The expression about March coming in like a lion didn’t disappoint. No siree, Bob. For the sake of (faking) organization, I’ll begin with what I perceive is the least annoying and finish with what is perhaps a matter of life-or-death.
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Using Sue to test the lift for putting Ryan in the HBOT.
Hoyer Lift. This is the battery-powered mechanical lift I use to move Ryan throughout the day. For example, I use it first thing in the morning to get him from bed and into his chair. Other uses are to place him in and out of the HBOT, transfer him to and from the exercise table, and in and out of the shower chair. I use it often throughout the day. It might be the one piece of equipment I rely on the most. Without warning, it stopped working. The battery wouldn’t take or hold a charge. Worse yet, Ryan was in it at the time. This, my friends, is what one calls a predicament. Fortunately, I have a manual lift in storage that I brought down (from the immaculately organized garage). It will work for the time being, but it requires one of my hands to be away from Ryan to pump the hydraulics in order to raise and lower Ryan.
- Forearm. After a full year the x-Rays show it’s still not entirely healed. The ulna (larger of the two bones) has an area that still hasn’t joined. I’ll consult with an orthopedic surgeon, but I just feel like this has gone on entirely too long. Perhaps it can be repaired in the same way as the femur (titanium rod)?
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<via http://kevinoneillart.com/>
Greenfield IVC Filter. This is an umbrella looking device that was surgically placed within a week or two of the beating. In fact, Ryan was still at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. It’s positioned in the inferior vena cava, which is just above the junction of the two main veins that come from each leg. It’s sole purpose is to catch any blood clots that break free from reaching the heart. Anyhow, we had a CT scan done last week of Ryan’s pelvis and abdomen to see if we could find a cause of his frequent urinary tract infections, not even thinking about this filter. The images showed that this filter is positioned incorrectly. We are getting the images from Ruby to see if it’s always been that way, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is now a problem that must be remedied as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s always been a problem (that we didn’t know about). The fear is it will eventually puncture the vein and cause massive and rapid internal bleeding. This could be fatal.
I remember when we were in Shepherd Center (Atlanta) the December following the attack. Sue and I were sitting in the corner of the dimly lit ICU room #6. Ryan just had another major setback that nearly cost him his life. Sue looked at me and asked, “When does this ever end”? I specifically recall not answering her. Mainly because I’m not prone to fibbing. I wanted to tell her everything would be okay… eventually, but I realized it just might never. It could go on-and-on, like a hellish version of the movie Groundhog Day. A life of stressful days we are damned to repeat, without relenting. So, I told her exactly what I said on the morning of the attack when Ryan was clinging to life, more dead than alive.
“We got this”.
Thank God you found the Greenfield IVC Filter is misplaced. Fortunately, nothing has happened and you are on top of the situation. God is watching out for Ryan.
Ken,
I’m so sorry to hear about the setbacks…that’s all you guys need! ugh!!!…SHSP in Morgantown
YEP… YOU DO GOT THIS… and if you don’t… rest assured, WE GOT YOU… and when we don’t… GOD ALWAYS HAS YOU. So no matter how you look at it, you and your beautiful family ARE COVERED!
DON’T MESS WITH THE DIVINEY’S!
With love and in prayer,
Keri, My Frankie and Family
And by the way, we know you are really Superman! Believe it, Folks! We saw the tell-tale blue peeking from his medical garb! This is a true story and has nothing to do with the line-up of the planets at the time!
That blue thing peeking from garb was likely a testicle.
Your response truly made me laugh out loud! As a person who also has a “sick sense of humor” and comes from a long line people with the same blessed affliction, I really enjoyed a wholehearted belly laugh – thanks, Ken!
😀
Ken:
Thank you for the information. Andrew still has that filter in. I didn’t realize it could be a problem.
I am so sorry that your family has to deal with all of this….thank you for continuing to take care of, not only Ryan, but others out there with brain injury because of the information you provide.
These rarely cause problems, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a CT scan at some point.
The good thing about March coming it like a lion is that it’s supposed to go out like a lamb? I’m sorry to hear of these additional road blocks, but who better to handle them but you. You probably never imagined that those 3 little words “We Got This” would take on such a life of their own. Hopefully the lift will be an easy fix. As for Ryan’s arm and filter, I’m sure you’ll make quick work at getting those addressed. You’re the best!! We are all here – not going anywhere!
Mr. Diviney,
I am so sorry about all of these setbacks. One thing I do know is that you and your family are the best possible people to handle these precarious situations. I think about you all every day. You DO have this!
Love and prayers,
Natalie
It’s always something, but the filter issue needs to be resolved fast! Thank God for the CT scan; He works in mysterious ways. It sounds as if the issue with Ryan’s arm will be taken care of sometime after the filter. We and hundreds/thousands are praying that all will end well. I’ll say it again: I wish we lived closer! I know some people in Ashburn who would dearly love to come over and help you, so please — will you contact them? !!
While I was trying to get you to get some sleep last night, I found that is was not a good night for sleeping for me either. I don’t know how you keep on keeping on with so little sleep! I feel like a zombie today, and Stewart says I don’t look much better! Baaad Stewart! This would be a good day for him to go out and buy a gift for me. Flowers won’t do! Something in the way of a diamond might! LOL
Prayers, prayers and more prayers!
Ken, Can someone come,(like now) to fix lift? I sure hope so .I know that’s one piece of equipment you REALLY need. Sorry Ryan’s arm still isn’t completely healed (all the trouble you had with that hospital too) 🙁 How is filter corrected, more surgery? No one (unless they go through it) can even begin to imagine all you have on your mind and decisions you and Sue have to make ,but so far all have been best for Ryan and it will end when our boy Ryan gets better.. Ken ,my thoughts and prayers are with you all and like you said “You’ve Got This” and YOU SURE DO!!!!!
Love Gail
Parts will be delivered (power supply and batteries). Should get power supply tomorrow and batteries on Tuesday. The filter is corrected by sending a probe down his jugular and either repositioning it or replacing it.
Ken, Wish they could get parts to you sooner.Would filter correction mean Ryan would have to stay in hospital awhile? So sorry,on top of everything,these things are happening..Wish there was something to say to make you feel better,just know there are so,so many people behind Ryan,you and Sue and praying Ryan will be better soon .Thanks for answers Love Gail
Because of his condition I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept him a day.
Oh my gosh, Ken!! What is the plan for the hoyer lift — new battery? If so, how long does that take to get. Thank God you’re resourceful enough (and strong enough) to have gotten Ryan safely out of it — Ryan is a tall, strong young man, thank God he has a tall and strong Dad to handle a crisis like this!
I am grateful for the Greenfield filter because of the very important protection it provides, but never did it occur to me that it could be a potential source of problems — and not just problems but a potential catastrophe. Thank the Lord that MRI was done!!
It sounds like a couple surgeries might be ahead — one for Ryan’s arm, and another to correct the filter placement. …deep sigh…Ken, I am lifting you up in prayer all day for extra strength and fortitude to work through these latest issues.
When you told Sue, “We got this,” you couldn’t have imagined how many mountains you’d have to cross, oceans you’d have to swim, and deserts you’d have to walk in order to take care of Ryan. Thank God you’re made of the right stuff so that your wonderful son, who’s also made of the right stuff, could have a better chance of recovery. We’re with you, Ken.
Love, hugs, and prayers for the best solutions to all these latest hurdles.
Paula