My youngest daughter is now into her third month of healing after seven surgeries, a skin graft, and in home wound care. She is still here with her six year old son, Z.
Today's visit to doctor was not what we wanted to hear...the bone may never heal. On the bright side all the screws and wires are holding her bone together. Doc said the bone would not crumble so Maria can begin to test the foot a little at a time.
The man who was responsible for the accident did not have insurance. It's true. He didn't and there's nothing that can be done to help Maria with her lost car, lost wages and for right now, lost ability to walk.
You know what trouble I get into when I start thinking, well, I thought anyway. I came up with a brilliant idea to show him as an unlawful and unsafe person. I compiled a letter to the editor for local newspapers.
That letter was some of my best writing, I thought. I crafted it carefully making sure only facts were used. I spun a tale that would make a repo man cry and a lawbreaker run for high country.
I decided to send it to my lawyer first to make sure the letter was not slanderous. He replied it was a good letter and by no means was it slanderous, HOWEVER, he would not advise me to send it to the papers. Why? you ask. Well, my lawyer knows me and he said the man would reply publicly and, knowing me, I would respond and on and on. The lawyer said he could see no benefits for me or my daughter by publishing this letter. Then he made my day by saying, "Gail, you can never win a pissing contest with a skunk."
Showing posts with label car wreck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car wreck. Show all posts
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
A-- Kicking By Life...
As you may remember from my backwards updates the wonderful icing on my birthday cake was to learn my youngest daughter and her youngest son had been in a car accident. A serious one for her but no permanent injuries for her son. After four surgical procedures and a full week in the hospital they sent her "home" to us.
It does change your perspective. We've never thought of handicapped as a problem. We now know it will be because of the problems we've had in caring for Maria. We know for sure now Handicapped is not just a blue sign or a place we can't park...yet.
In my guest room I have a very high antique bed, had to make it lower so she could sit and then position herself. She sleeps with her head at the foot of the bed so Zander won't kick her leg during the night.
Three hops to the bathroom, six hops to the sitting room. She has a walker but must hop on her good foot. She can't use crutches due to her chest injury which they have not named yet. For her to reach things while in bed I had to take a shelf off my newly constructed "kitchen raft". The old radio I had used for a night stand did not meet her needs.
We prop her in a wing back chair with phone, computer, tv remotes and drinks in hand's reach. All her meals are eaten there since her ankle must be elevated most of the time propped on another chair in front of her with pillows, towels and ice packs and walker in reach.
It is a major deal to arrive at the shower. She "walks" to the lodge door which has one step down, she turns her back to us as we brace an office chair. She sits. We wheel her through the tv room to the kitchen threshold where this move is repeated. Roll through the dining room into the hall and hop into the bathroom. We finally emptied the bathroom and got the shower chair in there so she can shower. We just don't think in handicap terms!
Our house is upside down. Rugs rolled up every where because the walker will hang and the chair won't roll. My craft/guest room/sitting area is her abode. Shelves and decorative items for the bathroom have moved to the dining room.
That gently slopping yard to our lowest entry point even presented a problem but it was far better than the other entries which have three to seven steps.
I have a new found respect for the handicapped people in the world and especially for those people who live alone. There is no way Maria could have gone home alone.
I also know, for sure, things can change in a instant. I knew because of Hubby's health issues and my sister's health issues. I never really thought how quickly it can change. I am more grateful than I was. She had a job, a car, and in one instant, despite all she did, both was lost from the foolishness of another driver. We are blessed, it could have been worse.
Today she returned to the doctor after almost falling on her foot and screaming so loud I heard her from outside.
They removed the cast and the dressing. Let me just say a pretty turned ankle does not have black oozing green...and that is how it looks! The doctor asked if she took her antibiotics. The releasing doctor did not write a script. Fortunately her earlier mishap did not harm the bone, still pinned and screwed. The wound is open but the doctor today did not know if the doctor before had left it open or if the fall had opened it. Conclusion: None. Given antibiotics and sufficient pain pills. Come back Monday and the doctor who did the surgery will look at it and decide if skin grafts are necessary.
Please continue to hold her in your prayers. I'm losing faith in doctors!
It does change your perspective. We've never thought of handicapped as a problem. We now know it will be because of the problems we've had in caring for Maria. We know for sure now Handicapped is not just a blue sign or a place we can't park...yet.
In my guest room I have a very high antique bed, had to make it lower so she could sit and then position herself. She sleeps with her head at the foot of the bed so Zander won't kick her leg during the night.
Three hops to the bathroom, six hops to the sitting room. She has a walker but must hop on her good foot. She can't use crutches due to her chest injury which they have not named yet. For her to reach things while in bed I had to take a shelf off my newly constructed "kitchen raft". The old radio I had used for a night stand did not meet her needs.
We prop her in a wing back chair with phone, computer, tv remotes and drinks in hand's reach. All her meals are eaten there since her ankle must be elevated most of the time propped on another chair in front of her with pillows, towels and ice packs and walker in reach.
It is a major deal to arrive at the shower. She "walks" to the lodge door which has one step down, she turns her back to us as we brace an office chair. She sits. We wheel her through the tv room to the kitchen threshold where this move is repeated. Roll through the dining room into the hall and hop into the bathroom. We finally emptied the bathroom and got the shower chair in there so she can shower. We just don't think in handicap terms!
Our house is upside down. Rugs rolled up every where because the walker will hang and the chair won't roll. My craft/guest room/sitting area is her abode. Shelves and decorative items for the bathroom have moved to the dining room.
That gently slopping yard to our lowest entry point even presented a problem but it was far better than the other entries which have three to seven steps.
I have a new found respect for the handicapped people in the world and especially for those people who live alone. There is no way Maria could have gone home alone.
I also know, for sure, things can change in a instant. I knew because of Hubby's health issues and my sister's health issues. I never really thought how quickly it can change. I am more grateful than I was. She had a job, a car, and in one instant, despite all she did, both was lost from the foolishness of another driver. We are blessed, it could have been worse.
Today she returned to the doctor after almost falling on her foot and screaming so loud I heard her from outside.
They removed the cast and the dressing. Let me just say a pretty turned ankle does not have black oozing green...and that is how it looks! The doctor asked if she took her antibiotics. The releasing doctor did not write a script. Fortunately her earlier mishap did not harm the bone, still pinned and screwed. The wound is open but the doctor today did not know if the doctor before had left it open or if the fall had opened it. Conclusion: None. Given antibiotics and sufficient pain pills. Come back Monday and the doctor who did the surgery will look at it and decide if skin grafts are necessary.
Please continue to hold her in your prayers. I'm losing faith in doctors!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Out of Pocket...Sunday's Update
11/23/2014 Arrived today shortly after Maria's procedure. Finally talked to the weekend doctor. It is Maria's talus bone that received the bad break. You can read about it here. Not the best one to break if you could choose. Thank you for your continued prayers for healing. In 48 hours they will clean and hopefully close the sight this time.
11/22/2014 More reconstructive surgery scheduled for tomorrow. Don't know how many more...I'm in the dark.
****11/21/2014 Screws were added to Maria's wires, The medication has finally been adjusted to fit the pain. It's gonna be a long haul.
Zander has been doing a lot of role playing with his toys and had difficulty sleeping. He is much improved. He has been with me two nights and three days. His dad has him now.
Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. I may not be able to reply to all but I could feel the prayers around them. Blessings to all.
***11/20/2014 I have Zander here with us. He's seems to be fairing well. The bruises are fading amazingly quick. I can't do a thing without him with me so we kept him home from school today.
Last night's surgery was just to stabilize her ankle, I think. They put in, installed, welded...I don't know the correct term...a plate last night and repaired and stopped bleeding. She did have trouble with the anesthesia last night. Maria has her second surgery in the morning to remove tissue and see exactly what they need to do. Just a word from this and that nurse and from Maria who is in severe pain because they're not comfortable with over medication. Hubby has been the trooper, asking the staff, getting Maria what she's needs. While I wait for news and keep Zander entertained.
I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers and ask you to please continue. I will try and update here. I will answer comments and thank each of you personally as time allows.
11/19/2014 Youngest daughter was in car wreck with youngest grandson. Zander is being kept over night. Maria is going in for ankle surgery tonight, pins and all that stuff.
Say a prayer please.
11/22/2014 More reconstructive surgery scheduled for tomorrow. Don't know how many more...I'm in the dark.
****11/21/2014 Screws were added to Maria's wires, The medication has finally been adjusted to fit the pain. It's gonna be a long haul.
Zander has been doing a lot of role playing with his toys and had difficulty sleeping. He is much improved. He has been with me two nights and three days. His dad has him now.
Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. I may not be able to reply to all but I could feel the prayers around them. Blessings to all.
***11/20/2014 I have Zander here with us. He's seems to be fairing well. The bruises are fading amazingly quick. I can't do a thing without him with me so we kept him home from school today.
Last night's surgery was just to stabilize her ankle, I think. They put in, installed, welded...I don't know the correct term...a plate last night and repaired and stopped bleeding. She did have trouble with the anesthesia last night. Maria has her second surgery in the morning to remove tissue and see exactly what they need to do. Just a word from this and that nurse and from Maria who is in severe pain because they're not comfortable with over medication. Hubby has been the trooper, asking the staff, getting Maria what she's needs. While I wait for news and keep Zander entertained.
I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers and ask you to please continue. I will try and update here. I will answer comments and thank each of you personally as time allows.
11/19/2014 Youngest daughter was in car wreck with youngest grandson. Zander is being kept over night. Maria is going in for ankle surgery tonight, pins and all that stuff.
Say a prayer please.
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