Mediocre Update

In a few hours, they’re wheeling me off to Duke’s hyperbaric chamber for a 2-hour “dive” in a high concentration of oxygen situation (max depth, 2 atmospheres). This is one of the efforts to strengthen the remaining flap on my arm. I think I heard someone say I'd be going on ten dives ASAP.

After the skin was removed, it was evident that some of the muscle was unhealthy. And by unhealthy, I mean dead or dying. You know, serious...not something like unhealthy heartburn from too much fried food at the fair. Man, they can fry anything these days.

Keeping with my approach to being an oddball patient consistent, the muscle the furthest from where they connected the blood supply looks the best. That pretty much doesn't happen when there is a problem.

I’m tired, highly medicated, and don’t feel like writing now; although, I’ve still been writing and editing this thing for the past 45 minutes. There is a disgusting picture on Triton Photos I took this morning. Feel free to take a peek behind the bandages. I really impressed myself on this one.

As I discussed with the docs this morn, our goals are to get this thing healthy and covered and then get my hand to work. They just want to be super safe with everything. There is an infection they are trying to take care of as well, but I'll know more about that this afternoon. It sounds serious but not serious like I used the word "unhealthy" earlier...

I’m practically writing this thing in my sleep so I’m off for a nap in my room, then I’m crushing a monster nap, when I take my chamber ride, I’ll be locked away from all the nurses, doctors, family, phones, etc, etc. Without spellcheck, you would have thought I put down a fifth of Jack before composing this (if you called you might think the same thing). I think I missppelled 30-40% of the words.

Mad Love

CP

PS I'm back from the chamber...no frills. Hung out in a big chamber for 2 hours with several other people, the most entertaining part was an 85 year old woman who kept falling asleep with her mouth open while sitting straight up.

Basically, you just sit in a recliner in a circular formation with a plastic cylindrical headpiece on to keep the oxygen contained. Since igniting pressurized pure oxygen is bad if you're in the configned space, they keep it concentrated primarily around you head. It’s pretty funny. Everyone kinda looks like Dr. Evil at the end of Austin Powers when Evil had on the plastic suit. The treatment goes well...the people are nice...the place is impressive...and you leave felling great.

GREAT NEWS FLASH: The hand therapist came by just before the HBO (hyperbaric oxygen something etc) and said my hand showed great promise. She complemented me on the noticeable results that could have only come from relentless at-home persistence with the exercises they had given me. Now the brace is off and I’ve got a pamphlet of 15 or so new ones. I’ll be throwing dice and eating Pad Prick Kra Paw with chop sticks in no time.

FYI

Traditional stir-fry with garlic, chili, bell peppers, onions and Thai basil leaves
Choice of tofu/chicken, minced chicken or baby shrimp: 11.99/12.99 (Order Hot)