Not a happy camper.

Yesterday 8/26 Travis took me to a couple of Dr appointments in Las Cruces. The second appointment was with the Dr that did my amputation. The PA walks in and looks at the incision, which I had already removed the dressing from and says, It looks like you  got a little bit of infection there. Then asks why I had not come in to get the stitches removed 10 days after surgery. Well dude if you had told me to come in I might have done that but first off you did not tell me and second I was still in the Rehab Hospital at that time.Where were you guys? After much ado. I told him it was water under the bridge now and it’s to late so let’s get on with it. He prescribed some antibiotics and that’s that. The nurse, at least I assumed it was a nurse is this big guy over 6ft gets all his stuff together (We get along great and he has one hell  of a sense of humor).  and starts removing these stitches which have now been in me for a month. Needless to say I am NOT A HAPPY CAMPER as they are pretty much buried which pretty much means that it hurt like hell when he was removing them. Finally got em all out though, so it’s on to bigger and better things. Don’t you just hate it when you do everything you are told too and still catch hell for it…………………..????????????????. Now they want me to air out the wound and let it scab over. I have another appointment with them the 8th of next month.

 

That’s my story and I'm sticking to it.

The latest

Well, the first week at home was a real learning experience. The thing that I thought would be the easiest (Taking a shower)turned out to be the hardest. Try doing your dishes while standing on one foot some day, sounds easy enough. Vacuuming and mopping the kitchen and bathroom floors were tricky but I managed. Tracy came over and helped me with laundry and Travis has also been indispensible with various tasks that I could not do.

John, a friend from Colorado showed up in Deming on Monday, so him Deloris ( a school mate of Johns) and I went slumming. Went to the American Legion and Membris Golf club house for a couple of drinks. I had to drink water (That really sucks) as the meds they have me on and alcohol do not mix. I think that the alcohol would make a better pain killer.We had fun and some interesting conversations.

Tuesday 08/18 John and I went to Palomas MX to get some OSO Negro (Mexican Gin). We each picked up 2 bottles. Had some Guacamole and Tacos. We notice something a little different about the tacos and come to find out they had PaPas (Potatoes) in them. They still tasted fine.

The Golden years

I wasn’t really sure whether or not to post this, but then decided to go ahead.

I was on my way out of New Mexico heading for Colorado when on July 5th my left leg calf started bothering me. By about 6 PM I could hardly walk. Around 2 AM I could still not sleep, I got up and drove to the Membris Hospital Emergency room and checked in. At 6 AM I had still not been called and the pain had subsided so I drove back to Elephant Butte where I was camped at the VFW. I moved from the WFW to Elephant Butte campground and spent Sunday night there. Early Monday morning I decided that I had better head back to Deming and get to a Dr. I checked into Sunrise RV park, then called and got an appointment with a Vascular Surgeon. The appointment was for the next day. Travis drove me to Las Cruces and I met with the Dr. He sent me straight to Mt View Hospital. The next day they did a angiogram.

The next day I have no recollection of. (Damn good drugs). The following day they did an arterial bypass on my leg. From here on out my time line is really screwed up due to the good drugs.

I think that I started living at Travis and Theresa’s on the 15th of July as I needed to have Home Health come in to check on me and they would not come to the RV. We had a small Birthday get together on the 20th for Theresa and my birthdays. Then on the 24th I could not handle the pain anymore and called the Orthopedic surgeon in Las Cruces and explained what was going on. I made the Dr appointment and was again admitted to Mt View Hospital. I believe it was on the 26th the Dr and I decided to amputate the leg. They wanted a blessing from the Cardiologist before continuing so Dr Leon was contacted. the following day Dr Leon came in to see me and check me out. Gave his blessing to the other Doctors. On the 30th my leg was amputated. Things again became a blur and at some time a few days later (Aug 1st) I was transferred to Rehabilitation Hospitals of Southern NM, which was only a couple of building away. I worked my tail off in therapy so that I could get back home and was released on the 12 of August.

I had an appointment with the Prosthesis Dr the day I got out of the hospital and he gave me a temporary leg/foot . I am not able to walk on it but it is intended to get used to the weight and regain some balance. I wear it 5 to 10 minutes a day and put as much weight on it as I can stand. It attaches to a brace that is helping me straighten out my leg so it will not bend at the knee. The next temporary should bend at the knee.

It is great being back in my own house although there was quite a learning curve to figure out how to get in and out of the house, taking a shower, doing dishes and all the rest of my house hold duties.

Things are going well so far and I start therapy this coming Friday the 21st. I have signed up for Senior Citizens rides to do Dr appointments, shopping and anything else that comes up. Will not be driving for quite some time.

I think that all this means is that I will not be leaving NM until sometime next year. OH Well!

Thank you to all that sent cards ,called , Emailed or visited. I really appreciate it.

Here is a link to a few pictures of my leg. Don’t want anyone freaking out so no imbedded pictures. If your brave take a look if not skip the link. Photos were self taken with my cell phone so quality isn’t great.

So long for now.

PS: I will get a parrot for my shoulder as soon as I can afford one.