Allow me to finish a thought I started last year as I was keeping track of what and where I'd come from and been through...
With the brace freshly trimmed and fit, it was a sea change in attitude and abilities. Where I was originally expecting four weeks in rehab, I was discharged the following Monday. I had been in rehab for only 2 weeks. I still had a long road ahead though. The Thursday after discharge, I had my first Physical Therapy session with my knee therapist. After he got me moving following my knee replacement just 9 months before my wreck, I knew he would get me where I needed to be.
I needed my TLSO brace a bit longer, and my wife and daughter had to get me in and out of it for bed. I leaned on my adult daughter a great deal. And find I helped raise an incredible human being. I may never match her compassion and generosity. My wife has numerous health challenges, but managed through these first weeks almost as if she was her old self. Friends and co-workers were incredible. Not much I can add to this.
Physical Therapy was no walk in the park. The brace made me sweat with practically no physical effort. My PT worked with me as best he could with the brace. I just couldn't believe how weak I had become in such a short period of time.
September 27th, 2010. I saw my surgeon and she was thrilled with the Xrays. Enough so, I was allowed out of the TLSO brace. I was beyond happy. That meant I was getting better, going to make it. And it also meant a greater measure of independence. I still needed the cervical collar and I couldn't drive. But I was making progress...
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Those first days...
I don't remember exactly which day, but it was before I was up walking. I realized I could move everything. My legs, feet and toes. And I knew I was going to be OK. Not like I had been, but I was going to be able to walk and hopefully get back a "normal" life. I had no idea how tough it was going to be, but I knew I was going to give it my absolute best shot.
I had issues with my digestive system that took a few days to settle out. They tried to shove me into too small TLSO braces trying to get me on my feet and into the bathroom. I remember the first time getting my feet on the floor. And it took 2 good sized guys from physical therapy to get me up, and into the bathroom and back. And I was exhausted. Since they couldn't get a TLSO brace to fit me right, they had one custom made for me. TLSO is Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis. Usually a 2 piece hard plastic brace with velcro holding the two parts together. Due to my neck injuries, they also added braces on the front and back to hold my head in one place. I didn't have to wear it when in bed, but had to wear a cervical collar when not in the TLSO brace. Getting the TLSO brace certainly helped get me moving. But that was just the beginning.
I already mentioned the day I got Jello. My first food in 8 days. Lime and strawberry. That day was the most lucid one at that point. And then I had a soft food dinner that I just don't remember what it was. I have a lot of that. Stuff I don't remember. That is becoming a way of life sadly.
Once I was moved to the physical rehab unit, the TLSO brace didn't seem to fit quite right. My occupational therapist got the brace trimmed for me and it was an improvement. She did so much for getting me moving, showing how to do all the simple things we all take for granted. Getting dressed, tying shoelaces, using a knife and fork to eat. But the TLSO brace still wasn't quite right. But I was making progress with occupational and physical therapy. And I was slowly feeling stronger. But I had no confidence. And that took a while to improve as well. I couldn't believe how truly exhausted I was for such simple things. At least everyday was something I could show (or be shown) as progress.
I mentioned that the TLSO brace STILL didn't fit right. A week after the first trimming of the brace, a technician came and looked at it, verified that it needs more trimming. I couldn't move my arms very far without rubbing the edges, which limited some of the physical therapy exercises I was trying to do. And the bottom front of the brace hit my privates if I sat down wrong. So the tech took my brace and promised to have it back that evening. I wasn't allowed out of bed without it. And he didn't bring it back that night. And my doctor decided I needed my catheter out that evening too. What timing. Sorry, no details on how little fun that was.
The next, Thursday, my brace came back mid morning. It had been trimmed a LOT! And the fit? PERFECT! Well, as perfect as something like that can be. I finally felt I could get more done. And move so much easier. I did good with exercises in physical therapy that day. And they wanted me to climb the stairs. I wasn't sure I could yet. And yet, I climbed the 4 steps with some work. By myself. HUGE!!!! I did that a couple more times and was BEAT! That was my breakthrough day.
More later!!!
I had issues with my digestive system that took a few days to settle out. They tried to shove me into too small TLSO braces trying to get me on my feet and into the bathroom. I remember the first time getting my feet on the floor. And it took 2 good sized guys from physical therapy to get me up, and into the bathroom and back. And I was exhausted. Since they couldn't get a TLSO brace to fit me right, they had one custom made for me. TLSO is Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis. Usually a 2 piece hard plastic brace with velcro holding the two parts together. Due to my neck injuries, they also added braces on the front and back to hold my head in one place. I didn't have to wear it when in bed, but had to wear a cervical collar when not in the TLSO brace. Getting the TLSO brace certainly helped get me moving. But that was just the beginning.
I already mentioned the day I got Jello. My first food in 8 days. Lime and strawberry. That day was the most lucid one at that point. And then I had a soft food dinner that I just don't remember what it was. I have a lot of that. Stuff I don't remember. That is becoming a way of life sadly.
Once I was moved to the physical rehab unit, the TLSO brace didn't seem to fit quite right. My occupational therapist got the brace trimmed for me and it was an improvement. She did so much for getting me moving, showing how to do all the simple things we all take for granted. Getting dressed, tying shoelaces, using a knife and fork to eat. But the TLSO brace still wasn't quite right. But I was making progress with occupational and physical therapy. And I was slowly feeling stronger. But I had no confidence. And that took a while to improve as well. I couldn't believe how truly exhausted I was for such simple things. At least everyday was something I could show (or be shown) as progress.
I mentioned that the TLSO brace STILL didn't fit right. A week after the first trimming of the brace, a technician came and looked at it, verified that it needs more trimming. I couldn't move my arms very far without rubbing the edges, which limited some of the physical therapy exercises I was trying to do. And the bottom front of the brace hit my privates if I sat down wrong. So the tech took my brace and promised to have it back that evening. I wasn't allowed out of bed without it. And he didn't bring it back that night. And my doctor decided I needed my catheter out that evening too. What timing. Sorry, no details on how little fun that was.
The next, Thursday, my brace came back mid morning. It had been trimmed a LOT! And the fit? PERFECT! Well, as perfect as something like that can be. I finally felt I could get more done. And move so much easier. I did good with exercises in physical therapy that day. And they wanted me to climb the stairs. I wasn't sure I could yet. And yet, I climbed the 4 steps with some work. By myself. HUGE!!!! I did that a couple more times and was BEAT! That was my breakthrough day.
More later!!!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
How did I become The Guy That Broke Everything.
August 21st, 2011. A day I'd like to re-do. And a day I'd like to forget. Wait, I don't remember a lot of that day as it is. My friend Scott and I set out to ride our bikes down the paved section of Middle Canyon, above Tooele, UT. I remember getting the bikes off Scott's car, getting my helmet on, and pedaling away. My next memory, is waking up on the helicopter and talking with the New Zealander that was my EMS attendant. The rest is a blur.
Apparently, I passed Scott going downhill at about 35MPH and had a flat front tire. I hit the ditch headfirst, then rolled on my right shoulder and then my back. I was out cold. Scott was able to get a motorist to call 911 when they got out of the canyon, and an ambulance picked me up and took me to the Medical Center here in Tooele. They sent me by helicopter to the University of Utah Hospital. I'm told I was alert and talkative, but I have no real memory of any of it. What I do remember is what folks told me I was doing or saying, but its like something I watched on TV a lifetime ago.
I had a bunch of injuries. I hit the ground headfirst and destroyed my helmet. THAT, saved my life. Even though I was out cold and had a bad concussion. Next on the menu, an Occipital Condyl Avulsion. The Condyls basically hold your head on your spine and let you move it around. And one of those came lose from my skull. I also crushed a vein in my neck and messed up some nerves across my shoulder. Not to mention badly road rashed my right shoulder. I broke 3 or 4 ribs. Does it really matter how many? The worst damage was that I crushed my T9 Thoracic vertebra. I also damaged the T7, 8 and 10. And some muscle and tendon damage. And, I tore some muscle or tendon in my left pinky. I just couldn't straighten it. One could say, I was a little messed up.
The next day I had surgery and they ran two rods on either side of my spine. And attached them with 10 screws in the T7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 vertebra. The T9 was too damaged for screws. I had digestive system issues. Sleep issues. They kept trying to squeeze me into torture devices (braces) but they didn't fit right. Then I was custom fit for a full torso TLSO brace. And things began to click.
I had a blueberry bagel just before leaving for that bike ride. I didn't eat ANYTHING for over a week. And then I was allowed Jello. And of course, I ate too much. But it was good. That was August 29th. The next day I was moved from the neuro surgery unit to the hospital's Physical Rehab unit.
Those first days were ROUGH. On the other hand. I could move everything. Fingers and toes. I could SORT of walk. That improved slowly. The brace didn't fit me well, now that I could move. So it was "adjusted". It was better but still needed something. A few more days and it was adjusted yet again and EVERYTHING snapped into place. The brace fit better, I could move, no sharp edges. I got to go home on September 12th. Three weeks after the crash.
I haven't mentioned my family and friends yet on purpose. I scared the hell out of them. I can't even imagine. My wife had it rough, not knowing if I was going to be able to walk for a couple days. My daughter. An adult in her own right. Was the glue holding our sanity together. My son and his wife, I can't begin to understand what they must have been thinking. I love you all in ways that know no bounds. My friend Scott. By keeping me on the ground and not letting me up, gave me a better chance at healing than almost any other person along the way. You're my brother from a different mother. Family... And all my friends that stopped in to see me, even if I didn't know you were there at the time. Thanks to all.
My surgeon did a fantastic job of putting me back together. The folks that took care of me after surgery and put up with me had a chore in me. And the staff in the rehab section were fantastic. My occupational therapist got me moving again, and functional. Showed my wife and daughter how to get me in and out of my TLSO brace. The physical therapists that were patient with me. And I can't forget the nutrition guy. Always made sure I had just what I wanted. These are all people I can't thank enough.
This has been a journey I'd never have sought on my own. I have found strength I never knew I had. And the ability to be able to ask for help. Its been a humbling experience in so many ways. I know how lucky I have been, I know how things could have gone so much different. I don't take anything for granted. Every day is a gift. And the journey is just beginning.
Hi! I'm Roger, I'm the Guy That Broke Everything.
Apparently, I passed Scott going downhill at about 35MPH and had a flat front tire. I hit the ditch headfirst, then rolled on my right shoulder and then my back. I was out cold. Scott was able to get a motorist to call 911 when they got out of the canyon, and an ambulance picked me up and took me to the Medical Center here in Tooele. They sent me by helicopter to the University of Utah Hospital. I'm told I was alert and talkative, but I have no real memory of any of it. What I do remember is what folks told me I was doing or saying, but its like something I watched on TV a lifetime ago.
I had a bunch of injuries. I hit the ground headfirst and destroyed my helmet. THAT, saved my life. Even though I was out cold and had a bad concussion. Next on the menu, an Occipital Condyl Avulsion. The Condyls basically hold your head on your spine and let you move it around. And one of those came lose from my skull. I also crushed a vein in my neck and messed up some nerves across my shoulder. Not to mention badly road rashed my right shoulder. I broke 3 or 4 ribs. Does it really matter how many? The worst damage was that I crushed my T9 Thoracic vertebra. I also damaged the T7, 8 and 10. And some muscle and tendon damage. And, I tore some muscle or tendon in my left pinky. I just couldn't straighten it. One could say, I was a little messed up.
The next day I had surgery and they ran two rods on either side of my spine. And attached them with 10 screws in the T7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 vertebra. The T9 was too damaged for screws. I had digestive system issues. Sleep issues. They kept trying to squeeze me into torture devices (braces) but they didn't fit right. Then I was custom fit for a full torso TLSO brace. And things began to click.
I had a blueberry bagel just before leaving for that bike ride. I didn't eat ANYTHING for over a week. And then I was allowed Jello. And of course, I ate too much. But it was good. That was August 29th. The next day I was moved from the neuro surgery unit to the hospital's Physical Rehab unit.
Those first days were ROUGH. On the other hand. I could move everything. Fingers and toes. I could SORT of walk. That improved slowly. The brace didn't fit me well, now that I could move. So it was "adjusted". It was better but still needed something. A few more days and it was adjusted yet again and EVERYTHING snapped into place. The brace fit better, I could move, no sharp edges. I got to go home on September 12th. Three weeks after the crash.
I haven't mentioned my family and friends yet on purpose. I scared the hell out of them. I can't even imagine. My wife had it rough, not knowing if I was going to be able to walk for a couple days. My daughter. An adult in her own right. Was the glue holding our sanity together. My son and his wife, I can't begin to understand what they must have been thinking. I love you all in ways that know no bounds. My friend Scott. By keeping me on the ground and not letting me up, gave me a better chance at healing than almost any other person along the way. You're my brother from a different mother. Family... And all my friends that stopped in to see me, even if I didn't know you were there at the time. Thanks to all.
My surgeon did a fantastic job of putting me back together. The folks that took care of me after surgery and put up with me had a chore in me. And the staff in the rehab section were fantastic. My occupational therapist got me moving again, and functional. Showed my wife and daughter how to get me in and out of my TLSO brace. The physical therapists that were patient with me. And I can't forget the nutrition guy. Always made sure I had just what I wanted. These are all people I can't thank enough.
This has been a journey I'd never have sought on my own. I have found strength I never knew I had. And the ability to be able to ask for help. Its been a humbling experience in so many ways. I know how lucky I have been, I know how things could have gone so much different. I don't take anything for granted. Every day is a gift. And the journey is just beginning.
Hi! I'm Roger, I'm the Guy That Broke Everything.
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