Was to much going on here for me to actually go visit with Rich yesterday.



But,,, Dr says he can return to work.



Still wants him to do OT for his left hand and elbow, but says he doesn't need the PT any more.



Sent Rich a text yesterday, asking for more details, but haven't heard back yet.

Just so you know, Rich doesn't "talk" on the phone yet, just does text. He won't answer the phone if you were to call him, but he'll text you back.

 

Tom
I am so HAPPY for you and your family but I do know one thing, The Prayers and Friendships you have on this site is outstanding, This Site has HELP me go through one of the hardest time in my life with my Throat Cancer. I like your son am doing fine I now can work 3-4 days a week. May the good lord watch over you and your family and all of your HHr Family on this site.

God Bless every one and JB for this HHR Site.

Rudy

 

Z-MAN -- I wish you Good Luck in your battle with cancer. One of my co-worker's wife has cancer, bad. They can't do anything for her anymore. But she goes thru her day doing the best she can, and isn't letting it get her down. She's one strong-willed Lady.

Rich will return to work this coming Monday, with no restictions. All at work are eager for him to return. Been 7 long months since he last walked thru the door there. It'll be good to see him there again.

We're in our "slow period" right now at work, and only doing a 7 hour day, 5 days a week. This will really be good for Rich, as he won't have to put any extra strain on hiself for a few weeks.

Work load should pick back up around the middle or end of February. Then it'll be back to the 10 -12 hour days, and Saturdays again.

 

Wow. Didn't realize it's been so long since I posted anything in here.

Rich is back to work and thru with therapy. Has been doing great with the job, and everyday life.


Latest news.

Rich had another Dr visit this past Tuesday, actually saw the Surgeon, Dr Kessler, this time. He hasn't seen Rich since the January visit.

The Dr is totally happy and amazed with Rich's progress. Told Rich "that if he hadn't been involved in his case since the begining, he wouldn't believe anyone telling him it's only been 8 months since his surgery".

Dr did some flex and grip tests on Rich, and was elated with his range of motion and strength. Left hand is alot more flexable now, full motion in the left elbow. Left knee is improving in it's range of motion, but Rich still has a bit of a limp from it. Grafted areas are healing good.

Dr also read Rich some of the report from the Dr's that saw him last month.

Then the Dr said,
"I've been in this field for 27 years. I've never heard the word "phenominal" used to describe a burn patients recovery progress".

Rich's reply was,
"That's 'cause you never had "me" as a patient before". That's me boy!

Over all, Doc gave him a good checkup, and said everything is looking great, far better than he would expect at this point in the recovery, except the area of upper chest/lower neck. The one spot he was certain would heal good on it's own. Lot of scar tissue there, not allowing Rich to tip his head back without the skin pulling his mouth open.

So,, come September, Rich will have one more skin graft surgery on that area.

Rich is cool with it. Even joked about it after Doc said he won't have to worry about shaving in that area anymore. Rich asked him if he could do his whole face then...

He totally hates shaving, but don't really like a beard either.

Everyone here is very pleased with the Dr's report, even with the news of another grafting to be done. It should be the final chapter in the recovery process.

Mostly, it's the "Dad thing" here, but the surgery will return him to his "look" of before the accident. He has a good "look" to him now, but the scar tissue distracts from that, and I don't like it...

So, after September, maybe I can put this thread to rest. Been a rough road, but he's made outstanding progress getting down it. I'm happy... And we truly appreciate all of the well wishes, thoughts, and prayers from the Members here.

 

Great to hear the glowing report Tom. This had to have been a tough time in your life, way to stay with it and glad we could be an outlet for support!

 

Well, the surgery was postponed for atleast 8 weeks. Rich is extremly livid over it, and what the Doc had to say on this last visit. None of the Family is to thrilled either, with Doc.

On this last visit, Doc told Rich that he has to cut; salt, caffene, alcohol, sodium, smoking(yes, he took up that habit), and a few other things out of his diet.
Seems all of the above can cause deposits to form in the scar tissue and graft areas, leading to difficuties in healing.

Why now??? Why was this not brought up before, like a year ago?

Linda had even brought up the smoking thing on the visit 2 months ago. Doc's reply was, "outside of the obvious health risk(s), there is nothing to worry about with smoking interfering with his healing".
So why the big turnaround on everything now???

Rich is doing as Doc said, but is not liking it one bit... He's not a "happy camper" anymore. Not eating like he should either, as the "bland diet" he's on "just don't cut it" in his words.

Says "he'll see Doc in 8 weeks, if he don't want to do the surgery then, it's adios doc, I'm done with this".....

 

Tom-

Sounds like Rich is getting fed up with the lenghty time, & etc..

It happens, smoking is never good before any surgeries, or at all for that matter..
Perhaps he is getting depressed, certainly sounds like.

I hope all things work out for the best.

But agree you should have been informed long ago that these bad habits were no good... That part bites.

Billy