How is he coping so well when so much was lost in a blink of an eye? Where are the fits of anger, crying jags, and the “why me” venting? Why do I look to him for reassurance and encouragement more than he looks to me?
I have good reasons for asking these questions. It is one thing to stay in control when things are progressing well. But doing so when you cannot seem to get a break is quite another. Plastic surgery to remove existing skin to fill the deep pressure sore wound, that surfaced in March, appears to be inevitable. No one thus far has an answer as to why this wound will not heal. We are seeking additional diagnostics to determine the underlying problems as the wound limits Brian from even further mobility than he already faces. Surgery to remove unwanted and physically limiting bone growth from his hip is also likely but with the more immediate complications, will have to be at a later date. Surgical intervention for yet another internal problem that limits his recovery has been scheduled for later this month.
At nearly eight months post-injury, Brian should already be well into recovery therapies going after gains in lost function. Instead, these other medical problems remain center stage, demanding attention, already limited resources, and prohibiting him from doing the very thing that he most wants to do--recover. Yet he continues to remains calm, controlled, self-assured, and patient.
Brian’s tentative and very first visit to Raleigh since the accident to celebrate my grandson's two year birthday this weekend was canceled due to the ongoing complications of the pressure wound. We now anticipate that he will come to Raleigh on Sunday, August 23rd. He has an appointment to be evaluated by surgeons at the Duke Raleigh Hospital Wound Clinic that Monday in hopes we will learn some more options available to encourage this wound to heal.
Thank you so much for your prayers. Your donations to Brian’s medical fund are helping us deal with these ongoing medical issues, particularly as insurance often does not cover many of the newly available treatments, and keeping our hopes alive for someday being able to pursue emerging therapies for gaining more function.
We will continue to keep you all posted.
