A couple of days ago the doctor removed my leg brace making it way easier to get in and out of the chair. It's also easier to roll around in the bed and get dressed in the morning. —Andrew
Hey Andrew -- I'm relieved you're forging ahead and staying so positive; I know it's tough but like you appear to be doing, I too found it easier to just 'live in the now' and take things moment by moment. Small victories rule! I wanted to throw out a heads up to you and Deb based on my experience, I hope you don't mind. After I'd finally reached rehab hospital (in other words, long after I was considered 'out of danger'), one afternoon I suddenly started to feel cold, began to shiver and within three hours my temperature had spiked to almost 104. I was racked with acute abdominal pains and although I wasn't vomiting even taking a sip of water would ball me up (tough with an external fixator on your leg!) into the most horrendous stomach pain I've ever experienced. It took a day or so (and almost killed me because no-one seemed able to diagnose the problem) before a doctor friend of mine came in and diagnosed a C Diff infection. This is the so-called 'super bug' that you occasionally read about in the news. In my case, it was caused by having taken so many antibiotics (as I assume you have too) that unfortunately killed all the good bacteria in my system as well as the bad. My doctor friend said "I wouldn't call this usual, but I would call it normal". Bizarrely, the remedy is *yet more antibiotics* but the only one that will touch this bug is Flagyl, and for me, it turned out to be a magic bullet. Within an hour of taking the first pill the infection had started to wane and within two days I was back to normal. So my message here is, have Deb watch you for symptoms carefully/frequently, consider taking Acidopholous (to help balance the flora in your small intestine) and at the first sign of any symptoms have them check you for C Diff. My continued good thoughts and prayers go out to you; my sister in England does charity work at a convent and the nuns have been praying hard for you too, so keep up your spirits there're a lot of people pulling for you! All the best to you both, Arthur. arthurc@ultimatemotorcycling.com
Andrew, I have tried to find a way of getting in touch with you since your accident. Blakeney sent me today your Blog site. Words cannot describe the shock of learning of your accident. Steve has been keeping me updating on your progress which is great to see. You have always been a fighter Andrew and I know that with all the support and love from family and friends that each day will only get better. We have been friends for a longtime buddy and please let me know what you need from me in order to help you in any way. My prayers and wishes go out to you and Debbie.
Congrats on the weight gain ... if you gained 1 pound, but also had your arm cast and leg brace taken off just recently, those things weigh something too right? So maybe you gained even more than the one pound!
... am I making the leap from designer to engineer with thinking like that?
Considering the progress you have made in the past four weeks, I can't wait to see what you will accomplish in the next four! Not many people have made the New Years resolution to gain weight! Looking good Andrew.
Hey Andrew -- I'm relieved you're forging ahead and staying so positive; I know it's tough but like you appear to be doing, I too found it easier to just 'live in the now' and take things moment by moment. Small victories rule!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to throw out a heads up to you and Deb based on my experience, I hope you don't mind.
After I'd finally reached rehab hospital (in other words, long after I was considered 'out of danger'), one afternoon I suddenly started to feel cold, began to shiver and within three hours my temperature had spiked to almost 104. I was racked with acute abdominal pains and although I wasn't vomiting even taking a sip of water would ball me up (tough with an external fixator on your leg!) into the most horrendous stomach pain I've ever experienced. It took a day or so (and almost killed me because no-one seemed able to diagnose the problem) before a doctor friend of mine came in and diagnosed a C Diff infection. This is the so-called 'super bug' that you occasionally read about in the news. In my case, it was caused by having taken so many antibiotics (as I assume you have too) that unfortunately killed all the good bacteria in my system as well as the bad. My doctor friend said "I wouldn't call this usual, but I would call it normal".
Bizarrely, the remedy is *yet more antibiotics* but the only one that will touch this bug is Flagyl, and for me, it turned out to be a magic bullet. Within an hour of taking the first pill the infection had started to wane and within two days I was back to normal.
So my message here is, have Deb watch you for symptoms carefully/frequently, consider taking Acidopholous (to help balance the flora in your small intestine) and at the first sign of any symptoms have them check you for C Diff.
My continued good thoughts and prayers go out to you; my sister in England does charity work at a convent and the nuns have been praying hard for you too, so keep up your spirits there're a lot of people pulling for you!
All the best to you both,
Arthur. arthurc@ultimatemotorcycling.com
Andrew, I have tried to find a way of getting in touch with you since your accident. Blakeney sent me today your Blog site. Words cannot describe the shock of learning of your accident. Steve has been keeping me updating on your progress which is great to see. You have always been a fighter Andrew and I know that with all the support and love from family and friends that each day will only get better. We have been friends for a longtime buddy and please let me know what you need from me in order to help you in any way. My prayers and wishes go out to you and Debbie.
ReplyDeleteMarc
Congrats on the weight gain ... if you gained 1 pound, but also had your arm cast and leg brace taken off just recently, those things weigh something too right? So maybe you gained even more than the one pound!
ReplyDelete... am I making the leap from designer to engineer with thinking like that?
Considering the progress you have made in the past four weeks, I can't wait to see what you will accomplish in the next four! Not many people have made the New Years resolution to gain weight! Looking good Andrew.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Hey Andrew,
ReplyDeleteReady for some more mashed potatoes and gravy??
Or more veggie soup with Pasta?
I'll be right over...just say the word.
xxoox Meg