My Motorcycle Injuries

                                                             I went to a clinic this past Saturday morning in order to have all of the tests done that are needed for my upcoming surgery. These things are usually done at the hospital in which the surgery takes place, but I went to a walk-in clinic that was suggested by the surgeon’s office because the surgery won’t actually be performed in a hospital and I don’t have a primary care physician. The surgery will be performed at an outparcel building of a hospital that’s used exclusively for surgery and called a “center” . The above x-ray was taken at the clinic as part of my pre-op requirements. It clearly shows the stent in my aorta to the right of my spine. I always envisioned the aorta to be pencil thin, but it’s actually quite wide in diameter. Consequently, the stent looks huge to me...

I’ve mentioned before that I am now taking care of my new niece. She’s adorable and has a very sweet personality (you know… for a baby). She requires about as much attention and work as any three month old would, but she really is a good baby and doesn’t need a lot of “extra” effort like some kids do. My energy levels have been very much deficient since the accident, and this babysitting gig has been a little rough on me. I’ll only have her until sometime next week, and then I’ll not have her again until mid-August when I’ll begin taking care of her every weekday throughout the school year. I believe that family should help family, and I do count it an honor to be able to help my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, but some days leave me a bit drained. There’s something that I’ve noticed about myself during the past couple of weeks as I’ve spent my days alone with the little cutie. Almost every time that I pick her up I have an overwhelming thought in the back of my mind that I need to b...

I’ve been busy lately between work, babysitting, and stuff around the house. I keep noticing that my leg hurts all of the time now in ways that it didn’t hurt just months ago. The pain is far less frequent in my hip and thigh areas, but it’s consistent and annoying in my knee and shin. I have a lot of metal in all of those areas and walking is becoming a little more difficult as time roles on. I know in the back of my mind that I’ll eventually have to go back to an orthopedic surgeon. The original doctor that did all of the work is very skilled, but the location of his practice requires an hour-long journey round trip. Part of that time even involves higher speed highway driving. Yeah, the distance thing is unfavorable. Unfortunately, he is also a very poor communicator. I’ve been to a second doctor that is located just a few minutes drive from my house, has a great reputation, and was an excellent communicator when speaking to me about every aspect of my needs. I like the communicator...

I haven’t given much thought to my blog during the past couple of weeks. It’s because I’ve been preparing for the start of my second round of “manny” duties with my 3 month old niece. I had her for two days this week, and I’ll have her five days a week for the next month or so. I’ll then spend June through most of August without her, and then I’ll get her full-time throughout the following school year.  She takes up a lot of my time and energy, but certain sacrifices are worth the effort. Here’s the thing; I have surgery coming up at the end of May. I also have a knee that seems to be getting worse and slowly moving its way toward the inevitability of replacement surgery. Additionally, I have issues with pain and fatigue that leave me wondering where things are headed with my body altogether. Despite so many things going on with my health, all that I could think of lately involved taking care of the baby. You know what? I’m really glad. It feels so good to focus on something within...

I had an appointment today with a new surgeon concerning my latest hernia. I liked him and I’m certain that he will do a good job with the upcoming procedure. I was asked to bring a copy of the original medical records concerning the things done to me in the hospital five years ago. He kept reading through them during my visit and commented that I really shouldn’t have made it. I already knew this. He also asked me if I still ride. Yeah, that’s definitely a question that feels like it’s past its prime. I was then sent to a very nice lady in his office who sets up the surgery dates and any details necessary to get things ready. She had read through my medical records and commented that I shouldn’t have made it. I already knew this. Everything is lining up for a surgery toward the end of May, and I hope that on that day nobody feels compelled to tell me what I already know or ask me what I’ve already answered. It kind of grows a little tiresome.

I am a believer in divine authority. I’m very much confident that every event in my life serves a purpose within the wisdom and ultimate design of God. Further, I concede that life’s events involve things that can be distinctly measured as being good or bad within a strictly human perspective. However, our lives are established for the glory of God, and personal comfort or gratification are simply added benefits, of sorts, within the human experience. It is because of my faith that I sometimes grow a bit ashamed of myself when I become frustrated or discouraged with the things that arise through the aftereffects of my accident injuries. I know better than to allow circumstances to guide my feelings and I should respond accordingly with a sense of peace and assurance. I fully recognize that the motorcycle accident that I was involved in, the one that damaged so much of my body and continues to cause so many problems for me, was ordained of God for a purpose. To state things very plainly...

Today was a little busy for me. I mentioned previously in a blog entry ( see here ) that I thought I had a new incisional hernia. It turns out that I do. I’m not certain that I can fully describe how much I hate that this has happened. It seems that every time I gain some ground on recovering my body from the aftereffects of my accident, it’s my body that actually takes itself back. I don’t mind progressing one step at a time; honest. I’ve been doing it for five years now. It’s just that every once in a while my body steals a bunch of those steps away from me and I’m stuck dealing with the need to gain it all back again. It’s like cleaning up after a flood and having the river rise again the next morning. Anyway, after having come to terms with the reality of this latest accident related thrill, I told my wife this morning about the hernia. She was unhappy with me for not telling her sooner, and there was no way for me to properly explain to her what it took for me to come to ...