Time to give back | Savannah Skatepark Fish Fry

It is pretty great to be on the receiving end of a fundraiser, but there’s something to be said for being on the giving end.  Since Bennett’s accident he has received so much…monetary donations, donations of time and talent, love, prayer and positive energy.  This has all helped and continues to help his recovery.  It will be a long process, but he has risen to the occasion and continues to work hard to regain his strength and mobility.  

Today he will be on the giving side.  Since the weather cooled off the fish turned on.  He and Wes have been “working hard” catching some fish.  Tomorrow Bennett and Wes are hosting a fish fry to benefit the Savannah Skate Park.  If you’re around stop by.  They will be frying up some trout, redfish, sheep head and flounder.  There will also be grits, slaw, chips, dogs, cookies and drinks.

When Bennett moved to Colorado he called home and said, “Mom, every little town in Colorado has a concrete bowl!”  He’s passionate about skating and pretty stoked that Savannah is finally getting a nice concrete skatepark.  Every little bit helps so he and Wes are pitching in and hope to make a small dent in the big budget.  Ben will be at the fish fry with the skatepark plans for you to check out.  

Hope to see you there!

• Date:  Saturday September 29, 2012

• Time: noon-the food runs out

• Place:  Memorial park, Tybee Island, GA (small pavilion in the NW corner near 4^th and Jones)

• $$:  please consider donating.  Suggested donation is $10.00 for the fish fry but there will be hot dogs for kids.  Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

• Why:  After many years of hard work and planning the Savannah Skatepark is finally coming to fruition but money is still needed to be able to complete the vision. 

Special thanks to Brighter day, North Beach Grill, and BJ Collett for helping with the rest of the food.  

Home on Tybee Island

We’ve been home (on Tybee) 3 weeks today.  It’s great to be home, but Bennett is facing a whole new set of challenges and the transition for me has been emotionally difficult.  As a patient in a hospital you have access to almost instant answers and pretty much all of your needs are taken care of.  At least that’s how it was at St Anthony.  Coming home it’s like everything is starting over.  It’s bigger than just getting discharged and continuing to see the same caregivers.   It’s a whole new set of caregivers, and finding the right ones has not been easy.  For me the transition has been difficult because I was so focused on Bennett and when I came home simple family matters and every day decisions that are generally part of daily life seemed like chaos.  I’ve settled in now and I’m excited to be working again.  I’m splitting my time between helping Bennett and work.    

We flew into Savannah on Valentines night.   Thanks to Janie and Peter, Bennett flew first class so he had plenty of room to stretch out and was as comfortable as possible given the circumstances.  His only complaint was that he couldn’t take advantage of the free drinks!   Getting through security was interesting considering the metal inside Bennett.  We barely made the flight out of Denver, but from then on it was smooth sailing, or flying as the case may be.  We had a big welcome at the Savannah airport.  Andrew, Nicole and Ben were the first people to greet us and then family started showing up.  Britt, Sara, cousins, Aunts, Uncles and LP (Little Phillip, my Grandson) and Jerry.  Most of the family came back to the house and all of a sudden it was the middle of the night.  It was Bennett’s Aunt Delaine’s birthday so we celebrated that, Valentines Day and Bennett’s homecoming.  Cy had a wonderful valentines dinner waiting for us when we arrived home.  Trout stuffed with smoked shad, bacon and broccoli and some other pretty amazing things like strawberries dipped in chocolate.  Bennett stayed up until almost 5 am with Cy and Britt.  It was great. 

The next day we went to the Sheffield’s where Bennett is staying.  It’s perfect for Bennett.  Ground level, walk in shower, adjustable bed, and an open door policy for friends to visit.  Donna and Mike have been wonderful hosts and we are so grateful to have this place that's so close to home.  It’s only about 5 blocks away so it’s easy for me to run ( not literally but I COULD use the exercise) back and forth.  Cy, Sara or Rachel usually hang out with Bennett in the evening until he goes to bed and sometimes spend the night. 

Bennett is still non weight bearing on his right leg and about a week before his discharge was told he would be for at least another 2 months.  He is in rehab 3 times a week, but we have yet to get with an orthopedic surgeon which is becoming extremely frustrating.  Bennett has been going to his PCP weekly for his INR (Coumadin level) checks and has briefly met with his infectious disease specialist who needs him to see an Orthopedic Surgeon before his next appointment this coming Monday.  The Physical Therapist also needs direction from an orthopod.  Hello out there! ( Since writing this he has an appointment with an Orthopedic surgeon on Thursday.  YAY)

Mobility, pain, and boredom are Bennett’s biggest challenges right now. He’s getting around on crutches pretty well.  He is in a constant state of discomfort.  He’s BORED!  Bennett used to tell me that he didn’t like to sleep late because he was afraid that he’d miss something.  He was always busy doing some kind of activity (surfing, skating, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, traveling, snowboarding, working etc).  He’s very frustrated that he can’t do those things now, and has yet to find a replacement for the physical activities and work that he loves.  On the other hand he’s grateful that he’s here and doing as well as he is, but still…

One bright spot is his little red 1977 Honda Civic.  Thomson and John have loaned him this car for “as long as he wants it” and it’s the perfect car for now.  It needs a little bit of work, but he’s driven it around Tybee some (left footed) and is enjoying the independence that it gives him.  I’m sure that before long he’ll be driving it to Savannah. 

Bennett was in rehab at St Anthony for 3 weeks.  He worked with a physical therapist and occupational therapists on strength, range of motion and learning to do everyday tasks with limited mobility.  While in rehab he got a carbon fiber brace which helps keep his right foot from dropping.  His skin graft is completely healed, but his donor site is still healing. Bennett’s primary mode of getting around is crutches, but he also uses a wheel chair when going further distances. 

A couple of days after Bennett’s discharge date (Feb 7^th) we went up to Breckenridge to gather up his belongings, say good bye to friends and attend the Dwight Brill Celebration of Life Foundation fundraiser.  Getting around in icy conditions on crutches was scary and a friend gave Bennett crampons that fit on his crutches which helped quite a bit but it was still pretty sketchy.  The owners of the Whales Tail, Robin and Denise, once again let us stay in their home while we were in Breck which made for a relaxing and comfortable weekend. 

The Dwight Brill fundraiser was great, and Bennett was able to meet some of the ski patrol that saved his life, the founder (Dwight's widow), and board members.  The foundation has helped Bennett with some of his COBRA payments and we are so grateful.  Bennett also saw a lot of friends and coworkers at the fundraiser.  After the fundraiser we headed back to Wes and Saundra's to visit with some of Bennett's close Breck friends.  Wes had prepared a Low Country Boil!  It was a special weekend.  We had some great help getting Bennett’s belongings packed up and transported back to Denver.  From there we shipped everything on a pallet back to Tybee. 

I don't know if I would have been able to stay in Denver for the duration of Bennett's hospitalization had it not been for the kindness and generosity of Hollis Stacy and Dorothy Goes who gave me their home to stay in.  It was only about 3 mile from the hospital and it made all the difference being so close to Bennett and having a safe and comfy home to go back to. I had the house to myself and it was truly my home away from home.  Hollis came out to Denver a couple of days after Bennett’s discharge.  It was great seeing her and Bennett enjoyed getting to know her.   We've had so many angels who have helped along the way.  We are grateful, we love you and thank you. 

Libby

Dwight Brill Celebration of Life Silent Auction and Dinner

Bennett was released from the hospital on Feb 7,2012.  There’s been so much to write about in the 2 weeks since my last post, and I’ll catch up soon.  In the mean time we’d like to invite everyone that lives in Breckenridge to the Dwight Brill Celebration of Life SilentAuction and Dinner.  

The fund was conceived in 2000, inspired by the extensive financial, logistical and emotional support provided to the Brill family during Dwight's battle with cancer. The Celebration of Life aims to carry on this spirit of giving by providing emergency support services to Ski resort employees in times of medical need. Since its inception, employees have raised more than $157,000 for the fund. As of now, it has helped 83 employees with major medical expenses and some 300 employees with smaller amounts of aid.  Bennett is one of the recipients and we are very grateful to the foundation. For more info on the fundraiser tonight go here

We drove up to Breck last night and stopped by the Whales Tail for a quick visit and great meal.  Tonight we’ll stop by the Dwight Brill fundraiser and then visit friends and play some rousing board games.  Tomorrow is a work day…gathering Bennett’s belongings. 

I was in Savannah last weekend for the Bennett Benefit at Southern Pines.  It was fantastic and we cannot thank those that helped out enough.  I will write about it in more detail in the next blog, but I just want Kelly Nelson rocks.  So does everyone else involved, but it wouldn’t have happened without her phenomenal organizational skills and ability to ask for favors.To see some photos from the fundraiser check out this link. 

Bennett and I can’t wait to get to the warm GA sunshine.  The warm weather will do his broken bones good, and he is OVER the ice.  We’ll be flying home on Valentine’s Day.  Tybee here we come!

Bennett has a discharge date

Bennett has been in rehab for one week and the hospital for 8 weeks.  His projected discharge date is February 7^th.  This past week he’s pushed his therapists to push him.  It hasn’t been easy and he sometimes gets frustrated, but he knows that he needs to be patient.  Pain is his biggest enemy.  Since standing up with the help of a walker Bennett has been experiencing intense pain in his right foot, leg and hip (even though he’s not putting any weight on it), plus swelling in his right foot.  I guess this is to be expected since he was on his back for 7 weeks, but that doesn’t make it any easier.  One of his therapists told him that a rule of thumb for recovery (regaining strength) is 3 days of rehab for every 1 day of hospitalization.  Needless to say, it will take quite some time.    

Each day Bennett spends 1 ½ hours with a physical therapist and 1 ½ hours with an occupational therapist.  He has gone up 4 steps and walked about 250 steps with the aid of a walker.  His range of motion with regards to how far he bends his knees and flexes his right ankle improves daily and it looks like the nerves in his right leg are OK.  He also took his first shower last weeks.  What a treat! The skin graft is looking great and is healed, but the donor site is still pretty raw.  

We plan on heading back to Tybee after Bennett’s discharge.  Right now we’re looking at our different transportation options.  When he gets back to Savannah he will need to continue physical therapy rehab as an outpatient.  He will also be coming to GA on Coumadin because of the blood clot and will need a primary care physician to monitor that, an orthopedist, an infectious disease specialist, and possibly a urologist, vascular surgeon and plastic surgeon.  Hopefully that’s it.  Then there’s the housing issue.  At this point we’re not sure if he’ll be able to navigate the stairs at my house and we probably won’t know until closer to his discharge date.  We have a lot to figure out in 2 weeks.  

On Feb 3^rd there will be another benefit for Bennett in Savannah.  It should be awesome and I’m thinking seriously about coming home that weekend.   The Accomplices and LittleTybee are playing.  Chrystal Beer Parlor is providing the food (thanks Johnny!), United Distributors is providing the booze (thanks Diane!) and Brighter Day paid for the venue (thanks Janie and Peter!). Kelly Nelson has been doing the heavy lifting (thanks Kelly!) and I'm sure there are others folks that are instrumental in making this happen.  A big thanks to the bands, artists anf others helping Kelly pull this together.  Both bands I love and there’s a 3^rd band playing that I’m unfamiliar with, Christ, Lord.  Bennett and I just finished listening to some of their music and we’re pretty excited!  WOW, kind of a dark Gypsy Jazz , with some New Orleans and Doors mixed in.  Bennett wants someone to record the music at the benefit.  He is bummed he won’t be there because “it’s going to be sick”.   Any tapers out there willing to step up? (with the bands permission of course).   For more info on the benefit check this link. 

Bennett’s health benefits through Vail Resorts run out the end of this month and his COBRA will be a little over $500.00/ month.  Money raised through the benefits will help Bennett continue his recovery, cover COBRA payments and meet day to day living expenses until he’s able to work again.  

 

My favorite Little Tybee video (above). I'm sure that some of it has to do with the fact that Bennett's in it, but it's also the music, the magic of the GA & SC coast and these boys (men really, right?) that love each other but aren't often together. Brock created this video after a sailing trip last spring from Savannah up to Charleston. Bennett is looking forward to regaining his balance and getting back on the water.

See you soon!

With much love and gratitude,

Libby

p.s. If you're wondering where the Breckenridge Bourbon went, I found out that it's not being served at the fundraiser after all so I deleted that part of the post, however...it is being carried in Savannah now and you can ask Diane at the fundraiser where to buy it.   If you're a bourbon drinker you will love this award winning whiskey.

Up to rehab he goes

Today was Bennett’s first full day of rehab.  It was an emotional day and he’s a tired boy.  Bennett moved up to the 7^th floor yesterday evening.  We’ll have a better idea in the next few days how long he’ll be here and what he’ll be able to do when he leaves.  In all likelihood he still won’t be able to bare (sp?) weight on his right leg.  Each day Bennett will have 3 hours of rehab spread throughout the day and split between physical therapy and occupational therapy.   Bennett was happy to be doing the work today but frustrated with his weakness and complete lack of control over his right leg.  He was pretty low this afternoon after hearing his Plastic Surgeon describe to the Physical Therapist all of the injuries and muscle loss to the right leg.  He knows he can learn to compensate.  He knows that the second day he was here there was a discussion about amputating his leg amongst his various doctors and he’s grateful to still have it.  He also knows that so much of what he did and loved prior to the accident was based on having strong legs and good coordination.  He wants to be able to surf.  

The goal up here in rehab is to gain strength and independence.  He is so weak and will have to learn to function without the use of his right leg for now.  The prognosis for his right leg is not horrible, but it’s still too injured to do anything with and is causing him serious pain issues.  When he arrived up here yesterday he was weighed.  He’s not sure what he weighed coming in, but knows it was probably between 150 and 155 pounds.  He was already a thin guy.  Today he weighs 130.  I’m trying my best to put some meat back on his bones.  

We have a great view of the Denver skyline from his room on the 7^th floor of St Anthony.  All of his other rooms were on the opposite side of the hospital looking west towards the mountains.  He’s now looking east.  We can also see the Flight for Life helicopters coming and going.  

The only IV drug he’s still on is the antibiotics.  I was looking at the bill today and each round of just one of his antibiotics is over $2200.00.  WOW.  He’s still on pain meds, meds for nerve sensitivity, and Coumadin, but they’re all oral.  He’s also taking supplements that will help him heal, increase vascular strength and bone density, fight infection, protect his liver and help him meet the nutritional demands of a broken body on the mend being pumped full of antibiotics and other drugs.  Thanks Peter and Janie!  

Last Sunday was the third time that Bennett had been out of bed.  (The second time he shuffled over on his walker and kissed his Mama!)  I suggested to the Physical Therapist that he might like to go outside, so instead of sitting in the recliner his PT rounded up a wheel chair and cut us loose.  Bennett wanted to see the hospital where he’s been confined for almost 2 months.  He wheeled himself to the elevator and down we went.  After a bit he got tired and I wheeled him to the south side of the hospital.  There’s a patio area that’s close to the cafeteria with some tables and chairs. When the sun is out, even on cold days, it always feels good there.  It’s set in a little bit from the rest of the hospital so it’s sheltered from wind and the sun hits it most of the day.  Out we went and Bennett took a deep breath.  I think I was holding mine. 

“It smells like winter…”  (silence)  ”…Is there an airport close by?”
“No, that’s a helicopter starting up.”
“Can I see?”  

So off we went to the middle of the parking lot, turned around and watched the Flight for Life take off.  It was an intense moment.  Later Bennett said that he could smell people’s fires.  It made him sad.    

Since my last post Bennett’s catheter (that had been with him since the day of the accident) came out.  The plumbing is working great.  He also was able to get rid of the Miami J (neck brace).  He’d been told that he may have to wear it up to 12 weeks.  Bennett was given a CT scan and the basilar skull fracture and C1 fracture are looking good.  When I arrived at the hospital on Sunday morning the collar was gone.  

Saturday Kate and Andrew stopped by on the way to the airport.  Kate had organized the Bennett-fit at the Whales Tale and Andrew had flown in from San Diego with the surfboard for the silent auction.  They were the high bidders on the board and brought it to Bennett!  It’s now in his hospital room and is beautiful.  Sweetness!

From the sounds of it the fundraiser at the Jinx was a big success and lots of fun!  Bennett was able to SKYPE for a few minutes with friends at the benefit and see the great turnout.  Thanks so much to all those who helped put this on and those that attended.  Bennett is so grateful for all the visitors, well wishes and good energy.   It keeps him going.

Much love and gratitude,

Libby

Tractionless, stapleless and drainless in a recliner…

January 12.2012

That’s right!  The rest of the staples came out on Monday, the traction came off on Tuesday and the last drain came out on Wed.  Tuesday night Bennett was moved up to a room on the 5^th floor (room 528) and will be here until he's strong enough to go up to Rehab.  He’s projected to move up to Rehab next Tuesday or Wednesday.  The new room is either for big wigs or extremely large people and is literally twice as large as any other room in the hospital.  Maybe Bennett is being rewarded for being such an awesome patient for so long (6 ½ weeks).  This would have been a great room when the whole family was here over the holidays.   And for you Band of Squirrels, there’s room to hang your hammocks, I’m just not sure what you’d attach them to.  Bennett is really wishing that his co-pilot, Kyle was still here.  They had some serious helicopter flying sessions, but in this new bigger room they could really have some fun. 

The ­­­Staples came out while I was in Breckenridge for the Whales Tale Bennett-fit, which was awesome.  The last of the staples were around the perimeter of Bennett’s skin graft.  The skin graft is looking great and is less red every day.  Dr Reynolds says that it has taken 100%.  

The day after the Bennett-fit the traction came out.  It was a little creepy.  The traction pin was threaded and bent.  Picture this: a shiny giant bolt cutter and cordless Craftsman drill.  Bennett was heavily sedated and Wes filmed it so that Bennett could “remember”.  It was later that night that Bennett moved up to his new “suite”.  

Yesterday Dr Reynolds removed the drain that went up into his pelvic area.  The area was still draining a little bit but it’s been clear and the drains need to be gone for rehab.  Bennett said it was the “strangest feeling” and that he could feel it moving through his body as it came out.  EEK.  

Yesterday Sandra and Hal came to visit Bennett from Breck. Unfortunately Bennett was having horrible stomach pains when they were here and he was pretty zoned out, but Hal left a thumb drive with photographic evidence of the Bennett-fit. He also left a HDMI connector, so we could hook my PC up the the TV.  It was a wonderful gift for Bennett to be able to watch it later.  Last night Robin and Denise, owners of the Whales Tail, stopped by on their way up to Breckenridge.  This was a big surprise for Bennett and I loved meeting them.  They're not in Breck full time and were not there for the Bennett-fit, but they had graciously offered me their home that night, plus they allowed the restaurant to be closed down for regular business, so it was great to meet them and thank them.  

 

Today was a big day.  The first news was that Bennett’s Coumadin is now at a “therapeutic” level so the Heparin was stopped.  Heparin was one of the things keeping Bennett from going up to Rehab.  He is finally off IV pain meds and IV heparin.  Now all he needs is the strength to withstand 3 hours of rehab a day and he’ll stay in this room until then.  Bennett’s already working hard to get his knees moving and on upper body strength.  He’s a little worried about being strong enough to fully take advantage of his rehab, but I’m sure he’ll do great.  

So, the second big news of the day… DRUM ROLL PLEASE… Bennett sat on the edge of the bed, stood… and then moved to a recliner!  He put full weight on his left leg and with the help of a walker and a couple of therapists and shifted to the recliner where he stayed for about 1 ½ hours.  This was such a huge step.  He literally had not been off his back and out of bed since November 28.  I’m hoping in the next couple of days I’ll be able to wheel him outside.  Tonight Bennett is in a lot of pain.  I'm nor sure if it's from the new activity today, but it seems likely. 

Later in the day Bennett had a CT scan on his right pelvic area.  After viewing the CT scan Bennett’s Orthopedic Surgeon will have a better idea of what Bennett’s prognosis is with regards to his right leg and how he can proceed in rehab.  Yesterday Dr. Desai told Bennett about an app that’s a 3D x-ray and CT scan viewer.  Tomorrow we’ll meet with Dr Desai and he’ll share these images using the app that Bennett downloaded and discuss the future.  We’re really looking forward to this meeting and Bennett is anxious to see the x-rays of the night he came in.  I guess he’s strong enough to see them now, but they are pretty horrific.  

The Bennett-fit at the Whales Tale this past Monday was wonderful and amazing.  There were so many donations for the silent auction.  Everything from acupuncture, to merino wool undies, to snowboards.  There must have been over 50 items for the silent auction and about 30 for the raffle.  The turnout was so great I was worried that the fire marshal might show up!  Kate did an amazing job of organizing the event and a lot of other folks really stepped up and assisted her.  Wes put out a nice “spaghetti feed” spread.  Sandra was an exceptional MC (and prize).  Thank you SO MUCH Whales Tail crew, folks that donated and got donations and all the wonderful folks that showed up and made it a huge success.  We love you all so much and it was great to meet more of Bennett’s friends. 

                                                          The Whales Tail Bennett-Fit

BRING HOME THE BACON FOR BENNETT BENEFIT SHOW

This Saturday there’s another benefit for Bennett at the Jinx.  There will be great music plus there’s been donations for a raffle, including gift certificates to Zunzi's, Green Truck, North Beach Grill, JW Salon and Spa (boy could I use this!), Fannies, Sundae Cafe, Spa Bleu, and more. There are also limited t-shirts and prints by local artists for sale, with all profits going to Bennett.  We love those Collett boys and Matt has pulled this benefit together.  The art is compliments of Nicole, Andrew, Guy and Patrick. Love Love Love and Love!  For more info go here.  

If you’re not a night owl (the benefit starts at 10:00) then stop by the Jinx for Happy Hour and experience some awesome and high energy Rock-A-Billy from Crazy Man Crazy!  This Happy Hour is part of the BRING HOME THE BACON FOR BENNETT BENEFIT SHOW. CMC will be taking requests for money and donating to the cause. (in Colorado CMC stands for Colorado Mountain College; In Savannah CMC stands for Crazy Man Crazy!) “Who knows, we may even stick around and play as part of the show later.”

Personal note; mrpalmeronbass is very close with the Bacon family and really wants you to come to this show!  Thanks Mr. Palmer.  We love you too!  For more info go here.  


Thanks again for the  love and support.


We love you back!


Libby

Onward and Upward!

 This beautiful hand painted surfboard is one of the many amazing items donated for the Bennett-Fit being held at the Whales Tail in Breckenridge on January 9,2012. 

Bennett continues to make small strides every day.  The Pain Specialist finally made it in, and it made a positive difference.  Some of the nerve and pain meds were being given to Bennett at 12 hour intervals and they were only lasting about 10 hours.  The Pain Specialist increased these meds to 8 hour intervals, so now this lapse in coverage (sound like insurance?)  doesn’t occur and Bennett has been more comfortable and able to sleep longer and more soundly.  

Today Bennett woke up some muscles in his right leg.  He tried to flex his calf and thigh muscles for a long time with no response ( he said there was just no connection to his brain), but by the end of the day he was doing it.  His nerves are still waking up and his muscles are starting to fire.  He wants to get that leg moving!  It was a beautiful sight tonight seeing his calf muscle flex.  

The Whales Tail in Breckenridge has organized a Bennett-Fit.  It’s tomorrow from 5-9 and I’m tearing myself away from the hospital and heading up to Breck.  It sounds like it will be quite an event and even made the Summit Daily. So far a run-down of just some of the things up for auction/raffle...

-Hand painted surfboard by Katy Helen
-5 SNOWBOARDS!!!
-2 night stay at Breck Inn
-20 games of FREE Bowling
-2 Hour Snowmobile Ride with White Mountain Tours
-$150 in General Dentistry from Dr. John Warner
-2 Hour Pontoon Rental
-Haircut from Jules Santen!!!
-1 Hour Massage from Alpine Spa
-1 Hour Acupuncture from Acupuncture by Audrey in Avon
-4 Rockies Tickets
-2 Trips to/from DIA with Fresh Tracks Shuttle Service

Bennett is so grateful to his Whales Tail family and everyone that has donated and gotten items for the raffle. He will be skyping the event so at least he can be talking to people at the event from his hospital room!  For more information on the Bennett-Fit you can check out the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/events/330674250278200/

Thank heavens Bennett has health insurance.  He's worked for Vail Resorts for 5 years but it’s been seasonal work.  Every summer he’s let his coverage lapse, but when he returns in the fall he picks the better of 2 options.  It looks like he’ll be in pretty good shape with regards to being able to pay for his care as long as he can meet his deductible and out of pocket, plus continue his coverage through COBRA.  Bennett’s insurance coverage is running out the end of this month.  His COBRA payments will be $504/ month and he won’t be able to work for a long time.  Bennett can be covered by COBRA for 18 months and this continuation of  insurance coverage will enable him to get the rehab he’ll need.  The fundraisers set up for Bennett will help him meet his financial obligations such as the COBRA payments as well as simple living expenses while he is unable to work.  

I found out a few days ago what Bennett’s medical expenses have been so far.  The Flight for Life was $19,476.00.  Would anyone like to venture a guess what the hospital has billed?  Hint:  he has a leg scratcher that says, “million dollar leg scratcher”.  

Onward and upward!

With much love and gratitude,

Libby

Happy New Year!

Jan 4,2011

It’s 4 days into the New Year and Bennett’s hanging in there.  His days consist of laying on his back in a hospital bed, keeping up with the many meds he’s on, visiting with friends, asking me to do things for him (which I of course love doing), worrying about me being bored (get over it Bud),  eating, worrying about the weird pains in his right leg and foot , worrying about the drains coming from his thigh and pelvis, talking to nurses, doctors and therapists, using his I Pad (on his golden cheese wedge and Chocolate Moose), trying to read (it puts him to sleep), talking on the phone, snoozing, being bored, being thankful, BEING, HEALING.  This is just what I can observe.  I have no idea what’s going through his head but even with his pain and worries he remains positive.  No pity parties in room 321 of St. Anthony Hospital.  He’s an inspiration to me.  

Pain is still front and center.  He has taken to setting his alarm for every 2 hours at night so he can get his pain meds and stay in front of the pain.  Otherwise it gets in front of him and he spends hours chasing it.  He’s still on track to start rehab next week, but can’t be on any IV pain meds or heparin when he starts plus he needs to be out of traction.  He’s been waiting for a “pain consultation” since last Friday, and the anesthesiologist responsible for doing this still hasn’t shown up.  HELLO?  The goal of this consultation will be to find longer term relief.  Right now his pain management consists of   a variety of narcotics, nerve meds and muscle relaxers.  This includes an IV pump and on occasion (when the pain gets too far ahead of him) IV Dilaudid in addition to the pump.  We hope that in 6 days he can move to the 7^th floor for rehab, but the pain could be an obstacle.  

Last night we got our Coumadin “talk”.  Bennett is transitioning from Heparin to Coumadin (both anticoagulants for the blood clot).  His doctors tell him he will have to be on Coumadin for 6 months and then have the blood clot checked.  The talk consisted of the importance of staying off motorcycles and having a doctor lined up that will monitor his International Normalized Ratio...or INR  weekly after he leaves the hospital.   I remember when Jerry’s (Bennett’s Dad’s) grandmother was on that rat poison; how hard it was to regulate and how easily she bruised.  I always hated that stuff.  Now it could save Bennett’s life.  I’m hoping that Bennett can have the blood clot checked before 6 months, that it will be gone and he can discontinue it.  While it will likely be a long while before Bennett is back to an active lifestyle, 6 months seems like a long time to be on rat poison that could cause you to bleed to death.  Ok Ok, I am sounding pessimistic, but like I said I always hated that stuff.  It’s ridiculous, I know.  After everything I’ve seen Bennett endure over the last 5 weeks and I’m stressing over this?  Sorry for the negative rambling.  Did I say Happy New Year?

Bennett’s plastic surgeon is pleased with his skin graft and has released him to be able to move his right thigh. He also got cleared today to be able to use 1-2 pound weights or bands for his arms.  We’re waiting on word from his Orthopedic surgeon as to what exactly he can do with his right leg.  We already know that it will be a couple of months before he can put full weight on his right leg, but the Physical Therapists are looking for guidance on what he CAN do.  Hopefully he will be able to put full weight on his left leg when he goes up to rehab next week.  

An x-ray was done a couple of days ago on the left femur and he has quite a callus growing around his break.  It sounds as though there will always be a lump there of extra bone.  This is one more example of the heterotopic ossification, the condition caused by trauma that creates extra bone growth.  Better this than the alternative, no new bone growth.  We’re not complaining. 

The staff infection continues to be treated with strong IV antibiotics which Bennett will be on for another 5 weeks. The Infectious Disease Specialist told us a couple of days ago that the infection responded better to a different antibiotic in the lab, so he was taken of one of the big guns and switched to another.  He does not have a fever and his blood work is looking good so we’re optimistic that these antibiotics are working their magic.  I’m trying to get a lot of good critters back in Bennett’s gut to counteract the antibiotic damage done.  

Bennett’s breakfasts are consisting of lots of berries, kefir and/ or yogurt.  The kefir and yogurt have probiotics and will help keep his gut healthy and replace the good critters that have been killed by the antibiotics.  I’ve also been incorporating a lot of miso into his foods that with also will help with this and his healing and immune system.   My twist on the southern new years dinner for Bennett was a warm black eyed pea, wild rice and veggie salad with a garlic, miso and balsamic dressing (Hopping John), Braised green and purple kale (for the money), and homemade sausage.  I didn't get around to the corn bread.  Hopefully 2012 will be a great year full of good luck and prosperity.    

Today an old friend Joey stopped through on his way to Vail from Athens, GA.  It’s been at least 14 years since we’ve seen him.  What a great surprise.  Kyle came in town today from Tybee and will be here with me and Bennett for a few days before heading up to Breck.  Yesterday Saundra and Beth came down from Breck and the night before Dan and Heather stopped by.  Bennett loves these visits.  I’ve heard him tell several people that he knows the prayer and positive healing vibes being sent his way are helping him heal.  He feels it and is grateful.  

Happy New Year!

Much love and gratitude,

Libby

Great Appetite, Crummy Infection

 Horse Pen Creek Crabs: Sara, Andrew and Bennett

Bennett continues to improve and he has a great appetite.  When he first started eating he was craving lots of fruit.  Now he'll eat just about anything (but hospital food).  Last night was sushi.  Night before Thai.  Each morning he has a big bowl of berries and some yogurt and he’s loving his smoothies.  Just a minute ago he ate a variety of about 6 Christmas cookies that folks have brought (we have a multitude of sweets and have been trying to fatten up the nurses).   It’s getting expensive eating out so today I went to the grocery store.  Mama B’s gonna have to start cooking again.

The biggest struggle for Bennett is pain.  Tomorrow he has a consultation with pain specialists.  Hopefully they'll be able to figure out a formula that will consistently control the pain.  Right now it seems like he is often chasing it. 

Wednesday morning Dr Reynolds (plastic surgeon) came in with some bad news.  The cultures that had been taken from Bennett’s inner thigh and up into his pelvis area had grown out an antibiotic resistant staph infection.  Now Bennett has added Infectious Disease Specialists to the long list of caregivers.  Things could be a lot worse.  While this is a resistant staph, it’s not resistant to everything and it’s not one of those flesh eaters.  It’s actually the staph that lives on our skin, Staphylococcus Epidermidis. Needless to say, it should not be inside Bennett.  The big concern is that it’s by the metal plates and screws in his right femur and pelvis.  Bugs love to live on metal and the antibiotics have a hard time getting there since there’s no blood flow.  Bennett is on powerful IV antibiotics for 6 weeks.  Luckily this will not keep him from starting rehab. 

So, what happens if the bacteria is on the metal and the antibiotics don’t kill it?  We haven’t spoken to the Orthopods about this yet, but the Infectious Disease Specialist says that if it’s there the plates will start acting up and could come loose.  This would be a sign that the bacteria is still there.  The solution would be to go back in and take out the metal.  Hopefully this would be far enough in the future that the bones will have fully healed and the hardware is no longer needed.  Sheesh.  If it’s not one thing it’s another.  Right now the important think is to control it so the bones can heal.

When I first learned about this new infection I was terrified and I think Bennett was too, but the ID Specialist sees this type of infection every day and seems confident in his ability to successfully treat it.  I’ve learned to roll with each new crisis.  One of Bennett’s orthopedic surgeons once told me that there comes a point when you have to quit worrying about the science and have faith in the miracles that our bodies and God perform.  I found this so interesting coming from a man that loves science and works with such precision.

Now, it’s time for me to go perform a miracle in the kitchen because I laterally haven’t cooked in over a month.  Tonight, garlic clam sauce on wild mushroom ravioli and a salad.  I wonder if cooking is like riding a bike?

Much love and gratitude, 

Libby

A Very Special Christmas and Looking to the Future

  Bennett viewing his students in Spain.  Bennett loves that job!

On Christmas Eve I realized that I really hadn’t gotten anything special for Bennett.   Somehow it had snuck up on me.  He had received some presents in the mail, but I hadn’t really done anything.  He had an origami covered tree in his hospital room.  He had a few presents under the tree that friends had sent.  On the other hand I had a great present; Bennett.  I was fussing about where the other kids would be.  Bennett called Cy and told him that they’d BETTER be going down to Grandma and Pops.  Alternately Kathryn had invited them to Glos.  Britt said she had a photo shoot on Christmas afternoon.  It just didn’t seem all that Christmassy.

On Christmas morning we spoke to people that we love on the phone and opened our presents.  Bennett’s friend Heather came early with a snowcat poster signed by all the snowcat operators plus goodies and books.   

A signed poster of the snow grooming machine Bennett operates.  Bennett loves that job!

He spoke to cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and quite a few friends.  Sara called late in the afternoon and assured us that they had finally all gotten together and were driving down to Grandma and Pops which made Bennett happy.  Then Britt Sara and Cy walked into Bennett’s hospital room.   It was so strange; everything slowed down and got a little foggy.   For a second Bennett got mad that they weren’t with their grandparents, but only for a second.  The last few days with all the kids have been sweet and amazing.   The previous time the kids were here (3 weeks ago) Bennett was extubated right before they left and was able to speak for the first time since he had been admitted.  The kids are leaving tomorrow and today Bennett was given some great news that has allowed him to set goals and make plans for the not too distant future.  Today Bennett is smiling.

It was one month ago today that I received the kind of call from a hospital chaplain that every parent dreads.  Bennett had been critically injured in a snowboarding accident and was in route via Flight for Life to St Anthony Hospital in Lakewood Co.  Breckenridge is a small town and it seems like there’s only one degree of separation between everyone there and countless people from there have told me what a strong will to live Bennett had that day.  We also know certain events lined up that day that saved his life in the hour or so after the accident.

Last week Bennett was told that he would not be getting his hip replacement for maybe 3 months and he would have to stay in traction until the hip replacement.  The social worker that told him this went on to say that rehab could not start until he was out of traction and that he would likely be discharged from the hospital prior to that.  This conversation had weighed heavily on Bennett in the last few days.  He wondered where he would go when he was discharged and how he would get there.  He feels confident with his doctors here and wants to continue his care here.  He’d been very quiet since hearing this news.

Besides the worry about being discharged and stuck on his back in traction for months, Bennett had started having a strange and scary sensation in his right foot.  The feeling in his foot gave way to a numbness, burning and tingling 5 days ago.  It was hard not to obsess on this and wonder if he was losing nerve function.  The neurologist was unable to do an EMG because the metal from the traction would interfere. 

This morning Bennett and I met with 2 of his orthopedic surgeons and part of the trauma team.  We were give good news on several fronts.  For simplicity sake I’ll list the news:         

• The doctors believe that the tingling and burning in Bennett’s foot is the nerve coming back, not the other way around.  Bennett has been able to move the toes on his right foot down, but not flex them up.  They think that this burning is caused by the nerve coming back that will allow his to flex his toes up. 

• Bennett is growing new bone at a rapid rate.  The broken bones are bridging (connecting and growing back together) quickly.  The acetabulum is the only bone that has not been repaired and is considered inoperable because of the risk of infection so the plan was a total hip replacement.  Now the orthopedic surgeons feel that if the acetabulum heals as it is it will support the femur enough for Bennett to be able to bare full weight in another 3 months and that hip replacement should be put off as long as possible.  The thinking is that the acetabulum is healing so quickly and Bennett is growing so much new bone that it will function pretty well.  The hip replacement will only last 15 years and if he had one now it would have to be redone several times throughout his lifetime, so delay it as long as possible. 

• The traction was reduced today from 20 to 10 pounds.  Starting today the traction will be taken off for 1 hour each day and physical therapists will be working with Bennett each day.  Tomorrow they may sit him up on the edge of the bed.  In 2 weeks the traction will be gone and he can start full time in house rehab.  

• In order to move up to rehab he will have to be off the heparin drip and IV pain meds.  This is a goal for Bennett.  He will have to be switched to Coumadin (for the blood clot) and oral pain meds. 

This news completely changed Bennett’s outlook and he now has a goal of making it to Panama in April for Ani’s sister’s wedding.  Before he had talked about this, but it didn’t seem realistic.  Now it seems like a realistic goal.

Other good news:  Yesterday Dr Reynolds closed up Bennett’s inner thigh and put a skin graft on it.  The skin came from his left thigh.  There is still some infection in the upper inner thigh, but it seems to be responding well to antibiotics.  Hopefully nothing will grow out of the new cultures and it won’t blow up.  

Bennett continues to have lots of visitors and he’s always happy to see them.  Today Tim, a Swiss friend that Bennett met in France last summer stopped by.   That was a wonderful surprise.  We are so grateful to many people and there are many people that I want to thank.  Please know you are appreciated!  I especially want to thank John for getting the kids out here.

Please continue to send that positive energy and prayer.  Bennett feels it.

Much love and gratitude,

Libby

It’s easy to lose track of time...

 Bennett bobbing head jar decorated for the holidays at North Beach Grill, Tybee Island GA

It’s easy to lose track of time when you are spending it day in and day out in the hospital.  Bennett’s accident happened 4 days after Thanksgiving.  Now it’s Christmas Eve.  He will have been at this hospital 4 weeks this coming Monday.   This has been a week of big improvements and scary setbacks.  Yesterday he ate solid food for the first time since his accident.  He was craving fruit and the first thing he ate was a tangerine.  Then he had half of a green apple espresso brownie.  These are by far the best brownies I’ve ever eaten.  They were hand delivered from Tybee (thanks Cindy!) at least 2 weeks ago, and it hasn’t been easy saving any for Bennett, but I held on to some and he was glad that I had.   Next on the menu was a brothy asparagus leak and salmon stew Bennett’s Dad made.  Yum.  

This past Tuesday Bennett had surgery to put the permanent plate on his right femur and set his right Clavicle.  I didn’t even know he had a broken clavicle until about a week ago.  I guess his docs thought that it was small potatoes compared his other injuries so they just left it off the list.  He also had a washout done on the inner thigh where the infection has been and the wound vac reapplied. Unfortunately there was some puss found in the wound vac area but the surgeon didn’t think it communicated any more ( had passage to) to the femur area.  

Bennett’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr Desai , reported after the surgery that Bennett is growing new bone at a remarkable rate.  He explained that patients with traumatic brain injuries and fractured bones sometimes experience enhanced osteogenesis (bone growth). Somehow the body secretes a hormone that enhance the production of a protein that promotes calcification (don’t ask me to take a test on that.  I wasn’t taking notes).  Evidently Bennett bumped his head hard enough for that to happen, but not hard enough to cause brain damage.  Thomson swears that his mind is sharper now than it was before the accident.  Hmm.  Back to Dr. Desai… he said that this bone growth is a good thing and it produces a lot a blood flow which helps fight infection.  Hopefully it will also help the bones around Bennett’s hip socket harden up and heal more quickly so that he can have his total hip replacement sooner rather than later.  More on that later.     I found out today (or was it yesterday?) that an undesirable side effect of this enhanced osteogenesis is called heterotopic ossification.  This is when bone forms in soft tissue, where it shouldn’t be.  On Wed a CT scan was done of Bennett’s pelvis and hip areas and it appears that this is happening.  The Critical Care doctor that mentioned this to us said it is treatable, but we’re still waiting to hear how it will be treated.  The CT Scan was done to try and determine where the infection is originating from.  They were looking for pockets of fluid but instead of seeing signs of infection they saw signs of heterotopic ossification.

Bennett has had several ultrasounds of his arms and legs to check for blood clots.  His legs have been fine and I mentioned in a previous post that he had blood clots in his arms that the doctors weren’t too worried about because they were in superficial veins (close to the surface) as opposed to deep veins that carry more blood.  Last night I noticed that Bennett’s right arm was swelling and alerted the nurses.  Another ultrasound was done and a clot in Bennett’s right subclavian vein was identified.  This is a deep vein running under the clavicle and is serious.  It must be treated with blood thinners.  The last time Bennett was treated with heparin (blood thinner) his blood counts dropped so much that they discontinued it.  Last time wasn’t so critical, but his body was in much worse shape and still oozing a lot of fluids.  Hopefully now that he is more stable this will not be a problem.  I am concerned though.  He received a unit of blood Wednesday.  

Today Dr. Reynolds (plastic surgeon extraordinaire)  washed out Bennett’s inner thigh again where the infection has been.  He said that it looked pretty good in there but is concerned about it being open for so long.  He felt that the arterial graft was safe and the tissue around it healthy, but found that the infected area communicated with the pelvic area and femur.  We just have to hope that the infection doesn’t start living on the metal plates and screws.  Time will tell.  Dr Reynolds is hoping that he can do another washout on Monday and on Wednesday close up the thigh and do the skin graft.  After today’s surgery Bennett was started on a heparin drip.  The medical staff will closely monitor his blood count and hopefully the heparin will blast the new blood clot to oblivion.  

Bennett’s hospital social worker, Maggie, has been trying to find out when he’ll be heading up to rehab.  He can’t start rehab until he’s out of traction (right leg) and yesterday Maggie was told that he will be in traction until he can have his total hip replacement.  That could be months, so it was a tough day for Bennett.  It’s hard to imagine being in bed and in traction for that long.  Next week Maggie will gather Bennett’s team together so we can get a clearer idea of what is in store for him over the next few months.  He has so many different doctors on his team and it will be interesting to have them all together and hear what they have to say.  The primary team members are trauma, critical care, ortho, plastic, neuro, & vascular.  I’m probably forgetting someone.  Back to his total hip, for several reasons the orthopods have determined that the hip socket (acetabulum) is inoperable.  The primary reason is that repairing it would require a lot of manipulation of the leg which could put the arterial graft at risk.  Another reason is fear on infection.  Dr Desai says that Bennett would probably need a total hip at some point anyway.  If they try to repair the acetabulum they would have to use plates and screws.  Bacteria loves to live on metal because there’s no blood flow and if the area gets infected he won’t be able to ever have a total hip.  So there you go.  Bennett is waiting for his body to be strong enough for a total hip.  Because the acetabulum is shattered there’s nothing to keep the leg from moving up into the pelvic region, thus the traction.  

Yesterday Bennett’s friend Ashley stopped by with a Christmas tree.  Today while he was in surgery I decorated it with the origami that the kids had made his first week in the hospital.  It looks great.  Then some gifts were delivered (thanks Santa Glo!), so we not only have a Christmas tree in Bennett’s room, we have a Christmas tree with gifts under it.   Bennett has had lots of other friends visit this week.  Today Thomson, Steven and Jason all stopped by on their way back to GA.  Safe travels Boys.  We love you.  This evening  his snowmaking buddies, Todd and Rick dropped by with snowmaking photos, a gameboy, some books, sketchpad, snowboarding videos and a 2012 calendar of the US Women’s Rafting Team (Tastefully unclothed. Talk about muscles!  Sheesh!).  Later this evening Vince stopped by who hadn’t seen Bennett in a couple of years.  Wednesday 4 of his Snow Cat buddies  (including his boss) stopped by and presented to him the first place prize money from the snowflakechallenge.   Monday Megan Sandra and Ariel came.  Over the weekend one of his bosses from snowmaking dropped by.  I know I’m forgetting some folks but please know that it means so much to Bennett (and me) to have you visit.  Please continue to drop by.  Bennett is also taking phone calls.  Thanks to everyone who continues to make Bennett’s days better by visiting, sending cards, calling, praying and sending positive vibes. 

With much love and gratitude,

Libby