Posted on 02/06/2023 10:19:24 PM PST by Jim Robinson
I'm still flat on my back. The pressure sores that sent me to the hospital are almost healed, but still too painful for me to spend much time in my power chair, so I spend all my time in bed. The nurse says the wounds are now just superficial, and should be healed very soon. I do have a new spot on my bottom and on my back, but they haven't become sores yet. Hoping to spend more time in my chair each day until completely healed and to prevent more sores on my back.
My hands and arms are already very weak from muscular dystrophy and they're even weaker now after lying in bed for six months. A physical therapist is working with me on range of motion exercises to get my arms stronger again. And that's very painful, but has to be done.
I can't type on the computer while lying in bed, so I'm using speech recognition software to control the computer. The software allows me to navigate by clicking on any link on a page using voice commands. I can do almost any function using voice commands, like opening/closing files, tabs, etc. I can also click on a reply button and enter short replies, however it's almost impossible to enter anything more than just a few words, because the software makes many errors and it takes a long time to clean that up. Consequently, if I have a long post to enter, I have to call Chris in to type it in for me, as he's doing right now.
But I can do most functions in maintaining the website, and the abuse system. So I spend a lot of time now reading and bumping threads to breaking or frontpage news, and handling the abuse reporting system. One thing I cannot do is cut and paste. For example, when I receive an abuse report and a true title needs to be copied from a source, I need to call in Chris to do it for me. Chris has been a real trooper. Not only is he my primary care provider, but he's been doing all my banking/bill-paying/bookkeeping as well as my entire job while I was in the hospital, and a thousand other chores since I went to the hospital.
For about a week before going into the hospital, I was in a lot of pain. I couldn't focus on my work, couldn't eat, sleep, sit/lay in my chair for very long without excruciating pain. I was also constipated for an entire week, and I knew I was in trouble.
The evening before going into the hospital, I asked Chris and John to lift me into bed because I was in so much pain. But even in bed, there was no relief. I kept calling the boys in every five minutes or so to adjust my position, but I still couldn't get relief. They became concerned, so they decided to take me to the VA emergency room.
In the VA, they suspected that I had blocked bowels and were considering surgery. They put tubes in me to feed me and take out the waste. They also found that one of the pressure sores had gone all the way through to the bone, and that I had a sepsis infection. I don't remember very much about that period, because I was literally out of my mind. These things were told to me later.
Chris says that for the first couple weeks, the VA wouldn't allow visitors or anybody to even talk/see me. This hospital had very strict rules because of Covid. John, Chris, and Amy even considered getting a lawyer so that they could talk to me. The VA finally relented, and allowed them to visit me so they could find out what was going on - they literally had absolutely no idea what was happening to me.
I was pretty much out of it that first week and couldn't remember much, but I remember talking to the surgeon and some doctors. They were actually considering surgery for my blocked bowels, but then they decided let's try an enema. Sure enough, cleared that shit up! No surgery was required.
I also remember I couldn't sleep in that first week, and they were begging me to go to sleep, but every time I drifted off I had a repeat of some recurring nightmares. While I was having these nightmare, I knew they were nightmares, but couldn't wake myself up. I knew how they began and how they ended. And once one began, I couldn't wake myself up until it went all the way to the end.
One of the nightmares concerned a pit bull that was released in the hospital, and I could hear him running from room to room, attacking people and chomping on their bones. I knew when he got to my room (which he never did), he'd start chomping on my feet first and work his way up.
Another recurring nightmare was about being in a hospital run by terrorists, and it had a public side and back side. On the public side, they were nice as can be and took real good care of you. But on the back side, they were mean as hell and liked to torture people.
I also became very paranoid, and while slipping in and out of delirium. I had suspicions about being in a government hospital with government employees. I described some of this to John, and he said, "I don't know what they have you on man, but you are loopy!"
They started feeding me broth, and couple days later soft foods like Jello and ice cream. The best part about being in the hospital is ice cream.
There's a lot more to add, but I'll cut this short. The good news is I'm healing. The bad news is it's going to take a bit more time, but we'll get there.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and continuing support.
God bless.
Carpe diem, Jim!
Great news all around.
I love Casa de Frits. A great spot
God bless you, Jim.
Great pictures. Sending prayers 🙏
Much love and prayers sent your way, Jim Rob, thanks for the update and pictures!
Dear Jim,
Thank you for the update! I just got back from my women’s Bible study and you are on our prayer list! It’s fifteen minutes we spend speaking names for prayer and God listens!
Glad you enjoyed Casa de Fruta! It’s been a long time since we drove through there. Used to stop there on trips to Monterey and Carmel. It’s a pretty place but kind of expensive!
I hear the lake is full now. Hope you got to see it and maybe some spring flowers too!
God bless you and keep you!
Megan
God bless you, Boss! And, Chris and John, too.
PTL for your continued healing.
And, for your road trip!!
You’re as handsome as ever!
I love the rig....nice set up. Looks like the weather was excellent....and, I bet it was good to get out in that fresh air.
Prayers up, for the ‘being on your own’ situation. Is there any way to get some sort of home health, a day, or two, a week?
Thank you for the update.
Wonderful news that you are able to feel the warmth of the sun on your face! Thank you for the update.
I’ve tried gel cushions before. I currently have a Roho air cushion, but have a alternating pressure air cushion on order from the VA. I’ve been using an alternating pressure air mattress on my bed for about two months. And the nurse credited that mattress for completing the final healing on my pressure sores.
Thanks,
Jim
Sounds like you are up on it!
I’m glad something has helped.
In case you are looking for other ideas...
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/bedsore.html
Prayers up for you.
Glad you’re feeling better, and hope you get back to normal soon. Prayers remain up.
What a strong fighter you are. May God continue to bless and heal you, Jim. I will keep you, Chris and the family in my prayers to Jesus.
Keep on keepin’ on.
Prayers lifted, Mr Robinson
So glad you are on the mend!
Chris and John need our prayers too!…
You have some fine sons!
God Bless
PS - I can’t help but think that red light therapy would help for two reasons:
1. It can help and speed wound healing
2. The red light penetrates far below the surface skin
Here’s a sample article to read:
https://platinumtherapylights.com/blogs/news/red-light-therapy-wound-healing
Not about bed sores specifically, but about wound healing.
I’d try it.
Prayers up brother.
Love you Bro...
What a great update. You look terrific. Especially the beard. You are giving Greg Phillips a run for his money. Prayers continue and it’s great to see how beloved you are. Prayers for Chris too. Being a caregiver is not easy.
A fantastic update. I will continue to have you in my prayers. Just a little secret to share with you; you and a couple of other friends I have help me with perspective. That perspective clears up the whining, snivels that sometimes come creeping in unexpectedly. One quick dose of perspective and they’re gone, So thank you for all you do.
Kalam
God bless, trooper! The above phrase had me confused for a moment - until I saw the pics.
You are an inspiration for a couple of generations, at least. Sad that you and I have lived to see everything we lived for and fought for threatened by a senile low IQ autocrat.
But, as Rush Limbaugh said: we will never give up! UP THE REPUBLIC! 👏 😍 💯
Great news, Jim. Continued prayers up!
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