breakthrough

What a day. First I got up and walked to my door! At the time it was a milestone moment. Walker used of course. My dad hung out with me pretty much all day. That was nice. Then the nurse saw how hard it was on me just to get out of bed. Who knew that uci has a full on lift team that just focuses on helping patients get out of bed and move. So now I am on their list. I don't think I really need them but its still nice to get so much attention now from the hospital. They do make it easier on me for sure. Once I'm to my feet they leave me alone until I need their help to lie back down. Today I also got evaluated and the thumbs up from both the occupational therapy Dept and the physical therapy Dept of the acute rehab unit. That's where I want to be transferred asap so my rehab will pick up. Ok so then I got up to walk again. Walking more than than once in a day was a first for me. It went great. I walked down the hall about 25 feet turned around and came back. I am learning to relax and catch my breath while using the walker. Oh yeah in the afternoon my coworker Kerry stopped by again with a few gifts and a get well soon card signed by several of the drs I visit for my job. How thoughtful right? So 8pm comes and my nurse tells me that my next pelvis xray has been ordered. Not only will this show if my fractures are healing or I need surgery but it also is the final step I need befor the rehab unit will accept me. This is good. So we need a no surgery thumbs up tomorrow. Please keep praying for that. Mindie and were talking and we are so blown away by the love and generosity our friends and family are providing. In short, it makes us want to be better people ourselves. More compassionate like you. Thank you guys. Please keep the emails and texts coming. Also comment on my blog! Its a fun treat to see who's commmented at the end of my day. Please keep praying for my pain and future rehab and safe healing. . . .
"When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recoginized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Acts 3:9-10
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liberated

2 things happened today that made me want to use my new born freedom to run up and down the halls but the whole cracked pelvis thing stopped me. But really, I was detached from my I.V. No more pole with bags of solutions and tubes running down into my veins. Of course the I.V. Stayed in for any future injections I made need. Secondly, my catheter came out! No more bag-o-pee connected to me. Although the idea of not having to get out of to go potty sounds pretty nice at times I won't cry now that its gone. Now I gotta stop drinking so much water so I don't have to go so often. Bottom line: I was liberated today. Progress feels good however small it is. Speaking of progress I stood with my walker today for like 25 minutes. My dad and brother were there to help me and cheer me on. My physical therapist didn't show up again and I didn't really feel like pushing myself but I know if I want to get out of here I have to do a little more than I did yesterday and push myself. Like other times, when I first stand up there is some pain aching and throbbing going on in my leg. It takes my breath away. I can't find a good stance to get comfortable in. I got a little emotional as one voice in my head, the negative one, brought to mind how a stupid bike ride brought all this about. How my week in the hospital thus far has had some real rough patches and how a few small steps with the walker could be considered very little progress at all. But the fighter in me, the positive voice of truth inside me, did not let me quit while I stood there hurting in that moment. I pressed on through it. I said positive things out loud to myself ..."just breathe"... "you're doing good". It doesn't matter if you're talking to yourself if you're telling yourself the truth - right? I know a guy in the past who endured a lot more pain for my sake. Do you know him? The Bible says in Philippians 3:13-14 something regarding this type of perseverance and choice to endure ... "But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal (to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus)." .

it happened

Todays highlight definitely had to be what just happened. Problem is, I can't tell you about it, its too personal. Some of my dear friends may know what I'm refering to and to you guys I say yes- the mother ship has landed.
In other news, I lost 10lbs today and my new favorite color is brown. Baby wipes have never really just been for babies right? Ok good. Again, like in so many other instances in our lives as husbands and wives, I'd like to thank my wife for her supporting role tonight. You were always by my side my love and I will never forget that;) for Better or worse right? For richer or poorer. If you asked me, they don't get much better or richer than that one ... .

you've been dismissed

This morning I awoke suddenly. It was 7am.I awoke just in time to make eye contact with Mindie just before we heard a group of people coming toward my open hospital door. She looked out the door from her angle and then said to me "he's here." though I had crust in my eyes from my deep slumber it registered that she was talking about Dr z. The elusive out of town til just now Dr z. He brought his posse with him ie interns and residents and who knows who else. Bottom line: it went great. He was nice. He had a plan. He validated the pain I have been having all week in me leg. He gave me hope. I felt like I was on a roll after my good day yesterday. I still do. But I must share what happened next. Like an analogy to the ups and downs I have had all week here at uci, the downer walked into my room no later than 2 minutes after Dr z walked out.some new lady introduced herself ad my new nurses aid. I get a new aid every 12 hours along with the nurse Change. 7am and 7pm. Anyways she immediately starts asking me questions about why I'm in the hospital and what happened. She shifted gears into questioning how I could be in so much pain. After all she said she hurt her pelvis in the past and she was up and walking with very little pain in no time.she flippantly said she would personally have me walking in no time. When Mindie pointed out that the physical therapist was the only one approved to help me get out of bed to stand she said she does physical therapy too but she's just not doing it right now while she's an aide. Yeah right lady. Holiday inn express all the way. So I told the lady she had no clue and dismissed her from my room. No longer am I taking this crap. No longer will let someone who has spent 0 time with me suggest they know my body better than me or let them size size me up. I have found than when in this much pain you must protect yourself and trust your gut instinct. You have one for a reason. In other cases your gut might lead you astray when you don't have all the info or when you are too emotional about the issue. But when it comes to flat out avoiding pain you and your body ie your gut instinct know "you" pretty well.anyways. Enough with that rant. Also dismissed so far is the thought "why did this have to happen?" dismissed are my neck brace and chest tube. Dismissed is withholding the words "i love you" from those that should be hearing it. Dismissed is underappreciation of simple pleasures like using a toilet, being regular, not having to tell a total stranger that you might have to poop in a bedpan soon and they will need to clean it up for you.yes. I have learned to appreciate even more. Like putting your feet on the floor each day. The last 2 days I have been able to put my feet to the floor and it feels so good. Never thought I would be looking forward to that but I can't wait til my pt comes agaain tomorrow and I get to stand up! Sounds crazy. But I can't wait to be reading this months fromm now when I'm able to wrestle with my girls on the floor. Go swimming in our pool. Go for a walk with my wife to the store. What are you looking forward to? . .

my first post my fifth night

Hello there. Its 122am. Uci fifth floor is quiet. I have a pillow under my butt on my right side to avoid getting bed sores. Pain level at a one out of ten. Not moving my leg so its ok of course.had a good day. Great turnaround. Started off in tears when Naomi asked me to come home this morning over the phone. It was sad because at that time I had no plan on how I was gonna get better and get out of here. But I hung up the phone and called on God. Put in the one worship CD Mindie packed for me and just breathed in and out for awhile.I decided I would let the sunshine in. Ordered a tasty hospital breakfast.then the rock called. Mindie said she was bringing her parents. And my sister and a ringer. My aunt Karolyn. To the hospital this morning. Long story short: hope. Family. Love and loyalty. Grateful. Plan. Communication. Drs respond. Pain pills increased. Physical therapy started. Ground touched. Sonshine.