My IV Antibiotics

I thought folks would be interested in the cool delivery method for my antibiotic IV medicine. Pictured on the left is one of the "grenades" that I wrote about in an earlier post.

It's a really ingenious design. In the center there is a hollow plastic tube that runs from the white cap on the top to the white cap on the bottom. There is an outer plastic liner and an inner rubber one. The inner liner is like a balloon that actually holds the medicine (probably surgical tubing or some other strong rubber). Before I hook it up and un-clamp it the inner and outer liners are the same size and the grenade is perfectly round. This picture shows it after a good amount of medicine is already out of it.
Since the inner liner is stretched when they fill it with medicine it is squeezed out when you release the pressure by un-clamping the hose that I hook to my PICC line (catheter). The clamp is next to my thumb in the picture. Just to the right of that is little disc that the medicine flows through. It is basically a flow valve that controls the rate that the medicine flows through the line. Since the medicine is under pressure and the flow rate is controlled by that little disc there is no need to hang the medicine like they do in the hospital or have the computerized pump to control how fast you get the medicine. I usually just sit the grenade next to my leg on the couch while I'm hooked up, but if I have to get up I can just put it in my pocket and use my walker without having to drag a pole along with me. Pretty much anyone whose ever been in the hospital (or visited someone else) knows about dragging the pole on wheels along with you to the bathroom or down the hall. What a pain that is! This is so much easier.

You can barely tell that I am actually hooked up and receiving medicine in this picture taken this morning of me and Allison. Becky brought Allison by for a visit today on her way to pre-school. Doesn't she look cute in her homemade pumpkin tie-dye t-shirt? The white armband is actually a cut off tube sock that I wear to keep the PICC line covered and the tubes tucked up and out of the way when I'm not getting my medicine.

Speaking of my PICC line I had a bit of a scare yesterday. Because the PICC line is a direct route from my bicep to my heart I was told by the nurse to be very careful about getting it dirty or wet, unless I had a death wish - which I do not. So the only complication to me being cleared to shower by the doctor on Wednesday was keeping that area dry in the process. So with dad's help I wrapped my upper arm in a garbage bag and a bunch of duct tape and happily took a shower. As I dried myself off I removed the tape and plastic to find that the tube sock arm band was soaked. The area is covered with cellophane and tape by the nurse, but I still started to panic because I could see that some moisture had gotten under that. All I could think was "that was a nice shower, but not worth dying for!" I called Wendy, the home care nurse who came out within the hour to re sterilize and re-bandage the site. She wasn't thrilled with my timing since it was the end of the work day and I interrupted the beginning of her three day weekend, but she was very good natured and reassuring. She also put a lot of extra tape on it this time and told me to use lots of saran wrap before the garbage bag and duct tape next time.

Doctors Appointment Today and an update

I finally have some information to share again on the leg front. I had my second follow up appointment with Dr. Higgins, the plastic surgeon, this afternoon. He was again very pleased with how things look and said that I could start doing dressing changes at home. More importantly - I CAN SHOWER!! Whoopee! It has been 43 days since I've been able to take a shower and wash my hair. P U! Granted I've been bathing with a wash cloth, but it just isn't the same. I can't get the PICC line wet, so I'll have to duct tape a plastic bag around my bicep, but that is a small price to pay to be able to sit and let glorious hot water pour over my head and body. I can't wait.

The appointment was pretty entertaining. Since he had told us last week that we would start doing dressing changes after today, both of my parents came back to the exam room so that they could receive instructions and/or ask questions. My nurse case manager had another nurse along with her today to show her the ropes. Her name was Paget. So when they called my name I brought an entourage of four along with me to the exam room which was pretty tiny. Dr. Higgins was pretty amused when he came in.

As was the case last week, it still looks pretty funky, but it was noticeably smaller and the graft area is filling in. Dr. Higgins was again full of explanations about how things looked and what to expect. I thought the most entertaining part of the visit was when he was reassuring my parents and I that we didn't have to be ultra careful about messing up the skin graft. He illustrated this by poking the area with his fingers and even lightly slapping my knee a few times. It still has a ways to go before it is healed, but he wanted us to feel comfortable that we weren't going to ruin the skin graft by touching or washing it. It was quite comical.

I've still got two more weeks to go of the antibiotics and then another two weeks before Dr. Brumback, the orthopaedic surgeon, comes back in the picture to assess how the bone is healing.

On an unrelated front we've had a bit more drama here lately. Danielle was in a car accident Monday night. She is perfectly fine, but her car is most likely totalled. It was raining like crazy Monday night and an oncoming driver attempted a left hand turn, pulled in front of her and they hit head on. She doesn't drive stick, so she can't drive my car. Right now she is dealing with police and insurance companies to get a replacement vehicle. She just started substitute teaching last week, so the lack of transportation has thrown another twist into our already complicated lives.

With the help of friends and family we have been managing and will continue to do so.

Wassup 2008

Obama in Virginia (not "real" or "fake"...just Virginia)

If Jesus Ran for President...McCain's attack ad

This is one of the most irreverent pieces of satire I've ever come across and fair warning it may offend some people. Personally, I love it.

For my conservative friends that need a push...a video

I know that there are some of you out there who aren't Democrats and the thought of a "liberal" president worries you. I know that you aren't all Moveon.org members like me who are excited to vote for Barack and you worry that if you do cast that vote you may be perceived to be the same type of bleeding-heart-liberal-hippie-weirdo that I am.

Rest assured - 1) your ballot is private and 2) you will not instantly become a soldier of the far left.

Here is a video of Republicans and/or conservatives that are voting their conscience this election. I would venture to say that they aren't excited about their decision, some even look a little bothered by it, but they all admit it is the right decision to make. The stakes are too high and the McCain/Palin choice is wrong.



Will you put your country first? or your party?

Opie, Andy and The Fonz pitch for Obama

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

What does the VP do?

Just in case you didn't know this - the VP is "in charge of the Senate." This according to Sarah Palin.

This woman needs a civics class, among other things.

Moreover, the U.S. Senate website explains that the modern role of Vice Presidents has been to preside over the Senate “only on ceremonial occasions.” ThinkProgress contacted Senior Assistant Paliamentarian Peter Robinson, who also disputed Palin’s characterization of the Vice President’s role:

In modern practice the Vice President doesn’t really control the Senate. … If anyone has a responsibility to try to govern the Senate, it’s the responsibility of the two leaders.

Andrew Sullivan links to ThinkProgress with a simple question - Could she pass a citizenship test?

A note from "fake" America

If you missed the McCain campaign's "real" America BS this weekend, or even if you didn't miss it, John Stewart laid it all out for us on Monday night as only he and the Daily Show can. I thought the Rove crap that divided us so badly between 9/11 and the start of the Iraq War was finally fading away. Unfortunately the McCain/Palin campaign is seeing its revival as necessary.



In this next clip we get to see what a wonderland Wasilla is and that Gov. Palin's replacement in the mayor's office thinks that she's ready to be VP too. Words fail me....you simply must watch.

Follow up Appointment with Plastic Surgeon

Yesterday I had my appointment with Dr. Higgins. He was quite pleased with the way things looked and again reassured me that everything was "normal" despite how funky it still looks to me. Its still really swollen although now instead of a cantaloupe its about the size of a small orange or large lemon. The graft is starting to fill in, although it still looks like mesh not skin. I also found out why the back of my leg has been so sore. I figured it had to do with him taking a piece of muscle from my calf to fill in the hole in the front. I was right about that, but didn't know about one additional reason. Turns out I also have an incision that runs straight down the back of my leg from the crease of my knee to the bottom of my calf. That was his "secret" he said with a sly grin. I figured the opening that was already along my shin was enough to get the muscle he needed, but apparently not. Everything has dissolvable stitches, so there is no need for any additional things done to me except dressing changes and waiting to heal. I'll see him again in ten days and then we will start changing the dressing on our own. He said it would probably take about 6 months until the graft area was completely covered and looking "normal." Although I have no idea what "normal" is going to be for my leg. Not that I'm really worried about what it will look like. I'm much more concerned with the functionality obviously. I am curious though.

Mom and Sandy, my nurse case manager, both came in to see how things looked and to take notes on anything Dr. Higgins had to say. So if you talk to my mom she can verify the funky appearance now.

While in the waiting room, Sandy was telling my parents and I about Dr. Higgins' talents. On another workers comp. case that she was assigned to, a guy somehow lost his thumb. Dr. Higgins was able to rebuild a new functional thumb for the man from his second toe. The guy is good.

I really like him. He's got a very good bedside manner. I feel like he anticipates questions and concerns and addresses them before you even have a chance to voice them. While unwrapping things he's talking the whole time: "Don't worry about that yellow on the gauze its from xyz medicine that's in the dressing", "what you're going to see with the graft is that some of the spots are starting to fill in", "its still going to be bulged out, but smaller than what you saw a week ago." He instills confidence, puts you at ease and does it all while having this child-like enjoyment in his work. Apparently he's one of the best in our region, because every time I mention his name to someone in the medical field I get this "ooo la la, he's the one working on you" response.

Yesterday morning I also had my home care nurse Wendy out for my weekly check in and care of my PICC line. She changed the tape and bandages, cleaned the area, put new extension lines and caps on and took blood to send to the lab. She also called the pharmacy to make sure my delivery was on its way for this week's doses and all the peripheral stuff that she and I need (replacement parts, saline and heparin flushes etc.). Before I've even posted this there was a knock on the door and my shipment is here.

Things are moving along and we've just got to wait and see if my bone is healing as well as the surface. Only the x-ray will tell that which Brumback won't do until I'm finished with the antibiotics. Until then I just keep plugging along with the status quo and hoping for the best.

The Hate Talk Express

Another winner from Paul Hipp (www.PaulHipp.com).

CROP Walk Today!

This afternoon I will be joining the folks from my church at Quiet Waters Park to participate in the annual CROP Walk. The walk is organized by Church World Service and raises money to help fight hunger both internationally and locally.

I will be rolling along in my wheelchair and can't wait to see folks from church, especially my youth group!

Please visit MY DONNATION PAGE and give what you can. Thank you very much!!

The endorsements are pouring in

Here's a link to excerpts from the editorial page of papers from across the country that have endorse Obama.

A complete list of papers and who they have endorsed can be found at Editor & Publisher's website. The current tally as of 11:30 Sunday morning is -

This brings Obama's lead over McCain-Palin by this measure of daily papers to about 4-1, at 76-18, including most of the major papers that have decided so far.

In addition to newspapers Obama also picked up the long awaited Colin Powell endorsement on Meet the Press this morning.

As reported, Colin Powell just endorsed Obama, calling him a "transformational figure." He listed several reasons for his choice:

• Obama's response to the economic meltdown
• Obama's ability to reach all classes, races, and parties
• Obama's rhetorical ability and his substance
• McCain's erratic response to the economic crisis
• Palin's lack of preparedness for the Presidency
• McCain's smears
• The wingnuttia of the Republican Party
• The danger of two more conservatives on SCOTUS (he's probably thinking about all the anti-torture decisions)
• The attacks on Muslims (he mentions a Muslim woman burying her son in
  Arlington)--this was one of the most powerful parts of the endorsement

Joe "The Plumber"

Truly bizarre that this guy became the focal point of the debate last night considering that he is -

1) Not a plumber
2) A registered republican
3) Has an open tax lien against him
4) Might be related to Charles Keating
5) Might already own several businesses.

An despite his attempt to hit Obama with a "gotcha" question, Barack engaged him and discussed his policies and why they will be better for our country.

How do you think McCain would treat an Obama supporter who asked him a question about health care on the street? My guess based on last night is that he would have rolled his eyes, stuck out his tongue and twitched nervously.

Quick...Which one do you want to follow?

By Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty

Back Home!

I was discharged at about 6pm last night and on my couch by 7:30. They kept me long enough to give me my antibiotic dose for the evening (which I got early) and I got to have one last dinner in the hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air with the window cracked for the ride home from Baltimore and the change of scenery was really nice.

The dogs gave me quite a welcome home. There are few greetings that measure up to that of a dog welcoming you home after an extended stay away. I got double.

First thing this morning Wendy, my home care nurse, and a FedEx package full of meds and supplies arrived and we all got a lesson on administering the antibiotics and caring for my PICC line (IV port that was installed in my arm). I recieved a week's worth of IV bulbs that look like little grenades. They are pre-primed so they don't have to be hung or run through one of those computerized pumps that you see in the hospital. After sterilizing the caps and flushing the line, I simply hook up the hose to my PICC line and unclamp it and it runs for 90 minutes. I have to do this twice a day. It was pretty straightforward and of course I've been watching them do this to me in the hospital for two weeks already. Danielle took copious notes and has hung instructions on the wall next to the couch, just in case though.

Going Home Today

I don't know exactly what time I'm getting out of here, but I am being discharged today.

Dr. Higgins and one of his guys came by at about 8am this morning and removed all of my drains, the wound vac (which was over the skin graft) and the cellophane type of wrap that was over everything. Nothing like having tape (or a tape like material) pulled off of leg hairs.

My leg looks FUNKY! He had told my parents that it would look swollen and bulged out when I first saw it, but I still wasn't prepared. My knee looked like a cantaloupe and my leg looks so atrophied. No muscle tone at all any more. The area where he did the graft looked like a basket weave mesh. He said that as weird as it all looked to me, it was exactly what he wanted to see and that everything was perfect, living and healing. He wrapped me up in a ton of gauze and said that I don't have to do any dressing changes until I see him a week from now.

I am still waiting on a heat lamp to arrive that is supposed to "cook" and dry the donor site on my hip. There is a piece of something - cheese clothe or gauze that is over the site and apparently as the spot drys and heals it will peel off and I can trim it away. The main problem with the donor site is that it is right where the metal splint part of my brace hits my hip. So having my brace on properly and getting up to move is pretty painful. Hopefully that won't last long.

The nursing company called me already to schedule to be at my house tomorrow at 8am with the antibiotics and to teach me and the family how to administer them. Other than the heat lamp and I'm sure a good deal of paperwork on the hospital staff's end I think I'm ready to get out of here.

Mom and Dad are on there way here with clothes and it will take a little while to take all my pictures down and pack all my goodies up. I can't believe that today is day 15 in the hospital and I am so glad that I won't be seeing number 16.

Union Memorial All Stars

I wish I could remember everyone's name who I've come in contact with here and thank them all personally, but I am going to attempt to compile as complete a list as I'm able to of all the folks that have meant so much to me these last two weeks. (I will update as names come to me)

House keeping - Victoria

Food Services - Kelly, Angela, and Kim

Care Associates/Nurse Techs - Wendy, Mesi, Sharon, Courtney, Joan, Jonnie Mae

Nurses - Betty, Valeriya, Pat, Shimi, Sharon, Sandy, Felicia, Edward, Shelia, Samantha, Stephanie, Julia

Nursing students - Kelly, Bonnie, Chris

Social Worker - Cheryl

IV Techs - Thomas, Karin,

Pre & Post Op nurses - Stephanie, Randy, Judith, Nate

OR Waiting room attendant - Cynthia

Transport -

Physical Therapist -

Anesthesia - Dr. Levy, Tom Harris,

Docs - Brumback, Henderson, Campbell, Higgins, Sirota

Today was a really nice day

It was day 13 for me in the hospital today, which I suppose should be a little depressing, but I had a really nice day. I did miss being at church in the morning, but I kind of feel like church came to me today.

After a relaxing morning I got to spent about an hour on the phone with my cousin Michael from Atlanta. He saw the Allman Brothers Band both Friday and Saturday nights, so I got to hear all about the shows and reminisce about when he and I went to two Allman shows in one weekend a few years back. Next year I'll join him again hopefully. To me seeing a really good live show (or even hearing Michael describe one) can be a religious experience.

Then my parents came for a visit and I couldn't believe what they had with them. The little ones at church made me posters during Sunday school today. Rachel and Allison have been hard at work sending me pictures and cards every time Becky comes to see me. Rachel asked what color my room was and said that she was going to cover every bit of white on the walls before I come home. With the help of the kids at church she actually might get there if I hang everything that I've been sent. On Wednesday night the "Guppy Group" which is a fellowship once a month for elementary school aged kids made me cards too. They were so anxious to make them that several kids didn't wait for actual paper and I've got about 8 cards made on napkins!

So here are some pictures of the posters and drawings in my room-

Then Danielle and Taffy came for a visit. Danielle brought me all the cards that have been getting mailed to the house while I've been in here. I got cards from the Lanengas, the PWC, the Pooles, the Schmitters, Edith Leech, Aunt Sara & Uncle Carmen, the Clampits, Lauren Dhillon & Alice Taylor, the Bowens, Mark, Sharon & Graham, the Morans, the Drydens. Nancy Parker and the Allisons. Thank you all so much. The outpouring of support overwhelms me.

Danielle also brought the care package sent by the Marsico Family and I don't even know where to begin....YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! This was a care package extraordinaire. Great cards and pictures (love the Steeler family portrait - 17 people all in black and gold), tabloid magazine, smelly candle and candy, candy, candy, candy. Boy I'm gonna be on a sugar high for days. I think my favorite is the M&M Candy fan. Not only is this full of M&Ms, but this is an actual battery powered working fan.

Danielle and Taffy got themselves dinner from the cafeteria and brought it up to the room so the three of us could eat dinner together and then we settled in to watch the Amazing Race. It was just like normal except the pets aren't here and I've got tubes coming out of my legs and into my arm. I also got a phone call from LeAnn checking in and then our good friends Craig and Jen came over to join us. All four stayed well past the 8:30 cut off for visiting hours and now I'm just basking in the memory of what a great day I had.

Last Surgery. Hopefully

Today Dr. Higgins the plastic surgeon closed my incision. All week I was under the impression that surgery would be at 8am, which was confirmed by my nurse first thing this morning while having blood drawn and my vitals checked at 5:30am. So it was a little frustrating to nod off and wake up at 8am and find myself still in my room. They didn't take me down to the OR until about 10:30 and surgery wasn't until close to noon. My poor parents arrived at 7:30am as planned and had quite a bit of waiting to do again today. I was out of recovery and back in my room before 4pm. Dr. Higgins said that all went well and if everything heals according to plan then I could be discharged by Tuesday! That would be great since I was thinking it may be Thursday or Friday before I could go home. I'm cautiously optimistic.

A development that I totally forgot to include in my last update occurred a few days ago on the Worker's Compensation front. I have mentioned in previous posts the adjuster (for the third party) who has been incredibly difficult to deal with. She has been nasty to the church's treasurer, a trustee, Dr. Ove's assistant Pam, Dr. Brumback's assistant Marge, the orthodics department in Annapolis, the social workers here at Union Memorial and directly to me on several occasions. She was unhelpful, uncooperative and a big part of the delay in getting a second opinion and my surgery scheduled. Cheryl my social worker called to give an update to the adjuster the other day she was pleasantly surprised to be told that I had a new adjuster. Hallelujah!! What's more, they have hired a Nurse Case Manager to be directly involved in my recovery and to make sure that I am getting adequate treatment. I was practically speechless when Sandy, my nurse case manager, called to introduce herself the other day, gave me her cell phone number and said that she would be by soon for a visit. Yesterday I got to meet her in person. She came by with some paperwork for me, took a very thorough interview of the history of my injury and treatment and reiterated that if there was anything that I needed or any questions I had about my treatment plan that she was who I should call. She'll also be visiting the house as soon as I'm home and helping to coordinate the IV antibiotics that I'll be getting for the next month or so. She's really nice and I am thrilled to have this new ally in dealing with my recovery process.

Troopergate Report

So the report is finally out, but I'm sure it will be spun as not meaning much.

However when the first finding is this -

For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides

“The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.”

I don't see how that argument will hold any water.

She "abused her power," her husband was putting pressure on people within the administration for personal reasons, and she and her staff refused to cooperate in the investigation as she promised that she would back in July. There were 10 subpoenas that were ignored by her staff and her husband. She also refused to provide any of the emails that were requested.

Once again this shows that McCain and his campaign did not vet her before picking her. They helped her run interference as much as possible and tried to squash this investigation since day one of her being picked. Without McCain she may have been cooperative and who knows how much else would have come out.

However they spin this it is now on the record that she abused her power as governor.

UPDATE: Time magazine's take on this report is that it gives us some interesting insight into the competency of the Governor's administration.

But the Branchflower report still makes for good reading, if only because it convincingly answers a question nobody had even thought to ask: Is the Palin administration shockingly amateurish? Yes, it is. Disturbingly so.
The 263 pages of the report show a co-ordinated application of pressure on Monegan so transparent and ham-handed that it was almost certain to end in public embarrassment for the governor. The only surprise is that Troopergate is national news, not just a sorry piece of political gristle to be chewed on by Alaska politicos over steaks at Anchorage's Club Paris.
A harsh verdict?
Consider the report's findings. Not only did people at almost every level of the Palin administration engage in repeated inappropriate contact with Walt Monegan and other high-ranking officials at the Department of Public Safety, but Monegan and his peers constantly warned these Palin disciples that the contact was inappropriate and probably unlawful. Still, the emails and calls continued — in at least one instance on recorded state trooper phone lines. (emphasis in bold is mine)

Its not like he didn't know this was coming

This speech from July 30th that Obama gave shows that he knew that the republicans have nothing to run on and that they would stoop to trying to scare everyone that he is too risky.

It still shocks me that there are so many of our fellow citizens that are actually falling for their tactics though. The blog Political Animal over at Washington Monthly had links to some pretty scary McCain/Palin crowds yesterday -

* McCain-Palin fanatics are getting really scary.
* No, really, I mean it. These folks are stark raving mad.
* You think I'm kidding, but seriously, these folks have lost it.

UPDATE: McCain is finally saying a little bit. I don't think he is trying really hard to calm things down, but at least he's doing something now.

Time for a leg update

I was back in the OR again this morning to have my incision cleaned and to have the wound-vac re-packed. Just like Monday, they said that there are no visible signs of infection and that things are nice and clean. They would have closed me today, but they didn't have enough time in the OR. Dr. Higgins, the plastic surgeon, says that it takes an hour and forty-five minutes for him to do what he needs to do. So he has me scheduled for Saturday morning to actually close it up. Not sure of the exact time, but he thought it would most likely be 8am, the first open slot on Saturday.

I'm not sure if you would call what I had done today and Monday surgery, per se, but I have now been under general anesthesia and in an operating room four times in three weeks (3 of those in the last week alone). Saturday will be the fifth. That one will definitely be surgery; plastic surgery to be more precise...what do you think should I get a tummy tuck or a butt lift while he's at it?

I'm getting pretty used to all of this and meeting more and more of the staff with each passing day. The transport folks and some of the pre-op nurses were quite impressed when I greeted several people by name as we made our way from my room to the pre-op staging area and into the OR. I can almost recite the questions that they ask by heart now and someone suggested I may get my anesthesia certification before this is done. No thanks. I'm ready to be done now and don't have any desire to work in the medical field. Everyone agrees that I've been here too long and have made too many trips to the OR. This whole ordeal has certainly given me a perspective on being in the hospital that I never had before. I know it will come in handy to be more understanding and supportive of anyone going through this in the future, but that will definitely be as a visitor and not as someone in scrubs.

I've been communicating with a lot of friends through Facebook and as a result got two visitors yesterday. My friend Anne who I've known since junior high sent her brother Steven (who was in Becky's class) here on a mission to deliver bon bons and puzzle books. Steven works in Baltimore and I was quite surprised to see him since its been about 15-20 years since I last saw him. I was extremely touched and the "bon bons" were Edy's Dibs (ice cream bites) so I had to eat them all immediately since they were melting. I didn't mind at all.

My other visitor was LeAnn Hodges our church's former Associate Pastor and a really good friend. LeAnn was very supportive of me when Danielle was going through some very difficult times back in 2002. She was instrumental in my becoming involved with the church again and she's who recommended that I apply for the Youth Director job. The session also contracted her to be my mentor for my first six months on the job. She now works in Rockville at a different Presbyterian church, so we don't see each other that often, but stay in touch via computer and phone. She is off this week and was heading to a retreat outside of Baltimore, so she made a detour on the way there to visit with me. It was great to see her. She's got an amazing smile and an infectious laugh that were good medicine.

Today, mom and dad came up and were here when I came out of the OR. I'm also expecting visits from Danielle, Becky, Dan (the youth minister from the Episcopal church), and my good friend Craig.

In the mean time there is a very attentive and very pretty nursing student who is checking on me quite frequently. I know, I know.....but I'm just looking for the silver lining.

Donna Brazile speaks out

An Honorable Campaign

Obama clearly won the debate again last night and I found it interesting that John McCain didn't have the guts to bring any of the slimy campaign trail attacks that he and his running mate have been slinging into that format. He clearly doesn't like Obama, but apparently he knows that the crap he's been saying only works in front of a partisan crowd of followers. The lynch mobs that they've been attracting lately have been shouting things like "terrorist", "kill him" and telling a black media sound man to "sit down boy." He and Gov. Palin are certainly bringing out the worst in people. Not the kind of leadership I want and I'm counting on the majority of America to feel the same on November 4th.

Talking Points Memo put together this video that illustrates just how slimy the attacks have become and how many times he vowed to run an honorable campaign. McCain has no honor and is clearly desperate.

A Must Read Article

The new Rolling Stone has an article entitled Make-Believe Maverick
A closer look at the life and career of John McCain reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty

This is the story of the real John McCain, the one who has been hiding in plain sight. It is the story of a man who has consistently put his own advancement above all else, a man willing to say and do anything to achieve his ultimate ambition: to become commander in chief, ascending to the one position that would finally enable him to outrank his four-star father and grandfather.
In its broad strokes, McCain's life story is oddly similar to that of the current occupant of the White House. John Sidney McCain III and George Walker Bush both represent the third generation of American dynasties. Both were born into positions of privilege against which they rebelled into mediocrity. Both developed an uncanny social intelligence that allowed them to skate by with a minimum of mental exertion. Both struggled with booze and loutish behavior. At each step, with the aid of their fathers' powerful friends, both failed upward. And both shed their skins as Episcopalian members of the Washington elite to build political careers as self-styled, ranch-inhabiting Westerners who pray to Jesus in their wives' evangelical churches.
In one vital respect, however, the comparison is deeply unfair to the current president: George W. Bush was a much better pilot.

Settling in at the hospital

Believe it or not I'm still in the hospital.

Last I wrote about the leg saga I was told that there was a good chance I was going to have surgery on Thursday. I saw Dr. Brumback early Thursday and sure enough he said that he wanted to do surgery. The big problem was that since this wasn't scheduled and wasn't his surgery day they didn't know when they could take me. So I had a very long and hungry day. I last ate at 10:30pm Wednesday. I just waited around all day, slept a good deal and tried to relax. Finally around 6:30pm the nurse came in and told me that they had me slated for 9pm. 9PM!? I was going to miss the VP Debate! Unbelievable.

So a little after 8 they came and got me and I went through the pre-surgical questions and preparations. Which means that I missed Survivor too. Surgery was not that long this time around, although for Mom, Dad, Danielle and Becky I'm sure it was far too long. They reopened my incision, cleaned and debrided the wound and set up a wound-vac.

The concept of the wound-vac is that the wound is left open, packed with a special sponge, covered with a cellophane type material and suction is applied under the cellophane.

This, in addition to the antibiotics that I'm still receiving via I.V., is going to keep the infection under control while my bone heals. Dr. Brumback and the other doctors told me yesterday morning that they were a bit surprised by how deep the infection was, but that they got it all out. I am scheduled to go back into the OR Monday morning at 8 to have the packing changed and so that they can check to see that no infection has returned. A plastic surgeon has joined the team of doctors following my case and once they are sure that the infection is under control (probably after about a week and two packing changes) he will use a muscle flap and a skin graft to close the wound. So I have at least two, maybe three more trips to the OR before I will be discharged. It looks like I'll be here for at least a week, maybe close to two.

I'm settling in though. I've got the laptop. Becky and Jesko brought me the new James Taylor album Covers and lent me a bunch of movies to watch on the laptop. I'm making friends with everyone on staff here. I have thought of my Grandpa Stebbins and his knack for becoming friends with the nurses on more than one occasion. I'm not the charmer that he was, but I think he'd be pleased with my ability to put a smile on a stranger's face and how I'm handling a pretty shitty situation.

My family stayed way past visiting hours on Thursday to make sure I was OK after surgery and I had lots of visitors yesterday. Doug brought me pizza and coke for lunch. My pastor, Bill Hathaway, paid me a visit and brought me a great new booklet outlining the partnership our church has with a church in the Czech Republic. My parents came in the afternoon and Becky and Jesko came last night. Today I got my room decorated with some great drawings and coloring book pictures from Rachel and Allison.

So, I'm making the best of it and will provide updates as they arise. Until then...back to politics and the never ending presidential race.

Palin the "Post Turtle"

Apparently the following has been circulating via email and I found it to be a very profound commentary on the republican ticket. -

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President.

The old rancher said, ‘Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.’

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.

The old rancher said, ‘When you’re driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle.’

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor’s face, so he continued to explain. ‘You know she didn’t get up there by herself, she doesn’t belong up there, she doesn’t know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.

I know that there are still those out there who admire Senator McCain and will consider voting for him regardless of the fact that he promises more of what Bush gave us. In 2000 I actually would have considered voting republican had he won the nomination, but it is not 2000 anymore, he does not have the principles that he had back then and he is the dumb ass that picked someone completely unqualified for national office to be his running mate. Please do not reward this behavior with your vote!!

Do not mess with Letterman!

Mental Health Parity

As I sit here typing this the House of Representatives is voting on the revised "Bailout" bill. The most important feature of this bill as far as I am concerned is something that has not gotten much press and has nothing to do with the credit crisis. Since the Senate can not technically open new spending legislation, the way that they brought this bill to the floor and voted on it the other day was by dusting off an existing piece of legislation and adding all the bailout language to it. The bill that they chose to use was a measure that the late Paul Wellstone (MN) worked long and hard on, equal coverage for mental health and behavioral treatments.

Most people do not know that if you have insurance that is employer provided (which is what most of us have) that the amount of coverage you received for psychiatrist, psychologists, drug treatment or in-patient stays for mental health reasons was far less than if you are seeking treatment for a physical ailment.

The bill just passed and is now awaiting the President's signature!!

I happen to have a family member with a mental illness and I have been active in our local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter. To me and anyone affected by mental illness this is a huge development. Dealing with a mental illness or addiction in ones family is hard enough due to the nature of these problems and the social stigma attached to them. To have the added problem of a financial burden imposed upon the family is just salt in the wound. The medical establishment has long insisted that these are medical problems no different than diabetes, cancer or heart disease. It is high time that the insurance companies begin paying for them as if that is the case.

I am not thrilled with the bailout plan, but it was obvious that something had to be done in order to shore up the credit markets. I thank God that in order to do that this mental health bill was used.

Back in the hospital

Yep, that's where I've been since 9:00am yesterday. My parents brought me their old laptop today so I can follow my blogs, watch MSNBC online (hospital TV channels are extremely limited) and keep in touch with the world while I'm stuck here.

My last update was Saturday when I explained the wound issues that I was having. While I took the oral antibiotics at home my wound got nastier looking and was needing far more frequent dressing changes. Even though I was pretty prepared to be admitted when I got here yesterday, I was still a little surprised at Dr. Brumback's decisiveness. As soon as my leg brace was un-velcroed and he could see the dressing needed changed, he asked "When was the last time you changed that?" Hearing that it had been less than twelve hours, he said "You're going in the hospital today my friend," as he reached for fresh gauze pads still without seeing the wound.
He quickly redressed it and told me to strap my brace back up and to get comfortable while they made arrangements to have me admitted. Then began the wonderful game of hurry up and wait. After mom, dad and I spent about 5 hours of sitting in an exam room, nodding off, reading books, doing sudoku puzzles and took one field trip to the cafeteria I finally got a room at about 2:30pm. Mom and Dad were real troopers and we did our best to stay amused and keep each other company.

Once admitted I was visited by a phlebotomist who took two sets of blood cultures. One from each arm. Lots of fun....not. Each set was two Tabasco sized bottles half full and about 6 regular vials of blood. Good thing I was laying in bed and not going anywhere because I was quite literally and figuratively drained after that. Also got my IV line installed in a spot on my arm that I am not at all happy with (having it moved tonight actually). Eventually a physicians assistant came by to say that I was on the schedule to get surgery at 5:30pm today and couldn't eat or drink after midnight. The plan was to open the incision, clean the wound out, and re close it. At about 8pm they started me on IV antibiotics.

My friends Doug and Penni came to visit for the evening and we watched the thunderstorm out my window. I talked to several other friends on the phone and got a pretty good night's sleep.

This morning I was woken up at 6am by the nurse starting me on a new bag of antibiotics and by Dr. Brumback and his team doing rounds. He was pleased with the wound and how I was reacting to the antibiotics so he decided that he would not do surgery today (major relief). He also said that they would go ahead and feed me which was also kinda nice because I was finally starting to get hungry. I haven't had much of an appetite since Saturday and have only been eating one meal a day.

Later in the morning I got all my staples removed and a resident (or maybe a physicians assistant) poked around at the wound and changed the dressing.

As the day progressed I felt better and better. The antibiotics seem to be doing the trick.

I got a visit from Heather the associate pastor at my church who is a coworker and a good friend. Later on Mom and Dad arrived, followed by Danielle and then Becky (with butterscotch cookies). Good company, an appetite and the Internet all proved to be good for my soul as the antibiotics continued to be good for my body.

This evening I met with the doctor from the Infectious Diseases Team (or as I call him - the germ guy). After quite a few questions about my dreadlocks (he was quite intrigued) he explained what he thinks is going on, what the likely plan of attack will be, checked out the wound and took some cultures to send to the lab. He said that he would talk to Dr. Brumback; they are collaborating and approaching this as a team; and tomorrow they would discuss my options and we would decide how to proceed.

It sounds as if the most likely course of action will be for them to keep me on antibiotics for several weeks to keep the infection at bay until the metal plate and screws can be removed. The problem seems to be a reaction to the hardware that most likely started back in March when the original plate and screws were installed. Once they pulled that out and stirred things up it activated the bacteria which reacted severely to the new hardware. So as long as there is hardware in my leg there will be this reaction. The strain that they think I have does not travel throughout the body, but it does make bone healing more difficult. This is possibly why the first surgery did not hold and the bone collapsed. So even though it did not present itself externally it was likely the culprit for the problems I was having.

About an hour after the germ doctor left a resident from Brumback's team came in to say that they were restricting me from food and drink at midnight again and that there was a chance that they would end up taking me into surgery tomorrow to do the clean out after all. Apparently the germ doctor was not very happy with how the wound looked.

So after two very long days in the hospital I'm feeling much better, but still don't have a definite plan for what we are going to do. Also, after much relief from not having to go into surgery I'm again going to sleep with the possibility of being in an OR tomorrow. I can't spend too much time worrying about it though because obviously nothing is set in stone and things seem to change minute to minute.

We'll see what happens in the morning.