This is the hardest post I will ever wriite--and it will be the first of many. This post is hard to write because it is being written from a hospital bed, a bed I will be stuck in for months. This statement is humiliating because I have spent the last 32 years thinking I am smarter and more careful than my paralyzed peers. No more do I have the right to feel superior. Like many others I have developed a huge pressure sore. Let me be more blunt. I have a giant 4x4 hole in my right hip. I am learning much about modern wound care. I have a KCI wound vacuum on my hip. I hope it will heal by Christmas. My life between now and then will be costly in the extreme. All that I do daily is compromised. From a practical perspective I am working on the logistics and they are complex and daunting. For now I am trapped in the hospital until medically stable.
The point of this post is to explain my silence and start a daily record of my long physical recovery and return to independence. I have never read about such an experience. It is my hope that paralyzed people and others wish severe skin issues will read my words and learn from my mistake and experiences. So please check your skin, really carefully. Get naked, get a miror, or better yet, a friend and give yourself a once over. Too tired to write more more but much, much more to come.
14 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear about this, and glad you're going with aggressive wound management. I wish you quick healing.
So sorry to hear this, Bill. Sending best wishes.
Oh, no. Bill, I'm so sorry.
Hoping treatment goes well and you are back home as soon as possible.
You're a hell of a fighter, William, don't stop now.
So sorry to see you're going through this. Realise it is a long process, but nevertheless hope your recovery is as smooth and swift as is possible.
Very sorry to hear this, Bill. But it sounds like you have a plan; and if documenting the process helps you, then that's a good idea too.
Hey Bill, Renee told me what was going on with you. Hang tough friend, I'm looking forward to hanging out with you in Vermont this winter.
Hey Bill - how's it hanging today ? Getting chilly out, Frost on the pumpkin soon. I'm looking forward to seasonal rotation of yard tools so I can park the killer tractor for the winter.
I am really sorry to read this. Please do not beat yourself up because you happen to be in the percentage where an overlook or lapse in care has extensive emotion, physical and psychological costs (society already does that enough for us). But that doesn't stop the whole situation from being aggreving.
I hope the progress toward healing is without problems.
Bill: Seriously, dude---get better quickly. Write when you can rest when you need to. I will check you blog for content, but if I find nothing, I will simply check back. You owe the rest of us nothing but your return.
Paula Apodaca
My thoughts are with you and my prayers for a speedy recovery. We out here in blogland, those of us who are caregivers, particularly, are sorry to hear this -- you are much loved.
I came here through Claire's blog.
I'm very sorry to hear what you're going through. My son had problems with pressure sores after hip/knee surgery and being in a body cast.
It's certainly not something to be humiliated about!
I wish you the best and will look forward to your updates.
Post a Comment