MAKOBOB UPDATE

[makobob]

Post amputation, DAY 60
by Makobob
The last 60 days have been the slowest I can remember since I got out of school. Yep
even Vietnam moved faster. Post amputation, time slows down. I got depressed as
things were moving SO slowly. Slow down you move to fast is fine if you are healthy.
Being wounded that philosophy does not hold water.

I found that post amputation my POV needed to change. Our health care system naturally
moves slowly. Medicare and the VA do not talk to each other. Casually the system crawls,
do this first. Make appointment and have this test done. Results come back, now make
appointment to get this test. Some times it takes 2-3 weeks to get that test.

Results come back, it has been 6 weeks down the drain. So the wound care Doctor saw
me TUESDAY. He took the bull by the horns. HE was tired of the slow process and lack
of results. Had his head nurse contact the emergency room at TRI CITY. He wrote the
orders for them, instructions were spelled out. Now remember he is also a Doctor on the
Tri City staff.

Doctor told me to LEAVE his office and go straight to their emergency room. And once
there to tall them he had sent me and that my wound was not healing as it should.
This was post amputation day 59. So off to sea the wizard at the emergency room.
The attendant at the door came out to me and asked why I was parked there, I opened
the door and showed him my stump. I asked for a wheel chair and for someone to park
my truck.

I was processed in within 30 minutes telling them that the wound had a smell and looked
like it might be infected. Boom I was in seaing a Doctor who opened my file and saw the
Wound Doctors notes, and recommended tests and procedures. Over the next 9 hours all
the tests were done and the results compiled and ready for the Emergency room Doctor.
Together in a conference call, ER doc, my Wound Doc and the Surgeon plotted a course
of action. In actuality in ONE single day a process that was taking weeks and months was
solved.

The GOOD, NO sign of Bone Infection, Blood Cell results, very slightly elevated. NO outward
signs of infection. The BAD, nothing noted. Because of those tests they were able to
debride the wound on day 60. The UGLY, when the Doctor opened up the wound to clean
out the DEAD tissue. The WHOLE room stank. He removed the bad tissue, he did not put
me on anti biotic because he saw no infection.

The CT scan did show a pocket of? Fluid and gas, and they put a HORSE needle in to it
in 3 places trying to aspirate the pocket. All they got was a small amount of blood. They
sent that to be cultured and results should be back early next week. All in all a great
week, a little sore tonight but no pain meds needed.

Post amputation, DAY 83, the 20th of May is MY FREEDOM day. I return to Baja that day
for a week. Life is good, God is great and loving. Yes, I too got depressed for a while but
just thinking and DREAMING about Baja kept me on track most of the time. Now as I get
closer to my return date time is SPEEDING up again. My best wishes to all of you. Thank
you for your prayers. I hope to sea each and every one of you in PARADISE soon. Tight
Lines and HAPPY BAJA DAYS.