Surgery #21 has been scheduled. FYI - Daniel numbers the surgeries by how many times he was in surgery under general anesthetic. Not by individual procedures - that would be too hard to keep track of since some of his "surgeries" have had many different procedures, doctors, etc..
He goes into the hospital on Sunday May 1st for surgery the next day. The main surgery will be the reversal of the colostomy. Yahoo!!! We are very grateful that he is a candidate for it - there are many guys who keep it for life. He is likely to be in the hospital for all week and leave with a wound-vac and catheter. Yuck! They will "piggy back" a couple other procedures while he is out under the anesthetic.
He has had to do a few procedures and tests before this next time "under the knife." One of these yesterday was VERY unpleasant. He had a bad reaction to some medication and it caused him to be in a great deal of pain. Daniel described his pain level at a 7 or 8 out of 10! That was the worst pain since back at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Doing okay now, but it took a lot out of him. Resting today.
He is already looking forward to his next leave which is planned for the end of May for a couple weeks for Aaron's graduation (May 28th) and the Danielathlon (June 4th).
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Road Trip
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| Arches National Park, Utah |
Daniel bought his new vehicle and was excited to do a road trip. Packing wheelchair, prosthetics, and the personal luggage for Aaron, Daniel, Julia, and Neil in the Land Rover was a challenge. The further we went on the trip the better and faster we all got at stuffing things in, and on top of, the car. That being said, it was a nice vehicle for a road trip. "California, here we come ...."-
The first leg (oops, prosthetic) of the road trip was from home to Moab, Utah; with a stop for tea/coffee with Brooks, Rachel, and Katy Keith in Vail and lunch with Elizabeth in Grand Junction. We arrived into the Moab area in time to do a little driving and sightseeing in Arches National Park. We found a quirky little motel/lodge in Moab to stay in.
The next day was a trek through the eastern deserts Utah and wide expanses of northern Arizona to the Grand Canyon. A little stop along the way for some pictures allowed for a little off-roading, that kept causing Julia to fear that we would tip over or get stuck. We enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon (south rim), especially with the special drives to areas afforded wheelchairs normally only accessible by shuttle busses. Daniel got close to edges courtesy of his brother carrying him beyond the confines of the paths. Sunset was pretty, but cold!
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| Daniel at the edge of the Grand Canyon |
Vegas baby! We figured that a couple days wandering around Las Vegas would be fun and fairly easy in a wheelchair. We were kinda wrong. This city is not so wheelchair friendly as we had guessed. While individual hotels (we stayed at the Luxor) were pretty good, getting around The Strip was not as accessible and involved LONG distances between sights. Too far too travel and too many street crossovers that required the limited and hard to find elevators. Including one time that he got up and over a street only to find the elevator on the other side to get down out of order. This affected the level of fun and at times greatly frustrated Daniel as he discovered more of his "new normal". We were also frustrated at the limited (or unavailability) of wheelchair seating at the shows Daniel and Aaron wanted to see.
But, we found ways to have fun, found a show for Aaron and Daniel (Cirque de Solei, Ka, at the MGM), enjoyed some good and plentiful buffets, saw some sights, Daniel enjoyed the poker tables, and we learned to manage the limitations.
After two nights in Sin City we headed off through the deserts towards the coast. We detoured (Aaron doing much of the driving) through the Mojave Desert, near Twenty-Nine Palms (Ughh!!!), and a quick visit to Joshua Tree National Park. Neil took over driving and we pushed on through a gorgeous sunset to Anaheim. After learning about the travails of Vegas we got a hotel across the street from the main gate of Disneyland.
We decided that the best way for us to enjoy Disneyland, not have to rush, and to allow Daniel times to rest, we would visit the place over three days. That was a wise decision. We could wake up late, go back to the hotel for breaks, take leisurely lunches out of the park, return when we wanted, and rush to hit every ride in a short period of time. Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure were very wheelchair friendly and compact enough to get around easy enough. Everyone had a great time and we hope to be back soon. :-)
But, we found ways to have fun, found a show for Aaron and Daniel (Cirque de Solei, Ka, at the MGM), enjoyed some good and plentiful buffets, saw some sights, Daniel enjoyed the poker tables, and we learned to manage the limitations.
After two nights in Sin City we headed off through the deserts towards the coast. We detoured (Aaron doing much of the driving) through the Mojave Desert, near Twenty-Nine Palms (Ughh!!!), and a quick visit to Joshua Tree National Park. Neil took over driving and we pushed on through a gorgeous sunset to Anaheim. After learning about the travails of Vegas we got a hotel across the street from the main gate of Disneyland.
We decided that the best way for us to enjoy Disneyland, not have to rush, and to allow Daniel times to rest, we would visit the place over three days. That was a wise decision. We could wake up late, go back to the hotel for breaks, take leisurely lunches out of the park, return when we wanted, and rush to hit every ride in a short period of time. Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure were very wheelchair friendly and compact enough to get around easy enough. Everyone had a great time and we hope to be back soon. :-)
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| Three goofies! |
The road trip concluded with a leisurely drive down the southern California coast. Our last night Julia and Neil were able to get a nice hotel along the waterfront in San Diego while Aaron stayed with Daniel in the barracks. We all had a really nice time. We are very thankful to some kind people who gave us some resources and helped made this road trip possible. Thank you.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Pain Wars: The Phantom Menace
Some have asked how Daniel is doing with regards to managing pain. The early phase of just stabilizing him was followed closely by the phase pain management. Pain can be categorized into two basic groups: surgical pain and Phantom Limb Pain.
Surgical pain is that pain that he experiences much like most of do when we get hurt. These are nerve and muscle pain that we experience from direct trauma to our body. This is the easy pain to understand and communicate with others. You know the kind: a stubbed toe, and broken bone, a torn achilles tendon, the hurt after having surgery, etc. It varies in intensity and we all handle it in different ways. Daniel had a great deal of this pain early on. This is not really an issue any more. Medication and time have healed most of that pain. Right now he has it due to his recent ear surgery. He says it feels like someone shoved a pencil in his ear - ouch!
The second, and more elusive, group of pain is Phantom Limb Pain.
Phantom Limb Pain is the sensation that an amputated or missing limb (even an organ, like the appendix) is still attached to the body. Approximately 60 to 80% of individuals with an amputation experience phantom sensations in their amputated limb, and the majority of the sensations are painful. The missing limb often feels shorter and may feel as if it is in a distorted and painful position. Occasionally, the pain can be made worse by stress, anxiety, and weather changes. Phantom limb pain is usually intermittent. The frequency and intensity of attacks usually decline with time. The introduction and regular use of prosthetics greatly reduces the sensations.
Daniel felt this sensation early on in his recovery and as surgical pain subsided the phantom pains became worse. He feels it more when stressed and when he is cold. He rarely feels it with his fingers, but he is in a constant battle with phantom leg pain. Granted, it is less and more controlled than it has been. Early on he felt like his legs were continually sticking straight out. He has said that he pain is sometimes like someone is stabbing a knife into his foot or knee. Other times it is like putting his foot into a fire. It is a constant nagging companion that sometimes spikes into an unbearable menace.
There is no easy answer or remedy for the kinds of pain Daniel has dealt with over the past few months. Phantom pains are treated in many different ways. Drugs are one way to control it. That usually entails a mixture of different kinds and levels of medications. The concoction varies from person to person. For one Percocet is an important drug, for others it may Methadone, Oxycoton, Pamelor, Morphene, or Lyrica. More than likely it is a combination of these. Daniel is past the Dilaudid and Ketamine stage (two VERY powerful drugs) and is slowly lowering his need for his combination of other drugs.
Beyond drugs there are a whole variety of other remedies that have varying levels of effectiveness.
Here are a few ….
Please continue to pray for Daniel’s recovery and eventual end to his pain.
Surgical pain is that pain that he experiences much like most of do when we get hurt. These are nerve and muscle pain that we experience from direct trauma to our body. This is the easy pain to understand and communicate with others. You know the kind: a stubbed toe, and broken bone, a torn achilles tendon, the hurt after having surgery, etc. It varies in intensity and we all handle it in different ways. Daniel had a great deal of this pain early on. This is not really an issue any more. Medication and time have healed most of that pain. Right now he has it due to his recent ear surgery. He says it feels like someone shoved a pencil in his ear - ouch!
The second, and more elusive, group of pain is Phantom Limb Pain.
Phantom Limb Pain is the sensation that an amputated or missing limb (even an organ, like the appendix) is still attached to the body. Approximately 60 to 80% of individuals with an amputation experience phantom sensations in their amputated limb, and the majority of the sensations are painful. The missing limb often feels shorter and may feel as if it is in a distorted and painful position. Occasionally, the pain can be made worse by stress, anxiety, and weather changes. Phantom limb pain is usually intermittent. The frequency and intensity of attacks usually decline with time. The introduction and regular use of prosthetics greatly reduces the sensations.
Daniel felt this sensation early on in his recovery and as surgical pain subsided the phantom pains became worse. He feels it more when stressed and when he is cold. He rarely feels it with his fingers, but he is in a constant battle with phantom leg pain. Granted, it is less and more controlled than it has been. Early on he felt like his legs were continually sticking straight out. He has said that he pain is sometimes like someone is stabbing a knife into his foot or knee. Other times it is like putting his foot into a fire. It is a constant nagging companion that sometimes spikes into an unbearable menace.
There is no easy answer or remedy for the kinds of pain Daniel has dealt with over the past few months. Phantom pains are treated in many different ways. Drugs are one way to control it. That usually entails a mixture of different kinds and levels of medications. The concoction varies from person to person. For one Percocet is an important drug, for others it may Methadone, Oxycoton, Pamelor, Morphene, or Lyrica. More than likely it is a combination of these. Daniel is past the Dilaudid and Ketamine stage (two VERY powerful drugs) and is slowly lowering his need for his combination of other drugs.
Beyond drugs there are a whole variety of other remedies that have varying levels of effectiveness.
Here are a few ….
· Tapping and rubbing the ends of the limbs. (sometimes gives Daniel some relief)
· Acupuncture. (Didn’t work at all for Daniel and only made him look “bedazzled”)
· Silver or other metal fibers in his “shrinkers” (the socks he wears on the end of his limbs). (Unsure whether this has helped or not)
· Pulsed Radio Frequency Ablation- this is a procedure done through the pain clinic here at the hospital (in fact this procedure is done only here in the entire country by the two doctors treating Daniel). It basically involves probing via long needles the ends of his legs to find and “zap” the nerve endings that are triggering the phantom pain. If this procedure is done well (actually tapping into the right nerves, which is hard due to the extreme trauma in his legs) it works extremely well. He had this procedure done earlier this week on his left leg (the worse of his two) and he has little spiking in his phantom pain right now. In Daniel’s words, “It basically numbs it so it won’t flare up.”
· Mirror Therapy - Daniel places a mirror near him and looks at another’s legs in place of his and his brain somehow sees it as his own and lowers the pain. Sometimes just rubbing another person’s foot helps out. We really don’t understand this. But, it really does work. He uses it less now, but at times it was a great way to bridge the gap between the spike in pain and medication taking over. We thank the Dr. Cindy Bukach (University of Richmond , Cognitive Psychology) for first introducing us to it and Lynn Boulanger (Naval Medical Center , San Diego
Please continue to pray for Daniel’s recovery and eventual end to his pain.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Surgery #20 - Tympanoplasty
Daniel's surgery yesterday went well - better than expected. His ear surgery (Tympanoplasty) was to repair the left ear drum that had a hole in it that was caused by the IED blast. He had lost about half his hearing on the left side. The surgeons removed some tissue from just behind the outside of his ear and used it to "patch" the ear drum. To gain access to the ear canal there was a chance that they would have to make an incision behind his ear and fold forward his ear. Fortunately, they were able to do the procedure through the ear canal. We should know in a couple weeks to what extent the surgery was successful. The surgery took a couple hours and then a few hours recovering from being put under. He has some pain - he said it was like someone had stuck a pencil in his ear), but it is being managed.
Today - main thing on the schedule is a procedure at radiology to look things over inside before they set a date for the colostomy reversal. He is not up to doing PT today (don't blame him).
He was cheered up a bit by getting a letter from Tristan. He smiles as he thinks about the fact that Tristan is just down the road at bootcamp - feeling just as miserable! Brotherly love???!!???
Dad
Today - main thing on the schedule is a procedure at radiology to look things over inside before they set a date for the colostomy reversal. He is not up to doing PT today (don't blame him).
He was cheered up a bit by getting a letter from Tristan. He smiles as he thinks about the fact that Tristan is just down the road at bootcamp - feeling just as miserable! Brotherly love???!!???
Dad
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Back into the routine
Daniel is back into the routine in San Diego. His mother and brother (Aaron) left late last night to back home. Yesterday was full of appointments and getting a better picture of what the next few weeks will hold. It is going to be a rough next few weeks. He has at least three different surgeries to go through (gets him to 21). Included in the surgeries will the reversal of the colostomy. This is a really good thing. Unfortunately, he will be in the hospital as an impatient for about a week and then be out with a catheter and maybe even a "wound vac" for some time afterwards. He is in surgery today for a repair procedure with his left ear.
Recruit Riley
Daniel is back in San Diego and his brother, Tristan, is only a couple miles away (but a world away) at Marine boot camp. It is feels odd to be so very close, yet so very far away! Daniel has had a couple pieces of mail from him. Of course, due to his hand writing, it is almost illegible! :-) But, it is the thought that counts. Tristan says that it is really hard, but he likes the food! Feel free to write Tristan and encourage him:
Recruit Riley, Tristan, N.R.
2nd Bn, Echo Co, Plt. 2103
38001 Midway Ave,
San Diego, CA, 92140-2103
Recruit Riley, Tristan, N.R.
2nd Bn, Echo Co, Plt. 2103
38001 Midway Ave,
San Diego, CA, 92140-2103
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Disneyland
With the ups and downs (and limitations) of being in Disneyland in a wheelchair Daniel still finds a way to make the best of his situation - creating his own ride!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Heading out on the road
Hey everyone. Just a quick update. After a quiet and low key time back in Colorado, Daniel is on the road back to San Diego. He is travelling in his new vehicle with mum, dad, and brother (Aaron) and making a few stops along the way. We will keep you all up to date on the trip. Should be back at the hospital April 2nd.
Dad
Dad
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 16, 2011 - Three Month Mark
December 16, 2011 to March 16, 2011 - Daniel has got to the three-month mark from his injuries!
It has been three months now and we are so very proud of all that he has accomplished since that day in December. He has recovered faster than medical personnel, family, or friends had even hoped. He is a determined young man with a big heart, keen mind, and deep spirit. These have helped greatly in his healing. We are grateful to the Lord, our family, friends, and the now greatly increased support network around us.
Way to go, Daniel!
Mum and Dad
Here he is on on his three-month "anniversary" taking a little walk around the neighbourhood with his brother, Tristan, and sister, Elizabeth.
It has been three months now and we are so very proud of all that he has accomplished since that day in December. He has recovered faster than medical personnel, family, or friends had even hoped. He is a determined young man with a big heart, keen mind, and deep spirit. These have helped greatly in his healing. We are grateful to the Lord, our family, friends, and the now greatly increased support network around us.
Way to go, Daniel!
Mum and Dad
Here he is on on his three-month "anniversary" taking a little walk around the neighbourhood with his brother, Tristan, and sister, Elizabeth.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Back Home.
Finally made it back to Colorado yesterday (only 186 days, 4 countries, 3 states, 7 Hospitals, 19 Surgeries if any one is keeping track)!!
It was great to be able to fly home to such a welcome. Greeting me at the airport were not only my family but 200 other friends and supporters. Even the local news was there and put a piece on that night. The welcome was more than I could have ever imagined and have to thank everyone who was there, especially the Patriot Guard Riders (a group of veteran bikers) that escorted me all the way home from the airport. Over the next couple weeks I will have a chance to rest and relax for a bit. Just being away for a hospital has been good enough, although I could trade for San Diego's weather.
Daniel
Daniel
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Coming home
Daniel has been approved for some leave - a couple weeks of rest away from the hospital environment. Yah! He will coming back home for the first time this Saturday!
Saturday, March 12th - United 0342; arrive Denver International Airport 2:50pm
Come to DIA and welcome him home.
Saturday, March 12th - United 0342; arrive Denver International Airport 2:50pm
Come to DIA and welcome him home.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Walking!
March 3rd marked a huge milestone in Daniel's recovery ..... up and walking for the first time. Yah!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Set For His Stubbies
Daniel got "casted" for his prosthetics yesterday. A member of the prosthetics team (Peter) put plaster on his legs. The plaster casts were removed, hardened, and will become the basis for his first set of sockets for his prosthetic legs.
The next step for Daniel is to get up in his "stubbies". These are short "legs" put on the ends of the sockets that he then sets himself into and does his first walking. The first stage with the stubbies is to get him familiar with the motion needed to walk and to make sure the sockets are fitting well (making adjustments as needed).
He gets up on his stubbies tomorrow - REALLY EXCITING!
Stay tuned ... I'm hoping to get video of this and then post it here.
The next step for Daniel is to get up in his "stubbies". These are short "legs" put on the ends of the sockets that he then sets himself into and does his first walking. The first stage with the stubbies is to get him familiar with the motion needed to walk and to make sure the sockets are fitting well (making adjustments as needed).
He gets up on his stubbies tomorrow - REALLY EXCITING!
Stay tuned ... I'm hoping to get video of this and then post it here.
An "Average" Day
It is hard to imagine an "average" day. It is even harder to imagine a "normal" day. We are constantly reminded throughout every day that what we see and experience is anything but "normal". Daniel comments often how we are now in the midst of a new "normal". Regardless, I thought it might be helpful for you all to have an example of an average day.
0545 - Dad wakes up
0600 - Daniel gets up and is given his first round of medications
0715 - Be at "formation" with the other marines here in the building (some are here from other bases with a variety of ills) to meet with the squad leader and getting any "word" on anything.
0830 - first appointment of the day (usually primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, etc.)
0900 - check in with Medical Case Manager
0930 - get a coffee (Dad gets his tea) at the outdoor coffee stand
1000 - appointment (perhaps with Occupational Therapy for 30-45 minutes)
1100 - appointment (could be prosthetics, wound care, otolaryngology)
1200-ish - lunch and hopefully a nap or go see the Recovery Care Coordinator
1330 - Physical Therapy appointment (working out in their gym - especially core exercises)
1500 - afternoon formation
1600 - doing errands, maybe napping, other meetings, or recreation therapy
1800 - dinner (Dad and Daniel will be sharing the cooking) then free time reading, computer, TV, or the Liberty Center
2100 - Evening Meds
2200 - final meds and bed time (exhausted!!)
Daniel generally get himself around in his powered wheelchair with dad trying to keep up behind him. When we leave the base Daniel transfers to a manual wheelchair. He hopes to get his own custom manual one in April.
We live in the "barracks" here at the facility. It can be equated to college dorm rooms. The two of us have our own rooms and share a bathroom and common space with fridge, sink, cupboards, and microwave.
Dad
0545 - Dad wakes up
0600 - Daniel gets up and is given his first round of medications
0715 - Be at "formation" with the other marines here in the building (some are here from other bases with a variety of ills) to meet with the squad leader and getting any "word" on anything.
0830 - first appointment of the day (usually primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, etc.)
0900 - check in with Medical Case Manager
0930 - get a coffee (Dad gets his tea) at the outdoor coffee stand
1000 - appointment (perhaps with Occupational Therapy for 30-45 minutes)
1100 - appointment (could be prosthetics, wound care, otolaryngology)
1200-ish - lunch and hopefully a nap or go see the Recovery Care Coordinator
1330 - Physical Therapy appointment (working out in their gym - especially core exercises)
1500 - afternoon formation
1600 - doing errands, maybe napping, other meetings, or recreation therapy
1800 - dinner (Dad and Daniel will be sharing the cooking) then free time reading, computer, TV, or the Liberty Center
2100 - Evening Meds
2200 - final meds and bed time (exhausted!!)
Daniel generally get himself around in his powered wheelchair with dad trying to keep up behind him. When we leave the base Daniel transfers to a manual wheelchair. He hopes to get his own custom manual one in April.
We live in the "barracks" here at the facility. It can be equated to college dorm rooms. The two of us have our own rooms and share a bathroom and common space with fridge, sink, cupboards, and microwave.
Dad
Today's mail
Hey everyone. Thanks for the mail that you have been sending Daniel. He loves getting it. Today was a good candy day - a box arrived from the Huntington's in Littleton with some great cookies, candies, and letters; also got some Roger's Chocolates (yummmy, thanks Lynne and Joyce).
Daniel also pointed out that he loves the Swedish Fish candy partly because they are made in Canada. =)
Just an FYI - the mail that arrived today into his eager hands were all sent from the 23rd to the 25th of February.
Dad
Daniel also pointed out that he loves the Swedish Fish candy partly because they are made in Canada. =)
Just an FYI - the mail that arrived today into his eager hands were all sent from the 23rd to the 25th of February.
Dad
Danielathlon
Hey everyone. Some good friends of Daniel are setting up a family day of fun and games in celebration and support of Daniel. Those on Facebook can find It under "Danielathlon". It is planned for June 4th at a park in the Littleton area. Stay tuned for details either on Facebook or on this blog.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sorry about the time delay
Hey everyone. Sorry for the time delay in the blog posts. I hope to use this holiday long weekend to get closer to being caught up. We have been incredibly busy the past couple weeks and have not had much time to write (or even think).
As you will see .... we are in San Diego, Daniel is an now an outpatient, we are settling in to our rooms in the barracks, we enjoyed some sunny weather and a visit to the beach, and Daniel is generally doing okay. We have had a couple bad points, but slowly progressing. Daniel is also hoping to get some convalescence leave in March. This will enable some much needed rest at home in Colorado! Stay tuned for details.
Thanks for all your prayers, support, and patience.
- Daniel's NMA (non-medical assistant) and dad
As you will see .... we are in San Diego, Daniel is an now an outpatient, we are settling in to our rooms in the barracks, we enjoyed some sunny weather and a visit to the beach, and Daniel is generally doing okay. We have had a couple bad points, but slowly progressing. Daniel is also hoping to get some convalescence leave in March. This will enable some much needed rest at home in Colorado! Stay tuned for details.
Thanks for all your prayers, support, and patience.
- Daniel's NMA (non-medical assistant) and dad
The Ordeal
February 1-3, 2011 - There was no way to have prepared for the ordeal we were about to endure. In our wildest dreams - or nightmares - we could not have imagined the two days it took to get to San Diego from the Washington, DC, area. Please bear with the length of this story - believe me, living it was longer and harder!
The journey actually had it's start the day before. Daniel was all set on the manifest to be on the flight. All looked good. Then one observant person (Sgt. Liniez) noticed that I had not been included in the flight orders. They started to say that they would send me on a commercial flight and meet up with Daniel in San Diego. I made it very clear, "Get this fixed!" After some rear-ends were kicked (I think Sgt. Liniez enjoyed it) and some higher-ups got involved the issue was eventually sorted out. I think some medical staff and some administrative-types got a very serious talking to. After the journey was done it was clear that Daniel could not have done it without some help and someone with him.
We would not know the route we would take, the type of aircraft, or the length of the trip until just before we were to get to the flight line. So, this could be a 10-12 hour trip or a 48-60 hour ordeal. The latter would be our fate.
The day started with a walk with two suitcases and a carry-on from the Navy Lodge to Daniel's room at 4:15am. We readied our luggage and the boxes and bags of Daniel's medical items (medical records, supplies, medications, etc.). Daniel was strapped down on a stretcher and eventually placed with some others into a hospital bus. One of the other amputee wounded warriors we had got to know, Tommy Parker, and his mother were also on the trip with us. The navy logistics officer for the med-evacs (who was awesome), Lt. Reccardi, told the bus driver, "Bells and whistles, please." The lights and sirens went on and we started our drive to Andrews Airforce Base. Rush hour traffic along the DC Beltway, at 65 miles per hour, with everyone getting out of our way and taking notice was, as Reccardi put it, "the least that these heroes deserved".
After a weather related delay, we finally arrived at 9:00am on the flight line to be loaded on to the C-17. At this point there was some excitement about doing this trip. Believe me, the novelty wore off real fast! Daniel's stretcher was placed up on a rack and I was shown to a sideways facing "jumpseat" (so named, I think, because after a couple of hours people would rather jump out of the plane without a parachute than continue sitting on these instruments of torture). We were told our route: Andrews Airforce Base, somewhere in Louisiana, somewhere in Texas, Travis Airforce Base near San Francisco, and overnight stay there, the next day up to a base in Washington State, then back down to Miramar (San Diego). Fifteen hours of flight time today and eight to ten hours of flight time the next day. All the flight time I was to be in a jumpseat and Daniel strapped down in a stretcher. OMG!
To make a long story short (too late, I know): the constant take-offs and landings, the back-and-forth of cold and hot, the lack of food (One boxed meal for the entire trip and I had a really really sore throat and couldn't eat), the noise, the shaking, Daniel's pain and anxiety rising, and his pain meds not given on time made the 15-HOUR flight miserable! We finally arrived at Travis Airforce Base at 9:30pm, westcoast time (15 hours after taking off from the east coast).
Daniel was exhausted, hungry, and hurting. I was exhausted, hungry, and hurting. After all that we had gone through we were astonished to learn that Tommy and Daniel, the two non-ambulatory patients, along with the two parents, were going to have to share a room. They brought the two gurneys up the floor and we waited outside the room for it to be made ready to bring in the gurneys in. A nurse stepped out, obviously frustrated that she had to make the changes in the room loudly said, "Can't these two just get out and walk to their beds." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were all so tired we all just had a good belly laugh. But, our confidence in this place for these seriously wounded marines sank below the floor. The nurse ended up being Daniel's. After pleading for getting some pain meds (which were now three hours late) and after some time, she finally comes in she brings a medicine cup full of pills, held them out to him, and said, "Here are your meds." Daniel and I were in shock. We were in a new hospital. The nurse had obviously not properly looked at his chart to see that he was an amputee. She didn't tell him what the medications were. We had no way of knowing if they were correct. We knew that this was against any known hospital policy. Obviously angry and hurting Daniel kept his composure and just firmly said, "Maam, take these away and come back with the meds and do this properly." The look on his face, and mine, made it clear that he was serious. Add to all this: the two parents had to sleep in chairs, they had no food for us (we had not eaten for 12 hours), no doctor came and saw them, they didn't have the equipment or know how to care for urgent/acute/trauma cases, a corpsman said he could help change Daniel's colostomy but didn't have any idea what to do, and no one would look at or treat my extremely sore throat.
After finally settling the boys down I tried to get some sleep. Not able to sleep, at 2:00am I went down to the emergency room to have my throat looked at. Go figure ..... had acute strep throat. I was given some motrin, some throat lozenges, and a shot in the butt of penicillin (the size and consistency of a tablespoon of chunky peanut butter).
The next day, after I had complained about the treatment these young men received, each of the guys was assigned an airforce personnel to be there for them. They also were assigned better staff (two nurses each) to care for them and they took down a report on all that had happened (there was a bunch of other stuff too - including a hospital cafeteria that was not wheelchair friendly!). The base leadership did a good job of trying to make things right. A phone call and apology from the base commander a couple days later was also appreciated.
They got them ready for a noon flight that was to go to Washington state and then back down to Miramar. We got on the flight line and right up to the plane. It didn't take too much brain power to figure out that the closed doors on the plane, the lack of any visible flight crew, the scaffolding placed under the wing, a maintenance crew talking and pointing up at the wing, and the confused look on the transport nurse's face, were all saying that someone forgot to tell us that the plane was not able to fly today and we were spending another day at this hell-hole! We puttered around the hospital for the day and the next morning. Daniel ate a lot, I still couldn't.
The next day we got to the flight line, the C-17 was ready, and they decided to fly straight to Miramar (especially after our ordeal and the fact that 12 injured men were heading to San Diego and only one to Washington). This trip was only about an hour. When we arrived in Miramar the signal was given that before the plane was to be unloaded some "brass" was coming to welcome the guys. We stopped and in walked two priests, a rabbi, and two sargeant-majors. - that last sentence begs for a joke to be made :-)
It took 55 horrible hours to get these brave young men from the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda to the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. That just doesn't seem right! But we made it, and Daniel is sure to never give one of his sons the name Travis.
Dad
The journey actually had it's start the day before. Daniel was all set on the manifest to be on the flight. All looked good. Then one observant person (Sgt. Liniez) noticed that I had not been included in the flight orders. They started to say that they would send me on a commercial flight and meet up with Daniel in San Diego. I made it very clear, "Get this fixed!" After some rear-ends were kicked (I think Sgt. Liniez enjoyed it) and some higher-ups got involved the issue was eventually sorted out. I think some medical staff and some administrative-types got a very serious talking to. After the journey was done it was clear that Daniel could not have done it without some help and someone with him.
We would not know the route we would take, the type of aircraft, or the length of the trip until just before we were to get to the flight line. So, this could be a 10-12 hour trip or a 48-60 hour ordeal. The latter would be our fate.
The day started with a walk with two suitcases and a carry-on from the Navy Lodge to Daniel's room at 4:15am. We readied our luggage and the boxes and bags of Daniel's medical items (medical records, supplies, medications, etc.). Daniel was strapped down on a stretcher and eventually placed with some others into a hospital bus. One of the other amputee wounded warriors we had got to know, Tommy Parker, and his mother were also on the trip with us. The navy logistics officer for the med-evacs (who was awesome), Lt. Reccardi, told the bus driver, "Bells and whistles, please." The lights and sirens went on and we started our drive to Andrews Airforce Base. Rush hour traffic along the DC Beltway, at 65 miles per hour, with everyone getting out of our way and taking notice was, as Reccardi put it, "the least that these heroes deserved".
After a weather related delay, we finally arrived at 9:00am on the flight line to be loaded on to the C-17. At this point there was some excitement about doing this trip. Believe me, the novelty wore off real fast! Daniel's stretcher was placed up on a rack and I was shown to a sideways facing "jumpseat" (so named, I think, because after a couple of hours people would rather jump out of the plane without a parachute than continue sitting on these instruments of torture). We were told our route: Andrews Airforce Base, somewhere in Louisiana, somewhere in Texas, Travis Airforce Base near San Francisco, and overnight stay there, the next day up to a base in Washington State, then back down to Miramar (San Diego). Fifteen hours of flight time today and eight to ten hours of flight time the next day. All the flight time I was to be in a jumpseat and Daniel strapped down in a stretcher. OMG!
To make a long story short (too late, I know): the constant take-offs and landings, the back-and-forth of cold and hot, the lack of food (One boxed meal for the entire trip and I had a really really sore throat and couldn't eat), the noise, the shaking, Daniel's pain and anxiety rising, and his pain meds not given on time made the 15-HOUR flight miserable! We finally arrived at Travis Airforce Base at 9:30pm, westcoast time (15 hours after taking off from the east coast).
Daniel was exhausted, hungry, and hurting. I was exhausted, hungry, and hurting. After all that we had gone through we were astonished to learn that Tommy and Daniel, the two non-ambulatory patients, along with the two parents, were going to have to share a room. They brought the two gurneys up the floor and we waited outside the room for it to be made ready to bring in the gurneys in. A nurse stepped out, obviously frustrated that she had to make the changes in the room loudly said, "Can't these two just get out and walk to their beds." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were all so tired we all just had a good belly laugh. But, our confidence in this place for these seriously wounded marines sank below the floor. The nurse ended up being Daniel's. After pleading for getting some pain meds (which were now three hours late) and after some time, she finally comes in she brings a medicine cup full of pills, held them out to him, and said, "Here are your meds." Daniel and I were in shock. We were in a new hospital. The nurse had obviously not properly looked at his chart to see that he was an amputee. She didn't tell him what the medications were. We had no way of knowing if they were correct. We knew that this was against any known hospital policy. Obviously angry and hurting Daniel kept his composure and just firmly said, "Maam, take these away and come back with the meds and do this properly." The look on his face, and mine, made it clear that he was serious. Add to all this: the two parents had to sleep in chairs, they had no food for us (we had not eaten for 12 hours), no doctor came and saw them, they didn't have the equipment or know how to care for urgent/acute/trauma cases, a corpsman said he could help change Daniel's colostomy but didn't have any idea what to do, and no one would look at or treat my extremely sore throat.
After finally settling the boys down I tried to get some sleep. Not able to sleep, at 2:00am I went down to the emergency room to have my throat looked at. Go figure ..... had acute strep throat. I was given some motrin, some throat lozenges, and a shot in the butt of penicillin (the size and consistency of a tablespoon of chunky peanut butter).
The next day, after I had complained about the treatment these young men received, each of the guys was assigned an airforce personnel to be there for them. They also were assigned better staff (two nurses each) to care for them and they took down a report on all that had happened (there was a bunch of other stuff too - including a hospital cafeteria that was not wheelchair friendly!). The base leadership did a good job of trying to make things right. A phone call and apology from the base commander a couple days later was also appreciated.
They got them ready for a noon flight that was to go to Washington state and then back down to Miramar. We got on the flight line and right up to the plane. It didn't take too much brain power to figure out that the closed doors on the plane, the lack of any visible flight crew, the scaffolding placed under the wing, a maintenance crew talking and pointing up at the wing, and the confused look on the transport nurse's face, were all saying that someone forgot to tell us that the plane was not able to fly today and we were spending another day at this hell-hole! We puttered around the hospital for the day and the next morning. Daniel ate a lot, I still couldn't.
The next day we got to the flight line, the C-17 was ready, and they decided to fly straight to Miramar (especially after our ordeal and the fact that 12 injured men were heading to San Diego and only one to Washington). This trip was only about an hour. When we arrived in Miramar the signal was given that before the plane was to be unloaded some "brass" was coming to welcome the guys. We stopped and in walked two priests, a rabbi, and two sargeant-majors. - that last sentence begs for a joke to be made :-)
It took 55 horrible hours to get these brave young men from the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda to the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. That just doesn't seem right! But we made it, and Daniel is sure to never give one of his sons the name Travis.
Dad
Flashback - reality is a b****
Monday, January 31, 2011 - Saying goodbye to all the helpful and encouraging staff at Bethesda Naval Hospital was hard and emotional. But, it is even harder to keep doing it over and over again. The scheduled med-evac to California was cancelled again! Hopefully tomorrow. After the successful trip yesterday, Daniel thought it might be an opportunity to go out of the hospital and grab a bite to eat and watch a movie.
It was a bitterly cold day, with some rain and snow. We headed off to the DC Metro to go from the hospital into Bethesda proper. We got on the metro and arrived at the Bethesda station where we found that the elevator was not working. The longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere was not going to be any help to a wheelchair-bound person. We were told to go back to the station we came from and take the bus to here. After making the trip back (made more difficult by our metro passes not working properly and security guards who were in too much of a rush to finish their shift or have their donut break to hold the elevator for Daniel) we located the bus, waited, got on, and realized that we were told the wrong bus number. Fortunately we found out before it went anywhere.
With no possibility of making the movie, completely frustrated, cold, and hungry we bailed on the adventure and got McDonald's and went back to the room. Daniel napped the rest of the afternoon. The reality of wheel-chair life hit home - hard!
It was a bitterly cold day, with some rain and snow. We headed off to the DC Metro to go from the hospital into Bethesda proper. We got on the metro and arrived at the Bethesda station where we found that the elevator was not working. The longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere was not going to be any help to a wheelchair-bound person. We were told to go back to the station we came from and take the bus to here. After making the trip back (made more difficult by our metro passes not working properly and security guards who were in too much of a rush to finish their shift or have their donut break to hold the elevator for Daniel) we located the bus, waited, got on, and realized that we were told the wrong bus number. Fortunately we found out before it went anywhere.
With no possibility of making the movie, completely frustrated, cold, and hungry we bailed on the adventure and got McDonald's and went back to the room. Daniel napped the rest of the afternoon. The reality of wheel-chair life hit home - hard!
Flashback - A night on the town
Sunday, January 30, 2011 - In anticipation that this would be the last night in Washington, DC, Daniel wanted a night out on the town - of course, we did not know at the time that the Monday med-evac flight would be cancelled. He was given a pass for the day and all the appropriate medicine. Rather than trying to drive and find parking he decided it was easiest, more adventurous, and more normal to take the DC Metro (subway). Plans included a museum visit, dinner at something other than McDonald's or Dunkin Donuts, and a look around downtown.
The ride on the subway was a good adventure. While Daniel had to negotiate it all in a powered wheelchair all went pretty smoothly. The hardest thing was deciding where to park the wheelchair on the subway. The only room was in front of the doors and we never knew which side of the car the doors were going to open at each stop. Therefore, he was sometimes just plain in the way. He kind of yo-yo'd back and forth. Travelling around town also went well and included a Starbucks stop, of course.
The museum he chose was the "Newseum". This place has a facinating approach to looking at major historical events. It looks at an event, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall or Hurricane Katrina, through the journalistic eyes of the media (TV, Newspaper, radio). For most major historical events it is really how most of us experience what is going on. It also included significant artifacts such as a large piece of the Berlin Wall and a room dedicated to Pulitzer Prize winning photographs. We would highly recommend it.
For dinner it was off to a spanish tapa restaurant, Jaleo, near the museum. We enjoyed a good table, attentive staff, and wonderful food. Daniel even got a table-side visit, conversation, and signed book from the head chef. As a foodie, Daniel was very impressed.
Then it was time for a roll around town that included seeing some of the significant buildings (i.e. the White House) and doing some shopping for clothes.
All in all a good day!
The ride on the subway was a good adventure. While Daniel had to negotiate it all in a powered wheelchair all went pretty smoothly. The hardest thing was deciding where to park the wheelchair on the subway. The only room was in front of the doors and we never knew which side of the car the doors were going to open at each stop. Therefore, he was sometimes just plain in the way. He kind of yo-yo'd back and forth. Travelling around town also went well and included a Starbucks stop, of course.
The museum he chose was the "Newseum". This place has a facinating approach to looking at major historical events. It looks at an event, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall or Hurricane Katrina, through the journalistic eyes of the media (TV, Newspaper, radio). For most major historical events it is really how most of us experience what is going on. It also included significant artifacts such as a large piece of the Berlin Wall and a room dedicated to Pulitzer Prize winning photographs. We would highly recommend it.
For dinner it was off to a spanish tapa restaurant, Jaleo, near the museum. We enjoyed a good table, attentive staff, and wonderful food. Daniel even got a table-side visit, conversation, and signed book from the head chef. As a foodie, Daniel was very impressed.
Then it was time for a roll around town that included seeing some of the significant buildings (i.e. the White House) and doing some shopping for clothes.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
New Address
LCpl Daniel Riley,
C\o Wounded Warrior Det,
Building 26,
Naval Medical Center San Diego,
34425 Farenholt Avenue,
San Diego, CA
92134.
(will get there Monday)
C\o Wounded Warrior Det,
Building 26,
Naval Medical Center San Diego,
34425 Farenholt Avenue,
San Diego, CA
92134.
(will get there Monday)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Visitors that put a smile on the guys!
Saturday, January 29, 2011 - With a fresh cup of tea in hand, I arrived back on the ward to an interesting hive of buzz. The male corpsmen were gathered near the nurses station and were all smiles and whispering to themselves. The female nurses and corpsmen were in groups of two or three shaking their heads and rolling their eyes. The gossip and chatter was thick in the air.
Something was happening on the floor. It was certainly a different vibe than when visitors were in the hospital from NCIS, military brass, or high-ranking politicians. Daniel didn't know what was up and he had not had any visitors while I was out of the room.
After a few minutes there was a knock on the door and in came someone who asked, "Are you up to having a visitor?"
"Sure," said Daniel. He then looked and asked quizically, "Who is it?"
"Miss America." was the response.
Daniel turned to me with a huge smile on his face. I sighed and rolled my eyes. These guys have had visits from generals, admirals, congressmen, the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, friends, chaplains, and family; but, none got this kind of response and buzz around the ward.
It was a nice visit. The guys all loved it (these red-blooded Americans and Canadian boys certainly did). But, was slightly tempered when they found out she was only 17! ;-)
Dad
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