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So, they will take a piece from my leg, run it through a machine that resembles the thing used for making "cube steaks" (puts slits in the skin to make a mesh so it will stretch.) They will then spread it over the area, work it into shape and fasten it down with a staple gun.
So this time around I will be worked on by the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (IVs, etc), Meat Cutters (surgeons) and the Carpenters Local. (staples) At least I think it is a union shop.
The primary dressing will be a foamed polyurethane pad covered with a vacuum device that will compress the pad against the graft to hold it, help with drainage (can't have fluids under the new skin or it won't attach properly) and keep the air away to cause the blood vessels to grow into the patch.
They still don't think Duct Tape will work.... Did they put you back together yet? Just wondering... Haven't 'seen' you around since the cube steak post.
BW(me)-32
WH-31
married-6 years
2 kids (4 and 1)
D-day-12/16/06
NC-12/18/06
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BW(me)-32
WH-31
married-6 years
2 kids (4 and 1)
D-day-12/16/06
NC-12/18/06
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Hi I_S! I got home last night. Surgery went well. The graft had a 95% success. The donor site (upper right thigh) actually hurts more right now than the chest wound, but the new skin doesn't have any nerves yet, so that may change. The wound-vac was an interesting experience. It would seem to do nothing for hours and then suddenly it was as if someone reached out, grabbed a handful of my chest and squeezed it really hard. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> This usually happened while I was talking to someone (Yeah, I do talk too much anyway) or while I was walking down the hallway. It was akin to having an angry cat tucked under my arm. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> The first 24 hours I was pretty lazy and just watched the tube, napped and ate. The nurse began to express concern over the sounds my lunges were beginning to make and so I decided to start walking around a bit. My first walk came around midnight Saturday, at which time I had the run of the hallways ("run" being a relative term in this case.) Sunday I got the IV removed and was able to move around a little bit more. I still had to drag the stupid pole around to carry the vac unit, but at least it didn't weigh 100 lbs anymore. Monday we had a minor bad-guy move onto the floor. He had a guard on him at all times. When they took him to surgery, they chained him to the gurney. If you think hospital gowns are bad, you should see them in blaze-orange with "Property of I.D.O.C" printed across the front. Very stylish. Tuesday night my roommate (cell-mate) took a down-turn and I got no sleep at all. Since I was up at 4 o'clock, I took a walk again and spent most of the morning talking to the guards outside the well-dressed visitor's room. It was after breakfast that the doctor found me and said he wanted to take the vacuum pump off and have a look. The worst pain of the ordeal, so far, was removing the 2 foot square piece of Tegaderm from my chest. I wasn't a hairy guy before, but now the right side of my chest is as smooth as Jean-Luc's dome. Dr Corrales suggested 4mg of morphine, till I pointed out that I no longer had an IV site and they would need a needle. He said for them to hold off with the morphine and I did it the "cowboy" way. I asked for a bullet to bite down on. They said nobody had one. I told them about the cop at the end of the hall, but..... It was around 4pm that the doctor came back and said I could go home if I could get a ride lined up. I called my W, started packing and got out the door before they realized that my digestive system wasn't exactly up to speed yet. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> (Pain meds will do that.) That problem resolved itself this morning. Prior to that, I really was full of [email]cr@p.[/email] <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> First stop was a local hot dog joint. (2 - Chicago Style) <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Once home I was pleasantly surprised to find that my W had hired somebody to complete a couple of projects I had put on hold when all of this business with the infection started. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> So here I sit, with my super-fast dial-up Internet service trying to catch up on MB. I'll have read everything I missed by Saturday... That's Saturday August 11th... if all goes well between now and then... Mark
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Thanks for the update! And the laughs <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> My 4 year old keeps asking me what's so funny... I think he might be a little young to appreciate the humor of blaze-orange hospital gowns though.
Take care of yourself!
BW(me)-32
WH-31
married-6 years
2 kids (4 and 1)
D-day-12/16/06
NC-12/18/06
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Hey Mark! I was laughing out loud too, but it was my 56 year old FWH (not a 4-year old) asking "what's so funny?" <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I told him "it's the pishing guy from the midwest...." (that's "fishing" with my mom's Asian accent) ...anyhow, I said "that pishing guy Mark... remember the guy who said he'd convince me why fishing is so cool....I'm sure he'll say the same thing as you but he just had surgery and he makes it sound so funny." So Mark, now that you invited us to email you, you and my H can share pishing stories and strategies and hopefully I'll also get hooked....nyuck..nyuck! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Speaking of digestive system dysfunctions.....never mind, I'll tell you in my H's email. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Thanks, Ace
FWH/BW (me)57+ M:36+ yr.
4 D-Days: Jun-Nov 06 E/PA~OW#2 (OW#1 2000)
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Speaking of digestive system dysfunctions.....never mind, I'll tell you in my H's email. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Thanks,
Ace Dear Ace, thank you for sparing us.... Mom
Me, 43, 2 online EA's 2006
DH, 45, 2DDs, 16 & 9
Married 23 years.
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The wound-vac was an interesting experience. It would seem to do nothing for hours and then suddenly it was as if someone reached out, grabbed a handful of my chest and squeezed it really hard. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> This usually happened while I was talking to someone (Yeah, I do talk too much anyway) or while I was walking down the hallway. It was akin to having an angry cat tucked under my arm. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Monday we had a minor bad-guy move onto the floor. He had a guard on him at all times. When they took him to surgery, they chained him to the gurney. If you think hospital gowns are bad, you should see them in blaze-orange with "Property of I.D.O.C" printed across the front. Very stylish. The worst pain of the ordeal, so far, was removing the 2 foot square piece of Tegaderm from my chest. I wasn't a hairy guy before, but now the right side of my chest is as smooth as Jean-Luc's dome. Dr Corrales suggested 4mg of morphine, till I pointed out that I no longer had an IV site and they would need a needle. He said for them to hold off with the morphine and I did it the "cowboy" way. I asked for a bullet to bite down on. They said nobody had one. I told them about the cop at the end of the hall, but..... It was around 4pm that the doctor came back and said I could go home if I could get a ride lined up. I called my W, started packing and got out the door before they realized that my digestive system wasn't exactly up to speed yet. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> (Pain meds will do that.) That problem resolved itself this morning. Prior to that, I really was full of [email]cr@p.[/email] <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> First stop was a local hot dog joint. (2 - Chicago Style) <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> So here I sit, with my super-fast dial-up Internet service trying to catch up on MB. I'll have read everything I missed by Saturday... That's Saturday August 11th... Nevermind my earlier question on the other thread... clearly...you got some good pain meds (You in Chicago? DH goes there for work sometimes, he's told me about some great food places...where do you go? I want to see if he's been there). Mom
Me, 43, 2 online EA's 2006
DH, 45, 2DDs, 16 & 9
Married 23 years.
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Ace, OK. I guess I need to start fishing (or is that pishing) lessons. Just be forewarned, I tend to teach things other than fishing when I talk about fishing. Some of Jesus' best friends were fisherman, don't ya know... Mom, I'm not in Chicago, but about 45 miles SW of the city. I live in Will County, which is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. That is why I keep saying I want to move to Toad Suck, Arkansas. I want to live so far out in the boonies that I have to send people a map and then go meet them at the highway so they can find the place...on their second visit. As for laughter. When some people get dealt bad cards, they fold. When I get bad cards, I tend to bluff. In order to bluff, you need to be relaxed. No better way to relax than a good laugh. If it isn't funny, I must be looking at it wrong. Two longtime business partners sell their business after 50 years. Within months of each other, both lose their wives of as many years and to make things almost unbearable, each one loses a child in a car accident within the space of six months. One of the two had promised his wife that for their 50th anniversary, they would take a cruise. With her untimely death, he asks his lifelong friend to join him instead. As the ship sails along, a storm begins to appear on the horizon. It soon becomes the storm of the century and at it's peak, a giant wave broadsides the ship and it rolls over. She capsizes slowly, groaning as if in disbelief that this is really happening. The two old men are thrown into the sea with little time to prepare. One spies a suitcase as it floats by and grabs onto it. He searches for his friend, the only friend he has left. A wave carries him upward and from its crest he catches a glimpse of his friend. With a voice choked with emotion he cries out to him, "Josh, my old friend! Can you float alone?" And the reply from Josh, as his eyes roll heavenward is barely heard above the storm, "I'm drowning here! And this one is trying to do business?" The tragedy is all just a set up for the punch line. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> If it ain't funny, it should be... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Mark
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Pishing lessons with a twist.....I'll take em any way I can get em. Remember I want to want to go with him. TWO major issues I have to overcome: I don't like the physical aspect of fishing (sun, silence, icky things on sharp dangerous 'mini spears'). I have many triggers to dump b/c H and OW talked when he was alone in his boat. Also wondering about what ears heard his illicit conversations magnified over the 'aqua audio system'. Regarding your cruise joke: HAR HAR HAR <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> But that does remind me that H says he wants me to find a cruise I want to take! Most likely will pick one with an exotic fishing side tour option...any ideas? Ace
FWH/BW (me)57+ M:36+ yr.
4 D-Days: Jun-Nov 06 E/PA~OW#2 (OW#1 2000)
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If it isn't funny, I must be looking at it wrong. That's a motto I really like... I don't know if your card reference was literal or figurative, but DH plays poker with some guy friends about once every other week. He gets told quite often that people can't figure him out. Sometimes he'll bluff with absolutely nothing and win the pot and they just won't be able to believe he pulled it off. He has a pretty good sense of humor himself, which is something I find extremely attractive about him. They say he's the comic relief of the group... I'm not even going to comment about the joke...float...a loan...ahem, where's my tomato? Mom
Me, 43, 2 online EA's 2006
DH, 45, 2DDs, 16 & 9
Married 23 years.
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Ace,
Keep an eye out for a new thread in the recreation forum. I'll get to it soon...I hope.
Mark
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Looked all over for the Recreation Forum.....duhhhhh...it's right above Mr. Romance!
I'll be watching for my pishing enticement 'lessons'. I'm also working on chapter 6 of MR ROMANCE....wanna race?
Ace
FWH/BW (me)57+ M:36+ yr.
4 D-Days: Jun-Nov 06 E/PA~OW#2 (OW#1 2000)
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Ace, I got two chapters done since midnight. Is that fast enough for ya? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> Mark
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<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> H O L Y <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> C A T F I S H!!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
YOU WIN! Just read your first 2 chapters.......and I wasn't the only one.......seeeeeeee I TOLD YOU others would be interested, too....and it's not just any-old 'other', it's one of the proverbial pros MZ PEP who has wandered over to the Recreation forum to read your fascinating fishing frontispiece (and ensuing chapters).
HEY Inner Strength....sorry for the LJ....(it's not a threadjack, it's a LINE jack as in FISHING LINE). On second thought, I just realized that this is neither since your title is about how MARK is and he appears to be FINE as long as he's talking about fishing.
Ace
P.S. Can you link this to the newly created FISHING FORUM thread?
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I_S,
You started this thread and may have gotten all you intended, but Ace, Mom and I seem to have been all over it and I've only heard from you once since I first replied.
How are you doing? What's new? Whazup?
Mark
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I'm so mad at you guys <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> How rude to just take over my thread like that!
No really, I've just been doing the mommy/wifey thing since I first posted. I told my H all about your hospital experience and he got a good laugh too. Loved the joke as well.
We're all good here in the I_S house. We're helping my parents flip a house, so my project of the week has been to sand, prime, and paint cabinet doors and drawers. I got so into it that I took my own kitchen table (old farmhouse style) out on the deck this afternoon and sanded the heck out of it too. Grapejuice stains are a pain to get out!
I LOVE this Spring weather we're having. Tank tops, shorts, and flip flops from here on out...
BW(me)-32
WH-31
married-6 years
2 kids (4 and 1)
D-day-12/16/06
NC-12/18/06
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I_S, I was in the process of trying to get my own house ready to sell when all of this started. (not just my recent health issues, the [email]cr@p[/email] of a year ago.) Imagine my surprise when I got home from the hospital to find that several of my half completed projects were finished! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> The guy my W hired didn't do things the way I would have, but I don't have to do them any more. If I have any luck at all, I may even be ready to move by this time next year...We'll see. I stepped outside myself today for a while. I sat on the front porch and drank a cup of coffee. If I'd been feeling better, I might have gone for a walk. If I'd been completely healed I probably would have started a project in the yard that would still be only half complete a year from now. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> As for the attire, I'm wearing a tank top, shorts and flip-flops myself at the moment. Of course I have all of these bandages hanging out all over the place, so it might not be my best look.... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Mark
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