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.
Praying for you Jim. What a terribly rough time you have had! My Mother had sepsis and I remember her saying she had never been so sick. Thank you for the update.
May our LORD God grant you solace and consolation, ease your suffering, and give you that inheritance that is the pearl of great price, greater than anything we could otherwise obtain in this world.
You and your family are in my prayers. May He watch over you and heal you. God bless you.
Thank you for the update. I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this Jim.
May God bless you and your family.
All my prayers for your healing. God bless you and your wonderful sons.
super happy to hear you’re back home and on the mend.I totally emphathize with you having strange dreams. It’s hard to get real rest when you got nurses waking you every 4 hours for something or another. During one of my several hospital visits last year, I was vivid dreaming and talking in my sleep - had the nurse convinced there was a chinese kidnapper in the hospital that had hidden in my bathroom - she even called security to check the hallway videos!! HA! The highlight of my day was being creative with the menu items. Every time I turned around some intern cardiologist was trying to put me on a cardiac diet - which I didn’t need and certainly didn’t want. I also went nuts for italian ices and popsicles - two things not normally in my freezer. Glad you got plenty of ice cream - funny how it’s the little things that make life easier :) God bless you, Jim. You take care of yourself now, and take your time healing up. We need you but your health is more important. :) P.S., thank you Chris, you’re doing an outstanding job with FR and your Dad. We sure appreciate you too :)
Dear Heavenly Father, we lift your son Jim Robinson up to you and ask for Your hand of healing upon him. Please comfort him, protect his mind, strengthen his soul., and by Your Mercy and Grace, make possible his release from the VA so he can return to his home and family. Thank-you Lord for all You do and have done. In Jesus Holy Name we pray. Amen
I've had two serious episodes in the last year and I'm convinced God is keeping good men around because HE's/we're not done yet.
God wants our voices and brother, YOUR voice is historical in the cyber world.
Father, we unite in prayer for our brother's complete healing, and we'll not forget to give You all the praise and glory, In Jesus' name, amen.
About the VA. My brother raves about the treatment they have given him lately. I was told a long time ago to stay away from the VA hospitals. I guess that’s one thing we can thank George W. Bush about fixing.
Yay, Jim!! Great to hear you’re improving. :D
God bless you, am glad to hear you are doing better.
God bless you, Jim.
Looking forward to your updates from home, when you’re well and feeling back to normal.
Thank you Jim for giving us this update. You and your family mean so much to many people here on Free Republic! Blessings and prayers for you all.
God bless and prayers up, Jim.
L
Bless you on your way to recovery. Blessings to your amazing family for being by your side during this ordeal.
thank you for the update
I wondered how you were getting along
prayers up
you are a national treasure
Sounds like you are healing well Jim. God Bless you.
Nasty, nasty word picture you paint of your afflictions mate! Sounds like hell and you have to reach way in to deal with it. Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery and all your travails in rear view mirror. Godspeed.
So thankful to hear you’re on the mend!!!!!
Your forum is a lifeline for millions!!!……You ARE essential!!!!
.Bless you for pressing on !…and May God heal you completely.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.