Posted on 02/06/2023 10:19:24 PM PST by Jim Robinson
I'm still flat on my back. The pressure sores that sent me to the hospital are almost healed, but still too painful for me to spend much time in my power chair, so I spend all my time in bed. The nurse says the wounds are now just superficial, and should be healed very soon. I do have a new spot on my bottom and on my back, but they haven't become sores yet. Hoping to spend more time in my chair each day until completely healed and to prevent more sores on my back.
My hands and arms are already very weak from muscular dystrophy and they're even weaker now after lying in bed for six months. A physical therapist is working with me on range of motion exercises to get my arms stronger again. And that's very painful, but has to be done.
I can't type on the computer while lying in bed, so I'm using speech recognition software to control the computer. The software allows me to navigate by clicking on any link on a page using voice commands. I can do almost any function using voice commands, like opening/closing files, tabs, etc. I can also click on a reply button and enter short replies, however it's almost impossible to enter anything more than just a few words, because the software makes many errors and it takes a long time to clean that up. Consequently, if I have a long post to enter, I have to call Chris in to type it in for me, as he's doing right now.
But I can do most functions in maintaining the website, and the abuse system. So I spend a lot of time now reading and bumping threads to breaking or frontpage news, and handling the abuse reporting system. One thing I cannot do is cut and paste. For example, when I receive an abuse report and a true title needs to be copied from a source, I need to call in Chris to do it for me. Chris has been a real trooper. Not only is he my primary care provider, but he's been doing all my banking/bill-paying/bookkeeping as well as my entire job while I was in the hospital, and a thousand other chores since I went to the hospital.
For about a week before going into the hospital, I was in a lot of pain. I couldn't focus on my work, couldn't eat, sleep, sit/lay in my chair for very long without excruciating pain. I was also constipated for an entire week, and I knew I was in trouble.
The evening before going into the hospital, I asked Chris and John to lift me into bed because I was in so much pain. But even in bed, there was no relief. I kept calling the boys in every five minutes or so to adjust my position, but I still couldn't get relief. They became concerned, so they decided to take me to the VA emergency room.
In the VA, they suspected that I had blocked bowels and were considering surgery. They put tubes in me to feed me and take out the waste. They also found that one of the pressure sores had gone all the way through to the bone, and that I had a sepsis infection. I don't remember very much about that period, because I was literally out of my mind. These things were told to me later.
Chris says that for the first couple weeks, the VA wouldn't allow visitors or anybody to even talk/see me. This hospital had very strict rules because of Covid. John, Chris, and Amy even considered getting a lawyer so that they could talk to me. The VA finally relented, and allowed them to visit me so they could find out what was going on - they literally had absolutely no idea what was happening to me.
I was pretty much out of it that first week and couldn't remember much, but I remember talking to the surgeon and some doctors. They were actually considering surgery for my blocked bowels, but then they decided let's try an enema. Sure enough, cleared that shit up! No surgery was required.
I also remember I couldn't sleep in that first week, and they were begging me to go to sleep, but every time I drifted off I had a repeat of some recurring nightmares. While I was having these nightmare, I knew they were nightmares, but couldn't wake myself up. I knew how they began and how they ended. And once one began, I couldn't wake myself up until it went all the way to the end.
One of the nightmares concerned a pit bull that was released in the hospital, and I could hear him running from room to room, attacking people and chomping on their bones. I knew when he got to my room (which he never did), he'd start chomping on my feet first and work his way up.
Another recurring nightmare was about being in a hospital run by terrorists, and it had a public side and back side. On the public side, they were nice as can be and took real good care of you. But on the back side, they were mean as hell and liked to torture people.
I also became very paranoid, and while slipping in and out of delirium. I had suspicions about being in a government hospital with government employees. I described some of this to John, and he said, "I don't know what they have you on man, but you are loopy!"
They started feeding me broth, and couple days later soft foods like Jello and ice cream. The best part about being in the hospital is ice cream.
There's a lot more to add, but I'll cut this short. The good news is I'm healing. The bad news is it's going to take a bit more time, but we'll get there.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and continuing support.
God bless.
God bless you Jim, and thank you for all you do.
Is there any chance acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine might be of use? I went to an expert in TCM, and it is astounding how they can shift blood flow, tissue regeneration, and immune function around with those needles.
I took a lot of injuries growing up, and once took an injury I could tell would be two months of no use of that part of the body and six months of building it back up, if I was lucky to get back to square one. I went to a TCM guy who did acupuncture with some herbal tea, and in two weeks I was 100% as if I never had the injury. The skin was still black from the bruise, from all the muscle and tendon stuff I did to it, but the leg worked 100% as if nothing happened. It blew my mind.
Also, just like them shifting Chi (their concept of life energy, maybe related to a neurological function or biochemical state) with those needles can help, they have as part of the theory how just wear and tear can shift Chi away and cause the problems, and require it be rejiggered with the needles.
I believe there are a lot of TCM specialists in California. You can use Google reviews or Yelp to find the ones people rave about if you want to try it. Insurance often will cover it. It unquestioningly changed the course of my life.
Whatever you decide, thank you for all you do. You are an absolute hero in the movement.
Prayers and healing thoughts to you Jim. You have been part of my life for a long time now.
Get better soon Jim.. and God bless...
May God’s constant blessings and care heal you completely.
Wild dreams
You are one tough hombre.
I only live an hour from you and am in the Fresno/Midwesto area frequently.
I wish I had come to visit sooner and thank you for FR.
Looking forward to meeting one day.
You are in my prayers
I wonder if “Durable Power” status would apply here so, your boys can be advocates.
prayers for you and family
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney gives your agent the right to make decisions and take the actions specified for the long term. Even if you are mentally incapacitated or deemed unfit to make decisions for yourself, your agent can still act on your behalf. Since most older adults need a POA only in case they become incapacitated, this is the preferred type.
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney has you list a health-care agent who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. They’ll also make sure all your medical providers follow your do-not-resuscitate form or living will.
God bless you Jim, your efforts to preserve freedom will be long remembered and rightly so.
We pray for your healing and the strength of yourself and your family.
Tet68
Continued prayers up on your behalf, and for John, Chris, Amy, and those who are providing support and health services for you. May Almighty God guide their hands and hearts, and heal you.
God Bless you, Sir, and carry on!
-- Dayglored
Prayers for healing, body and mind. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.
Pressure sores are hard to stay on top of, we battled it all year with my FIL. The alternating air bed pad and wheelchair pad helped, as did foam pads, manuka honey, and repositioning a lot. He only had a few that actually surfaced, but the medihoney worked better than anything else for him.
🙏
Prayers up for a full and speedy recovery. 🙏
God Bless You, Sir. See you in the clouds.
Prayers up Jim. Keep fighting
Get well Jim, America needs you.
God Bless You Jim. Will pray God will grant you healing to full health. I believe FReeRepublic is proud of you and loves you. May you continue the good fight in the light of Christ’s healing grace. Stay Safe …..
I am praying for you, Jim.
Having been through several years of physical therapy, I remember a quote ‘the only people who feel no pain are the ones no longer breathing.’. Do what you can to relieve / avoid pain.
Prayers up every day.
.
Prayers for you!
May God heal you.
Thank you for the update!
Prayers continuing!
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