April 28, 2010

Today was another day of moving forward. Dave was actually able to wear both tennis shoes, even though his toe that the nail was removed now looks like a bright red tomato! We practiced getting in and out of our car. He managed to do that without any problem. I think we are really ready to go home. It is a little sad the closer we get. BSA Rehab has the best staff, and it is like we are leaving family. Not to mention what I am going to do when I can't push a button and have someone come take care of us! They have taken excellent care of me just like they have Dave. It has been wonderful to be around people that really love their job. One thing that I will not miss, this couch I have been sleeping on for weeks! I'm sure Dave feels the same way about hospital beds.

A couple of things before I go, and I see no reason why any of these people will ever read this, but I just have to mention them. Thank you so much to the Firemen of Potter County, and to the crew of Life Star. I'm sure their was also an ambulance crew that I do not know about. Each one of these people just like our angel Diana, played a huge part in saving Dave's life. It really is like a puzzle and the pieces just all fit together. I thank God for each and every one of them.

Take care everyone, and be safe.

April 27, 2010

Great news! We are going home on Friday. It has been a long road since March 17, and Dave will still have a long road to go with therapy, but we all know home makes you feel better. Our friend is building us ramps, friends are getting groceries, my house is being cleaned, my dog is getting groomed, I can't think of having any better friends. I don't think any of you will ever know what it has meant to me to have all of you here for support. I will still be doing the updates, but maybe not every day. If something amazing or funny happens then I will be sure to let all of you know. Again, thank you for all the prayers and kind thoughts sent our way. Please keep them coming, because we are going to need them. I don't think any of us can do without prayer. Now that the cast is off OT is really kicking his butt every day, which has really made him feel very sick. I just hope by Friday he is sort of getting used to it, but you can imagine for several weeks his arm and hand has been held in one position, and now they have to try to straighten it. My biggest problem when we go home is getting his best bud, our 110 lb. malamute mix to not jump up on him from excitement and knock him down. You can't blame him though because he misses his buddy! What is the one thing we are looking forward to - being in our bed with man's best friend stretched out between us! If we are lucky our cat will decide to join us too! Thank you, thank you, thank you! To all of my high school friends, some that I haven't spoken to in many years, I can't thank you enough for getting behind me, praying for us every day and giving me the support I needed. I can't wait to see all of you in October. I think we have all turned out to be pretty fine adults! Of course, I can't forget my family in Arkansas, Colorado, Mississippi and Canada. I love all of you so much!

April 26, 2010

Great news! X-rays were done yesterday on Dave's hand, arm, femur, and pelvis. Doctor came in this a.m. and said he was thrilled with the way the bones are healing. He said considering the extent of the injuries it was really amazing. He took pins out of hand and cast off of arm. Now this afternoon they will start serious therapy on his hand and arm. This is supposed to be quiet painful because his arm has been in such a strange position for so long, now they have to rotate it. He can now start putting weight on his left leg, and the pain will be his guide. If it hurts then he is doing too much. We could not be happier!

April 25, 2010

Today was still not a great day, but so much better than yesterday. Dave had his last shot of demerol at 10:30 a.m., and hopefully he will not need any more. He has slept off and on all day, which probably means he will not sleep very well tonight. I'm not sure how he is going to do PT tomorrow because he cannot wear a shoe. Dr. Risko called and ordered an x-ray of Dave's pelvis, left arm and hand, and left femur. I hope this shows a lot of healing, and hopefully he will be able to start putting a little more weight on his left leg. I believe the doc will be here tomorrow morning. He asked that x-rays be read and put in his chart as soon as possible. He wants to be able to see them when he gets here.

April 24, 2010

After everything Dave has been through today he had to have an ingrown toenail removed that had become infected. We still have to worry about infection in his arm and leg so they had to remove the entire nail. He went through 5 hrs. of severe pain. After taking pain meds by mouth twice they finally gave him an injection and he is off in dreamland. I guess it is a good thing to be hooked up to morphine like he was through the first 8 days in ICU because the pain he experienced today was worse than any he has had. I'm glad it is the weekend because hopefully he will be ready for rehab by Monday.

April 23, 2010

Dave walked 800 ft. this morning, and another 200 this afternoon!! By the time Friday arrives he is completely exhausted. However, he was not too tired to play a trick on one of the staff members by the name of Stella. He handed her a box and told her it was delivered to his room by mistake. Stella opens the box and he (with the help of Michael the PT) had placed a small fake mouse in the box. She screamed so loud, jumped up and almost knocked a guy down behind her that was bringing them a cake. Of course all this happened just as all the big bosses walked up! They decided that was not enough so Maria another PT put on some gloves, melted some chocolate kisses and dipped her fingers in it. She ran up to the desk with her hands in the air and told Stella she had a mess in room 3 and needed her help. At that very moment she starts to lick the chocolate off of her fingers. I know that is so sick, but guess who thought of that! PT did tell us today they may move up his release date to Friday! Maybe Stella had something to do with that.

April 22, 2010

Well let's start with the a.m. - 400 ft., and then as if that wasn't enough this afternoon 420 ft.! Now granted he was sweating profusely, and he looked a little beat up. He had to go in and out of bed a little more, but he still went downstairs with me to the cafeteria this afternoon. I love it when we go to the cafeteria or to the postal area because if you are not on the rehab floor you really do not know the rehab rule, "DO NOT HELP"! We can see everyone slowly start to look at us, then they look at me with this aggravated look on their face, and it never fails one of the employees will come up to Dave and ask if he needs any help pushing his wheelchair. Even after he tells them no thank you, I see this little disgusted glance my way. At least we know the entire hospital staff is just as wonderful as our floor, it's just the other floors are not run by what some might believe is the Military!

April 21, 2010

Today was 260 ft., a little less than yesterday but PT had too much going on today. They did take out all of his stitches in his arm, which I believe were around 35 or 40, but Dave swears there were 50! I'm sure that is what it felt like, and maybe I really lost count. The swelling did go down in his hand. A lot of it was the way the soft cast was put on. They actually had to change it twice today, and now his hand looks great. I started my therapy today as well. They want to make sure I know how to take care of him. I feel pretty confident that when we leave here we will be fine. Now I just have to get him to trust me!

April 20, 2010

Ok get ready............226 ft. today and then another 90 ft. about two minutes after that! I don't even know what to say anymore. I am just so proud of Dave, but I have a hard time watching him because I get so emotional. He is still always trying to take care of me so I really try to keep my emotions intact. Today I was so tired and I guess he knew it because when he left for OT I laid down for a nap. He was supposed to have 1 hr. between OT and PT, and instead of him coming back in his room in between therapy he sat in the hallway and made sure no one came in. He told everyone I was sleeping. That is the kind of guy I am married to. He has all of these injuries and he is worried about me. I feel so blessed to still have him in my life, and we are blessed to have our family and all of our wonderful friends. Everyone bare with me, but to David, Derek, and Jeremy, thank you for being here for us, and keeping me strong when I really didn't want to be. Your dad and I are just so proud of the men you have become.

April 19, 2010

160 ft. today! Dave is just getting stronger every day. His left arm is still swollen, but the doctor is not concerned. He wants the OTs to resume working on the fingers tomorrow. He told them to take out the stitches where the bone graft was done in his arm, and he will be by this week. I did see his arm today and there were no signs of infection. They are going to try to stay on track of letting him try it at home in two weeks. Sometimes they will let patients go home and just try every thing out, and then if they have problems they return to hospital and work on those problems. I hope when we go home Dave is really ready and we get to stay home.

April 18, 2010

I can't believe I fell asleep last night before the post. Yesterday was a very slow day because weekends mean no PT. We did take many naps, and only took a couple of trips in the chair. Our friend Bobbye did come and give Dave a wonderful haircut, which made him feel better. His hand and fingers started to swell a couple of days ago and today they are still swollen. Until the OT can talk to doctor on Monday he cannot have therapy. This swelling started when they removed the last wound vac and changed the dressing. We do not know if it is because of the removal of the vac or if maybe the way the dressing was put back on is somehow irritating the pins in his hand. I really need someone to tell me what is going on. The good thing is he is not running a fever, but he really doesn't feel well either. Our wonderful friends John and Lucy will be bringing us steaks tonight for dinner! That should make him feel better....

April 16, 2010

I'm sure no one will be tired of hearing this. Dave walked 144 ft. today! Every day he gets stronger. PT could only walk with him once today because they had to use their time in the morning to change his bandage on arm. No surprises there, it looked even better than yesterday. He has had some swelling in his hand and fingers. Tonight he will sleep with it elevated and have ice on and off to see if that helps. I am going to attempt to add a picture that some of you may have seen. I hope everyone can see it. Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

April 15, 20101

130 steps today and he did this twice! He is so determined now, and was making calls again this morning before therapy. Yesterday he was released by his speech therapist who also checked his mental status due to the trauma. Dave has always called her his "Marbles" therapist. He told her a couple of days ago after taking several tests, that if he was missing any marbles he had another bag at home! He started telling one of his visitors about her without knowing she was sitting right outside his door. She came in the door laughing, and said she loved it. I think she probably really did feel that way until he told the entire staff, and now they will be calling her the "Marbles" therapist. Considering where we are I am sure that is not apprioprate on so many levels, but it is another sign his personality is intact.

Dr. Risko was in today and he removed the last wound vac because he was very pleased with the way his wrist looked, and he said it is time for it to start healing on its on. According to PT it was awesome how much healing the wrist did in just 24 hrs. He gave us the approval to start using the bone stimulator on part of his arm and leg.

The best part of my day was when I needed to go down to my car to get my cell and Dave wanted to ride down with me. When our very dear friend Bob Dvorak came in right behind me Dave was sitting in the lobby waiting. It was almost more than Bob could handle. Bob has seen everything from the beginning injuries in the ER, to going to salvage yard to remove all of his personal items out of his car. That in itself was more than most could handle. It was a very special moment!

One note I want to add is how thankful I am for all of our friends and family that we have in Pampa, Amarillo and all over the US and Canada. Everyone at Bourland & Leverich I will never be able to say enough. All of our friends from afar that have sent your prayers and concerns, we are blessed. You are all in our prayers.

April 14, 2010

96 steps today! Granted he was a little beat up this a.m., but he was ready to get up and get started. His wound vac was changed, which means I got to see the bone graft area, and both skin grafts. His bone graft stitches are healing very nicely. I wish I could explain what his arm looked like three weeks ago, and what it looked like this morning. It has already started to blend in with his other skin. If I understand this right they use a skin graft when the wound has a large area to heal because using your own skin will speed up the process of healing. I cannot believe how fast this is working. The skin graft on his wrist is not healing as fast as his arm because of the area being more difficult to work with than a smooth area on top of your arm. I just realized that may be a little more information than some of you wanted, but it is just so amazing to me I wanted to share. A great day, another blessing!

April 13, 2010

50 steps with his RTD2 as Dave calls his unique walker. Today he really seemed to turn a corner. His crazy personality is back, he woke me up from a nap talking to someone on the phone about work. He has made jokes with the nurses, some not so appropriate, but I didn't really care because it means he is getting back to his old self. He was able to stand straight up from his wheelchair, turn around and sit in bed, and lift his leg up by himself! He can raise himself up out of the bed. It really has been something to watch. I'm sure he will feel like someone beat him up tomorrow, but I'm sure he will say it was worth it. Sixty five staples removed from his leg today. He said he now has more stitches in his body than he does in his head from his old hockey days. You know the days when they thought the only way to be macho was not to wear a helmet. Something just doesn't seem right about that to a girl from Arkansas. If things keep going forward we will probably go home in 3 wks. He may even go home without a wheelchair, only with RTD2!

April 12, 2010

Up in his chair at 10a.m., and then by the time he had OT, PT, Speech therapy and lunch it was 4:30. Then they told him he had been up in his chair too much! He has mastered the wheelchair, but still having a little trouble figuring out how to use the walker, not put any weight on his arm and leg and not hop. When he figures this out I want to see. Seems impossible!

April 11, 2010

Today was a beautiful day in Amarillo. We took a stroll down to the 2nd floor and went outside on the balcony. It felt wonderful for both of us to be the sun, but Dave really enjoyed it. He always does much better in the morning. By the afternoon he always starts to get cold, and has a hard time settling down. I left today for about an hour and I think he made many phone calls. He wanted to call more people, and I am sure he will when he has the strength. He is looking forward to therapy tomorrow, which is a good thing since I call them the torturers. Of course, that is what it is going to take.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

April 10, 2010

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy gave Dave the weekend off because he has been doing so well. However, Dave didn't want to take off. He was up in his wheelchair this morning for about 2 1/2 hrs., and we took a stroll around the floor. This afternoon he was up for about 1 1/2 hrs., and took his stroll. We even had our lunch in the dining room. I'm sure that felt better than eating in bed. The donor site, which is where the skin was taken from to put on his arm, really started hurting him this afternoon. It is probably from all the exercise and the skin stretching. He has felt sort of strange this evening, so we will keep close watch tonight.

Yesterday was such an exciting day for our family, and when all parties involved are ready I just might tell everyone. Now that I have peaked your curiosity, I am going to sleep!

April 9, 2010

Today was a great day for therapy, and a wonderful day for family! Dave seemed a lot more confident getting in and out of bed today. He is a lot stronger than he was the day we came here, which has only been 3 full days. After his OT and PT said goodbye for the weekend, Dave wanted to get back in his wheelchair and we took a stroll around the floor. I am not able to touch the chair at all, so this was all his doing. It made me so happy and so proud. I can't wait to see how he does this weekend knowing that his therapists will not be here to make him work. One of the two wound vacs on his arm was removed today. The arm had healed so much just since we saw it on Tuesday evening. His wrist still needs the wound vac, but it looked so much better. Hopefully tomorrow he will get the cortis port removed from his chest and the antibiotics will be stopped except by mouth. Every day another thing removed which is only making him more comfortable. Life is good! God has really blessed us today.

April 8, 2010

I guess it is a good thing when I really do not have anything to add, right? Another day of intense physical therapy. He has of course already mastered the wheel chair, which I am not sure how you can do with one arm and one foot, but apparently your foot does the steering. He made an extra loop around the floor. Now granted he was a little pale when it was over, and he slept for the next hour. He is still not sleeping at night. He just can't seem to turn his mind off. Dave has always been one of those people that falls asleep five minutes after his head hits the pillow. They even tried Ambien last night. He slept for about 2 hrs. then he was up the rest of the night. When he woke up I got up to check on him, and all of his cover was on the floor, which is hard for him to do with one hand. It really worried me that he might have been turning into Michael Kennedy (I think it was Michael), and thought he could go for a drive! Tonight we have completely darkened the room and he is trying a new sleeping pill. Hopefully we will have success. His body needs sleep to heal, plus if he sleeps then that means I sleep:)

He did ask me tonight to make sure you all know how much he appreciates all of your love and support. Today is almost over and that means another day closer to him healing. We just have to keep our eye on the prize.

April 7, 2010

Today was a very busy day, and before it was over Dave had walked a few feet on one foot, learned how to operate his wheelchair with one arm and one foot, worked out with weights, and exercised his fingers. He has had many naps today and I feel pretty sure he will sleep great tonight. With things pushing right along, I thought I would share a story with you that some may not know.

On March 17 Dave decided to take 1912 and as we all know he was involved in a serious car accident. On that same day a lady and her daughter decided to take that same road. We have been told that one of these ladies just happened to be an EMT or perhaps a trauma nurse. She came upon the accident and was going to go on around the wreck but she happened to see Dave in his car and no one was around him. She jumped out of her car and crawled into the car with Dave. She was the person that insisted Life Star be called, and I believe with the help of God she saved his life that day. The strange thing is this was not on the police report and I had no way of ever knowing this lady existed because Dave remembers nothing about the accident. The next day a very good friend of ours just happened to try a new hair stylist. The stylist asked what her plans for the weekend were, and our friend told her about the accident. The stylist stopped and said something like oh no, this wasn't the one on 1912 was it? When our friend told her yes, she said her client had come in that day and had a man's blood on her. She then told her about coming upon this accident. This client had no idea who she had helped that day. Thank goodness the hair stylist decided to give the name of the lady to our friend and where she was from. The following day I was telling someone in Dave's office about Dave's guardian angel and where she was from. He stopped, looked up at me and said that's crazy because that is where my wife grew up. Turns out his wife knew the lady and within a few hours we were emailing each other. She had tried to get information about the patient that was brought in from the wreck but of course because of the HEPA rules she wasn't able to find out anything. We plan on getting together soon, and she is going to visit Dave. She probably will not like the fact that I have called her Dave's guardian angel. Perhaps it was his guardian angel that made her decide to take that road that day. It seems so strange to me how this all worked out. It was as if we were supposed to know about this wonderful person that decided to get involved, no matter what her plans were for that day. I hope she is reading this because I cannot tell her enough how much she means to our family. I have my husband, our sons have their father, our new grandbaby that is due in June has his grandfather, and everyone still has their friend because of God and one very special lady. I hope I always remember this when I see someone in need. I am telling this story based on what another person said, because I have not talked to her regarding the accident itself. I was just so happy to know she was with him, and all I wanted to do was tell her how grateful we were. On May 8th Dave and I will be married 28 years, and I'm already thinking about how we will spend our 50th!

April 6, 2010

Today was very eventful. Around 1:30 Dave was picked up by ambulance and transported to BSA Hospital to the Rehabilation Floor. The hospital address is:

Baptist St. Anthony's Health System
1600 Wallace Boulevard
Rm # 624
Amarillo, TX 79106
Main #(806) 212-2000

The facility is amazing. It is in the new part of the hospital and we knew within 30minutes we had picked the right place. They had a walker waiting that would work with his injuries. They told him they would help him, but he was to shuffle his way to the bathroom and take a shower. It was shocking to say the least. This is just the type of rehabilation that Dave was ready for. They will start in the morning with his normal routine and teach him how to do everything with one hand. He will have at least 3 hrs. of therapy a day. Our room is much nicer and feels more like we are in an efficiency apartment. However as nice as this hospital is Northwest Hospital saved his life. It is rated as one of the best Trauma 3 hospitals in the U.S. for a reason and I will always consider it the best.

Someone said to Dave today that he must feel very lucky, and he said, "no sir I feel very blessed". He doesn't like to talk about the accident, but I'm sure there will be a point in therapy where they will encourage him to talk about it. However, right now he feels like whatever happened it is history, and now all we talk about is the future. My dear friends, our future is looking pretty bright!

April 5, 2010

Oh my goodness, what a day Mr. Smith has had. After having a very difficult night Physical Therapy arrived early to get him up and sit him in chair, and he was very eager to do it. It was amazing to see how in just a few days he is getting up a little easier. He sat in the chair for 2 hours which was about 1 hour longer than he wanted to. After that Occupational Therapy arrived and went to work on his hand for about an hour. He makes it through all of that and gets back in bed when Dr. Risko walks in. He looks at him and immediately started taking everything off of his arm. Of course I was in Medical Records when this happened so I missed it all. When I got back to room the wound vacs were off of his arm, and it was so amazing to see how great his arm looked. His cast was off of his right thumb, and he was moving it around. Our friend Bob was walking in the room and the doctor was walking out. Bob asked him how it looked and the doctor smiled and said great! Doctor told nurse the sooner we could get over to the other hospital and start rehab the better. They tried to move us today, but they did not have enough time to get everything approved. One thing to note is when the wound vacs were removed he was in more pain than he has ever experienced, but once they were put back on, the arm was wrapped, and a lot of really good drugs were given, he nodded off to sleep.

When I think about this whole thing and think about how far we have come in less than three weeks, it is almost too much for my tired mind to handle. It feels like we have been here for months. Dave is by far the toughest person I know. It really has to be all those gallons and gallons of milk he drank as a young teen, and the many vitamins he has taken all of his life. Included in those vitamins is his favorite, Geritol! He just may be on to something.

April 4, 2010

Sleep! Oh my goodness I think we had both forgotten what it was like to sleep. Dave said last night was the best sleep he had experienced since this whole thing started. The night nurse gave us a break and did not come into our room unless it was absolutely necessary. We both felt so much better this morning. He actually asked for two boxes of Fruit Loops this morning! I asked him when did he think was the last time he had Fruit Loops and he said probably when the kids were little and they would want him to eat when they did.

Physcial therapy and occupational therapy both came today and he did very well with both. He worked most of day on stretching his fingers and the swelling has already started to decrease. The swelling in his leg also decreased because the PT told us to put a pillow under it. This was after another PT has been telling was for over a week not to! The only problem we are having today is he has to be turned every two hours. When he lays on his good side it twists and turns everything on the injured side, which causes him a lot of pain. Of course it really depends on who turns him and if they are willing to find a comfortable position.

We should know by mid week what type of therapy facility we will go to. As soon as I find out I will post it here.

April 3, 2010

Remember I said in the beginning that a friend told us there would be peaks and valleys. Maybe some might only want to hear about the peaks, but others want to hear how it really is. I've decided since this blog helps me as much as it does you, then you will have to hear it all.

Last night was not a good night. Dave was sick through most of the night. He is in a great deal of pain and today the area they call the donor site really began to hurt. This is the area on his left thigh that the doctor took the skin for his arm. I really didn't think his leg could hurt worse than it did with 15 fractures but I was wrong. It has been very difficult for him emotionally and physically. We have decided we have to take it day by day, and minute by minute. I have to realize there will be days he will want to give up, but I know he will always bounce back. He did not get his hockey name "Slammer" for giving up, and just because he is a little older he won't give up now!

I'm not sure if I mentioned in an earlier blog about the bone stimulator that we received, or as Dave calls it the bone escalator. It works similar to an ultrasound and you strap it to area where fracture is and leave on for twenty minutes. The doctor said with as many fractures as Dave has we can pretty much put it any where. However, we really only have a small area on his femur that we can use it on right now because of the skin graft, but we did start today. It is a bit strange that this can actually make the bone heal faster, but we have a friend that was in a severe car accident and her arm is living proof it works. Her arm went for months and wasn't healing and after using this everything started to heal. I can't wait until we can use it on the rest of his leg and arm.

April 2, 2010 mid morning

10:45 Dave is back in room. Dr. Risko was so pleased with the surgery. The arm looked great with no signs of infection. He said he could not have asked for it to look any better. Had to do a slight more skin graft than originally planned due to an area on his wrist. Area where skin has been taken from will be more painful than his arm. He has two wound vacs, one at wrist and other on arm area. If all goes well we will leave Northwest Texas Hospital on Monday and go over the BSA in house rehabilitation floor. We are so blessed.

April 2, 2010

Gone into surgery at 7a.m.for bone and skin graft. Hopefully this will be his last. Will update after surgery.

April 1, 2010

Today was a good day overall. Dave sat in the chair for about 30 minutes. It is not one of his favorite things to do, but he knows he has to. His blood pressure has been great today, which makes me feel better about surgery in the morning. Dr. Risko said the surgery should be very short and he doesn't foresee any problems. During your morning please send a little extra prayer our way. We appreciate all of you so much!