Sunday, July 8, 2012

On the Road of Recovery…

Sharon’s surgery went off without a hitch and as a result she penned this blog about the experience….

 

Portland Oregon Rose GardenPortland Oregon Day 1-3 019That fateful Monday all I wanted to do was get a better view of a creek yet I rarely if ever venture off any trail. I took a step on what looked like terra firma but instead was my ten foot crushing drop. By the time I yelled JOHN I had already crashed onto the rocks with such a force smashing my wrist, cutting my knee, losing my sunglasses , my droid phone and my visor. But adrenaline kicked in and I jumped right up and just wanted the hell outa there. We rushed to Seaside Providence ER whereupon I walked in and said I broke my wrist and need to see a doctor. Thank goodness I arrived on the shift of Mary the trauma nurse and Dr. Opie. They were fabulous professionals and 4 hours later after x-rays, sedation, Chinese finger torture, and stitches I was on my way home in a clunky splint and sling. I was told to see a surgeon as soon as possible because the extent of the break and dislocated bone made surgery a must. John called and somehow wrangled a next day appointment with a hand specialist, Dr. McPherson Beall, III at www.ofc-oregon.com/ whom Dr. Opie and Mary recommended.Portland Oregon Day 1-3 017

The July 4th holiday meant that the soonest surgery appointment to my chagrin would not be until Friday at 9:45. Thankfully John arranged a reunion with friends of ours in Portland, CeCe and Brett, who have been a delight. Along with my great pain pills I have been able to truly enjoy a couple of nice tours the Gilbert’s showed us in and around the exciting city of Portland in the days awaiting surgery. John will describe those days in another blog.

Portland Oregon Day 1-3 015Surgery day meant no food no water and worse no coffee after midnight Thursday night. We knew not being the first surgery of the day there would be likelihood for delays. Sure enough we ended up waiting an extra 1.5 hours. John is the real hero in this story after the daring rescue and on surgery day allaying my jitters and helping me with numerous nervous nervousness related trips to the restroom with the IV pole in tow. Not to mention he missed lunch not wanting to leave me alone…. Finally it was my turn and in no time the wizard (handsome too) anesthesiologist had my whole arm numb and then sent me off to dreamland. Dr. Beall (young like Doogie Howser) expertly pieced my bone together in just 40 minutes rather than the predicted hour and a half. He gave John pictures of the surgery and said there were not many shattered fragments. I am now in a petite splint allowing me much more freedom of movement and I am now, as a reader  my new bionic womansaid, truly on the road to recovery! I am so thankful to all you readers and value your comments and friendship as well as the comments from my facebook friends more than I can express. Thank you to my dear cousin John tooooo….Your comments always brighten my day!!!

Lord knows what this fiasco will do to the budget but I am so impressed with the care I have received here in Portland and look forward to my follow up appointment July 18th. And John, my soul mate, thank you for your logic, patience and heroism throughout my trauma drama…

* Now that this is mostly behind we can get back to doing what we love to do best… explore our beautiful country!

24 comments:

  1. The patient looks great. Here's hoping for a quick recovery!

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  2. oh my! you look great. Just wondering how you penned this blog with a shattered wrist, and how you spelled properly on those great pain pills. I can't take pain pills, they make me throw up, sure hope I don't ever shatter anything! Have fun on your travels and stay upright!

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  3. Thank goodness it's all behind you! That was really pretty scary, and I'm glad you had a good outcome. :)

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  4. Thanks for the shout-out cousin. I knew you'd have the right attitude going into this and, sure enough, you are truly on the road to recovery. About those young and handsome doctors - maybe that was why John hung around so long. Anyway, Penny and I are happy to hear the surgery went well.

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  5. Looking good, and lucky that all went so quickly for you. Here's to a speedy recovery.

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  6. Glad to hear this all went well. I was wondering what had happened. Waiting for 'the rest of the story'. Hope it will be as good as new forever and ever amen. Thanks again for the cucumin advice comment.

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  7. YIKES! I'm staying on the trail now forever, I promise.

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  8. Good to hear all is going well for you.

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  9. Glad to hear that the surgery went well. That was a great picture of you!! :)

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  10. So very happy that all turned out well. We will continue to keep you in our prayers for a complete speedy recovery.

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  11. I am so sorry you had such a challenge this past week in our beautiful state of Oregon--hope it doesn't taint the memory of the beach too much. We are glad to hear that all went well and that the medical care was good (and good-looking too!). Hope we can catch up with you soon and that you are still able to make that delicious homemade bread.

    p.s. You look a little too happy in the photo--must be the pain pills?

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  12. So glad to hear you are on the road to recovery!!

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  13. Thank you for the update. Happy to hear the surgery went well. Portland has excellent medical care.

    Susan
    http://travelbug-susan.blogspot.com

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  14. So pleased to see your happy photo.

    10 feet onto rocks is quite a fall. Now I'll be even more careful around he edges of banks and cliffs.

    Now the real healing begins.

    Blessings.

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  15. Maybe it's just me but ALL doctors look like kids anymore. Come to think of it so do teachers, Judges, lawyers, salespeople, waitstaff......

    Glad you read you are on the mend.

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  16. So, glad your surgery went well. Never trust a doc over 30- the young ones are all over the new technology. Take care and enjoy your extended stay in Portland.

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  17. Continuing prayer for your recovery. Happy you are doing so well.

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  18. Gosh...I was just able to get caught up on your blog. That is scary!!! Wonderful turn out though. You look great. I'm with you on the Blue Bell ice cream. Keep enjoying Oregon, but beware of edges.

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  19. Wow, from Canada we have had to rely only on campground wifi for internet. We aren't able to check blogs as often. Just now catching up. So sorry to hear about Sharon's injury, but glad she got such professional attention and is on the mend!

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  20. We were thinking about you as we came through Portland on Friday. Sure glad you had handsome doc, that always helps.

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  21. We have vowed to never darken the entrance to Portland Fairview RV Park again. We stayed there two or three times and had bad experiences each time. Most of the problems centered around the "Nazi" manager. He enforces the rules far beyond what is reasonable yet lets other long time guests get away with all sorts of things. Don't ever try to stay there for a month or longer. They require a background and credit check for both of you (that you have to pay for). They require a 6 page lease agreement. They require copies of your driver's licenses, proof of liability insurance and more! It is crazy. The only other place in the country that we have had that happen to us is at Pheasant Ridge in Wilsonville,Oregon. They also require a background check and a lease agreement. Anyway, you might post your experience on www.rvparkreviews.com so others will see the problems you have had with this park.

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  22. Glad the surgery is over and you are on the mend. I'm always yelling at Russ to back away from the edge - maybe now he'll listen LOL!!

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  23. Sharon, just read about your accident. Hope you're well on the road to recovery by now.

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