeding tube stays in for now.
We talked with the Orthopedic Surgeons today and were told that David is OK to set up to the point the fixator will allow. We were concerned with stretching out and separating the Integra on his wounds and were told that, "if it's going to stretch, it's better we find out now, before the skin grafts go on, so have him push as much as his pain will allow!". The Physical Therapist told David that she would like him in a wheelchair and going outside as soon as possible and it made David really light up. Any goal is a good goal!!!!
I have to take a moment to thank those in my Ward back home who have decided they would like to put up a flag pole in my yard. A day or so before I received a phone call from Glen Larsen, Lynnette and I were talking about doing that very thing. Sometimes we ask others what we can do for them and they usually say "oh, nothing, I've got everything taken care of!". But I've realized that, if we can see what needs to be done to assist and let the receiver know of our plans to help, they are extremely grateful. I know my heart is very tender for all of the acts of kindness from so many of you wonderful people.
All My Love Until Later,
Gordon
They decided to pull two of his JP Suctions on the right leg, which is a small tube that runs inside the wound, or wounds in this case, and has a clear rubber ball on the end that is compressed to create a light suction to draw extra fluids from the wound. David tried to let them pull them without any extra pain meds and that, very quickly, presented itself as the wrong decision. It's a bit like pulling a dried, firmly attached scab, from a nerve ending. He received some extra doses of pain meds and gave it another try. We were successful but I knew it hurt because it hurt me and I didn't feel a thing. I gave him my hand to squeeze on the last pull and and he still has a pretty good grip.
Last night we had to turn David and I supported his left shoulder. I knew he was really in pain because he aggressively started growling and his muscles were trembling. Within seconds he is back talking and assuring Lynnette and I that everything is just fine. Yah Right!
Next, the Physical Therapist came in to offer him some more pain. The natural, most comfortable, position for David's legs to be in is totally spread eagle. I guess the hips become very stiff if left in that position for any length of time, so the therapist wanted to start working with him to get his legs back together - pins or no pins. So she and I began to push and, oh my gosh, it didn't even seem like any pain meds had been given. Then we positioned two Saline bags and three folded blankets between his right leg and the side of the bed to keep it that way.
Next, it was time for X-ray which required going over every bump in the hallways and through the thresholds of the elevators and then moving him from one bed to the hard X-ray table and then back to the bed and back over the thresholds and all the bumps and tile floors and back into his room. Then we put new pads under him and washed his back - that required us to tilt the bed up, the myself and a Corpsman held him in that position while they lowered the bed away from him. Once that was done it was time to get the Saline bag and the three rolled up blankets back in place between his right leg and the bed rails. Then myself and a corpsman used a pad and lifted his entire torso up so they could adjust everything below him.
Other than all that, he has rested comfortably while visiting with Lt. Col. ????? and four other visitors. David is a very popular guy. It's nice being a little famous for receiving his Senior EOD Certification and Badge from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
David is eating as much as he can but it is still, obviously, not enough to give him the calories or protein he needs, so, the feeding tube stays in for now.
We talked with the Orthopedic Surgeons today and were told that David is OK to set up to the point the fixator will allow. We were concerned with stretching out and separating the Integra on his wounds and were told that, "if it's going to stretch, it's better we find out now, before the skin grafts go on, so have him push as much as his pain will allow!". The Physical Therapist told David that she would like him in a wheelchair and going outside as soon as possible and it made David really light up. Any goal is a good goal!!!!
I have to take a moment to thank those in my Ward back home who have decided they would like to put up a flag pole in my yard. A day or so before I received a phone call from Glen Larsen, Lynnette and I were talking about doing that very thing. Sometimes we ask others what we can do for them and they usually say "oh, nothing, I've got everything taken care of!". But I've realized that, if we can see what needs to be done to assist and let the receiver know of our plans to help, they are extremely grateful. I know my heart is very tender for all of the acts of kindness from so many of you wonderful people.
All My Love Until Later,
Gordon
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday Afternoon, June 14, 2010 at 1600
Good Afternoon,
Well, we haven't seen David yet today he was taken for surgery about 7:00 this morning and the physician came to talk with us about 3:30. So, I'm thinking they started about 7:30 and ended about 3:00 so that is another 7 1/2 hours of surgery.
Yeah, the Fixator was changed. He will still not be able to set all the way up but, I am sure, they don't want him putting that much weight on his pelvis just yet. The Fixator took a great deal of time today because the screws have to be guided through the vessels and nerves in order to avoid any further damages being done. From all I can understand, it is very very intricate surgery and takes an enormous amount of caution and time to get it right. They can take all the time they need - I would not complain. We were told that, barring any complication, the Fixator will not be changed again until it is taken off.
The right leg looked very good today. They re-applied the Integra and are really optimistic that the wounds will close extremely well. The left leg had some new mold but it was a mold that is very common and he is already receiving antibiotics that should take care of it with no complications. I say, should, because every surgery includes taking cultures and it takes 3 to 4 days to bet a determination of what exact kind of mold it is. When in this situation, the surgeons have to make a decision as to whether or not they should close with the Integra or keep the would open for awhile longer. Their decision was to close with the Integra and they feel like they should be able to do skin grafts in about 2 weeks.
They did not make any changes or revisions to the damaged areas of his right hand and arm today. They said everything looked great. It is very amazing to me that, with all the cuts, scars, rips, missing pieces, indentations and needs for further surgeries, the surgeons can say the right arm and hard are looking great - even more amazing, we agree. When David woke up and was surprised to see he still had his right arm and hand, they look better than great, they look fantastic.
With no unforeseen surprises, the next surgery will be next Thursday. If there is someone out there that has nothing to do for awhile, maybe you could count how many surgeries David has had so far. I've lost count. I believe he is at around 15 so far - including the initial surgery in the field, the one at the hospital in Afghanistan, and the one in Landstuhl, Germany.
Lynnette just popped her head in and said, "HE's BACK!" See ya later.
Gordon
Well, we haven't seen David yet today he was taken for surgery about 7:00 this morning and the physician came to talk with us about 3:30. So, I'm thinking they started about 7:30 and ended about 3:00 so that is another 7 1/2 hours of surgery.
Yeah, the Fixator was changed. He will still not be able to set all the way up but, I am sure, they don't want him putting that much weight on his pelvis just yet. The Fixator took a great deal of time today because the screws have to be guided through the vessels and nerves in order to avoid any further damages being done. From all I can understand, it is very very intricate surgery and takes an enormous amount of caution and time to get it right. They can take all the time they need - I would not complain. We were told that, barring any complication, the Fixator will not be changed again until it is taken off.
The right leg looked very good today. They re-applied the Integra and are really optimistic that the wounds will close extremely well. The left leg had some new mold but it was a mold that is very common and he is already receiving antibiotics that should take care of it with no complications. I say, should, because every surgery includes taking cultures and it takes 3 to 4 days to bet a determination of what exact kind of mold it is. When in this situation, the surgeons have to make a decision as to whether or not they should close with the Integra or keep the would open for awhile longer. Their decision was to close with the Integra and they feel like they should be able to do skin grafts in about 2 weeks.
They did not make any changes or revisions to the damaged areas of his right hand and arm today. They said everything looked great. It is very amazing to me that, with all the cuts, scars, rips, missing pieces, indentations and needs for further surgeries, the surgeons can say the right arm and hard are looking great - even more amazing, we agree. When David woke up and was surprised to see he still had his right arm and hand, they look better than great, they look fantastic.
With no unforeseen surprises, the next surgery will be next Thursday. If there is someone out there that has nothing to do for awhile, maybe you could count how many surgeries David has had so far. I've lost count. I believe he is at around 15 so far - including the initial surgery in the field, the one at the hospital in Afghanistan, and the one in Landstuhl, Germany.
Lynnette just popped her head in and said, "HE's BACK!" See ya later.
Gordon
Monday, June 14, 2010 at 0827
Good Morning - and I do mean "Good" - I should say GREAT!
This morning - about 0700 - we received a call from the surgical team to gain my authorization to make the Fixator revision today. I know that can change once they get in the operating room but it is still an GREAT jump in the right direction. They were very concerned, in the past, that they could spread the any potential fungus, in the tissue, to the bone if they tried to do the revision too soon. The GREAT part about this potential revision today is that they feel like they are in complete control of any fungus or infections in David's body.
We have learned that things change very quickly around here, but the plan for this morning is to put the Integra material on the remaining open wounds on both legs. That means David is not that far away from having the skin grafts.
I really hope this happens today. It will be such an advantage if David can begin to strengthen his torso and be ready for his prosthetics once the Fixator is removed. It is amazing how much strength you can lose by laying in bed for a month - or two - or three - or four.....
Catherine is really incredible. David, as was predicted, just doesn't have the capacity or desire to eat enough to give him all the nutrients he needs, so, the feeding tube must not be removed. Catherine is, daily, changing the percentage of meal he needs to eat. When he says he's too full, she reminds him how much he hates the feeding tube, he forces himself to eat a little bit more. This may sound like punishment, but, when you consider that an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) contains well over 1200 Calories and 15% of that is protein, and that is what David has been eating regularly (3 times per day), his four bites of turkey and 1/2 peach is just not that much food and can not give his body the strength necessary to heal. I didn't realize, until yesterday, that David is very hard to understand when he is on the phone. When we are standing next to him he sounds very good but the feeding tube really restricts his ability to gain volume and pronunciation to all of his words. If anyone can get him eating what he needs to - Catherine can.
David, after visiting with his nephew, Carter, has really increased his desire to see his son, Ethen.
I think David had a fair amount of concern that he could not be the strong daddy that he needs to be around his son and Carter's visit has given him the confidence he needed. Yesterday, Carter wanted to get something for David and he purchased a challenge coin. We instructed Carter about the proper way to present the challenge coin through the handshake and we practiced it a few times. When we got to David's room, Carter stood on a chair and told Uncle David that he wanted to shake his hand. It was a very very touching moment. Carter is such an impressive little guy.
We have met sooooooo many influential individuals out here and not one of them has failed to express their love and respect for David and for every soldier. I was young when the Vietnam Veterans were returning from the war and I remember the anger towards them at that time. I hope that any Vietnam Vet reading this blog knows how wrong it was for Americans to treat them with anything different than love and respect - just like the returning soldiers of today.
To any Veteran of any War or Campaign, Thank You from the bottom of my heart - I know you had to do things that were against your very nature and that you were doing them in an effort to better another human's life. Thank You!
David was a little surprised when he heard how we cried when we heard about his injuries. When I think back on the moment that I was informed, I'm not sure if I can pinpoint exactly what I was thinking, but I really don't remember worrying about the loss of limbs, I felt like, and I can only speak for myself, my tears came quickly because he was, #1 - Alive, and, #2 -was because my son was hurt, hurting, feeling a great amount of pain, that I wasn't there to hold him, that I had absolutely no ability to fix it (Dads tend to think they should be able to fix everything), that the horrific injuries he saw, this time, were HIS injuries. I am just so grateful that David, to me, is whole - there does not seem to be any part of his spirit missing.
David is wearing a Fentanol patch which releases pain medication for about 5 days. Other than that, he is refusing pain meds as much as possible - he loves the feeling of a clear head.
There is so much being done for David and for us - we can not possibly express our love and appreciation enough.
Thank You,
Gordon
This morning - about 0700 - we received a call from the surgical team to gain my authorization to make the Fixator revision today. I know that can change once they get in the operating room but it is still an GREAT jump in the right direction. They were very concerned, in the past, that they could spread the any potential fungus, in the tissue, to the bone if they tried to do the revision too soon. The GREAT part about this potential revision today is that they feel like they are in complete control of any fungus or infections in David's body.
We have learned that things change very quickly around here, but the plan for this morning is to put the Integra material on the remaining open wounds on both legs. That means David is not that far away from having the skin grafts.
I really hope this happens today. It will be such an advantage if David can begin to strengthen his torso and be ready for his prosthetics once the Fixator is removed. It is amazing how much strength you can lose by laying in bed for a month - or two - or three - or four.....
Catherine is really incredible. David, as was predicted, just doesn't have the capacity or desire to eat enough to give him all the nutrients he needs, so, the feeding tube must not be removed. Catherine is, daily, changing the percentage of meal he needs to eat. When he says he's too full, she reminds him how much he hates the feeding tube, he forces himself to eat a little bit more. This may sound like punishment, but, when you consider that an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) contains well over 1200 Calories and 15% of that is protein, and that is what David has been eating regularly (3 times per day), his four bites of turkey and 1/2 peach is just not that much food and can not give his body the strength necessary to heal. I didn't realize, until yesterday, that David is very hard to understand when he is on the phone. When we are standing next to him he sounds very good but the feeding tube really restricts his ability to gain volume and pronunciation to all of his words. If anyone can get him eating what he needs to - Catherine can.
David, after visiting with his nephew, Carter, has really increased his desire to see his son, Ethen.
I think David had a fair amount of concern that he could not be the strong daddy that he needs to be around his son and Carter's visit has given him the confidence he needed. Yesterday, Carter wanted to get something for David and he purchased a challenge coin. We instructed Carter about the proper way to present the challenge coin through the handshake and we practiced it a few times. When we got to David's room, Carter stood on a chair and told Uncle David that he wanted to shake his hand. It was a very very touching moment. Carter is such an impressive little guy.
We have met sooooooo many influential individuals out here and not one of them has failed to express their love and respect for David and for every soldier. I was young when the Vietnam Veterans were returning from the war and I remember the anger towards them at that time. I hope that any Vietnam Vet reading this blog knows how wrong it was for Americans to treat them with anything different than love and respect - just like the returning soldiers of today.
To any Veteran of any War or Campaign, Thank You from the bottom of my heart - I know you had to do things that were against your very nature and that you were doing them in an effort to better another human's life. Thank You!
David was a little surprised when he heard how we cried when we heard about his injuries. When I think back on the moment that I was informed, I'm not sure if I can pinpoint exactly what I was thinking, but I really don't remember worrying about the loss of limbs, I felt like, and I can only speak for myself, my tears came quickly because he was, #1 - Alive, and, #2 -was because my son was hurt, hurting, feeling a great amount of pain, that I wasn't there to hold him, that I had absolutely no ability to fix it (Dads tend to think they should be able to fix everything), that the horrific injuries he saw, this time, were HIS injuries. I am just so grateful that David, to me, is whole - there does not seem to be any part of his spirit missing.
David is wearing a Fentanol patch which releases pain medication for about 5 days. Other than that, he is refusing pain meds as much as possible - he loves the feeling of a clear head.
There is so much being done for David and for us - we can not possibly express our love and appreciation enough.
Thank You,
Gordon
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
BACK ON THE 5th FLOOR.
David is doing great today - yesterday David had a chance to be alone with his sister, Rachelle, and they just chatted. Rachelle filled him in on everything that was going on at home and then she asked what was going on in his life. He said, "Oh, sometimes I just sit around, other times I just lay around, and that's about it!" David has really been in great spirits these last two days and is now being his usual self and is asking about how Lynnette and I are doing through all this.
He is a very caring young man.
I'll write more this afternoon.
Thank You for all your prayers - they are obviously being heard.
Gordon
David is doing great today - yesterday David had a chance to be alone with his sister, Rachelle, and they just chatted. Rachelle filled him in on everything that was going on at home and then she asked what was going on in his life. He said, "Oh, sometimes I just sit around, other times I just lay around, and that's about it!" David has really been in great spirits these last two days and is now being his usual self and is asking about how Lynnette and I are doing through all this.
He is a very caring young man.
I'll write more this afternoon.
Thank You for all your prayers - they are obviously being heard.
Gordon
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 2112
Sorry for keeping so many of you in the dark all day. It has been a very busy day and a very very good day.
David was taken to surgery about 9 am this morning and Lynnette did not see him again until 1:15 in the afternoon. When you're waiting, it sure seems like an awfully long time but all seemed to go very well.
David had to have about 3 units of blood in the last 12 hours and during surgery. They looked at everything again and things are looking very well. The "Integra" (mesh), that was put on David's right leg about a week ago, had to be removed two days ago in surgery because of the infections. Today they said the leg looked very healthy and they really feel like they can re-apply the Integra again during next Monday's surgery. They said that the left leg is looking really really good and they hope to put the Integra on that leg as well. We were told a bit more< about the left leg, that we had never heard before. As I had mentioned before, they are trying very very hard to maintain any length possible on that left leg. The blast seemed to have done much more damage to the back of the leg than the front and so they have been working with a large flap of skin that has been preserved from the front of the leg and are going to use that to wrap around the end of the leg and attach on the sides and part way up the back. They said it looked a little like a tongue.
I had also mentioned, in previous blogs, that they would have to use the inner and outer thigh muscles to wrap around the front of the leg to give David more stability and strength where he would need it for the prosthetics. Those muscles were attached in the last surgery and are looking very very good.
David's calcium is creeping back into the normal range and it, like was said in a comment from Allissa, put us a bit more at ease. I know we were told it was just a precaution but when we hear that his calcium is suppose to be at 10 and it's at 4.5 and his EKG is starting to show a little rhythm change - one tends to worry.
David's spirits seem to be very high today. He is, sometimes, very good at hiding things but we really feel like this has been a great day for him. He has been fantastic with his 5 year old nephew, Carter. He is playful and smiling and very aware right now and it is great to see.
His playful and smiling moods are very very short and he is very sure that Lynnette wasn't there most of the day even though she hardly left his room.
He said that he hadn't even slept yesterday but he slept completely through 5 - 10 people working on him for over an hour, moving him in and out of the elevators, going from the 5th floor to the 3rd floor, going over some of those speed bumps in the hallways, and a great deal of noise.
Sometimes, as frustrating as these drugs make you feel, they are still wonderful when they help him to just step away from it all.
I'm really not confident that he remembers the bad news he received yesterday, but, for now, that's just fine.
David really enjoys visitors but I'm really not sure that he is going to remember those visits. I remember that, when I was really sick, my brother Jann came to visit me every day and, for a couple of years I felt a little bad that he hadn't visited me. Boy, was I wrong and David is really going to be surprised when he hears about all his visitors.
A request has come to David from the Ogden Standard Examiner. They have requested to do a story on David and he feels very strong against making this a media event. I respectfully ask that you, even though this blog is available to about anyone, please don't publish any part of this unless you have direct permission from David or myself. Thank You!
I have expressed, several times, many thoughts about a young woman who's husband was wounded and has lost part of all four extremities - he is now in a very serious fight for his life because the fungus that was blown into his wounds is now taking over and the medication that will help the most will do the most to his, already damaged, kidneys. A transplant is not even an option right now because of the extent of his injuries and the serious nature of his infections. I am so grateful for David's progress and so sorry that I can't step in and change everything for her and her brave soldier. Life is so fragile.
Last night they had a beautiful dinner and entertainment evening for many of the wounded soldiers as well as for us. We were on Australian soil in their Embassy. Many very influential people were there and, if we didn't need to get back to David, I would tell you all about it but for now please be aware that there are many many wonderful people doing very wonderful things in behalf of these brave young men.
Good Night Everyone,
Gordon
David was taken to surgery about 9 am this morning and Lynnette did not see him again until 1:15 in the afternoon. When you're waiting, it sure seems like an awfully long time but all seemed to go very well.
David had to have about 3 units of blood in the last 12 hours and during surgery. They looked at everything again and things are looking very well. The "Integra" (mesh), that was put on David's right leg about a week ago, had to be removed two days ago in surgery because of the infections. Today they said the leg looked very healthy and they really feel like they can re-apply the Integra again during next Monday's surgery. They said that the left leg is looking really really good and they hope to put the Integra on that leg as well. We were told a bit more< about the left leg, that we had never heard before. As I had mentioned before, they are trying very very hard to maintain any length possible on that left leg. The blast seemed to have done much more damage to the back of the leg than the front and so they have been working with a large flap of skin that has been preserved from the front of the leg and are going to use that to wrap around the end of the leg and attach on the sides and part way up the back. They said it looked a little like a tongue.
I had also mentioned, in previous blogs, that they would have to use the inner and outer thigh muscles to wrap around the front of the leg to give David more stability and strength where he would need it for the prosthetics. Those muscles were attached in the last surgery and are looking very very good.
David's calcium is creeping back into the normal range and it, like was said in a comment from Allissa, put us a bit more at ease. I know we were told it was just a precaution but when we hear that his calcium is suppose to be at 10 and it's at 4.5 and his EKG is starting to show a little rhythm change - one tends to worry.
David's spirits seem to be very high today. He is, sometimes, very good at hiding things but we really feel like this has been a great day for him. He has been fantastic with his 5 year old nephew, Carter. He is playful and smiling and very aware right now and it is great to see.
His playful and smiling moods are very very short and he is very sure that Lynnette wasn't there most of the day even though she hardly left his room.
He said that he hadn't even slept yesterday but he slept completely through 5 - 10 people working on him for over an hour, moving him in and out of the elevators, going from the 5th floor to the 3rd floor, going over some of those speed bumps in the hallways, and a great deal of noise.
Sometimes, as frustrating as these drugs make you feel, they are still wonderful when they help him to just step away from it all.
I'm really not confident that he remembers the bad news he received yesterday, but, for now, that's just fine.
David really enjoys visitors but I'm really not sure that he is going to remember those visits. I remember that, when I was really sick, my brother Jann came to visit me every day and, for a couple of years I felt a little bad that he hadn't visited me. Boy, was I wrong and David is really going to be surprised when he hears about all his visitors.
A request has come to David from the Ogden Standard Examiner. They have requested to do a story on David and he feels very strong against making this a media event. I respectfully ask that you, even though this blog is available to about anyone, please don't publish any part of this unless you have direct permission from David or myself. Thank You!
I have expressed, several times, many thoughts about a young woman who's husband was wounded and has lost part of all four extremities - he is now in a very serious fight for his life because the fungus that was blown into his wounds is now taking over and the medication that will help the most will do the most to his, already damaged, kidneys. A transplant is not even an option right now because of the extent of his injuries and the serious nature of his infections. I am so grateful for David's progress and so sorry that I can't step in and change everything for her and her brave soldier. Life is so fragile.
Last night they had a beautiful dinner and entertainment evening for many of the wounded soldiers as well as for us. We were on Australian soil in their Embassy. Many very influential people were there and, if we didn't need to get back to David, I would tell you all about it but for now please be aware that there are many many wonderful people doing very wonderful things in behalf of these brave young men.
Good Night Everyone,
Gordon
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday, June 11,2010
Big Bump
I left the computer when I finished the other blog and there was a whole team in David's room.
There is a team in there giving him blood. Another team preparing him to move back to the 3rd Floor. I don't have much information yet but what I do know is that David's calcium levels have dropped to a level that has given the physicians enough of a concern to move David to the Cardiac Ward. He is not going back to ICU but the Cardiac Ward will enable them to put him on monitors so they can react much quicker if necessary.
I understand that if Calcium levels get too low it can cause a heart attack and that is not what David needs right now or anytime. For some reason, the Cardiac Ward is the place where David has to be in order to receive the Calcium treatment he needs.
We have been told not to move his personal things because he may not be there that long. We have also been told not to be overly concerned with this situation - "it's just a precaution!" Yah right, now we're totally relaxed. Who are they kidding, of course, we're worried, scared, and, of course, emotional.
I'll give you more information as I receive it.
Thank You for your Prayers,
Gordon
I left the computer when I finished the other blog and there was a whole team in David's room.
There is a team in there giving him blood. Another team preparing him to move back to the 3rd Floor. I don't have much information yet but what I do know is that David's calcium levels have dropped to a level that has given the physicians enough of a concern to move David to the Cardiac Ward. He is not going back to ICU but the Cardiac Ward will enable them to put him on monitors so they can react much quicker if necessary.
I understand that if Calcium levels get too low it can cause a heart attack and that is not what David needs right now or anytime. For some reason, the Cardiac Ward is the place where David has to be in order to receive the Calcium treatment he needs.
We have been told not to move his personal things because he may not be there that long. We have also been told not to be overly concerned with this situation - "it's just a precaution!" Yah right, now we're totally relaxed. Who are they kidding, of course, we're worried, scared, and, of course, emotional.
I'll give you more information as I receive it.
Thank You for your Prayers,
Gordon
Friday, June 11,2010 at 1146
Another step forward. They took out the direct line that has been used for dialysis. That is an extremely great step.
Sorry Grandma, David chose to shave his mustache this morning. I guess the contest in Afghanistan is: who has the thickest mustache. David WON - I'm sure of it. It took several different angles with the electric trimmers and about 10 minutes with the razor to get it down to a shadow. David now has a smooth face and is ready for visitors.
David still has a bit of a fungus infection from Afghanistan but seems to be working through it. Unfortunately, the medications for the fungus are limited and the one that does the best job against the fungus also does the worst damage to the kidneys. This is one, very critical, balancing act. We found out that another young man, still in the ICU, is fighting the same fungus and it is a very serious fight for his life because of the extent of his injuries and his weakened physical state.
This morning I told David that many of his friends in Afghanistan were following the blog and asked if would like to send them a message. He said "Things are coming along fine here and it won't be that long before I'm back out doing things with you guys!"
He is really very positive. The only times I feel he is not upbeat is when the drugs are playing with his head. He absolutely hates the feeling of being loopy. I can tell that he is trying, as much as possible, to endure the pain in order to have a clear head. When he looks at us now, he is looking through much clearer eyes - he is much more aware.
Today may be a difficult day for David because he has not yet been informed about the death of his close friend, Adam Perkins. I believe Adam was killed the same day David was hurt. We were told that was a tough week in Afghanistan. The team here told us that bad news like this is best received when delivered by the military. We have known for a few weeks but were encouraged, by his doctors, not to tell him just yet. We have asked Seth Leonard to deliver the news - Seth is a great friend and the three of them seemed to be the 3 Amigos of Miramar.
1 Hour Later - David now knows. This is definitely a down moment and it has absolutely nothing to do with the drugs. He said there couldn't have been any worse news he could have received today. Knowing David as I do makes me admire this situation even more. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that if David were still in Afghanistan, there would be absolutely no retribution toward the Afghan people. David's first concern after the initial shock was for Adam's wife. If all of you EODs think that same way - God Bless You! That is one thing I really value with our soldiers, they value a life - their own as well as the life of others - even those perceived to be their enemy.
Like the firefighters of 9/11 - these incredibly brave men do not retreat or hesitate, the run straight toward the danger in an effort to put a quick resolve to it.
When Lynnette and I went to Camp Pendleton to visit David last year, he showed us a memorial bulletin board with the photos of the EODs who had been lost. That was a very tender moment for me and I still feel a great love for those young men. While we were standing in front of the photos, David said "They gave their lives doing what they loved!" David's comment quickly put things back in perspective.
One of the assistant nurses here, a tall husky gentleman, just came out of David's room after helping with an unpleasant procedure for David. The guy was a little emotional but very serious when he said, referring to David, "I love that guy, I would love to have a hundred like him!" How successful would all of our lives be if those we associate with and rub shoulders with each day could say the same things about us? If people could see me, all teary eyed, in this computer cubicle, they would think I am falling apart - I'm really not, I'm grateful and proud.
All the emotions that show up from the time I start this blog entry to the time I finish is just amazing to me.
Have A Great Day,
Dad, Gordon, Uncle Gordon, Grandpa, Little Brother
Sorry Grandma, David chose to shave his mustache this morning. I guess the contest in Afghanistan is: who has the thickest mustache. David WON - I'm sure of it. It took several different angles with the electric trimmers and about 10 minutes with the razor to get it down to a shadow. David now has a smooth face and is ready for visitors.
David still has a bit of a fungus infection from Afghanistan but seems to be working through it. Unfortunately, the medications for the fungus are limited and the one that does the best job against the fungus also does the worst damage to the kidneys. This is one, very critical, balancing act. We found out that another young man, still in the ICU, is fighting the same fungus and it is a very serious fight for his life because of the extent of his injuries and his weakened physical state.
This morning I told David that many of his friends in Afghanistan were following the blog and asked if would like to send them a message. He said "Things are coming along fine here and it won't be that long before I'm back out doing things with you guys!"
He is really very positive. The only times I feel he is not upbeat is when the drugs are playing with his head. He absolutely hates the feeling of being loopy. I can tell that he is trying, as much as possible, to endure the pain in order to have a clear head. When he looks at us now, he is looking through much clearer eyes - he is much more aware.
Today may be a difficult day for David because he has not yet been informed about the death of his close friend, Adam Perkins. I believe Adam was killed the same day David was hurt. We were told that was a tough week in Afghanistan. The team here told us that bad news like this is best received when delivered by the military. We have known for a few weeks but were encouraged, by his doctors, not to tell him just yet. We have asked Seth Leonard to deliver the news - Seth is a great friend and the three of them seemed to be the 3 Amigos of Miramar.
1 Hour Later - David now knows. This is definitely a down moment and it has absolutely nothing to do with the drugs. He said there couldn't have been any worse news he could have received today. Knowing David as I do makes me admire this situation even more. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that if David were still in Afghanistan, there would be absolutely no retribution toward the Afghan people. David's first concern after the initial shock was for Adam's wife. If all of you EODs think that same way - God Bless You! That is one thing I really value with our soldiers, they value a life - their own as well as the life of others - even those perceived to be their enemy.
Like the firefighters of 9/11 - these incredibly brave men do not retreat or hesitate, the run straight toward the danger in an effort to put a quick resolve to it.
When Lynnette and I went to Camp Pendleton to visit David last year, he showed us a memorial bulletin board with the photos of the EODs who had been lost. That was a very tender moment for me and I still feel a great love for those young men. While we were standing in front of the photos, David said "They gave their lives doing what they loved!" David's comment quickly put things back in perspective.
One of the assistant nurses here, a tall husky gentleman, just came out of David's room after helping with an unpleasant procedure for David. The guy was a little emotional but very serious when he said, referring to David, "I love that guy, I would love to have a hundred like him!" How successful would all of our lives be if those we associate with and rub shoulders with each day could say the same things about us? If people could see me, all teary eyed, in this computer cubicle, they would think I am falling apart - I'm really not, I'm grateful and proud.
All the emotions that show up from the time I start this blog entry to the time I finish is just amazing to me.
Have A Great Day,
Dad, Gordon, Uncle Gordon, Grandpa, Little Brother
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 1230
Well, it's one of those bumps in the road.
David has been running a low grade fever these last few days and now we've found out why. David is now in recovery but his surgeon came in and talked with us.
Both left and right leg had to be re-opened. Some of the tissues on the back of the left leg had to be removed because it was no longer viable. The right leg has incisions on both the inner and the outer side of the leg and both areas had to be re-opened and cut down a little because the tissue was just not healthy. The wonderful thing about these surgeons is that they are doing everything within their power to preserve the length of his legs so he can have better results with the prosthetics.
We have learned that the length of the leg that remains is directly proportionate to the amount of energy it takes to walk. The more length, the less energy - the shorter the leg, the more energy it takes simply to walk.
The wound vacs are back in place on both legs and David is scheduled, once again, for surgery on Saturday. They have sent tissue cultures to the lab and, depending on the results of those cultures, they will determine if they can close the wounds again.
With these new findings, they did not want to spend the extra time, today, to make the revisions to the fixator. When David came back to the room he was confused and a little upset because he could still see the fixator sticking up and thought that they did not even do surgery. He had been told, a few times, that today's procedures would include the fixator revision and it was a bit disappointing that it was not done.
The arm and hand are healing well and as planned.
Last night Catherine was talking with David and she was trying to talk with him about things that make people happy. She asked what made him happy and he said, "being an EOD TECH!" she asked why and he said "Because I get to bring my boys home and save lives!" This, as best as we can determine, is a self determined mission of every EOD, and I sincerely THANK all of you EODs for that incredible effort and for the compassion you show. David has talked about other deployments and has been very proud of bringing everyone back home and safe.
If everyone reading this blog does not have a greater love and appreciation for every serviceman, no matter what service they are in and no matter where they are serving, then I am not writing this well enough.
I'm in the waiting room writing this blog and I'm listening to another father talk about his sons unit who just had 5 more killed. That's a total of 7 dead and 2 wounded in his unit.
Since I joined the U.S. Navy and stood, at what I considered to be "ATTENTION", and listened to the Star Spangled Banner, I have never been able to hear that song or any other military theme song that did not give me a big lump in my throat. I know that will never change.
What I'm feeling right now and through my tears ........................ I don't even know what to say!
I guess - GOD BLESS AMERICA - sums it up better than anything.
Gordon
Thursday June 10, 2010 at 0941
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR GREAT COMMENTS. Catherine put her computer on David's chest yesterday and they read some of the comments from you. Believe it or not, he really enjoys the jabs. EOD comrades really know how to throw out the jabs - verbally as well as physically.
We arrived at David's room at about 0900 and David had already been taken to surgery. They told us it would be about 10:30 or 11:00, but that, obviously, was not the case.
We talked with the Ortho Surgeons and the Plastic Surgeons yesterday and received the following information concerning today's surgery:
This is the day they move the External Pelvic Fixator. Right now it is toward the outside of his hips and is quite high toward his belly button. They are going to move it in, I don't know how far, and down about 3 to 4 inches. It will also be a lower profile instead of extending about 6 - 8 inches in the air. They call it a Sport Fixator because he will be able to do about anything with it on. He will be able to sit up without it pushing against his abdomen. It is a great move in the right direction.
They will also be dealing with a very long gash on the back of his left leg. I believe I previously mentioned that the blast opened up the back of his left leg all the way up. Today they will be trying to do a scar revision to improve the healing process of that leg.
The Plastic Surgery team will be looking at everything and will be changing the wound vac on the right forearm. I asked them about the future skin grafts to his right leg and his forearm. I was told that it will not be for a few weeks. With further explanation, we learned that, when a skin graft is done, it is done without transplanting a blood supply with it, and it is vitally essential for David's health to be at it's optimum level so the skin will survive the move from his thigh to his arm and/or leg. Without transplanting a blood supply, David's body must do all that healing, so, they'll wait until the time is right.
I also talked to the hand surgeon and learned a little more about the nerve reconstruction of his right arm. That will not happen for several more weeks but they feel like it will be successful enough to provide sensation and some more mobility to his ring finger. We all know how critical that will be when playing "Call of Duty" online against his Buddies and/or his Brothers. There are certain things in life that just can NOT be lived without.
This morning I was trying to do anything I could to keep Lynnette smiling. It was working pretty darn good until we started talking about David's sister, Rachelle, and his nephew, Carter, coming tomorrow. She said exactly what she would normally say, "I can't wait to kiss his knees!", but the comment struck a sensitive cord and the floodgates opened. It's OK though, it's just one of those beautiful things we all love about moms.
At some time in the future we will be making this blog into a keepsake for David and, knowing that, please feel free to make plenty of comments. He loves them and so do we!
Here's to another good day toward a positive future.
Love,
Gordon
We arrived at David's room at about 0900 and David had already been taken to surgery. They told us it would be about 10:30 or 11:00, but that, obviously, was not the case.
We talked with the Ortho Surgeons and the Plastic Surgeons yesterday and received the following information concerning today's surgery:
This is the day they move the External Pelvic Fixator. Right now it is toward the outside of his hips and is quite high toward his belly button. They are going to move it in, I don't know how far, and down about 3 to 4 inches. It will also be a lower profile instead of extending about 6 - 8 inches in the air. They call it a Sport Fixator because he will be able to do about anything with it on. He will be able to sit up without it pushing against his abdomen. It is a great move in the right direction.
They will also be dealing with a very long gash on the back of his left leg. I believe I previously mentioned that the blast opened up the back of his left leg all the way up. Today they will be trying to do a scar revision to improve the healing process of that leg.
The Plastic Surgery team will be looking at everything and will be changing the wound vac on the right forearm. I asked them about the future skin grafts to his right leg and his forearm. I was told that it will not be for a few weeks. With further explanation, we learned that, when a skin graft is done, it is done without transplanting a blood supply with it, and it is vitally essential for David's health to be at it's optimum level so the skin will survive the move from his thigh to his arm and/or leg. Without transplanting a blood supply, David's body must do all that healing, so, they'll wait until the time is right.
I also talked to the hand surgeon and learned a little more about the nerve reconstruction of his right arm. That will not happen for several more weeks but they feel like it will be successful enough to provide sensation and some more mobility to his ring finger. We all know how critical that will be when playing "Call of Duty" online against his Buddies and/or his Brothers. There are certain things in life that just can NOT be lived without.
This morning I was trying to do anything I could to keep Lynnette smiling. It was working pretty darn good until we started talking about David's sister, Rachelle, and his nephew, Carter, coming tomorrow. She said exactly what she would normally say, "I can't wait to kiss his knees!", but the comment struck a sensitive cord and the floodgates opened. It's OK though, it's just one of those beautiful things we all love about moms.
At some time in the future we will be making this blog into a keepsake for David and, knowing that, please feel free to make plenty of comments. He loves them and so do we!
Here's to another good day toward a positive future.
Love,
Gordon
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 1000
First, let me give you David's new address:
LYON, David B
c/o NNMC
8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bldg. 10 Ward 5E
Room 5
Bethesda, MD 20889-5601
I know I take many liberties with this blog and now I'm going to take another one. You EOD's out there are one incredible bunch of soldiers. I have not met one EOD that I didn't immediately respect and care about. I admire your courage and your bravery. One thing David told me that I think is great advice for all of us is that he firmly believes in "warm fuzzies or twinges or hesitations, and not just his own. If anyone had a "feeling", of any kind, it was time to STOP, ASSESS and proceed with EXTREME CAUTION - with no COWBOY HEROICS. Those warm fuzzy feelings may be a spirit of warning or a premanition of danger or whatever you want to call it - whatever it is - listen close and react cautiously. You are valuable as David's friends as well as many other's loved ones.
David is doing a great deal of sleeping and is starting to refuse some of the pain medications. Many times, yesterday, he would just keep shaking his head to try to clear the fuzziness. He, and I clearly recall the feeling, hates the feeling of such a lack of clarity while on some of this medication.
There are some concerns about his thinking processes because he is, from time to time, unable to perform tasks like saying the months of the year backwards. He has given his age as being 41. He is very confused at times and will wake up and give us a big smile and ask when we got there even though we had been there most of the day and talked with him several times.
I sincerely feel like it is the medication. He always knows who we are, he knows all his brothers and sisters and his nieces and nephews. I'm having a hard time keeping track of what day and date it is and I am not on any medications.
There is no surgery planned for today. To our current understanding, tomorrow they will be doing some adjustments to the external fixator on his pelvis and will be taking a very good look at all his wounds. We haven't been told just when the skin grafts will take place - I am assuming it will be very soon because the wound vacs on his right leg and on his right arm, where they took off the skin flap, are pulling very little fluid and seem to be ready to be closed.
The unfortunate part about the skin grafts is the fact that they will create an entirely new pain for David to have to endure.
Now that David is on the 5th floor, we start to see even more individuals and families that are dealing with this new reality. Some of the parents have "meltdowns" simply because of their inability to feel like they are able to do anything to make things better. I know that their presence is helpful, but when a Mother can't fix an oweee, or make them their favorite dessert, or put them on their lap - they just feel awful and helpless. I'm sure that any of you mothers, and fathers, understand exactly what I am saying.
We've now had full view of David's right arm and I most certainly understand why David said that he was surprised to see that he still had the arm when he woke up. I, and I am sure that David will feel the same, am so grateful that these surgeons are so skilled at giving him the utmost use of his arm that they could.
I need to get back in the room. You have a great day! David may have a new niece born today to Michael and Tiffany. Please give our beautiful granddaughter a soft kiss from Grandma and Grandpa and David.
XOXOXOXO
Gordon
LYON, David B
c/o NNMC
8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bldg. 10 Ward 5E
Room 5
Bethesda, MD 20889-5601
I know I take many liberties with this blog and now I'm going to take another one. You EOD's out there are one incredible bunch of soldiers. I have not met one EOD that I didn't immediately respect and care about. I admire your courage and your bravery. One thing David told me that I think is great advice for all of us is that he firmly believes in "warm fuzzies or twinges or hesitations, and not just his own. If anyone had a "feeling", of any kind, it was time to STOP, ASSESS and proceed with EXTREME CAUTION - with no COWBOY HEROICS. Those warm fuzzy feelings may be a spirit of warning or a premanition of danger or whatever you want to call it - whatever it is - listen close and react cautiously. You are valuable as David's friends as well as many other's loved ones.
David is doing a great deal of sleeping and is starting to refuse some of the pain medications. Many times, yesterday, he would just keep shaking his head to try to clear the fuzziness. He, and I clearly recall the feeling, hates the feeling of such a lack of clarity while on some of this medication.
There are some concerns about his thinking processes because he is, from time to time, unable to perform tasks like saying the months of the year backwards. He has given his age as being 41. He is very confused at times and will wake up and give us a big smile and ask when we got there even though we had been there most of the day and talked with him several times.
I sincerely feel like it is the medication. He always knows who we are, he knows all his brothers and sisters and his nieces and nephews. I'm having a hard time keeping track of what day and date it is and I am not on any medications.
There is no surgery planned for today. To our current understanding, tomorrow they will be doing some adjustments to the external fixator on his pelvis and will be taking a very good look at all his wounds. We haven't been told just when the skin grafts will take place - I am assuming it will be very soon because the wound vacs on his right leg and on his right arm, where they took off the skin flap, are pulling very little fluid and seem to be ready to be closed.
The unfortunate part about the skin grafts is the fact that they will create an entirely new pain for David to have to endure.
Now that David is on the 5th floor, we start to see even more individuals and families that are dealing with this new reality. Some of the parents have "meltdowns" simply because of their inability to feel like they are able to do anything to make things better. I know that their presence is helpful, but when a Mother can't fix an oweee, or make them their favorite dessert, or put them on their lap - they just feel awful and helpless. I'm sure that any of you mothers, and fathers, understand exactly what I am saying.
We've now had full view of David's right arm and I most certainly understand why David said that he was surprised to see that he still had the arm when he woke up. I, and I am sure that David will feel the same, am so grateful that these surgeons are so skilled at giving him the utmost use of his arm that they could.
I need to get back in the room. You have a great day! David may have a new niece born today to Michael and Tiffany. Please give our beautiful granddaughter a soft kiss from Grandma and Grandpa and David.
XOXOXOXO
Gordon
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 1007 on Stephen Lyon's Birthday
Happy Birthday Stephen - We Love You!
Lynnette was devastated by the visit to Walter Reed yesterday - the reality of it was a bit overwhelming but all is well today.
It is such a peaceful feeling right now. With David having so many friends and extended family from so many diversified backgrounds and from so many different religions praying, all to the same Heavenly Father, for him and his well being - I can not possibly express the joy of my tears this morning - David is leaving ICU today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe in Christ and I believe in his Father. I believe that Heavenly Father knew, before David was born into our lives and was still in the Spirit World, that this would happen and he has carefully orchestrated everything in such a way that I am in total awe. Not even considering the many train medical soldiers and medical professionals that helped to preserve David's life in the field, in Afghanistan, in Germany, and here in Bethesda, for medicine and technology to have advanced to the point that, from the date of an incredible blast that, without his innovative protective gear, would have taken his life immediately and now he'll be walking withing 6 months, for Ethen to have come into his life and given his life a new meaning and purpose, for Lynnette and I to be selling our business at a time when I could just walk away for a month or more, for Catherine, with all her strength and commitment, to have come into his life at a time when she just finished achieving her Master's Degree and was blessed with a period of time to evaluate what kind of job she wants, for all this to have come about at this one pivotal moment in time is absolutely no coincidence. I could fill a volume with the other "so called" coincidences that have influenced this moment, but, suffice it to say, our debts to our Heavenly Father will never be paid in full. That entire paragraph meant - THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, those prayers are being answered.
Enough with the religious and philosophical undertones.
David had a very good night, they have unwrapped his entire right arm and all is healing very well. If he was proud of the scar he received when he had surgery from a compound fracture when he was about 16, boy oh boy is he going to be proud now. He can seriously embellish his shark attack stories from before. When I just left his room he was having a good dream and was just smiling away.
The skin flap has shown to be very successful. His kidneys now have his white count down to about 18,000 from the 30,000 count of a week ago. A normal kidney output is 10,000 or below. The fixator on his pelvis will be adjusted on Thursday and will make it more possible for him to sit up a little. The fixator on his hand will need to remain there for awhile but I have been given no time frame as of yet. His forearm, where they removed the skin flap, is doing well and will receive a skin graft, probably at the same time his right leg receives the necessary skin graft. His pain meds will be able to be reduced a bit so he can have much more clarity. It is really nice that, now when he looks at us, it does not feel like he is looking with a blank stare. His legs are healing well but are extremely painful when they have to change the dressings and move things around.
He is looking much more studly, like me, now. Ok, maybe the word should not be studly, maybe the word should be bald. He has one or two spots on the back of his head where the hair is really thinning, because of the wear from the pillow, and is getting tender.
Last night Nate Gatten, from the LDS Ward out here, took me to his favorite spots in the area. We saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and last, but absolutely not least, the Marine Corps Memorial of the raising of the flag at Iwo Gima. What incredible tributes to incredible people at incredible times. For a guy with 4 great sons in the Military - I couldn't be more proud. Yes, daughters, I am extremely proud of you too - I hope you know that.
I'll write more later. I hope my LDS religious sentiments have not offended anyone.
All My Love,
Gordon
Lynnette was devastated by the visit to Walter Reed yesterday - the reality of it was a bit overwhelming but all is well today.
It is such a peaceful feeling right now. With David having so many friends and extended family from so many diversified backgrounds and from so many different religions praying, all to the same Heavenly Father, for him and his well being - I can not possibly express the joy of my tears this morning - David is leaving ICU today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe in Christ and I believe in his Father. I believe that Heavenly Father knew, before David was born into our lives and was still in the Spirit World, that this would happen and he has carefully orchestrated everything in such a way that I am in total awe. Not even considering the many train medical soldiers and medical professionals that helped to preserve David's life in the field, in Afghanistan, in Germany, and here in Bethesda, for medicine and technology to have advanced to the point that, from the date of an incredible blast that, without his innovative protective gear, would have taken his life immediately and now he'll be walking withing 6 months, for Ethen to have come into his life and given his life a new meaning and purpose, for Lynnette and I to be selling our business at a time when I could just walk away for a month or more, for Catherine, with all her strength and commitment, to have come into his life at a time when she just finished achieving her Master's Degree and was blessed with a period of time to evaluate what kind of job she wants, for all this to have come about at this one pivotal moment in time is absolutely no coincidence. I could fill a volume with the other "so called" coincidences that have influenced this moment, but, suffice it to say, our debts to our Heavenly Father will never be paid in full. That entire paragraph meant - THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, those prayers are being answered.
Enough with the religious and philosophical undertones.
David had a very good night, they have unwrapped his entire right arm and all is healing very well. If he was proud of the scar he received when he had surgery from a compound fracture when he was about 16, boy oh boy is he going to be proud now. He can seriously embellish his shark attack stories from before. When I just left his room he was having a good dream and was just smiling away.
The skin flap has shown to be very successful. His kidneys now have his white count down to about 18,000 from the 30,000 count of a week ago. A normal kidney output is 10,000 or below. The fixator on his pelvis will be adjusted on Thursday and will make it more possible for him to sit up a little. The fixator on his hand will need to remain there for awhile but I have been given no time frame as of yet. His forearm, where they removed the skin flap, is doing well and will receive a skin graft, probably at the same time his right leg receives the necessary skin graft. His pain meds will be able to be reduced a bit so he can have much more clarity. It is really nice that, now when he looks at us, it does not feel like he is looking with a blank stare. His legs are healing well but are extremely painful when they have to change the dressings and move things around.
He is looking much more studly, like me, now. Ok, maybe the word should not be studly, maybe the word should be bald. He has one or two spots on the back of his head where the hair is really thinning, because of the wear from the pillow, and is getting tender.
Last night Nate Gatten, from the LDS Ward out here, took me to his favorite spots in the area. We saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and last, but absolutely not least, the Marine Corps Memorial of the raising of the flag at Iwo Gima. What incredible tributes to incredible people at incredible times. For a guy with 4 great sons in the Military - I couldn't be more proud. Yes, daughters, I am extremely proud of you too - I hope you know that.
I'll write more later. I hope my LDS religious sentiments have not offended anyone.
All My Love,
Gordon
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