Take Two (more giant strips of my thigh)

I’m scheduled to go back for surgery on Wednesday to regraft the skin on my arm. Statistically almost impossible (which happens to be an ironic reoccurring theme with this whole experience), the entire graft basically failed (died), meaning I have a huge piece of dead, black, somewhat smelly (well maybe not somwhat) skin stapled to my arm. Resembling a real-life, old-fashioned "Grosser than Gross" joke, it would be easy to become discouraged…but screw that, we're only looking for positive deductions from this circumstance. So...are there any positives we can draw from the situation? The answer: absolutely.

A section of muscle that is attached to the base of my palm is currently exposed, very healthy looking, and mildly disgusting. It’s soft and pink, just like you’d assume an exposed muscle would look like…totally normal thing to have on you palm. The vein and artery were attached close to my elbow. Ergo, since the piece of muscle furthest from the “hookups” is alive and healthy, the doctors and I believe the entire flap (transferred muscle) is living with a good blood supply. There is a picture on the Triton Photos that visually communicates some idea of what I’m talking about, but I’ll spare the rest of you having to see the photo.

The surgery is normally outpatient, so unless there are any major complications (knock on wood), I’ll come home Wednesday afternoon. Personally, I’m glad I don’t have to spend another minute in a hospital bed; although, my couch is starting more and more like a large, tasty treat for a bonfire at the farm each time I clock in for my daily session. I’m starting to feel like I’m logging in more hours on a weekly basis than most of us (well, “most of us” referring to the particular group of my friends) did in college on the couch…studying, of course... At least I’m not stuck watching a vintage wooden furniture TV with the picture always tinted green.

I’ll write back Wednesday when I’m barely coherent and in terrible shape to write anything informative or respectable. It should be entertaining.

CP

PS If you’re thinking about how bad or unlucky this additional surgery might be, please know that I really don’t give a damn about it. This is the inconvenient stuff, not the serious stuff. I’ve got my attention and energy focused on the real issues and getting successfully through them.