New View~

 The saga continues - Part 2

I don't remember much about my short stay at the Shenandoah Medical Center.  I was given anti-nausea & a pain med during the ambulance trip.  It didn't take us long to arrive.  I do remember a very caring nurse who had been in the profession for 40 years.  She kept me occupied with conversation while the Doctor's decided I would be transferred to UNMC in Omaha.  Butch arrived out of nowhere!  It seemed not long at all since he'd kissed me goodbye as I was loaded into the ambulance.

The youngest member of the ambulance team was heading to Colorado to be a medic on the firefighting lines.  I gave him tips on the best places to visit while he's there.  

May 3rd, 10 p.m. 

The nurses gave Butch the address & directions to where I was being taken.  He followed the ambulance as it left Shenandoah.  He said that didn't last long through, when they blew through the first of the stop lights siren blaring!

I remember even less about my arrival at UNMC's emergency. Butch again, was there & I trusted he'd stick with me until we knew what was going on.  I was eventually transferred to a room on the 5th, Trama floor in the Clarkson Building.  

My room, Monday May 4th~

Butch stayed long enough to see me settled into a room & hear the report from the Doctors.  I had sustained a Tibial/Fibula fracture of my right leg.  They would wait until morning to do surgery.  It was a busy night; I've been through this often enough to know it's hard to rest in a hospital.

View from my room~

Butch was back early Monday morning, he accompanied me to pre-op.  I met the surgeon who would do the operation & several of the interns who would be assisting.  The surgeon asked how the accident happened & when I said the key words bike & gravel, he pantomimed putting his hand over my mount, pointed at himself & held up two fingers.  Obviously, I was in good company when it comes to that mix of circumstances.

I was offered a surgical nerve block, that would alleviate the level of pain for 24-48 hours.  I was convinced & in retrospect - wish I hadn't been.  Having the block was about as unpleasant experience with long needles I could have ever imagined.  The Doctor's used an ultrasound & MRI to place the medication exactly in my thigh.  Thankfully it didn't take long & soon the anesthesiologist had me asleep. 

I woke in recovery & that's pretty much a blur.  I was told that the repair had not been done.  Instead, the Doctor preformed a fasciotomy to relieve the internal pressure caused by Compartment Syndrome.  That was a real blow.  I couldn't believe my bad luck in having it happen twice...  My leg left open with a pump for two days before a second surgery could be scheduled.  I decided going through the nerve block was worth the pain relieve it provided - once it started wearing off.

Wednesday was a really bad day.  I was told if the swelling wasn't down, they would not do the surgery on Thursday.  I prayed all day the surgery would happen as scheduled.  Thankfully, I was taken down to pre-op again by 8 a.m.  Butch was again at my side.  This day I was to have a different surgeon.  She came to introduce herself & I felt instantly at ease with her level of professionalism.  I was relieved to know I would not be getting another nerve block.  Surgery started at 8:21 a.m. they were closing by 10 a.m.  I was in recovery by 11 a.m. & back to my room shortly after. 

I can't say enough about the nursing staff!  It was unusual to have the same nurse for more than one shift.  Even so, I like to think I could call any of them my friends.  I'm of a generation that still has difficulty with male nurses, but I had two of the finest, kindest anyone could wish for.  One of the female nurses I appreciated the most, was Staci.  She was with me prior to my second surgery & when I asked if she would be there afterward, she replied she would.  She was - she'd stayed after her shift to keep her promise to me.  All of these professionals were very young.  I was told the average age of the nursing staff on the floor was mid-20's.  

From the beginning, I had Butch write on my white board I was going HOME on Mother's Day!  I met my goal!  It was close, but I was determined & again my prior experience helped!  Getting into the Bronco was tricky, but Butch got it done.  I can't say how good it was to be home!  Now, it's time for recovery & that always seems to take forever~

Home Sweet Home!

 When told I couldn't go home for at least six-weeks, it seemed like forever.  Every day, I did my level best to do everything I could to heal.  Courtney went above & beyond to make me comfortable.  I loved my kiss goodnight, as she tucked me in each evening.  The pain always worsened at night.  It was impossible to sleep - even with the CBD gummies a neighbor dropped off for me.  

I'll never forget a night when the pain had me moaning.  (I tried to quietly moan.)  Mason woke his mother - to tell her an "animal" was making noise outside his bedroom window. :-(  My injury was a Tibial Plateau Fracture level 6.  Both bones in my lower leg had been shattered.  This required a plate, pins & Allograph implant.  It wasn't the repair that caused the majority of my pain - but Compartment Syndrome is nothing - if not nasty.

 Mari Jo sent me a daily message. I so looked forward to them coming in about 4 a.m. Washington time.  Joyce too, went above & beyond.  Driving a two-hundred mile round-trip - twice to visit me!  Doris called with updates on Nika, who stayed with her, while Butch was at work.  Living with an active family, kept my spirits up as I hobbled through the days.

As Courtney & I spent our last night watching TV together, we both thought the time had gone faster than either of us had imagined.  My final appointment with the Surgeon, I passed with flying colors.  Courtney said his expression was shocked, as he unwrapped my leg & saw how well it was healing.  He adjusted my brace to a 30-degree bend at the knee!  My leg didn't know quite how to respond to that!  Asking if I'd made my reservation to go home - he smiled as Courtney told him it was for the following day!

Alaska wanted me at the check-in, two-hours before flight time.  Leaving the house at 6 a.m. - David drove.  We were so lucky to make the trip without undue amounts of traffic.  Pulling up at the Alaska curb, as Courtney helped me out, two porters came running.  One grabbed my bags from Dave, the other had the wheelchair.  The kids kissed me goodbye & I was on my way!  TSA has a new program called; "TSA Cares".  When I called, they offered a person at security to assist me.  Even with my pre-check, I spent about 30-seconds getting through!  

First to board the plane, I again had the entire row to myself.  Good thing, since my leg took up most of the three seats!  I'd paid the extra for premium class & it was worth every penny.

My heels just over the third seat.

A lady a few rows back, was also injured & terrified.  She was worried about the plane flying in "bad weather".  The flight attendant's assured her the pilot would only take-off if it was safe :-)  (My video only appears when you view this post on a computer.)

I was just so happy to be on my way!  Mid-way through - I had to visit the first-class potty.  The flight attendants accompanied me.  As I did the sideways shuffle with the walker, both mimicked me & we were laughing so hard!  The 30% bend in my knee came in so handy.  My toes were resting on the inside of the bathroom door!

Coming into land~

A lady with a wheelchair was waiting as I exited the plane.  Just past security - I thought recognized a guy with a beard - standing against the wall?  After two-months - finally - my Husband!  The lady offered to take me all the way to the car!  Butch had both suitcases, jam packed & my walker.  With the Explorer's front passenger seat all the way back, my leg fit in the front!  

Butch had to build a 21ft. ramp to get me in our front door!  Just three steps in height, but it took 21 feet to keep the incline elevation low enough.  That was still a few feet short of ADA standards.  I had no problem at all navigating it.  Nika was so excited to see me!  I got so many kisses, I couldn't help but cry.

Sunshine came softly~

The sunshine of home felt so wonderful!  I spent my first afternoon sitting out on the back deck with Nika in my lap.  I have to admit, I was a little lonely that first day, home alone...

Home Sweet Home!

While I was gone, I asked our local FAA Certified drone pilot Steve Bogart, of Elevate Aerial Photos,  to fly over the Home Place & take a few photos.  I've always appreciated the view & perspective aerial photos provide.  

Looking south~

My first physical therapy appointment was today.  I have exercises to strengthen my muscles in preparation for when the leg will be weight bearing!  Only five-weeks to go!  My goal is to be riding by bike by April at least!