Graphic by MamaBear
Posted on 09/27/2013 6:06:44 AM PDT by JustAmy
Praying for the best possible outcome and a speedy recovery!
Thank you very much, JustAmy for the thread and Mama_Bear for the graphic and all of you for your prayers and support. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful FRiends praying for me.
And I’m praying this amputation goes as well as the other one five years ago. I was sick and near dying before entering the hospital via emergency ambulance last time. And after the surgery I was so weak I couldn’t even raise my hands high enough to type or even to feed myself. Thankfully, I recovered and got most of my strength back within a week or two.
This time I’m relatively healthy and strong, just a very painful sore leg and foot that must come off before it rots off. I’m praying that I wake up after the surgery and I’m raring to go. Praying I’m able to climb out of bed and go to work. The longer I’m in that bed, the weaker I’ll be as muscular dystrophy begins taking its toll immediately on any period of inactivity.
We’ve been fighting the non-healing sore for many years on this leg. They were going to amputate it two years ago, but the wound care specialist examined it and thought she might be able to save it. She was an angel sent by God. She first started treating me with nitroglycerin to relieve the pain and that had an immediate effect. She then began a routine of cleaning and debriding the wound two or three times per week and applying medi-honey daily to promote healing, and a tight wrap to control the swelling and stop the water that was leaking from the leg.
All started getting results immediately. The pain stopped. The water leaks stopped and the swelling was brought under control. And lo and behold, the ten year old non-healing wound actually began to heal. Praise God. And it continued healing for a year or more. It reduced itself from the size of a silver dollar and a crater nearly down to the bone, down to the size of a dime and no crater at all.
But then the healing process slowed and eventually stopped. Lots of different treatments and medications were tried, but nothing worked. The swelling got out of control again, the water started draining again and the pain came back worse than ever. During the last several months the skin all over my lower leg and foot, even the sole of my foot has become macerated and started deteriorating and new sores began forming on both sides of the ankle and the achilles heel and on the big toe. The surgeon says it’s basically due to lack of blood flow (he had a long technical description with lots of medical terms but I can’t remember enough to describe it). But long story short, the battle is over and I’m not a good candidate for surgical repair so the leg must go.
I was pretty sure that was going to be the final prognosis before I went to see him on Wednesday and I had already reconciled myself to the inevitable. I’m actually relieved that the pain and suffering is going to be removed. In the meantime, he’s prescribed morphine pills for the pain and these last two nights I’ve actually been able to sleep.
Like I said, I’m praying for the very best on Monday and if the good Lord is willing, I’m praying to be able to go back to work immediately. Am taking my laptop to the hospital and I’m hoping to login Tuesday morning. Woo hoo!!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and good wishes. I don’t have words to completely express how wonderful and heart-warming they are to read.
And I have my loving family and close by friends who will be with me during this ordeal and will help me in the recovery and adaptive processes to come.
God bless you all.
Much love,
Jim
P.S. Onyx and Amy and Chris and John and our wonderful fundraising team are going to do all they can to ensure that our fourth quarter fundraiser, that is scheduled to start Tuesday morning, gets kicked off on time and is successfully completed. Thank you all again!!
FReepers are the absolute greatest!!
You know my wife and I are pulling for you Jim, the Big Guy will take care of you.
” “ amen.
Praying for you....hope you feel better soon..
Hubby and I are both praying for you Jim. God bless you.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Prayers for your health and healing.
Prayers for Jim..may God comfort him through this difficult time and keep him safe..be well Jim Im praying for your recovery
That can't be said enough Jim:
You are a true American hero.
I'm so sorry to hear that they've run out of options for treating your leg.
Prayers continuing to be said for you, for your family,
for the doctors to be guided as they do the surgery,
and for your recovery,
that all things go smoothly, and that you heal quickly.
Amen
God bless you and keep you Jim.
Prayers for your recovery
Update to Freeper One’s condition at Post #522!
I am praying for you Jim and sending lots of love your way! I wish I could give you a big hug!
Dear Jim
I will be praying for you all weekend, and into Monday.
Will bring you up in Prayer at the Biker Church.
I will keep praying for you as I go for my CWP next week.
FR has changed my life, and I can’t even begin to say how much you mean to me.
Love
ML
Prayers for you from Missouri. Husband sends prayers, too. You have been a part of our lives for more years than I can count, and stood with us during rough passages. Please, get well, and may pain never find you again.
BSW
As you already know, continued prayers... but as an aside, your attitude is absolutely inspiring. :) You’re a brave guy. That cannot be understated.
Come to Texas in 2014 and maybe you can! Ain't nothin' so satisfyin' as a JR hug. :)
Wow! Prayers up for you!
prayers up for my patriot friend
James and I are keeping you in our prayers. Sending hugs from Florida! Jean
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