Week Three Home
Day Fifteen Home July 23rd (Monday)
After a weekend of pain and frustration and his Monday morning OT appointment, we headed out to Rock Springs to get the info we needed to get workmens comp. I won't lie, it is frustrating to know we have to live off of a lot less than what he was making while working. The office staff at his work place helped us get the lose ends tied up and we were glad we made the trip. It was also pleasant to meet every one I have been on the phone with in person. :)
Seth had to get some paperwork to figure out. He had a few moments panic as he could not recall his employee number. This really caused a lot of anxiety and worry for him and we made a follow up appointment for him with his primary doc later in the week. There are times he cannot recall things he feels he should.
The drive was not easy on Seth, his arm swelled up and though he was on pain meds, the pain made the drive home miserable for him. I felt really helpless to help him!
Day Sixteen Home July 24th (Tuesday)
Finally got to see the Orthopedist again. He is healing as expected. They complimented us on the care we are taking of the pin sites and at this time there is no infection. Yay us! They will remove the first set of pins in his arm on August 7th. Two weeks after that he will have the external fixator removed and will begin the real work. They are estimating 12-16 weeks of Occupational Therapy. Seth is a little freaked about this number and hopes his body will recover faster.
After a weekend of pain and frustration and his Monday morning OT appointment, we headed out to Rock Springs to get the info we needed to get workmens comp. I won't lie, it is frustrating to know we have to live off of a lot less than what he was making while working. The office staff at his work place helped us get the lose ends tied up and we were glad we made the trip. It was also pleasant to meet every one I have been on the phone with in person. :)
Seth had to get some paperwork to figure out. He had a few moments panic as he could not recall his employee number. This really caused a lot of anxiety and worry for him and we made a follow up appointment for him with his primary doc later in the week. There are times he cannot recall things he feels he should.
The drive was not easy on Seth, his arm swelled up and though he was on pain meds, the pain made the drive home miserable for him. I felt really helpless to help him!
Day Sixteen Home July 24th (Tuesday)
Finally got to see the Orthopedist again. He is healing as expected. They complimented us on the care we are taking of the pin sites and at this time there is no infection. Yay us! They will remove the first set of pins in his arm on August 7th. Two weeks after that he will have the external fixator removed and will begin the real work. They are estimating 12-16 weeks of Occupational Therapy. Seth is a little freaked about this number and hopes his body will recover faster.
Looking good baby!
Day Seventeen Home July 25th (Wednesday)
An early morning OT appointment had us wondering if maybe we need to go to bed earlier. It is hard to watch him in pain working through his therapy but it is also amazing to see how far he has come since his first appointment.
After the appointment we took a long nap before heading out to get the keys to our new rental house. Though this comes at a trying time, we are all excited to get moved and settled.
An early morning OT appointment had us wondering if maybe we need to go to bed earlier. It is hard to watch him in pain working through his therapy but it is also amazing to see how far he has come since his first appointment.
After the appointment we took a long nap before heading out to get the keys to our new rental house. Though this comes at a trying time, we are all excited to get moved and settled.
Day Eighteen Home July 26th (Thursday)
We seem to live our life in one doctor's office or the next right now. There is very little time for anything else it seems. Another early morning OT appointment. He is working hard to keep and gain movement in his hand, which is greatly impeded by the pins. I see the worry in his eyes every single time with talk with doctors. Today was no different. His neck has been bothering him greatly and we had a few questions about the residual effects of the head injury. I know doctors only want to prepare him for what CAN happen, but all we can do and wait to see what actually happens. He was told today the headaches may or may not improve or it may be something he has to live with. It can take days or months to improve. The same is true of some of his memory lapses. My sweet man came home a little down and concerned. He is napping now preparing for tomorrow's surgery! Thank you for your continued prayers!
I want to be bubbly and positive but the fact is we are dealing with some pretty scary and frustrating things right now. I know there are people going through similar experiences right now and I just want to let those people know you are not alone, and please message me on FB if I can pray for you or just listen. Sometimes it is nice to know someone can relate... ya know? I am thankful for this day we have had... to be able to hold my loved one's hand. Count your blessings and not your sufferings. xoxo!
We seem to live our life in one doctor's office or the next right now. There is very little time for anything else it seems. Another early morning OT appointment. He is working hard to keep and gain movement in his hand, which is greatly impeded by the pins. I see the worry in his eyes every single time with talk with doctors. Today was no different. His neck has been bothering him greatly and we had a few questions about the residual effects of the head injury. I know doctors only want to prepare him for what CAN happen, but all we can do and wait to see what actually happens. He was told today the headaches may or may not improve or it may be something he has to live with. It can take days or months to improve. The same is true of some of his memory lapses. My sweet man came home a little down and concerned. He is napping now preparing for tomorrow's surgery! Thank you for your continued prayers!
I want to be bubbly and positive but the fact is we are dealing with some pretty scary and frustrating things right now. I know there are people going through similar experiences right now and I just want to let those people know you are not alone, and please message me on FB if I can pray for you or just listen. Sometimes it is nice to know someone can relate... ya know? I am thankful for this day we have had... to be able to hold my loved one's hand. Count your blessings and not your sufferings. xoxo!
I told him in those glasses he looks like a dork... but he is my dork! Another doctors visit!
Day Eighteen Home July 27th (Friday)
Big Surgery Day! Left the house at 6 am. I am not sure either one of us got very much sleep. Thank goodness for good coffee on the way! Upon arrival at the hospital in Jackson, he was prepped for surgery and we waited together until the time they wheeled him back. The nurses commented on how happy and good spirited we were. Inside I was a complete mess, but there is no way when someone you love is facing surgery you can even feel right about voicing your own worries. :) That sweet man of mine knows me though, and was doing his very best to get a few laughs out of me. They wrapped his broken thumb in green so they would remember not to move it around during surgery. He kept joking he needed to be out planting since he had a "green thumb now."
Big Surgery Day! Left the house at 6 am. I am not sure either one of us got very much sleep. Thank goodness for good coffee on the way! Upon arrival at the hospital in Jackson, he was prepped for surgery and we waited together until the time they wheeled him back. The nurses commented on how happy and good spirited we were. Inside I was a complete mess, but there is no way when someone you love is facing surgery you can even feel right about voicing your own worries. :) That sweet man of mine knows me though, and was doing his very best to get a few laughs out of me. They wrapped his broken thumb in green so they would remember not to move it around during surgery. He kept joking he needed to be out planting since he had a "green thumb now."
Goofy Man asking "Does this gown make me look fat?"
He sure puts up with my recording EVERYTHING!
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Waiting for the RN to take him back
His Green Thumb!
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After kisses and loves, he was off to surgery. Jackson has a school screen that gives each patient a number and lets you know what part of the surgery the patient is in. Whether it be starting, operating, closing, or recovery. It took a little of the anxiety out of the situation. I love to people watch, and in a hospital setting where many people are waiting for loved ones in surgery, you get to witness people in the most stressful times.
One over whelmed mom with four kids who are obviously bored waiting for a loved one to get out of surgery was doing her best to keep them settled when an older woman came up and rudely kicked the kids out of their seats so she could use the phone. There were two other phones she could have used! Then she had the audacity to rudely tell the kids to be quiet...when she is the one who chose the phone next to bored kids lol! The look on that poor mothers face made me just wanted to hug her! Why can't people practice compassion? To top it off the older woman's emergency have to make call was for a nail appointment! I witness loved ones waiting anxiously for surgeries, and it seemed as though each silent nod and knowing stare and weary smile made us all understand we were in the same boat and brought a little comfort.
After the surgery Dr. Payne let me know it had gone well. My understanding was they removed the bone fragments in the orbital area, and then removed the glass shard in his arm. I waited another hour before they allowed me back. He was awake and very groggy. Coming too and being able to get up and around was an arduous task for him. The ground rules for leaving was being able to "do his business" and it took the nurse and I helping him to the restroom. He said he would have been a lot more comfortable if we had taken him outside to find a tree and since he was a little woozy I hoped it was the meds talking because I still have no clue what he meant!
I imagine this entire ordeal has been a humbling experience for my strong man. To be fed ice and crackers by your wife, then be dressed and taken to the car. Every step of the way he has handled the frustrations of not being able to do simple tasks for himself very well. I know he worries about gaining back what he has lost so he can return to work, but he has faced it all with strength and grace.
One over whelmed mom with four kids who are obviously bored waiting for a loved one to get out of surgery was doing her best to keep them settled when an older woman came up and rudely kicked the kids out of their seats so she could use the phone. There were two other phones she could have used! Then she had the audacity to rudely tell the kids to be quiet...when she is the one who chose the phone next to bored kids lol! The look on that poor mothers face made me just wanted to hug her! Why can't people practice compassion? To top it off the older woman's emergency have to make call was for a nail appointment! I witness loved ones waiting anxiously for surgeries, and it seemed as though each silent nod and knowing stare and weary smile made us all understand we were in the same boat and brought a little comfort.
After the surgery Dr. Payne let me know it had gone well. My understanding was they removed the bone fragments in the orbital area, and then removed the glass shard in his arm. I waited another hour before they allowed me back. He was awake and very groggy. Coming too and being able to get up and around was an arduous task for him. The ground rules for leaving was being able to "do his business" and it took the nurse and I helping him to the restroom. He said he would have been a lot more comfortable if we had taken him outside to find a tree and since he was a little woozy I hoped it was the meds talking because I still have no clue what he meant!
I imagine this entire ordeal has been a humbling experience for my strong man. To be fed ice and crackers by your wife, then be dressed and taken to the car. Every step of the way he has handled the frustrations of not being able to do simple tasks for himself very well. I know he worries about gaining back what he has lost so he can return to work, but he has faced it all with strength and grace.
After Surgery treat!
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Just what the doctor ordered ;)
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Glad this chunk of glass is out of his arm!
On the way out of Jackson he was hungry... of course as he hadn't eaten anything since the night before and it was pushing 3 pm. He wanted his favorite treat...Ice Cream. Not that I mind, but the stares one gets leading a man with two broken arms and a swollen face into DQ were interesting. Kids point, old ladies mouths drop open, and sometimes someone will ask what happened, always assuming a motor cycle accident.
As we turned into Alpine on the way home, who did we spy? Our kids who were just getting into the valley from Montana! How happy we were... hugging and laughing on the side of the road. After a dinner of messy tacos, we all talked and laughed. Though we were all so very happy to be together, there were some moments of sadness and tears. It was hard for the three returning kids to see their "Pa" injured and in pain. The pain after surgery was intense even on pain medication. His face was swollen and he could not open his eye. He has been having a few moments of memory lapses and this was very hard on Lil' Bit. After some tears, she sat on her daddy's lap outside in the cool night air, as the sun turned the sky pink to black and the stars came out to play. She told him of her worries, and he.. in the way he is always able, turned things around, brought her comfort, and pretty soon I heard them out there laughing and talking.
As we turned into Alpine on the way home, who did we spy? Our kids who were just getting into the valley from Montana! How happy we were... hugging and laughing on the side of the road. After a dinner of messy tacos, we all talked and laughed. Though we were all so very happy to be together, there were some moments of sadness and tears. It was hard for the three returning kids to see their "Pa" injured and in pain. The pain after surgery was intense even on pain medication. His face was swollen and he could not open his eye. He has been having a few moments of memory lapses and this was very hard on Lil' Bit. After some tears, she sat on her daddy's lap outside in the cool night air, as the sun turned the sky pink to black and the stars came out to play. She told him of her worries, and he.. in the way he is always able, turned things around, brought her comfort, and pretty soon I heard them out there laughing and talking.
Healing is rough business... but we couldn't be more blessed.
Day Eighteen and Nineteen Home July 28th/29th (Saturday/Sunday)
We were up early, as one of the kids had a fundraiser for Wrestling! After making biscuits with homemade jam... we were off! We loaded a load to take to the new home. I am trying to get all the boxes I can move over there before the big move on Monday. Seth's pain was pretty intense and he was surprised the whole side of his face is still numb from surgery. If it continues into tomorrow we will put a call into the surgeon.
Though the surgery is a step forward, it felt like a step back. Staying positive and rested is the primary goal for all of us. I am super proud of him! I did a lot of packing and cleaning, and he a lot of resting. Tomorrow is a new day!
We were up early, as one of the kids had a fundraiser for Wrestling! After making biscuits with homemade jam... we were off! We loaded a load to take to the new home. I am trying to get all the boxes I can move over there before the big move on Monday. Seth's pain was pretty intense and he was surprised the whole side of his face is still numb from surgery. If it continues into tomorrow we will put a call into the surgeon.
Though the surgery is a step forward, it felt like a step back. Staying positive and rested is the primary goal for all of us. I am super proud of him! I did a lot of packing and cleaning, and he a lot of resting. Tomorrow is a new day!
