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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 29, 2009 - 10:36pm PT
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The special wrap was supposed to help prevent drainage
of blood into the knee, but it's not working, and the
pain is just as bad as ever, so I am beginning to think
my trip to the doctor was a complete waste...
It's good to talk to people, though, even if it's
online, on a forum...
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C. Small wall climber.
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Oct 29, 2009 - 10:38pm PT
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Cheer up, Pat - sometimes these things take a little time. Are you elevating the leg also? Icing? Anyway, we'll at least try to keep you company here.
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 29, 2009 - 11:43pm PT
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Yes, that's all I ask for, a little company.
Nothing else to do. Too much pain to work on my
book, except at moments...
Here comes this pain again. I've always been good
at handling pain, but this stuff is really something
fierce. I tried icing, and it didn't help.
I have tried elevating, and it hurts more and
doesn't help. Nothing seems to work. I can only
bear any given position so long, then I have to move.
If I'm sitting, then I have to stand, if I stand a bit,
then I have to sit. If I try to lie down,
which I do at times, I can't find any position that
works. All hurt. So I finally give up...
I would have thought after two weeks I would see
some improvement. That's the worst, is how long
this has lasted, although in the big scheme of things,
I'm sure my problems are trivial by comparison to
a lot of other people... I wish it helped more to
know that...
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Oct 29, 2009 - 11:56pm PT
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Pat,
I'd give the wrap a little more time. Also, as others have said, elevation of the affected leg is better than having your leg down low--as far as an accumulation of blood goes. Hang in there. What a freaky accident.
Curt
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 30, 2009 - 01:13am PT
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hey there pat... oh my....
hang in there, mentally, as physicaly, you already are...
try to pray for the grace of god to comfort you...
say, i sent you a little card, sure hope it helps in some way...
are you up right now...?
i will pray all tonight and all moring, for some more help to come your way...
say--this is your recovery time, your book can wait, even though it seems like it cant.... i know, cause i've had to let books wait, too, and write them near a year later, in two cases...
god blesss....
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2009 - 01:34am PT
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Shortness of breath, kind of like some sort of
apnea. I find myself drifting off from exhaustion,
then waking up totally gasping for breath,
I don't know, maybe it's one of those panic attack
things that affect breathing. It's all becoming
too much. Just went through two hours of the most
excruciating pain I can imagine, had my leg elevated
the whole time, lightly massaging down my leg, from
knee toward thigh, to help get the blood moving,
nothing. I would think elevating the leg would help too,
but so far it just fires up the pain big time. Had to
get up, cross the room, kind of claustrophobic or
something. Wow, what a drama I'm putting on for everyone,
really, though, just to take my mind off things,
even though it doesn't... back to the struggle.
Thanks everyone,
Pat
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wack-N-dangle
Gym climber
the ground up
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Oct 30, 2009 - 01:42am PT
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Best wishes. Maybe someone with medical expertise could confirm this. Is shortness of breath possibly a symptom of an embolus?
I would take any offer by anyone on this website for medical care.
Otherwise, I looked at some pain management web sites. I wish I could offer more.
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MisterE
Trad climber
Canoga Bark! CA
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Oct 30, 2009 - 01:47am PT
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Goddamn it Pat - I am f*#king worried about you!
I know you have amazing levels of pain tolerance, and that just worries me more.
Feel helpless to help someone who has moved me in my life in so many ways...
*tears*
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2009 - 03:49am PT
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Suddenly the pain left at 1:30 a.m., well,
I mean, didn't leave... but greatly lessened,
and probably only for a time,
but I discovered, as I tried to get out of the
chair, I can't now put one ounce of weight on the
dumb leg. So I hopped one legged over to the refrigerator
to get some ice, because I have found a nerve or something
maybe a tendon, maybe an artery, can't exactly
tell with my limited understanding of anatomy,
but it runs up the right side of my knee and up toward my thigh,
and seems to be one of the culprits here. I am going to try
to ice the thing tonight, as I sit and stare at the
hours go by. Fifteen minutes now, no pain. Even that
might be enough to prepare me for the next wave. But
I must try the ice. Maybe it will suffice.
The ongoing saga... and yes I felt more or less
disappointed with my doctor, even though she has always
been really astute and wonderful and helpful in the past.
I'm not sure I adequately communicated the level of pain
to her... maybe not...
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2009 - 06:24am PT
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4:20, whammo, pain back in full, although leg was fully elevated
Can hobble a bit. did get about an hour rest, thank heaven.
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2009 - 10:22am PT
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Made it to morning, no change, just pain.
But I can imagine most of you are getting tired
of this, so I'll give you a break...
and focus my mind on this leg...
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
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Oct 30, 2009 - 11:20am PT
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This is sounding a lot like what a friend of mine that was in a car accident went through, and he went through it in 2 week stay in the hospital under 24 hr nursing care.
It really sucks when cost is a factor that has to be considered when dealing with issues like this! When is our f*&king health care system going to get fixed so that people don't have to choose between pain and bankruptcy.
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Oct 30, 2009 - 01:31pm PT
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Good thoughts going your way Pat.
Get well.
Erik
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2009 - 01:45pm PT
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Elevating the leg does seem to help a very small bit
with the pain but then makes it more difficult when I
need to put weight on the leg (when I have to get up
and go to the bathroom, or whatever). Can't seem to
put any weight on it at all, after I do the elevation
thing for a spell. Is it time to shoot me yet?
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Oct 30, 2009 - 02:56pm PT
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Patrick! i've been off the Topo for several weeks and when I come on - here you are suffering from pain and financial insecurity. The pain is one thing, and I hope some of the suggestions here might help you find some relief. But the possibility of more permanent or life-threatening damage that might result from inadequate medical care due to no insurance or money to pay for the care really frosts my goat.
Even though I'm in a somewhat similar situation (insurance and cash-wise - not in severe pain), I promise to help you to find money to pay for adequate care during this time of crisis. Just get the care, and negotiate the lowest price and longest terms of payment you can. We can figure out how to pay for it later. If an illegal alien can get treated in this country for free, we should be able to get you the help you need, and then settle the bill for a reasonable amount later.
In the last month I have also been balancing healthcare decisions with available finances. So far all choices have been made toward getting the care needed. At some point that will change, though: when I've run through any savings I have that I planned to use for retirement. It's easy to go through a year's worth of retirement funds in a few days' hospital stay with expensive testing.
I feel your pain, Pat, as obviously do so many other Tacoheads.
-Jeff
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MH2
climber
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Oct 30, 2009 - 03:32pm PT
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Wish I had realized earlier a thread with this title might be significant given the author.
Wish a trauma surgeon had been consulted ASAP.
Patrick, how is your appetite? Do you know what to expect if a clot arrives in your lungs? You seem to be getting by but you have to sleep sometime. Someone should be keeping an eye on you in case your judgement heads south coincident with your physical condition.
Clearly you are one tough unselfish motherf*#ker, which may work against you, here.
If this resolves you are in for some great feelings, though, cause
"As high as we have mounted in delight, in our despair do we sink as low."
and vice versa
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Oct 30, 2009 - 05:36pm PT
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I just talked to Pat on the phone again and he sounds surprisingly cheerful?!
He does have friends who are dropping by and checking on him including someone who is bringing him crutches which should help. He's also promised to stay off his feet for a couple of days which he hasn't done up until now. He's actually had a few small periods without pain in the last 24 hours, so it's hopeful.
Two different doctors have told him that it's going to take weeks to heal and they are aware of some of his other complications. He has medical insurance so he's covered for catastrophic problems, but the deductibles and co-pays are not cheap.
I felt much better about his situation after talking to him.
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MH2
climber
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Oct 30, 2009 - 06:09pm PT
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I just talked to Pat on the phone again and he sounds surprisingly cheerful?!
Thanks for your info.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C. Small wall climber.
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Oct 30, 2009 - 06:23pm PT
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Well, it seems that there is some positive news, anyway. Hopefully Pat's feeling a bit better, and it's good to hear that he has an on-hand support network. Hopefully it will settle down over the weekend, but having just gotten back from a visit to the doctor myself, I suggest that if there's any concern or change, get thee to a doctor's office/clinic asap. And keep us posted - if necessary we (I) can tell bad jokes and invent dreadful puns to help provide diversion.
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