Morning discussions

 This morning I woke up a little early and went down for coffee and like most mornings over the last 6 days the discussion was the recovery and some of the light hearted things that have happened. It occurred to me that sometimes people end up in their hospital due to bad diet and family members are trying to sneak in hamburgers or fries or other unhealthy treats. He were are taking about trying to sneak in healthy food for Brian! 

How do you call the nurse when you can’t move your arms, legs or head? I would have expected ICU nurses to be well versed on this but they didn’t seem to be. As we were leaving the first day the nurse said just press the call button if you need us. We asked the nurse how? He can’t move. They have been checking on him every hour. On day 3 they gave him a large paddle that is somewhat sensitive. He is able to bump it with his arm. I saw the paddle for the first time and started to pick it up to examine it and Brian and Andrew said “Don’t touch that!” I was worried that it was something I touched that would hurt him but they quickly explained what it was. The paddle goes off often and nurses come in now and ask was that an accident or did you need something. It has to be somewhat unusual for a patient to come in with a body not working but the brain fully capable. 

I will add more to this tonight once I hear how he is doing today. 

Specialized Saved Brian

 

There is no doubt in our minds that the Specialized helmet Brian was wearing saved his life. When I was in school in the 1980’s (Hey no math here!) the other children made fun of me because I wore a helmet when I rode my bike. The middle schoolers were mean, nothing has changed, they messed with my bike undid my wheels quick releases etc… the teasing was relentless ”You don’t ride fast enough to need that.” I always wore it every time because I knew better. I was a bike racer they were not. Back then helmets were not worn by any kids or adults unless you were a racer. These kids didn’t know that I lived on Coronado hills and that I obtained speed wobble at perhaps 50-60MPH on my bike before the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Looking back I would have died helmet or not crashing at that speed but I was a kid I knew no better. It was not until the responsibility of kids of my own that my self preservation paranoia would kick in. That part in your mind that goes “not safe, not safe, not safe” when thinking about doing stupid things. 

Brian’s helmet after the crash was cracked all the way through in 7 different places from the impact of his crash. It was bloodied, dented, the colorful plastic cover cracked in many placed shattered in some places it was compressed in others. It picked up grass and dirt from the ditch in which he landed at least 5-8 feet from where he was riding. Brian has red marks that match the foam on the inside on his scalp. Brian does not have mobility in his arms and legs yet, what he does still have is his mind and his life. Although he is not walking yet we believe he will, the surgeon believes he will. His brilliant, logical, analytical mind, his memories of his long life were protected by Specialized and an unbreakable habit of wearing a helmet… every time…. Every. Single. Time. Period. When we walk in the room he knows us, can talk to us, and we can talk to him. This is a gift so when I say Every single time. I mean EVERY SINGLE TIME! Wear it! 

Also  his torso does not have road rash because Brian wore an undershirt … Every time. 

Kudos to Specialized and their life saving helmet. We are forever grateful. 

Healthy Eating and recovery.

 

Brian is making improvement. He is no longer on the IV for pain meds or hydration. The medical team keeps taking out his catheter and putting it back in because he is not going on his own. He is still not able to go number two without suppositories. His face looks like the bruises are fading. 

The cafeteria sent lunch today, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. Brian did not want to eat it. Brian enjoys a very healthy diet. He likes oatmeal, yogurt, nuts, fruits, vegetables, salads, chicken and fish. He does not eat bread, sugar, carbs etc… Jean had to work with the kitchen staff to come up with a plan to get him the diet he needs to fuel his recovery. 

Tracey called Upstate Acute Inpatient Orthopedic Rehabilitation to ask questions about if there is a bed available for Brian. The kind lady on the phone at upstate said they are a 2 week facility but we could have the hospital send the chart and they could see if he would be a candidate. She said he may need Short Term Rehab in stead which is usually 4-6 weeks or skilled nursing. Tony said Skilled Nursing is not very skilled at all so don’t go that route. Upstate said they are close to full now but it comes in waves and there may be a bed there if he is a candidate. 

Brian and Jean were planning on taking the Subaru down to Virginia to Cheyenne this coming weekend so Charles and Andrew had taken the Subaru to the train station this morning so Cheyenne could come in and pick it up. The keys are at the customer service area. Then we figured out the Cheyenne is coming in tomorrow not today. 

Katie wrote a lovely letter to her grandad wishing him to get better soon. Tonia did not “regard” that as a good idea so when I got home I suggested she draw a picture for him and she agreed that would be better. Hopefully Katie and Tonia can go to the hospital this weekend to see Brian. 

Brian has been FaceTiming Courtney to speak to Amari every day and it puts a smile on his face. The first day Amari said “ooohhh Boo boo!” But now she sings songs and dances for Brian.  

Jean snapped a picture of his infectious smile and sent it to me at work today. I had given her trouble last night because she only was able to show me a picture of his hand. 

Tuesday

Brian seemed more discouraged today. He felt he was going backwards in his progress but he is not. 

He did get to video chat with Amari and she cheered him up. Amari is Courtney’s two year old daughter. 

 Brian continues to make slow improvements feeling has come back in his fingers and his right arm made great improvements. He says it is painful in his fingertips. Tracey asked him if it was like when your arm has been asleep for a long time and feeling comes back into your hand and it hurts just before you get the dreaded pins and needles feeling. He agreed that it did seem like that. He had a moment of feeling sorry for himself and said he should have never come to this hospital and Jean said why don’t you just get up and walk out then. That quieted him, can’t argue with that logic. 

They tried to take out the catheter but Brian was not able to use the hood catheter and when they put the internal one back in he filled up the container and the bag. They keep trying but I think it is too soon yet. 

They have said they are leaving the catheter in for now. 

Whirlwind Monday

 It was a busy day for Brian today in the ICU. Physical Therapy came in to see about when they would start therapy and decided they needed a collar and back brace that would work together. The doctor came in to see him, as well as the social worker. All these staff were not working over the weekend and had just started their work week. Brian was still sore and said that there are other injuries that add to the hurt other than the major one. 

At one point a very aged lab technician came in to take some blood. She used the name Theodore when referring to Brian which caused Jean to say his name is Brian do you have the correct orders. This made Brian laugh heartily! 

Charles asked why we have so many text threads and I let him know that Jean wanted to add Brian’s friends Tom and Geri. This also caused us to laugh. 

Brian ever the analytical person has started to give the nurses and doctors elaborate long winded answers when just a yes or no will do. 

Jean continues to struggle with thinking so Tracey continues to think for her. When Tracey is working a nurse takes over. 

When it rains it pours.

 Sunday morning we had breakfast and headed out to finally retrieve the RV. Our behind the scenes support guy Charles would drive his truck out and drive the RV home with Tonia and Katie. Tracey would take the truck to the hospital and Jean would drive Tracey’s car. Tracey wanted to head home after visiting with Brian to spend time with her friend Michelle who was visiting. Charles has been cooking watching the kids and taking care of the house and dogs. He is a wonderfully thoughtful behind the scenes problem solver and support. From lending a shoulder to cry on to figuring out logistics he is always there. He makes breakfast, does dishes, drives extra vehicles, lends shoulders, cooks dinner anything we need he is there.  After Jean gave Charles a quick lesson on the features of the RV and let him know the RV would sway terribly.  Charles drove off with the girls. Jean watched him depart the parking lot and said the RV didn’t even sway leaving the parking lot. “I have no concerns about him driving the RV.” She said. We then carried on to visit Brian at the hospital. 

When we arrived we asked Brian how he was doing. He said ok but he had bad news. Through his tears he told us that the Physician’s assistant had been in to see him and let him know that it would be 6 months to a year of therapy to walk again if he would walk at all. Jean asked if they told him about inpatient rehab? He said yes. I told him the surgeon told us yesterday it would be 2 months of in patient rehab and after listening to how he recovered previously it might even be one month. We let Brian know that the surgeon said he would be able to go visit the west coast for Christmas time. He was upset for us. He did not want to be a burden to Jean and I. We reassured him that we already know what will need to be done and we are up for the task and have already been discussing logistics and what we need to do. We have been proud of ourselves so far we had retrieved the bike, found his radio and glasses, shopped at Walmart for clothes for Jean and snacks to keep us going at the hospital, figured out how to get the RV home, researched if these forks have failed other riders (They have), Discussed how to get the word out to other riders, set up communication text threads with friends and family, Discussed and investigated how the accident happened, who called 911, spoken to the police officer to get all possible information, discussed how to make positive things happen for Brian to keep his spirits up. What a team we had become, finishing each others sentences and thinking for one another when the situation numbed our brains. This was all in the last 2 days. 

After a short visit I decided I would go to Brian and Jeans house to pick up some items for them. The computer, head phones, tooth brush, retract the Ham Radio Antenna at the house, grab some medicine and bills, pick up moms prescription. Etc… It was a 40 minute drive to the folks house. I gathered all the things I had written on the post it note and called dad to walk through how to retract the antenna. I went into the kitchen to look for something Jean asked me for … and it was raining. I, having a similar but more vulgar enhanced vocabulary as my father said, “Fuuuuuck…..” Jean still on the phone said “What?” I didn’t want to tell her but I said “It’s raining in your kitchen.” She said “Oh yeah.. That’s ok just find the tap in the wall and turn it 90 degrees and it should stop. The kitchen ceiling was dripping in a 8ft by 4 ft area, water was running down the walls into the wall socket and onto the table covered in charging tool batteries. Jean and I discussed what to do. “Get the wet dry vac. It might be here or there or, ok you got it plug it in.” “Where? I’m gonna die in here if I plug anything in, if you hear a zap call 911.” Jean said wait turn it off at the breaker box.” “How will I vacuum then? What if I turn off the freezer?” Jean said “I am going to call a friend to come help you.” The friend was busy. I called Charles. I told him the situation. He said “do you have shoes on? Pull the plugs out they wont zap you.” I yanked them out tentatively but quickly.” I vacuumed up and dried what I could. I saw some dog pee pads in the corner of the patio, yes! this would work nicely! I laid them all out. Some pads face down and some right side up to dry the floor and catch the leaks. I Laughed for one minute at the little wooden boat floating in the dish on the counter, packed the car and left to get the meds from Price Chopper. The pharmacist said Jean had picked up the script on July 27th. Jean swears they were out and did not get the meds. I called Jean again… after some discussion the pharmacist showed me the screen see here is her signature. I went back to the house, to the  the kitchen and found the medicine bottle on the counter filled July 27th just as the pharmacist said. I cleaned up the water again and changed out the dog pee pads again. I headed home at 3:00 and got home by 4:30. It had been a day, I felt exhausted and on the edge. I spent time with my friend and we got a mani/pedi as she listened to my ranting about the shit day and quietly supported me with compassion and light as only she can. For some dumb reason her mani/pedi always takes longer… she always gets the slow guy. I went next door to the noodle house and grabbed Chicken Curry and Taro Boba, comfort foods. When we got home Charles had made home made spaghetti and sauce from the tomatoes in my garden. Andrew arrived then Jean returned from the hospital. We all ate spaghetti and discussed the past few days events and how Brian was doing. 

The Surgery

Off to Surgery! 

Brian had to have surgery on his spine in order to correct the pinching of the spinal cord and to keep his vertebrae aligned. His surgeon was doctor Lee. A very kind man with an oriental accent who told us. “No more go fast on bike.” He used screws to fuse C3 to C2 and C1 which were already fused from prior damage. Dr. Lee told us he could see lots of old damage in Brian’s spine.

 It was just past noon when they took him out of ICU and up one floor to the surgery suite. The ICU nurse let us know where we could wait and that they would give us updates. We let her know that we were going to go get something to eat and then come back to the waiting room. Jean and I went out to find food and settled on Arby’s. After lunch we searched for a hot drink for Jean. It was pouring down rain and Dunkin’ was out of Hot Chocolate. We returned to the hospital after successfully finding hot chocolate at the McDonalds drive through after a very long wait. Turns out the wait for the hot chocolate seemed long but was very short in comparison to the wait ahead of us. We returned to the waiting room at the hospital outside the surgery suite. We waited and we waited and we watched the rain streak down the windows and we waited and watched a stand up comedian on my iPad. We then saw something that gave us both immense hope. The custodian. He was not just any custodian, he was just what we needed to see. He was in a wheel chair and he had no legs. He sailed past us so fast with a dust broom maneuvering that chair with such speed and grace a huge dust broom in hand performed a 180 degree turn at the end of the hall and whizzed passed us again. We just said wow! Jean told me to take a photo of him and I said “No way!” I’m not about to just take a photo of a random person just doing their job living their life! Finally I grew tired of waiting and Jean was just as impatient and tired so I went up to the surgery doors and knocked on them asking for an update. The surgery had not started until 2:00 they had lots to prepare before starting. They said it may go until 5:30 which was 2 more hours at this point. So more waiting but we were thirsty again at this point so a kind member of the hospital staff helped us find a vending machine that actually had stuff in it! $4 later we had 2 sodas and we were almost content to wait some more… Finally Dr. Lee came out and talked to us for about an hour about Brian’s condition and we gave him an education about Bicycle racing, Brian, will power, and the dangers of being a Bicycle racer on the velodrome and on the road. He said he sees lots of bike accidents but mostly bike with car. We discussed bike handling skills and the fact that they were sometimes obtained by riding around in circles trying to knock each other off for fun. A game the Junior boys used to call Death Cycle. He got quite the education about bike racing and Brian’s life and passion this day. Jean and I were sure he thought us crazy! He told us that Brian may be walking in 2 months of rehab and the surgery had gone well. He showed us the MRI pictures on his phone. He showed us were the damage was. Showed us both the old damage and the new. Brian can take the collar off and that he had fixed the problem. We went back down to see Brian in ICU and once we were convinced he was content (maybe all drugged up and feeling no pain) we drove the hour back to my house.