DUer DirkGently could use your prayers/positive thoughts right now

[nashville_brook]

Last edited Tue Oct 8, 2013, 11:05 PM - Edit history (3)

I wanted to address this to GD b/c this is where he posts.

Dirk is in surgery for a ghastly leg break (compound, pilon fracture: both tibia and fibula, with some joint involvement). He fell off a ladder this weekend -- it happened in a split second.

They've scheduled 2.5 hours for the procedure. He's about 30 minutes into it right now and I'm worried b/c I perceived a lack a coordination with his pre-op team...so maybe throw some of those positive thoughts my way too. I'm kicking myself that I didn't "interrogate" things a little further. I feel like if something happens it will be on me. Nurses seemed tired and confused about his anesthesia. Everyone looked harried.

His doc is amazing and I have the utmost trust in him -- this is his second surgery for plates and screws. I'm sure once the doc is there everything will be fine.

He hasn't posted much since the accident, but I want you to know that DU has kept him positive and engaged, and gave him something to focus on other than pain and worry. When he was getting extra anxious we changed the topic to the shutdown and how evil and stupid the Republicans are -- this had an amazingly good impact.

He values the community here and looks forward to recovering in a recliner with his iPad and good conversation in between trying to work from home.

I believe in the power of positive thinking...so, perhaps I'm really just trying to adjust my own attitude -- I left quite aggravated to come home and feed the dogs. His parents are in the waiting room. I just had to get it off my chest. This is going to be longest 2 hours ever.

update -- going back to the waiting room. he should be out in about 30-45 minutes! will take iPad for updates!

UPDATE 2 -- doc just came and said he's done and did great! two plates, one for tibia one for fibula. he has a nerve block that's going to keep him in the hospital another 24 hours. phew! He made it! no weird reaction to anesthsia...as the worst case scenario, that's therefore automatcally where i go

omg...thank you SO MUCH for the encouragement! i think i just got worn down!


UPDATE 3 -- post-op delerium...patient complains the Koch Brothers are keeping him from getting ice to make his throat feel better --

[grantcart]

1. Best wishes and we will need that leg back in shape to kick GOP ass.

[nashville_brook]

9. that is exactly the kind of thing that will motivate him!

i've been keeping him up on the FL repubs who are going down with the ship: Yoho, Young and Webster. We want those seats BLUE, and they're doing all they can to help us make it so.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. Oh my goodness! Sending all the get well vibes I can...

I will keep him in my thoughts.

Try not to worry, although it's hard not to.

[nashville_brook]

20. it's not usually like me to be a worry-wart

his anesthesiologist looked like Captain Kangaroo and kept forgetting what he was doing. i'm running on caffeine and fumes right now...i'm sure he's had way more sleep than i. probably he was just trying to seem "casual."

[madokie]

47. Sending good healthy healing thoughts his way

Some calming ones for you too.

[nashville_brook]

66. thank you!

they always say the patient gets all the good meds, while it's the family that could use some anxiety medication!

[BobbyBoring]

109. That's scarey

They whack way too many patients. Best vibes to Dirk and you.

This is why I avoid ladders~

[nashville_brook]

211. they are bad luck!

whether you're under them or on them!

[DirkGently]

227. Talked like him too, a bit.

[nashville_brook]

232. i had a moment when i expected ping pong balls to fall from the ceiling.

[DirkGently]

248. He had the voice, too.

[RainDog]

3. sending out loving, healing thoughts

and hopes for a speedy recovery.

[hrmjustin]

4. So sorry to hear this. He is in my prayers.

[redstatebluegirl]

5. Sending good Karma his way!

[enlightenment]

6. Thinking of you both.

Stay strong and continue with those positive thoughts. All the "what ifs" in the world don't mean a thing - and you know that's true.

[nashville_brook]

167. i had kept my what-ifs under control until today

so glad he's out and seemingly okay after 3.5 hours of surgery.

[enlightenment]

169. Delighted to see that!

And as the queen of "what if" (no, I frequently cannot practice what I preach), I know how those things can prey on your psyche, even when you're trying to be rational.

I hope you can sleep well tonight, knowing that he's past the danger and now just needs to recover.

My best to you both.

[City Lights]

7. Sending healing vibes to DirkGently!

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[NYC_SKP]

8. Sending good vibes...

Holding good thoughts.

[nashville_brook]

11. focusing on his amazing surgeon!

and how when he gets out it he'll have good stories to tell.

[NYC_SKP]

19. It sounds like a complicated break with pins and all.

Is it normal to wait day to do the surgery?

PS, I fell off a ladder during the summer of last year. Several broken ribs, they still hurt.

[nashville_brook]

71. they did emergency surgery the night it happened to put everything back in place

and they attached this CRAZY metal fixture that literally attached to the bones and tightened up on the outside -- kinda like a halo.

they had to let the swelling go down, which has taken 3 days...and they also gave him heroic amounts of antibiotics including vancomycin to make sure that anything he might have contacted with the open wound is beaten down into submission.

This surgery is for plates. if all goes well it will be his last. more surgeries will address anything that goes wrong...if anything goes wrong, of if he heals in a way that causes pain or disability.

[NYC_SKP]

82. Wow! A generation or two ago that leg would have not made it, I gather.

Modern medicine is amazing!

I went searching for images of "compound leg fracture immobilization fixture", but got pictures of scary accidents.

Eeeesh!

[nashville_brook]

90. yes, that's essentially the fixture -- they attach it inside to the bone, and it tightens outside

all of his injury was down by the ankle. it was lighter weight, and kinda wrapped around to the back to the fibula.

and you're right! this is tricky surgery with a lot of possible complications including infection. his boot was hanging on just from flesh (ghastly!). i can easily imagine it being an amputation years ago.

[FSogol]

10. Get well soon Dirk.

“He felt like an old sponge steeped in paraffin and left in the sun to dry.” - Douglas Adams

[nashville_brook]

14. ha! you know what's funny is that i followed him in the ambulance and the only item

i brought was a towel.

[FSogol]

18. Good thing you didn't panic. n/t

[nashville_brook]

25. i had just left the house -- checked out the work he was doing on a tree

cutting down a limb, and thought, no big deal. He didn't even seem to need help carrying it away.

10 minutes later i get a voicemail, in the calmest manner imaginable, "EMS is on the way. I'm lying in the driveway with a compound fracture. I'm not kidding."

Not a hint of panic in his voice -- just the facts.

[FSogol]

29. Calmness during disaster is a good quality to have.

Of course, that could be shock.

Hope to see him back soon.

[nashville_brook]

43. oh yeah, he was totally in shock -- he was more concerned that the EMS guys weren't

freaked out by it, and joked...they gave him morphine, which enabled that.

then...every med student in the hospital came by to see the rare and spectacular injury. couldn't help myself...i took a few pics with the iPhone b/c i know...one day...he'll be able to look at that and say, "shit, i made it thru that!"

[Electric Monk]

104. LOL. A towel is just about the most massively useful thing any interstellar Hitchhiker can carry.

Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapours; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you — daft as a brush, but very very ravenous); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course you can dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.

More importantly, a towel has immense psychological value. For some reason, if a strag (strag: nonhitchhiker) discovers that a hitchhiker has his towel with him, he will automatically assume that he is also in possession of a toothbrush, washcloth, soap, tin of biscuits, flask, compass, map, ball of string, gnat spray, wet-weather gear, space suit etc., etc. Furthermore, the strag will then happily lend the hitchhiker any of these or a dozen other items that the hitchhiker might accidentally have "lost." What the strag will think is that any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the Galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with.

Hence a phrase which has passed into hitch hiking slang, as in "Hey, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? There's a frood who really knows where his towel is."

http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Towel


(get well soon, Dirk)

[petronius]

12. Definitely thinking positive thoughts for DG! Here's hoping for a

painless and quick recovery...

[TuxedoKat]

13. Keeping him in mind

tonight with good thoughts and prayers.

[leftstreet]

15. Ah jeez

That's terrible

Speedy recovery!

[Buddaman]

16. Hang in there big guy!!

[myrna minx]

17. My best vibes coming his way. May he have a speedy recovery.

[joeybee12]

21. Oh no...good thoughts for him...

[arthritisR_US]

22. So sorry to hear about this, strong and loving

vibes being sent his way

[redqueen]

23. Sending good vibes to both of you...

I hope you can try to stay positive...

[nashville_brook]

32. thanks redqueen...just talking about it is helping immensely!

i can't unload this on his parents...they'll worry too much.

[Ellipsis]

24. I've gone thru this.... 2 plates 12 screws, He'll be fine.

They do amazing work now ... Physical therapy is super critical.


Stay in charge you're the client. Keep on em.



Best.

[nashville_brook]

28. yes, i think he's doing two plates -- did you have joint involvement?

both bones mostly sheared away from his joint, which is good, but there's some damage. He's been wearing the external fixture for a few days, and the swelling finally went down enough to finish the surgery.

flying is going to be extra fun now!

[Ellipsis]

52. yes... shoulder socket, and I had bone chip as well on top of the humorous...

they had to suture back on as well as three breaks.

The surgeon was super excited, because of the complexity of the break, it was the worst he'd seen. 17" scar. He was really jazzed about a doing complex surgery. I imagine yours will be as well.... if they cut through the muscle which they almost have to it will take about a 14 months to fully heal.

He'll be flyin' all right...

[KelleyD]

26. Good Vibes coming your way!

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Best wishes, and I am looking forwards to conversations over dueling Ipads

Tell the family, that even though they don't know us, we will have him in our thoughts.

And as to you, remember to take some time for yourself.

[nashville_brook]

36. gotta love the iPad for DU-ing! we've spend many rainy weekends doing just that.

i might have to get him a little keyboard for it

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. To be honest, I have one. And I forget it half the time

Though I'd better remember to take it to fires, just in case I have to submit from the PHONE. I can do IPAD and on board keyboard. The phone, not really.

[nashville_brook]

73. one day we'll be able to just think at it :) then we're in real trouble!

[lpbk2713]

30. Here's wishing him a speedy recovery.

Get back here where you belong Dirk.

[riderinthestorm]

31. (((((vibes!)))) I hope his recovery is smooth and trouble free nt

[Fumesucker]

33. Making with the positive waves, man

[nashville_brook]

38. AWESOME! that's exactly the state of mind i'm looking for!!

[IrishAyes]

144. Fantastic picture, thanks! One of my favorite guys.

[steve2470]

34. good vibes to you Dirk ! nt

[blogslut]

35. May all go better than expected, Dirk.

Be well.

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. All the best to you & Dirk.

[yellerpup]

40. Give him my best.

Sending positive vibes to you all.

[William769]

41. May he have a safe & speedy recovery.

[dendrobium]

42. Best wishes

I broke my leg last November and the worst part was after the surgery. I was basically helpless. I couldn't get around much. I really learned to appreciate who my true friends were. Some family and friends just disappeared. When they saw me on crutches, all they would say was "You still not walking?!". What I'm saying is that recovering from a broken leg is not just physical, but also psychological.
Take care Dirk. Feel free to vent when it gets too frustrating.

[nashville_brook]

53. this i what i've been telling everybody, that right now is the easy part

while he's in the hospital we have the most help we'll have for the whole ordeal. As soon as he comes home...with no IV pain meds, and no extra hands to help...that's when the real work begins.

the psychological part is no joke. most people don't have a serious injury until they break something, so there's no sense of disability. then you realize how limited it makes your world. no stick shift car. no walks with dogs. no going into the office for a while (which has it's own set of psychological issues).

Today was the first day since it all happened that he said felt "optimistic." the sun was out, the pain was down, and he was looking forward to the final surgery. up until then he was beating himself up -- as if he had done something dumb. i can tell you it was a freak accident. i would have never left if i thought he was in any danger.

[AAO]

44. Don't worry, they probably are tired, but that's their daily life

They are professional, and will make sure of what they are doing. Of course, I could be wrong...

[nashville_brook]

63. comparing his experience in Florida Hospital to my experience in Tennessee hospitals

is like night and day. i've had hospital envy thru the whole thing. great docs. great nurse to patient ratio. they even started PT the very next day he was in -- no laying in bed. they made him get into a reclining chair and have him changing the leg position every hour or so. just remarkable care.

then i go to pre-op with him and all of a sudden i feel like i'm at one of my Democratic events where everyone is casting about before showtime, figuring out what's needed of them.

seriously...i think i drank too much coffee. they're on top of it.

[Go Vols]

171. Tenn. hospitals ain't that bad

The Bone and Joint Clinic in Franklin did a total knee replacement on me and I was walking the next day,stairs the next,then to home in 3 days total.

Wish him well.

[KT2000]

45. Sending good vibes to

you and DirkGently!

[Paulie]

46. Get well soon Dirk!

[Sienna86]

48. Sending positive thoughts

Here's to a smooth recovery.

[renate]

49. we're looking forward to your update in which everything went smoothly

[nashville_brook]

54. i will know something in about an hour, i hope!

[silverweb]

50. Ouch!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]What an awful accident!

Sending loads of positive vibes and healing thoughts.

You hang in there, too, nashville.

[dorkzilla]

51. Sending good thoughts!

Just say the word and I will seriously f-up that ladder!! Bad ladder!!!!!!

[rhett o rick]

55. Best wishes. nm

[handmade34]

56. (((...)))

the best possible positive vibes going out to DirkGently and you been there, done that, only mine was a motorcycle accident... external fixator, then full leg cast, then metal rod and screws and etc., etc... I had 7 surgeries total and boy oh boy Doctors these days are amazing... took a long time and Dirk will go through a lot but will be OK!!

I can walk pretty normal, albeit with a big bad ass scar

Hey, hang in there

[Bluenorthwest]

57. Good vibes and best of everything to Dirk and to you

The team will do good work, all will be well.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

58. Ouch! Calming, healing vibes to you both.

[gademocrat7]

59. Sending healing thoughts.

[kentuck]

60. Oh My!

Give him our best thoughts. I hope he recovers without too much pain.

[nashville_brook]

67. as soon as he's sober i'll show him the thread...he'll be floored :)

in a good way! i'm keeping off the floor, come what may!

[liberal_at_heart]

61. wishing him a speedy recovery.

[westerebus]

62. Good vibes and a prayer for a quick recovery. n/t

[wendylaroux]

64. So very sorry!

[rurallib]

65. best of luck on that leg Dirk

you'll be back in the ballet in no time! No?

Hurry back.

[nashville_brook]

76. Clogging!

dang, that hurts just thinking about it.

[louslobbs]

68. Here are some powerful positive thoughts from Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, and

Palm Springs California, from our family to yours. We wish Dirkgently a fast and full recovery.
Lou

[nashville_brook]

74. from west coast to east! thank you!!

[Liberal_in_LA]

69. k&r

[JimDandy]

70. So sorry and positive vibes to you both!

Had both of my legs broken, so I know what he is going through. Hang in there!

[Gothmog]

72. Good wishes and prayers headed his way

Let us know how the surgery went

[JI7]

75. sending positive thoughts

[pacalo]

77. You got it!

DirkGently, I hope your surgery is a success & that you'll be on the mend soon.

[Starry Messenger]

78. (((vibes)))

You are doing great, peace and low stress to DG and family.

[Gothmog]

79. We sing this at services in my temple

I find this prayer helps and hope that it helps here

I still remember Debbie Friedman singing this prayer at a concert at my temple many years ago.

Again, get well.

[nashville_brook]

93. that is beautiful -- thank you!

[Gormy Cuss]

80. Positive thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery. n/t

[rustysgurl]

81. Sending Positive Thoughts ...

... and good healing vibes from here in Kansas!

[LiberalEsto]

83. Wishing a speedy recovery!

[Squinch]

84. All good thoughts to Dirk!

And thank you Nashville-brook for posting.

[WinkyDink]

85. Get better soon, {{DirkGently}}!

[scarletwoman]

86. Sending love and light to both of you, and to all the medical staff involved in his care.

I'm so glad you let us know what the two of you are going through, and gave us this opportunity to open our hearts and send healing thoughts.

[nashville_brook]

92. awwww! you know, that's sometimes the hardest part...

you want to go into your shell and spare people the news. but, wow! i feel so much better talking it out. i've known some of you guys here longer than my besties in IRL. and moreover, i think we talk about stuff that really matters to us in a way that's almost impossible to do in person.

[LittleBlue]

87. With the surgeons they have in modern medicine

even the most horrible breaks can be well treated. My cousin is an orthopedic surgeon, and from the stories she tells, DirkGently will be fine in no time.

My thoughts are with him. He won't need it, but good luck anyway.

[nashville_brook]

96. somehow we lucked out with an amazing ortho institute on our side of town

i really can't praise it enough. especially after my own experiences with very bad care in a hospital in Nashville.

they have a commitment to pain management like no other i've seen. it's quiet and calm. clean and low nurse to patient ratio. there's amazing new resources...every two rooms have an IT station where the caregivers can review orders and enter new data. i'm really amazed for it being a suburban annex of Florida Hospital.

[LittleBlue]

105. Great

Sounds like a big time ortho institute. I'm sure injuries like this are so common they seem routine to those doctors.

Everything will be fine.

[TygrBright]

88. Strength & healing to ya, DirkGently! n/t

[cristianmarie533]

89. Best wishes, Dirk!

Hope you recover ASAP, and come out of this stronger than ever.

[madrchsod]

91. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~positive waves~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[icymist]

94. Best of luck with this surgery and recovery.

[Unknown Beatle]

95. Prayers, good thoughts,

and the power of positive thinking headed your way.

[PassingFair]

97. Oh NO!!! One of DU's absolute FINEST!

My offering, in his own words:

“If the Universe came to an end every time there was some uncertainty about what had happened in it, it would never have got beyond the first picosecond. And many of course don't. It's like a human body, you see. A few cuts and bruises here and there don't hurt it. Not even major surgery if it's done properly. Paradoxes are just the scar tissue. Time and space heal themselves up around them and people simply remember a version of events which makes as much sense as they require it to make.”


― Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

HEAL!!!!

[nashville_brook]

127. he'll love that!

[Generic Other]

98. A card for you made by me!

[nashville_brook]

158. i LOVE this!

[DirkGently]

223. WOW. Thank you. THANKS EVERYONE for all the kind words

and good vibes. Must be working -- they say I can probably go home tomorrow. Home with a bucket of medication for pain and blood thinning, and with crutches and a walker. Figuring out how to shower at home should be interesting.

[malaise]

99. Sending vibes

This too will pass DirkGently

[Sissyk]

100. Positive thoughts coming his way!

Thanks for letting us know, nashville brook!

And, positive thoughts for you also as you watch over him!

[calimary]

101. Thanks for letting us know, nashville_brook. We'll be waiting, and sending good thoughts!

Think GREEN!!!! Light the green candle, imagine the color! It symbolizes healing, health, youth, vitality, springtime, renewal, and regrowth.

[leveymg]

102. In my thoughts. Came within a couple inches of that myself a couple years ago when the ladder fell.

Sheer luck that I landed on my feet between the rungs.

Speedy recovery.

[riverbendviewgal]

103. sending healing thoughts from the north

And a get well hug.

[Hayabusa]

106. Best wishes to Dirk!

[ozone_man]

107. Sending positive thoughts.

42 actually. Heal well DG.

[Jackpine Radical]

108. My thoughts, wishes & prayers are with you both.

You will both be in my metta meditations in the coming days.

[dgibby]

110. I'm a retired Navy nurse.

Tell him to listen to his nurses, 'cause for freakin' sure he doesn't want me to have to come down there!

Seriously, please give him my best. Good vibes and hugs to all.

[nashville_brook]

123. dirk is one of those patients who worries about being a good patient!

and... such a great team of nurses on his floor! the must be treating everyone well here bc the staff is AMAZING. i'm settled down now from my initial worry about the confusion in pre-op... dont want that to color the opinion of the hospital overall. its truly a great facilty.

[bunnies]

111. omg, I had no idea!

{{{ good vibes & warm wishes for you both }}}. I cant imagine how stressful and painful that must be.

[juajen]

112. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

One day at a time, is really good advice. Listen to a lot of comedy and beautiful music.

[onestepforward]

113. Best wishes and positive thoughts to Dirk

Wishing him a speedy recovery!

[mahina]

114. Good luck buddy.

If it's any comfort, he picked the right bones to break. NOT the calcaneous! He is luckier than you may imagine!

Seeing him well and you resting.

Just a thought, probably your docs don't send guys home without a reminder but if they don't give you a urinal, get him something handy to pee in from his bed. We learned the very hard way...my ohana passed out after going to pee, and he really didn't need the complications that followed.

Just for the first day at least!

The other suggestion I'd make, having just gone through a little nightmare in our ohana, is to make a chart for the pain meds that won't be confusing even when the reader is sleep deprived and on said meds, and keep a flashlight handy.

Best best very best wishes, a quick recovery.

Reduce stress...breathe deep in 3 counts, hold 3, out 6 counts, repeat 10 times, you'll feel better!

A l o h a

[Cleita]

115. Sending healing vibes and prayers to DirkGently for a

successful surgery and speedy recovery.

[GoCubsGo]

116. Good thoughts on the way...

Heal quickly, Dirk Gently.

[dembotoz]

117. have him remember the gory details so he can get out of anything he doesn't want to do

screws and plates....he should be able to milk that for years.

more seriously
have him take care and listen to the doctors and nurses and stuff.
they generally know what they are talking about

but give em hell too

and take care

vibes and all that

[Blue_In_AK]

118. Oh, I love Dirk.

I hope he's fine. How awful...

[nashville_brook]

121. back in the waiting room...will know something soon i hope!

[LoisB]

119. Hope DirkGently gets well quickly. Good thoughts on the way.

[nolabear]

120. Vibes, juju, mojo, all things good coming your way Dirk!

[msanthrope]

122. I wish him all the best! Update when you can! nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

124. Keeping DirkG in my thoughts...

Hang tough.

[TxDemChem]

125. Sending good vibes

I will keep checking back for updates

[hootinholler]

126. Hey! Don't fall for us!

Damn man, get to mending, will ya?

[mike_c]

128. sending best wishes and hopes for a fast recovery!

Good luck!

[Warren DeMontague]

129. Oh, man. Get Well Soon!!!!

[xfundy]

130. Get well soon!

I've got screws in my leg. Always gives you something interesting to talk about at parties!

Best of health to you, Dirk!

[LeftishBrit]

131. Very very best thoughts!

[BumRushDaShow]

132. Wow. I hope he heals quickly

but hope he is patient and doesn't try to push too hard too early. I expect he'll want to be back up and doing things as soon as he can but it will take awhile. Sending good thoughts!

[Owl]

133. Best wishes for a speedy and comfortable recovery!

[riqster]

134. Here's to a holistic recovery!

Sounds like you went through the long, dark teatime of the soul in that waiting room. All the best to you both.

[awoke_in_2003]

135. I assume, by his user name...

that he has probably read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He show know the trick to flying is throwing yourself at the ground and missing. He should have hired someone to distract him . Tell him to get well.

[nashville_brook]

159. i think he might have been trying that trick!

[awoke_in_2003]

168. Well, he needs to get it down...

before he makes love to a woman, while flying and startling airline passengers

[Hekate]

136. Swift and gentle healing; good vibes to you both

DU GROUPHUG

Prayers sent

[greatlaurel]

137. Best Wishes

Take care of yourselves and keep ahead of the pain once he comes home. My DH is recovering from a finger joint replacement and we found good pain management was critical. Get some help with the house work so you can get some rest. You will need it.

Good luck and good vibes are being sent your way from the Buckeye State.

[madashelltoo]

138. Praying for him.

[AtomicKitten]

139. best wishes for a good outcome

[Jack Rabbit]

140. ()

[carolinayellowdog]

141. wishing the best for both of you, Dirk's health and your peace of mind

You are both among my most-admired DUers.

[amborin]

142. Get well soon!

[dixiegrrrrl]

143. Please keep us posted and/or updated.

Sending good thoughts his way......

[nashville_brook]

146. will update above too - he's out of surgery and doc is HAPPY with results

took almost three hours. 2 plates, one for tibia one for fibula. he has a nerve block thats going to keep him in the hospital for another 24 hours.

but, yay! he's out!

[PasadenaTrudy]

149. That's great news!

here's to a successful recovery!

[Mz Pip]

176. Yay! Good news

Glad it's turning out well. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

[Uncle Joe]

145. I hope and pray Dirk comes through this ordeal safely and quickly

Strength and healing to him and his family.

Thanks for the thread, nashville_brook.

[graywarrior]

147. Get better, DirkGently!

[Autumn]

148. Keeping DirkGently in my thoughts for a speedy recovery.

Take care of yourself also. This is the easy time (physically) for you so take what rest and peace you can get. to both of you.

[nashville_brook]

162. ain't that the truth

the real work begins in a couple of days when he gets home!

already getting casseroles in order

[IrishAyes]

150. As a relative newbie, I didn't know about either of you previously

But I'm very glad I happened to spot the OP and could rec it. Prayers and best wishes to all in your circle. I don't like bad things happening to anyone, but especially not people who seem so nice. You don't get such a massive outpouring of support unless you really are. As for his delight in hearing the political news, tell him I said an enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine already.

[gopiscrap]

151. Prayers and healing for you

[Warpy]

152. I hope his recovery will be swift

and that he won't need rehab after the cast comes off and will be able to walk without a cane within 3 months.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

153. I'm old enough to remember something like this requiring traction....

[nashville_brook]

166. me too - his bed actually has a pullup bar that reminds mme of those

[Spitfire of ATJ]

172. I hope he's enjoying his meds.

[nashville_brook]

230. probably not as much as one would hope

they've made the mistake of telling him that he can come home as soon as he's okay with no IV pain killers...i think this has set up a bad dynamic.

"I'm fine (teeth gritting). Really really fine (sweat pouring from brow)."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

239. That's because building rooms costs money that could go into the pockets of the rich.

[octoberlib]

154. Sending good vibes! nt

[meti57b]

155. DG, may you been healed and may it be quickly!

[benld74]

156. Go slowly Dirk let yourself heal

[nashville_brook]

231. [phone]

[ellenfl]

157. sending good vibes for continued good results. eom

[Baitball Blogger]

160. The one thing that Orlando, Florida does well is orthopedic surgery.

Never had a problem with a doctor. I'm sure it will be fine.

[nashville_brook]

164. it's almost as good as a ski town

i'm floored at the quality and having major feelings of envy for being in a crappy ortho town when i had my injury!

but enough about me

he's out, i'm feeding him ice...still delerious

[emsimon33]

161. He is in my thoughts and prayers

[KoKo]

163. I'm so sorry to hear about his accident...

Give him Regards for his recovery and a from me.

Thanks for posting about this!

[spanone]

165. k&r...

[RetroLounge]

170. Sending healing vibes!

RL

[roguevalley]

173. bless his heart. Take care and get the therapy.

keep working and you will be up and dancing again, sweetie. HUGS!

[niyad]

175. sending positive, healing, gentle thoughts for both of you. thank you so much for keeping us

updated! hey!! if he can complain about the kochroaches, we know his brain is still working!!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

177. Speedy recovery!

[opiate69]

178. Yikes! Here's hoping for a speedy and complete recovery!

[Oakenshield]

179. Delerium?

I bet the Koch brothers would be trying to make him uncomfortable if they could. They're really that demented imo. I wish your friend well, and hope he recovers quickly.

[progressoid]

180. Dirk!

We expect a full recovery from you.

[CreekDog]

181. Best wishes to DirkGently

get well.

[DirkGently]

182. Live from my hospital bed -- thanks everybody!

Just a a compound fracture I managed to incur trimming the tree. But I totally did wake up with nasville_brook feeding my scorched throat ice chips, convinced we were post Koch-pocalypse rebels hiding out in some kind steam tunnels beneath Atlanta. Actually several minutes before I got oriented there. Many drugs affecting my perspective. And The post-op space in this hospital totally feels like a rebel base. Just like Revolution on tv, but more plausible.

I am lucky to be an insured American, getting good care from good doctors in a good hospital near home.

Luckier still to have NB watching my back.

Thanks for all the good vibes -- gonna get some sleep and do whatever they tell me to to start healing this up tomorrow.

Anyone have an opinion on a good knee sling / walker?

/

[nashville_brook]

185. ^^^^ HE LIVES ^^^^

I'm exhausted, and he's got the good drugs, so I'll let Dirk take it from here.

3.5 hours in surgery -- his surgeon was exhausted when he came out. here's hoping everything is put back together again!!

[Blue_In_AK]

188. Take good care, Dirk.

We don't interact much, but I always LOVE your comments. And NB is the best.

[Divernan]

195. Glad the surgery went well - a word about recovery times

I had nearly 3 hours of surgery (which went well). My doc told me to take 6 weeks off of work (desk job) for recovery, but I'd told my bosses I was sure I'd be back in 2 or 3. I figured I'd be bored out of my mind at home and my job had little physical demand to it. Wrong. Something about the length of time under general anesthesia - left me weak as a kitten. I totally needed the entire 6 weeks. So take it easy on yourself - except when your physical therapist pushes you. PT is really critical and makes a ton of difference in recovering mobility/strength. Water walking is great for the legs, if you have access to a YMCA or other indoor pool.

[nadinbrzezinski]

233. Nope, my experience is reduced to crutches

I have used them so often I own a pair.



You take it easy ok. And as the meds really wear off, the pain will hit you. Just flow with it. And after that, be a good kid and do your therapy religiously, even if at times it will hurt. Yup, that is from experience.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

244. Glad your doing well

I was three months non-weight bearing on my right ankle after total ankle replacement. I loved my knee scooter and used it for over three months. Great around the house and shopping. I'm not sure it would be suitable for your surgery though. Here's the link to a knee scooter. It looks like the one I had. My insurance covered the rental;

http://www.amazon.com/Roscoe-Knee-Walker-Scooter/dp/B004M466YY

[handmade34]

249. just remember...

[Lugnut]

183. Get well soon, DirkGently!

Rest up for the big fight!

[pnwmom]

184. So sorry you're going through this! I know what it's like to have your life

turned upside down in a moment. All of a sudden you're a patient -- what a shock.

Last year my brother broke his back and had to have it bolted and plated together. Very scary stuff but it all worked out.

Sending positive thoughts your way. Try to get some rest yourself!

[nashville_brook]

186. it happens in a split-second -- we're so very fragile.

and yet able to heal. it's really miraculous.

[pnwmom]

187. I don't remember ever seeing so many recs on a post, nashville_brook.

Maybe that will cheer him up!

[nashville_brook]

201. it's a wonderful Get Well Card from DU!

[DevonRex]

189. Thoughts and prayers for Dirk and his family and friends.

It sounds like there will be some long days ahead. If you need to talk or scream don't hesitate. I'm always willing to listen. we've recently gone through a difficult time ourselves so I know how it is.

[sabrina 1]

190. Is there any way he can send the bill to the Kock Bros?

Thanks for the updates, it is good to know he has done so well and I hope he recovers as fast as possible.

[Gothmog]

197. I agree

The Koch brothers need to be held responsible

[nashville_brook]

212. they could surely afford it!

he's ready to leave the hospital already -- the docs might have to use restraints!

[sabrina 1]

219. That's good to hear nb.

[KitSileya]

191. Prayers being sent for a quick and complete recovery!

I'm glad he got through surgery well (that you both got through surgery well!) and now I wish him as painless a recovery as possible.

[Enthusiast]

192. K&R. Forwarding healing vibes............nt

[Maraya1969]

193. Great to hear he is out of surgery and doing well. Sending love and light to both of you.

[Granny M]

194. Glad he's coming thru ok.

Probably not post op delerium. The kochs really are keeping his ice chips away. The bastards.
Seriously, I wish him a very speedy recovery.

[hue]

196. Best wishes! Looks like He's doing well. Work hard in PT!! It's worth it in the long run!!

[OnyxCollie]

198. Get well soon DirkGently.

[Buns_of_Fire]

199. I'm glad to hear that everything is working out okay.

For such fragile creatures, we tend to be remarkably resilient. Get well soon, and remember that the Kook Brothers may be taking all the ice, but George W. Shit-fer-Brains made off with the good scotch several years ago anyway.

[sinkingfeeling]

200. Get well soon!

[LiberalLoner]

202. Best wishes for fast healing!

[Skinner]

203. Sending good vibes.

[Yo_Mama]

204. Please continue updates

I am so happy to hear that the surgery went well. I hope recovery does too!

[nashville_brook]

214. the nerve block is starting to wear off

he's really wanting to get out of the hospital -- but, I bet that as this block wears off and it's evident that the IV pain meds are needed, he'll cool his jets.



they have employed all sorts of amazing high tech stuff -- machinery to keep the leg cool with ice pumping thru the bandages and other stuff to keep blood from pooling in the other leg.

[Yo_Mama]

220. yeah and it's necessary

He's gotta stay put until they get his recovery to a certain point. You have to be able to move around enough not to develop blood clots.

In the initial stage, they often do all that you describe and then passive movement. I sympathize greatly, because I can't even drive past one without the urge to escape, but he needs to be there for a bit. Until he can move around on his own a bit without risk of undue swelling, he has to be there.

[MynameisBlarney]

205. Damn! Get better soon!

I had reconstructive surgery on my shoulderblade and collarbone a few years ago, it took 6 months to recover, your recovery will probably be at least that long. I have some friendly advice for you.
Don't get too happy with the pain meds,before I realized it, I was popping hydrocodones like Pez. I felt myself getting addicted and told my doctor, he reduced the dosage and strength of the pills gradually.
I still needed them for a while, until over the counter pain killers could do the job.

Good luck and get well soon!

[nashville_brook]

240. time to recover + pain med dangers = 2 important things to remember!

The pain meds enable us to "get back to it" quicker...which we need to do to get back to work...but it's all too easy to use them as a shortcut to that feeling of "wellbeing." when they're making you too "happy" it's time to dial them back and get thyself to PT.

[cali]

206. IMPORTANT

I really want dirk to get this message.

this sounds much like my break of 2 years ago. Smashed my tibia and fibula- had to have an IM rod, 2 plates. My initial surgery was 4.5 hours. I had 2 subsequent surgeries and ended up with a year before the bones healed entirely.

but worse, I ended up with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which I believe should have been caught much earlier. I complained about the symptoms for 3 months before anyone attributed it to anything but the breaks.

CRPS sucks and they say the earlier you catch it, the better. Not sure why that is, but that's what I've read.

[nashville_brook]

210. ^^^ flagging for Dirk ^^^

This is something I've experienced since my osteomyelitis. You expect that once you're out of the woods, all patched and recuperated that you're done. But the body sometimes has a different idea.

These chronic pain syndromes are serious business and generally you don't get enough information about it when you're discharged. My experience was no pain management info from my ortho. No pain information from my GP. A nurse whispered to me that I needed to see a pain doc, as if it was a dirty secret.

[cali]

213. thank you so much. really wishing dirk the best

My ortho guy is great but it still took him too long to send me to a specialist. If dirk feels any burning pain, pins and needles that won't abate, numbness, he should let his ortho guy/gal know and ask about CRPS which is different from most chronic pain syndromes and is not uncommonly the result of a traumatic injury. CRPS often isn't just about pain- changes in skin, disfigurement, etc.

[nashville_brook]

216. great description...will read up on this too.

It's a new one on me, and I thought I had a vast knowledge of pain!

Thank you!

[cali]

218. here are a couple of links for you

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00021

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_Regional_Pain_Syndrome

[CrispyQ]

207. Glad to read that Dirk is doing ok!

A speedy recovery to you!

[randome]

208. No, no, it was his leg that was broken and now it's...

...never mind. Good to hear you're going to be okay, Dirk!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers. It's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[ClusterFreak]

209. That's great news!

I'm one of those 'worst case scenario' types myself, so I know what you must have been going through. Glad to hear that DirkGently came through the surgery and things are looking up!

[MoonRiver]

215. Best wishes to DirkGently!!

[pinboy3niner]

217. My best wishes to both of you, nashville_brook

I hope you'll have good news to report soon.

[Peacetrain]

221. Hope all it going better!!!

keeping you in our thoughts

[Sunlei]

222. big ouch! no more ladder climbs! get well soon.

[Boomerproud]

224. Glad to hear that he's going to be okay

Update #3 was a keeper. Thanks for keeping Duers up to date. Notice the number of replies wishing Dirk well-obviously he has touched many lives.

[nashville_brook]

229. best get well soon card EVER!

i introduced Dirk to DU a few years ago. he was reluctant at first to jump in, but i told him that we need thoughtful/measured voices like his.

He's such a good writer, and moreover, he believes we're all real people who deserve to be taken seriously and treated nicely. He's one of those very special people who can disagree without being disagreeable.

[idwiyo]

225. hugs from the other side of the Pond

[dkf]

226. Didn't see this earlier...so thankful the surgery went okay!!! Crossing my fingers for a swift

Recovery.

Get well soon DirkGently!!

[Ranchemp.]

228. Gla d he made it through without any complications other than the Koch ice crises. LOL.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

[Liberal_in_LA]

234. glad to hear he is doing well

[tomm2thumbs]

235. heal fast and get back to DU soon

glad all went well and stay away for ladders for 2 months

[nashville_brook]

236. :)

I'm hiding the damn ladder and giving him the business card for a tree trimming service.

[tomm2thumbs]

237. Yay!

Good idea.

[MADem]

238. That happened to a friend of mine; he had a long recovery.

Bright spot, though--he did recover.

And that was twenty to thirty years ago...they're much better at the whole healing process thing nowadays than they used to be back in the old days....

[calimary]

241. THANK YOU for the update, nashville_brook!

So happy that the news is good! Please keep us posted!

[Bryn]

242. A Big Ouch!

It makes me feel his hurt. I am sending positive energies for his quick recovery. I imagine that this won't be fun for a while, but am glad surgery went well. Hugs ...

[indepat]

243. Our hopes and prayers are for a full and speedy recovery.

PS Please urge and insist that all recommended therapy is fully performed without fail.

[suffragette]

245. You and Dirk are two of the best

Hugs and positive thoughts to both of you!

[WillyT]

246. ((((((( Good Vibes)))))))

Get well soon, Dirk!!!

[bvar22]

247. DUer DirkGently has my prayers/positive thoughts right now.

He also has my respect for his thoughtful, informative, and well composed posts at DU.

Get Well Soon.

Scary story.
I spent a lot of time on a ladder doing repairs and upgrades on our cabin getting ready for Winter. We will be on the roof cleaning out the stove pipe this afternoon.

Since we are currently uninsured, an accident like this could take everything we have.
It can and does happen in the blink of an eye.
We will be covered under the ACA (if we can ever get registered online).


Prayers/positive thoughts for Dirk right now,
and extra care working on the roof today.