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You are here: Home / News / Under Pressure (Ulcer)

Under Pressure (Ulcer)

May 29, 2019 by Ryan's Rally LLC 12 Comments

I swear, this universe has a way of keeping me in my place.

Seriously.

It was just my last post, Accidental Prepper, that I spouted off about the (plentitude of) precautions I take to assure Ryan’s health. You know, how I go to extreme measures in fail-safes, redundancy, and backup plans. In that post I laid-out how I prevent Ryan from getting pressure ulcers, commonly referred to as bed sores.

I should know better than to brag.

Turns out, I didn’t plan for EVERY MOTHER-EFFING thing. I now fear that he might develop one. I simply never even considered what happened that put him at risk. I’m hoping he will not — because of the precautions I put in place — but, only time will tell. It takes days, to weeks, for a pressure ulcer to fully present itself; since it develops deep in the body’s tissue and erupts outward.

I have Ryan’s wheelchair as comfortable as possible for him since he spends roughly twelve hours in it a day; exercising, stretching, and resting. The seat has a pad, then an alternating air flow cushion, and finally a protective cloth pad on top. The cushion has multiple cells in it that (alternately) inflate and deflate automatically every 3 minutes to relieve pressure and allow blood flow. This is adequate to prevent pressure ulcers from occurring, but I also manually tilt him into a fully reclined position for at least two minutes every two hours (or less). This nearly shifts all his body weight off of his buttocks. As with the cushion, just doing this should be adequate, even on its own.

Ryan DIviney using Functional Electrical Stimulation
Ryan in his wheelchair, that’s equipped to prevent pressure ulcers from developing. Here he is working hard to keep his muscles and skin in top condition. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber is in the background.

As you see, I’m diligent about keeping his skin in pristine condition. One of my greatest, ongoing fears is him getting a pressure ulcer.

They are devastating.

Minimally, they cause extreme pain for months. It’s common for an infection to set in and not uncommon for people to die from them. I decided to not show a photograph of an active bed sore because, well, it’s shocking. If you want to see what I mean then google “pressure ulcer” images… but brace yourself for what you’ll see before hitting the enter key.

So, here’s what I didn’t plan on happening to Ryan.

Each morning Ryan’s wheelchair is prepared for the day. Among various tasks, a freshly laundered cloth pad is laid over his seat cushion by the overnight nurse (when we have one, that is) or by me. The nurse we had yesterday is meticulous, so I know what happened was simply an oversight. Sadly, that doesn’t make it any better and I hate that an Incident Report must be submitted to the state of Virginia. Anyhow, she placed the cloth over the seatbelt buckle that was lying on top of the cushion, thereby concealing it with only that thin top pad between it and Ryan.

Since his routine for that scheduled weekday involves three hours of intense cycling, tactile stimulation, and range-of-motion — all in his chair — he sat on it all day.

I hope that he got some relief from his cycling and my stretching him… but that might have only made it more prone.

Now I wait.

In the meantime, I must plan for the worst. I’m already working with Ryan’s doctor and a wound care specialist to get ahead of what might develop. Be assured, I am all over this like a cheap suit. I’ll assess him every six hours; by checking the skin for “blanching” and the area for either extreme hardness or extreme softness under the skin. If detected then preemptive antibiotics might become necessary. It’ll be challenging but, to the greatest extent possible, I’ll position him to keep his weight off of his buttocks.

I hate that this never ends for Ryan. It saddens, scares, and angers me to the core. It’s coming up on ten years since he was brutally attacked and it’s just not getting any better for him. Honestly, it’s worse.

Jonathan May (Left) and Austin Vantrease (Right) at their criminal trial. Each were found guilty.

Still, right now I can’t let my hatred and inner-rage toward those punk-ass monsters (Jonathan Matthew May and Austin Issac Vantrease), who made him perpetually vulnerable, to divert my focus.

Be clear, I remain patient and will circle my attention back to those two losers when appropriate (i.e., I’ll fill you in when I do.). Like I said before (in the trailer to the documentary Storming: The Ryan Diviney Story), “right now I have other things to do”.

This has never been more true.

Note: I’m feeling confident that you should be able to leave comments again. These were being blocked because the website’s protection and firewall were too strict (by default) during a recent upgrade.

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: Austin Vantrease, bed sores, Jonathan May, pressure ulcer

Comments

  1. Karla mcintyre says

    May 30, 2019 at 9:31 AM

    I understand and feel your frustration. Bed sores are difficult. My husband had a stage for one on his tailbone when he was in a coma several years ago. We are Joe Maletta’s friends. By the grace of God we were able to get it healed. But it took months. Ask about supplementing his diet with Pro Source and Juven. Both tissue builders.

    Sending prayers.

    Karla

    Reply
  2. Mary Ellen Cileman says

    May 29, 2019 at 10:03 PM

    I hear your frustrations and can only imagine your justifiable anger as you care for Ryan 24-7, 365 days a year. Your loving devotion inspires me to work harder to take better care of my family…. and every now and then, to take better care of myself, as I hope you are also doing. Of course, I will add my prayers to those of thousands who are also lifting him up in prayer this evening.❤️

    Reply
  3. Tom McClelland says

    May 29, 2019 at 9:10 PM

    Ken: it is exhausting even just to read this post. The perils are unending. It is difficult to imagine the day-to-day for Ryan, for you and for your family. A decade of this struggle leaves one at a loss for words. These glimpses you give us from time to time give us a small window into the Herculean effort.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Duffy says

    May 29, 2019 at 7:48 PM

    prayers.

    Reply
  5. Jean Dolan says

    May 29, 2019 at 7:31 PM

    So sad this has happened but I know you will do your best to prevent and heal anything bad that happens to Ryan. Your family is amazing in your love and care of Ryan.Hugs!!!!

    Reply
  6. Carla Liberty says

    May 29, 2019 at 4:49 PM

    Praying that nothing will come of this, and trusting that if it somehow does, you can nip it in the bud. I hate this for you…..for all of you. SHSP, NGA, <3 Love to all

    Reply
  7. Becky says

    May 29, 2019 at 4:13 PM

    Have you ever heard of a dr kyle daigle, he seems to have different ideas on healing. That this one couple uses to help heal her husbands mind and since he has been making strides. Just thought I’d throw it out there, not sure it would be helpful at all or not.

    Reply
  8. Paula Yocom says

    May 29, 2019 at 2:39 PM

    Hi Ken, I wondered why I couldn’t post, very glad that I now can. Wonder how many doctors and other health care professionals you have who follow your invaluable writings. Many, I imagine. I am praying that between your efforts, and the help of the wound care specialist, that this situation will properly resolve. Ryan absolutely does not deserve this, neither does your family! I’m sure I’m not the only one who shares in your justified anger about what those cretins did to Ryan and your family. The damage they inflicted is *incalculable*. Sometimes I start making a mental list of all the ways in which your lives have been negatively impacted by this horrific crime, but my word, the list is unending. The enormity of the physical, emotional and financial damage is breathtaking. It’s like a broken heart that just keeps breaking. Sending you hugs and love, and I am still here, still praying.

    Reply
  9. Rhonda Morin says

    May 29, 2019 at 2:39 PM

    My father in laws pressure ulcer was largely reduced by the vac system once it opened but also by an increase in protein. He did this flavored drink twice a day to help with his wound healing. Please talk to the docs about that. All told he had about 120-180 grams of protein when he was healing.

    Reply
  10. ANN H TEARLE says

    May 29, 2019 at 2:31 PM

    Hey, Team Diviney! SHSP NGA – continuing prayers until forever and lots of love always to you, Ryan, Ken, and Family. Especially now, will pray no pressure ulcer develops, Please, Lord!

    Reply
  11. Gail Doyle says

    May 29, 2019 at 2:20 PM

    Praying for Ryan and you Ken that this doesn’t happen Thinking of you all SHSP. NGA ❤️

    Reply
  12. Sandy Martin says

    May 29, 2019 at 1:23 PM

    I continue to pray for The Diviney Family! I’m amazed, but not surprised, at how well Ryan looks.

    Reply

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