Latest on Cogs’s Condition as of 7/6/09
So we’re 6 weeks removed from the big wreck and it’s time for a progress report:
We just went to the spine clinic for a check up. New x-rays were taken to compare with the originals and the Physician’s Assistant reports that everything appears to be healing up well. Cogs has started doing some physical therapy with his legs; the right one is particularly weak which is also the result of some nerve damage. It is anticipated that this will be corrected with physical therapy.
Weeks of convalescence and poor appetite dropped him from his normal 135 lbs to a measly 120, but with the help of many friends and fellow racers who contributed via “the Casserole Brigade” he has gained 10 lbs back. The last couple of weeks has brought about further improvement in the digestive tract as well.
There is still a fair amount of abdominal pain although it has improved somewhat. The pain is best described as “visceral”: a general, undefined amalgam of nerve pain, internal swelling and general discomfort. It is normal and consistent with the amount of trauma in this area (broken sternum, ribs, bruised lungs, lacerated liver, slow bowel) to experience this pain and it will probably continue for some time
The surgical incision has completely healed and looks good despite having developed some infection the week after surgery. The infection was quickly knocked out with a prescription of Keflex, a very strong antibiotic. The back itself is doing pretty well; since the thoracic portion of the spine is the least mobile, there is not much need to worry about overextending it, particularly in light of the other broken bones that are very sensitive to being worked.
The ribs and sternum are still painful and cannot bear much weight, it will be a few more weeks until he can start building strength in the back and upper body.
Cogs is still wearing a “Miami-J” collar for the broken C7 neck vertabra and the avulsion fracture at the base of the skull . This will continue for another 6 weeks. It is uncomfortable but necessary for the continuing process of healing up these sensitive areas.
The avulsion fracture was one of the more frightening injuries. These fractures usually result in fatality as the skull essentially becomes dislocated from the spine. This occurs when the ligments that connect the skull to the spine actually break off a piece of the skull due to the hyperflexion of the spine. The hyperflexion of Cogs’s spine is what burst his T9 vertabra and tore other small ligaments that stabilize the spine.
Cogs has gotten out and about several times the last 2-3 weeks and is good for about 2-3 hours a day. Stretches of over 3 hours are particularly taxing and he gets crabby, but his stamina should improve in the coming weeks as he is able to do more therapy.
There is a long way to go but we are all thankful to everyone who has pitched in, donated, come to the benefit parties or just called to wish him well–it has made a huge difference and means a lot!
