The accumulation of all these things happening is extremely taxing on our senses and we aren't the ones going into surgery, or being poked, prodded, cut, stitched, turned, moved, blood in, blood out, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc...............................................
We came over about 8:30 this morning and were able to be with David for about 45 minutes. He was sleeping the entire time so we didn't say a word. Just watching him sleep is the absolute best part of the day. It's great when he smiles and jokes but, unfortunately, it feels that he is doing everything he can, at that time, to take care of us and keep us feeling good.
The military took us to the Walter Reid area today so we could go to the commissary and purchase some fresh fruit and things for our little kitchenette. We got back about noon and that's about when David went to surgery again. We took the opportunity to do laundry.
David came out of surgery almost 5 1/2 hours later. He was very disoriented and in pain. The pain always seem much worse when he is not sure where he is. Having experienced that before, my heart just aches. I, like every parent and every loved one, want the pain to stop, the surgery to stop, the disorientation to stop, and even the reality of this whole thing to stop. David seems to "suck it up" much better than I do. I guess it hit Lynnette a bit harder than me, she almost fainted and they used an alcohol patch under her nose, put a cold pack on her neck, and quickly provided her with some graham crackers and apple juice. She's fine and still beautiful.
Today's surgery was all on the right hand and arm. The repairs done yesterday all looked very good. Today they cut a skin flap between 4 to 6 inches long up the forearm, starting just above the outer wrist bone and ending about 2/3 of the way to the elbow - the description I received was in the shape of a skinny, Thanksgiving Day, turkey leg. That flap was detached, turned, and re-attached. It was then wrapped over the wrist area below the thumb and into the fatty palm area of the thumb. The blood vessels then had to be carefully reattached in the hand. We're told that there is a possibility of the skin flap failing and the skin dies and needs to be removed but they are very confident that will not happen. They have a small "Doplar" thingy that, on an hourly basis, they use, like an ultra sound, to listen for the pulse in the blood veins of the skin flap to make sure it is responding well. We've also been informed that, if necessary, they will have the option to use leech therapy to help maintain the life of the skin flap. I'll let you do the research on the leech therapy.
If you can recall the last Green Bay Packers game that you watched, many of the fans wear some really classy huge cheese wedges on their heads. David's right arm, from the elbow down, is being held in the air by a big cheese wedge. It is very very very uncomfortable. We can now see a little of the external fixator sticking out from his thumb.
Yesterday they took the dialysis blood lines out of the right side of his neck and put them in the left side of his neck. Today we were told that he has a blood clot where the old lines were and he will need to be on blood thinners for about 3 months. The doctor said "this is one of those bumps in the road!" Doctor Leoffler told us that there is a 1% to 2% chance of that blood clot becoming any kind of a problem but they are still making every effort to make sure it does not grow or move. Typically, the blood clots that do the most damage come from the legs.
Sounds bad doesn't it? The hand surgeon said surgery went very well! I know that's suppose to give you all the comfort in the world but it is still a painful process and it's not even my body they are messing with.
David is in room 16. The man in room 17 has lost both legs and much of one arm and today they had to remove part of his other arm.
Just now a gentleman, James E. Daniel, who is the Senior Vice President, General Council for SERCO, just handed me his business card and told me that, when David is looking to determine what he wants to do next, he wants David to give him a call. He also asked me to tell my son Thank You for his incredible service.
I absolutely love this country!
Good Night,
Gordon and Dad
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Purple Heart Night - June 3, 2010 at 2235
What a day. David came back from surgery and they really had a hard time getting control of his pain level. Once again they asked, "on a scale of 1 - 10, what is your pain level?" he said "12!". He was really hurting everywhere. Once the pain was under control we got him dressed for his big day and we closed the door, for the first time since we've been here, and let him sleep for two to three straight hours.
4 Star General James T. Conway - Commandant of the United States Marine Corp and his wife came in with their photographer and entourage. I can not possibly tell you just how impressed I am with the leadership of the United States Marine Corp. He, along with General Amos, are gentlemen, they are gentle men, they love their Marines, they are genuinely interested in the welfare of their solders, before, during, and after their injuries. I can't help but think that the injuries have anything to do with their love and respect for their Marines. This is one of the strongest brotherhoods I have ever seen or felt.
I am so proud of David. Not for the Purple Heart. If you were here, hearing of some of David's assignments and realizing what he has been protecting his mother and I from, receiving the calls I am receiving from comrades still in Afghanistan, soldiers who have served with him, soldiers who were protected by him, friends who have been influenced by him - you would have an entirely new view of who he has been and who he has become. That's why I am proud of David. I know, I know, he's not perfect, I can't say that of anyone I know and especially not myself although my wife is pretty darn close.
David also received another award today. The EOD specialty has three levels, EOD, Senior EOD and Master EOD. David had already been approved for the advancement and the Commandant and Master Gunny Sergeant Todd awarded it to him directly after he received the Purple Heart.
The Commandant asked about the incident and David gave him a quick sketch of the whole thing. The General had, obviously, already read the full account. David told him he lost his little finger but immediately told the General that he wasn't using it anyway. The whole things was absolutely fantastic.
The General's wife Annette was equally gracious and involved. She grabbed my camera and started taking pictures, she awarded Lynnette with a Mother's Purple Heart Pendant. She was beautiful in every way - I'm quite sure she takes just as much pride and shows just as much love and caring for the Marines as does her husband. If I am correct, he referred to her as the Acting Marine Corp Gunny. I can't quote that because I didn't hear it exactly.
David's kidneys started rebounding today - OK, here come the tears again. Every step in the right direction is such a tender mercy.
Happy Birthday Katie - I know you understand us not being there but we'll make it up to you.
Whatever else we have forgotten or missed or overlooked, I'm sorry and we'll make that up to whomever.
David is sleeping well. Surgery again tomorrow. Hopefully another step forward day.
Love to all of you.
Gordon, Dad, Friend, In Debtor
4 Star General James T. Conway - Commandant of the United States Marine Corp and his wife came in with their photographer and entourage. I can not possibly tell you just how impressed I am with the leadership of the United States Marine Corp. He, along with General Amos, are gentlemen, they are gentle men, they love their Marines, they are genuinely interested in the welfare of their solders, before, during, and after their injuries. I can't help but think that the injuries have anything to do with their love and respect for their Marines. This is one of the strongest brotherhoods I have ever seen or felt.
I am so proud of David. Not for the Purple Heart. If you were here, hearing of some of David's assignments and realizing what he has been protecting his mother and I from, receiving the calls I am receiving from comrades still in Afghanistan, soldiers who have served with him, soldiers who were protected by him, friends who have been influenced by him - you would have an entirely new view of who he has been and who he has become. That's why I am proud of David. I know, I know, he's not perfect, I can't say that of anyone I know and especially not myself although my wife is pretty darn close.
David also received another award today. The EOD specialty has three levels, EOD, Senior EOD and Master EOD. David had already been approved for the advancement and the Commandant and Master Gunny Sergeant Todd awarded it to him directly after he received the Purple Heart.
The Commandant asked about the incident and David gave him a quick sketch of the whole thing. The General had, obviously, already read the full account. David told him he lost his little finger but immediately told the General that he wasn't using it anyway. The whole things was absolutely fantastic.
The General's wife Annette was equally gracious and involved. She grabbed my camera and started taking pictures, she awarded Lynnette with a Mother's Purple Heart Pendant. She was beautiful in every way - I'm quite sure she takes just as much pride and shows just as much love and caring for the Marines as does her husband. If I am correct, he referred to her as the Acting Marine Corp Gunny. I can't quote that because I didn't hear it exactly.
David's kidneys started rebounding today - OK, here come the tears again. Every step in the right direction is such a tender mercy.
Happy Birthday Katie - I know you understand us not being there but we'll make it up to you.
Whatever else we have forgotten or missed or overlooked, I'm sorry and we'll make that up to whomever.
David is sleeping well. Surgery again tomorrow. Hopefully another step forward day.
Love to all of you.
Gordon, Dad, Friend, In Debtor
Purple Heart Day - Thursday June 3, 2010 at 1245
David went into surgery about 8 this morning and it is now 12:45 and he is still not back to his room so there is nothing to report right now.
OK, make sure you pull out a tissue....I'll wait.......................OK, here goes: My family is making a quilt for David. The quilt will be pictures of every one of us which will include 16 Grandchildren, 6 Siblings, Parents and Grandparents. My daughter, Rachelle, was taking pictures of her children for the quilt and Carter, her 4 year old son, kept doing weird things with his hands every time she was ready to take the picture. She tried and tried and tried and tried and he kept putting his hands around his face and they couldn't get a good picture. Later they were talking about why he kept messing around when the picture was going to be taken and he told her that he was trying to "Salute his Uncle David!" Is that beautiful or what? They showed him how to salute after that happened.
Lynnette said that she heard this quote "it is no small thing to be loved by someone who has, so recently, come from God."
Last night David was able to talk with his son Ethen - here are some of Catherine's recollections:
I wanted to let you both know David had the chance to speak with Ethen around midnight last night (21:00 Ethen's time) for the first time since he was injured and it was truly beautiful to see David's face light up at the sound of Ethen's voice. Heather gave me a call when her and Ethen were able to wind down from a very busy day and as soon as I told David Heather was calling his face lit up, he had been dying to talk to Ethen all day. I picked up the phone and held it up to David's ear and with the biggest smile I've seen on his face since he's been in the hospital Dave said "Hey Buddy, I love you so much!" I couldn't hear what Ethen was saying but David proceeded to tell Ethen how he wanted to make t-shirts with him, drawings with him, and listed a few other things he wanted to do with Ethen and then said "I want to do everything with you buddy and I just love you so so much!" Ethen has a graduation at school today and Heather has been so great and told David she would be taping this so David could see it as soon as her and Ethen got out here. Ethen and Heather told David they were so proud of him for receiving his Purple Heart today, which we told them would take place around 16:30, and Heather told David they would be thinking of him all day. After we hung up the phone David said that the phone call made him so happy and that he could not feel any better right then and there after speaking with Ethen, who David has time and time again described as the best thing in his life and as the most amazing little guy ever - I agree :) David and I have spoken about his injury and David expressed to me that he knew the moment he was picked up by the helicopter that he would survive. I subsequently asked him if he was happy to be alive and if he had ever come so close to dying before. He told me that he was so grateful to be alive and that he had come as close to dying before but that this time was different, that this time he realized he had a second chance and was seeing several things from a new angle that made him appreciate his life in a manner he had not known he was capable of before this injury. He talked about how grateful he was to have a chance to express his love towards his family and more specifically, to see Ethen grow up and have the chance to be an active part of Ethen's life as Ethen experiences everything life has to offer. I don't think David realizes how proud Ethen is of his daddy quite yet and David has expressed worry about appearing weak to Ethen or like he let Ethen down. I told David it was completely understandable that he would feel that way however, that he couldn't be further from the truth and that Ethen thought his daddy was a hero and that David had given Ethen the greatest gift he ever could, an incredibly strong, courageous, and honorable role model that Ethen will look up to through all the curve balls life will certainly throw his way as he continues to grow up and experiences his journey through all of life's surprises, which can often seem overwhelming and very hard to surpass. I am very happy David spoke to Ethen last night, it was not easy for David given all the emotions speaking with Ethen certainly conjured up, Ethen is the most important part of David's heart and holds a sacred and irreplaceable place in David's strength and courage, both of which carried him back to Ethen, safe, alive, and with an inner strength that is stronger than ever. Anyhow, I told Heather I'd leave my phone with David for now so Ethen could call his daddy whenever he wanted to speak to him and hopefully when David is more awake today he can give Ethen a call. Ethen really is such an incredible little guy and he brightens up everyone's day and he will be a pivotal part of David's recovery so I'm glad they had the chance to finally talk last night.
Gordon here!
David is back from surgery.
Well, the leg injuries have been closed. The "integra", the mesh that will cover the areas that could not be initially covered by the skin from the legs, is also in place and the skin grafts should be done in a week or two. The fixator is still in place and will be altered, possibly tomorrow. The wounds on David's left leg goes all the way up to his back side.
The injury just below his elbow on the right arm has been closed up because it is really looking quite good. They may have to make alterations later, but, for now, that has been closed. The Ulnar tendon is still gone and they may try a graft on that later.
After another evaluation from the hand surgery specialists, tomorrow they will be using a "local rotational flap" from his right forearm and fold it down and use that flap to fill the area around the right wrist and the meaty part of the thumb. Up until now there has been pins in his right wrist and thumb but those have been removed and they have put on an external fixator. They made these changes because they are concerned with the web area between the thumb and the pointer finger constricting as it heals. If that were allowed to constrict he would lose a great amount of flexibility with the thumb. Having the rotational flap will also make it possible for him to have full mobility of his arm during the healing process - what a fantastic change.
David tolerated the surgery very well and only needed 2 units of blood today. They will go through another full round of dialysis tomorrow before surgery, so tomorrow will be a very draining day for him.
We're finally able to go see him so I'll end this blog.
Thank You All, I love you!
Gordon
OK, make sure you pull out a tissue....I'll wait.......................OK, here goes: My family is making a quilt for David. The quilt will be pictures of every one of us which will include 16 Grandchildren, 6 Siblings, Parents and Grandparents. My daughter, Rachelle, was taking pictures of her children for the quilt and Carter, her 4 year old son, kept doing weird things with his hands every time she was ready to take the picture. She tried and tried and tried and tried and he kept putting his hands around his face and they couldn't get a good picture. Later they were talking about why he kept messing around when the picture was going to be taken and he told her that he was trying to "Salute his Uncle David!" Is that beautiful or what? They showed him how to salute after that happened.
Lynnette said that she heard this quote "it is no small thing to be loved by someone who has, so recently, come from God."
Last night David was able to talk with his son Ethen - here are some of Catherine's recollections:
I wanted to let you both know David had the chance to speak with Ethen around midnight last night (21:00 Ethen's time) for the first time since he was injured and it was truly beautiful to see David's face light up at the sound of Ethen's voice. Heather gave me a call when her and Ethen were able to wind down from a very busy day and as soon as I told David Heather was calling his face lit up, he had been dying to talk to Ethen all day. I picked up the phone and held it up to David's ear and with the biggest smile I've seen on his face since he's been in the hospital Dave said "Hey Buddy, I love you so much!" I couldn't hear what Ethen was saying but David proceeded to tell Ethen how he wanted to make t-shirts with him, drawings with him, and listed a few other things he wanted to do with Ethen and then said "I want to do everything with you buddy and I just love you so so much!" Ethen has a graduation at school today and Heather has been so great and told David she would be taping this so David could see it as soon as her and Ethen got out here. Ethen and Heather told David they were so proud of him for receiving his Purple Heart today, which we told them would take place around 16:30, and Heather told David they would be thinking of him all day. After we hung up the phone David said that the phone call made him so happy and that he could not feel any better right then and there after speaking with Ethen, who David has time and time again described as the best thing in his life and as the most amazing little guy ever - I agree :) David and I have spoken about his injury and David expressed to me that he knew the moment he was picked up by the helicopter that he would survive. I subsequently asked him if he was happy to be alive and if he had ever come so close to dying before. He told me that he was so grateful to be alive and that he had come as close to dying before but that this time was different, that this time he realized he had a second chance and was seeing several things from a new angle that made him appreciate his life in a manner he had not known he was capable of before this injury. He talked about how grateful he was to have a chance to express his love towards his family and more specifically, to see Ethen grow up and have the chance to be an active part of Ethen's life as Ethen experiences everything life has to offer. I don't think David realizes how proud Ethen is of his daddy quite yet and David has expressed worry about appearing weak to Ethen or like he let Ethen down. I told David it was completely understandable that he would feel that way however, that he couldn't be further from the truth and that Ethen thought his daddy was a hero and that David had given Ethen the greatest gift he ever could, an incredibly strong, courageous, and honorable role model that Ethen will look up to through all the curve balls life will certainly throw his way as he continues to grow up and experiences his journey through all of life's surprises, which can often seem overwhelming and very hard to surpass. I am very happy David spoke to Ethen last night, it was not easy for David given all the emotions speaking with Ethen certainly conjured up, Ethen is the most important part of David's heart and holds a sacred and irreplaceable place in David's strength and courage, both of which carried him back to Ethen, safe, alive, and with an inner strength that is stronger than ever. Anyhow, I told Heather I'd leave my phone with David for now so Ethen could call his daddy whenever he wanted to speak to him and hopefully when David is more awake today he can give Ethen a call. Ethen really is such an incredible little guy and he brightens up everyone's day and he will be a pivotal part of David's recovery so I'm glad they had the chance to finally talk last night.
Gordon here!
David is back from surgery.
Well, the leg injuries have been closed. The "integra", the mesh that will cover the areas that could not be initially covered by the skin from the legs, is also in place and the skin grafts should be done in a week or two. The fixator is still in place and will be altered, possibly tomorrow. The wounds on David's left leg goes all the way up to his back side.
The injury just below his elbow on the right arm has been closed up because it is really looking quite good. They may have to make alterations later, but, for now, that has been closed. The Ulnar tendon is still gone and they may try a graft on that later.
After another evaluation from the hand surgery specialists, tomorrow they will be using a "local rotational flap" from his right forearm and fold it down and use that flap to fill the area around the right wrist and the meaty part of the thumb. Up until now there has been pins in his right wrist and thumb but those have been removed and they have put on an external fixator. They made these changes because they are concerned with the web area between the thumb and the pointer finger constricting as it heals. If that were allowed to constrict he would lose a great amount of flexibility with the thumb. Having the rotational flap will also make it possible for him to have full mobility of his arm during the healing process - what a fantastic change.
David tolerated the surgery very well and only needed 2 units of blood today. They will go through another full round of dialysis tomorrow before surgery, so tomorrow will be a very draining day for him.
We're finally able to go see him so I'll end this blog.
Thank You All, I love you!
Gordon
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Wednesday June 2, 2010 at 2110
We've been told that David is first up for surgery tomorrow. 0800 is the scheduled time even though we were originally told that he would not be going again until Friday.
This next should be fairly routine, so they say. They will, hopefully, do a final washout and debrisment of the legs and are planning on applying a special mesh material to the ends of the wounds that will enable them to have a better result when it's time to apply the skin graft. At the current time there is no schedule as to when the skin graft will take place. David is really going to be upset if the skin graft has to come from his back and it messes up his, very artistic, tattoo.
The fixator on his pelvis may be changed tomorrow, or repositioned in order to accommodate the attachment of his right wrist to the skin flap they will create in the groin area. That procedure is tentatively scheduled for this Friday but they usually don't do surgery two days in a row, so, that may be rescheduled for Saturday.
http://marcom.orthofix.com/cms/puerto_rico/index.php?page=alias-6 This site, if you are able to connect to the site, will give you a good idea of the fixator. The device across the middle is a little different but that will give you the general idea of what David will be wearing for the next 3 months.
I'd like to put some photographs on this site but I can't figure out how to get them from my camera to this blog. I'm sorry, I'll keep trying.
We got a break-away shirt embroidered with "USMC" and his EOD insignia. Although David has never, and will never be desirous to be publicly recognized for anything, he is very respectful of those he serves with and wants to look his best for the Purple Heart Presentation tomorrow.
David is very sedated tonight because they pulled the Dialysis line from his neck today. The physicians are doing everything they can to control the number of sites open for infection. He'll probably have a new line put in, somewhere else on his body, by Friday.
You have a wonderful night.
Gordon
This next should be fairly routine, so they say. They will, hopefully, do a final washout and debrisment of the legs and are planning on applying a special mesh material to the ends of the wounds that will enable them to have a better result when it's time to apply the skin graft. At the current time there is no schedule as to when the skin graft will take place. David is really going to be upset if the skin graft has to come from his back and it messes up his, very artistic, tattoo.
The fixator on his pelvis may be changed tomorrow, or repositioned in order to accommodate the attachment of his right wrist to the skin flap they will create in the groin area. That procedure is tentatively scheduled for this Friday but they usually don't do surgery two days in a row, so, that may be rescheduled for Saturday.
http://marcom.orthofix.com/cms/puerto_rico/index.php?page=alias-6 This site, if you are able to connect to the site, will give you a good idea of the fixator. The device across the middle is a little different but that will give you the general idea of what David will be wearing for the next 3 months.
I'd like to put some photographs on this site but I can't figure out how to get them from my camera to this blog. I'm sorry, I'll keep trying.
We got a break-away shirt embroidered with "USMC" and his EOD insignia. Although David has never, and will never be desirous to be publicly recognized for anything, he is very respectful of those he serves with and wants to look his best for the Purple Heart Presentation tomorrow.
David is very sedated tonight because they pulled the Dialysis line from his neck today. The physicians are doing everything they can to control the number of sites open for infection. He'll probably have a new line put in, somewhere else on his body, by Friday.
You have a wonderful night.
Gordon
Wednesday June 2, 2010 at 1141
Good Morning,
David has a pretty good night but he is really going to be zonked for awhile today as his lab work indicated that he needed another 4 hours of dialysis today.
A few blogs ago I commented on the experience when David drew my attention away from his legs, but I forgot to mention a few other things that you should know. David, at that time, expressed that he saw his legs when they were "BAD!" He saw them directly after the blast. He was awake for awhile after the blast occurred and the told Catherine that "I knew as soon as I was loaded on the chopper that I would live!"
I have found that, when blasts like this occur, it is extremely difficult for the medical team to find a vein that can be used for and IV. Because of that it is necessary to force a large needle through the sternum. David has had field medical training and was aware of the procedure and even more aware of it when they had to do it on him. He explained to his Marine buddies that it hurt - needless to say, he did not use "it hurt!" to explain the pain.
David is sleeping well right now - the dialysis is very tiring.
I wanted to share a the sentiments of a U.S. Navy Seal that was written on a poster outside his hospital room during the time he underwent 27 reconstructive surgeries to his face after he has hit by a bullet:
ATTENTION
to all who enter here
if you are coming into this room
with sorrow or to feel sorry for my
wounds - go elsewhere. The wounds
I received, I got in a job I love, doing
it for people I love, supporting the
freedom of a country I deeply love. I
am incredibly tough and will make a
full recovery. What is full? That is the
absolute utmost physically my body
has the ability to recover. Then I will
push that about 20% further through
sheer mental tenacity. This room you
are about to enter is a room of fun,
optimism, and intense rapid regrowth.
If you are not prepared for that, go
elsewhere.
From: The Management
I know, without question, that is exactly how David feels. Don't feel sad, feel grateful.
David has a pretty good night but he is really going to be zonked for awhile today as his lab work indicated that he needed another 4 hours of dialysis today.
A few blogs ago I commented on the experience when David drew my attention away from his legs, but I forgot to mention a few other things that you should know. David, at that time, expressed that he saw his legs when they were "BAD!" He saw them directly after the blast. He was awake for awhile after the blast occurred and the told Catherine that "I knew as soon as I was loaded on the chopper that I would live!"
I have found that, when blasts like this occur, it is extremely difficult for the medical team to find a vein that can be used for and IV. Because of that it is necessary to force a large needle through the sternum. David has had field medical training and was aware of the procedure and even more aware of it when they had to do it on him. He explained to his Marine buddies that it hurt - needless to say, he did not use "it hurt!" to explain the pain.
David is sleeping well right now - the dialysis is very tiring.
I wanted to share a the sentiments of a U.S. Navy Seal that was written on a poster outside his hospital room during the time he underwent 27 reconstructive surgeries to his face after he has hit by a bullet:
ATTENTION
to all who enter here
if you are coming into this room
with sorrow or to feel sorry for my
wounds - go elsewhere. The wounds
I received, I got in a job I love, doing
it for people I love, supporting the
freedom of a country I deeply love. I
am incredibly tough and will make a
full recovery. What is full? That is the
absolute utmost physically my body
has the ability to recover. Then I will
push that about 20% further through
sheer mental tenacity. This room you
are about to enter is a room of fun,
optimism, and intense rapid regrowth.
If you are not prepared for that, go
elsewhere.
From: The Management
I know, without question, that is exactly how David feels. Don't feel sad, feel grateful.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday June 1, 2010 at 1930
David went into surgery today about 0845 and I kept calling and checking and calling and checking until 3 pm and he had just barely come back to his room. I have to admit that it really scared me. I went in to his room, he smiled, and I knew all was well, but the waiting and the wondering and then the young man in the room two doors down from him was receiving his Purple Heart and a Promotion today and when my thoughts went forward to this Thursday when David will receive his Purple Heart, my emotions all came to the surface. I thought of all my kids and just how proud I am of the hurdles they have all overcome and continue to overcome, of what kind and warm and funny and incredible individuals they are - I hope every parent reading this knows what I mean and how I feel.
Yesterday when we went to the Arlington Cemetery, we walked past a young man in uniform and we commented on how great he looked and we asked if his parents were proud of their soldier. To our surprise, he said his parents have absolutely no idea where he is or what he is doing. He has no idea where they are either. I was able to acquired his name and his father's name and am going to try and get them back in contact with each other.
OK, enough gush - back to David.
His legs had very little debrisment of dead skin or muscle today and so the loss of blood during surgery was greatly reduced. Normally he goes through about 3 hours of dialysis and today was only an hour. His kidneys are still performing way below the necessary level.
We thought they were going to change the fixator today but there was absolutely no change, it still looks like a creative Knex set screwed into the front of his pelvis. We also thought that the fixator would go away shortly after they put the titanium screws in his pelvis, but the screws are now in place and we found out that the fixator will be in place for about 3 months. I guess it's not like breaking the bone in your arm, the weight bearing bones take drastically longer to heal. It will be necessary to change the position of the fixator from the front of the hips to the outside of the hips to allow for the right wrist to be attached to the groin area skin flap that will need to be created.
We found out that the attachment of the arm to the abdomen and the hand to the groin will probably happen this Friday. The area just below the joint of the elbow still has an area about the size of a silver dollar that will need some extra tissue and the physician specializing in that are is still trying to determine whether to use a muscle fold out of the back of the right shoulder or use the skin flap of the abdomen.
I'm thinking there are many more surgeries to come. I think they are trying to schedule surgery around the Purple Heart presentation to make sure David is as clear headed as he can be when the time comes.
I know I'll think of more to tell you as soon as I press "PUBLISH POST", but I'll end for now.
Have A Wonderful Night,
Proud Father, Gordon
Yesterday when we went to the Arlington Cemetery, we walked past a young man in uniform and we commented on how great he looked and we asked if his parents were proud of their soldier. To our surprise, he said his parents have absolutely no idea where he is or what he is doing. He has no idea where they are either. I was able to acquired his name and his father's name and am going to try and get them back in contact with each other.
OK, enough gush - back to David.
His legs had very little debrisment of dead skin or muscle today and so the loss of blood during surgery was greatly reduced. Normally he goes through about 3 hours of dialysis and today was only an hour. His kidneys are still performing way below the necessary level.
We thought they were going to change the fixator today but there was absolutely no change, it still looks like a creative Knex set screwed into the front of his pelvis. We also thought that the fixator would go away shortly after they put the titanium screws in his pelvis, but the screws are now in place and we found out that the fixator will be in place for about 3 months. I guess it's not like breaking the bone in your arm, the weight bearing bones take drastically longer to heal. It will be necessary to change the position of the fixator from the front of the hips to the outside of the hips to allow for the right wrist to be attached to the groin area skin flap that will need to be created.
We found out that the attachment of the arm to the abdomen and the hand to the groin will probably happen this Friday. The area just below the joint of the elbow still has an area about the size of a silver dollar that will need some extra tissue and the physician specializing in that are is still trying to determine whether to use a muscle fold out of the back of the right shoulder or use the skin flap of the abdomen.
I'm thinking there are many more surgeries to come. I think they are trying to schedule surgery around the Purple Heart presentation to make sure David is as clear headed as he can be when the time comes.
I know I'll think of more to tell you as soon as I press "PUBLISH POST", but I'll end for now.
Have A Wonderful Night,
Proud Father, Gordon
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