AMERICA

AMERICA
ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

FLEET FEET NO MORE

When the 2007 year of hospital emergency runs had passed, and the excitement tapered off to home visits by the nurse and Dr."H", the main concern was now my feet. The major idea was to wait and pray for circulation to revive the flesh. The result was amazing. By mid 2008 my feet were still hard to look at. But the right foot had restored so well, only the toes were involved. The left foot was a bit worse. But the heel bone had been involved.
We went to see Dr."S" and he was surprised to see us. While exchanging pleasantries, I commented that if I still had to lose a leg I would have to withdraw from the annual butt-kick contest. He laughed hard and said "Now, I remember why I wanted you to make it." I asked him if he remembered the promise he made to me? He said "Yes . But you must remember that when I said that to you, none of us believed you would still be alive. Your condition was so serious, I did not have the heart to tell you what I really felt. "
My heart began to sink for only the second time in my life. And I had been talking to a doctor both times. Then he told me that just because I might lose a leg didn't mean I would not ride a motorcycle. And he would do everything in his power to get me "In the Wind." He had just used a term that only bikers use. So I immediately asked him what kind of bike he rode. He answered "A Harley! Is there any other kind?" So he understood! And I understood.
I had been riding motorcycles for as long as I can remember. My first car was a motorcycle. I was riding a motorcycle the day I met my wife. She knew the job was dangerous when she took it. I have never concerned myself worrying over death or possible injury. Before I was a Christian, I simply never thought about it. And afterwards, I knew that my God was in charge. If he wanted me dead or crippled, he didn't need a motorcycle to do it. A bar of soap in the shower has claimed more lives than motorcycles ever did. Why aren't there helmet laws for the shower? I know in my heart that God would never look up from his throne and see me standing there, and ask "Why are you here so soon?" Look at My Name! I am crippled, and it had nothing to do with a motorcycle.
Another miracle took place during this time period. The people where I worked continued to shower me with cards, letters, posters and love. I had used so much blood with all of the transfusions I received. Some of my friends organized a blood drive at work. They donated close to 100 pints of blood in my name. Now that's giving from the heart! But it did not stop there. They took up a collection, got together and purchased a software that would allow me to use the computer without my hands, which were still not functioning yet. That way we could exchange e-mails and I could stay in touch with the world. Even today we still exchange e-mails and I send out regular updates on my status. Several of them, my friends, after reading the e-mails said I should write a book. This story is my version of that book. It is dedicated to my family and all those wonderful people at San Diego Data Processing Corporation. I love each and every one of you. Unashamedly!
My appointment for amputation got waylaid three times. Each one involved a new infection. I had a bladder infection. Then a kidney infection. And finally an infection that inflamed my pancreas. There was new and more exquisite pain with each new infection. I have been told that childbirth is the worst pain imaginable. Five minutes after my son was born, I asked my beautiful wife "Would you do that again?" Her answer was "Yes." It has been awhile now and I still don't want an other inflamed pancreas. You decide.
All of the doctors were in agreement. The infections were probably coming from my feet. A surgery was necessary to remove them. However, if they did it while infection was active, there was a risk I might not survive anesthesia. That's between a rock and a hard place! Danged if you do and danged if you don't. One of my favorite comedians George Carlin had a routine he called "Phrases you will never say." Well I ended up saying one of those phrases. Who could of guessed I would say "Please saw my legs off!" To some one who could and would. It ended with an amputation of my left leg about 10 inches below the knee. And all the toes on my right foot went into the scrap bin. I had begged to not have a general anesthesia because of my previous experience with that tube in the throat. My voice was my only means of communication and defense. Dr. S. agreed. One serious dose of sleeping medication, an epidural pain blocker and a couple hours later I was back in my room on the ward.
Next time: The Phantom Menace.
KW

15 comments:

Kelly said...

Tu me fais sourire.
et le travail!
Je ne parle pas le français.
Que Dieu vous bénisse, mon ami.

Maintenant, pour lire votre blog.

KrippledWarrior said...

You pretend to speak français very well my dear. English it shall be.
Blasé will be relieved I'm sure.
KW

Kelly said...

Wow! Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to each installment.

Have a great day.

SusanD said...

Votre histoire apporte à la fois la joie et chagrin. J'adore le commentaire casque. Je ne parle pas le français. J'ai utilisé un traducteur. Bénédictions de Dieu pour vous.

I'll be splittin the wind today on my 2007 Heritage Softail Classic w/a 90 day color (burgundy & cream). :)

Kelly said...

Nous pouvons toujours utiliser le français parfois faire Blase jaloux. LOL!

Il s'étend mon cerveau pour chercher le texte et savoir ce que vous dites. c'est amusant.

KrippledWarrior said...

THANK YOU SUSAND AND KELLY COMBS. I am amazed and elated by the ingenious people I have met and touched here.
pour les personnes qui prétendent parler en anglais seulement, vous surprendre vraiment. Bénédictions de Dieu sœurs.

SUSAND==> Keep it between the ditches and your knees. Ride fast and make lotsa noise. Turning heads for Christ is a good thing.
KW

Heart2Heart said...

Again, I am amazed at the strength and determination you have possessed during this entire time.

I agree this should be something that perhaps once you finish with blogging that you begin and write a book. See this blog as pages of that published work.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Kelly said...

Louez Dieu pour les traducteurs!

KrippledWarrior said...

AMEN Sister!
Thank you again.

Edie said...

Hey KW thanks for stopping by my blog. I have to say I was NOT mocking your attempt at explanation to my dear friend ADHD-Jo. I just know her well enough to know that while she was reading she likely had a blank stare on her face. It took me and her sister CK a while to teach her how to link. :) I couldn't help but laugh at the visual.

That's the great thing about the chat room (ADHD-Jo's comment section), there's always fun and laughter going on in there. :)

Me? A master HTML coder? Ha! Thanks for the compliment, but I have no doubt you could teach me way more than I could forget. :)

Now I'm off to read your post(s). I am interested in hearing your story.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Edie said...

I'm baaack. :)

I'm reading your story backwards but it is still quite amazing. I have often wondered how well I would handle being tossed into the world of disabilities like that. I have met quite a number of people who have been and they are less likely to complain about inconveniences than those of us whose disabilities aren't so visible.

I'm wondering what software you are using that enables you to use the computer. Is it a voice recognition product? I used to work for a company that manufactured computer access products for people with disabilities. Mostly people who had limited or no use of their hands.

Admiring your military decorations. Do you have a text page listing the medals and what they are for? I think you should for those of us who don't have a military background.

Ok I have to go get some work done now. :)

KrippledWarrior said...

Edie,
The software is Dragon Naturally Speaking By NUANCE.
Works on all 32bit versions of windows including Vista. I'll let you know if it works on WIN7 as soon as it comes out in OCT.
I have the citations for the medals when they were awarded. Is that what you mean? or just their names and general description of why they are awarded. I think most of that stuff is boring to civilians who really don't understand Navy lingo. Sailor speak does not come from american slang. Besides it would read as a brag sheet. and that's not my mission. But since you asked so nicely, If your interested I will do one for you. Just say the word.
KW

Edie said...

The name and generally, why and when you received it. Not a lot of techno jargon. *wink* I understand you thinking it might read as a brag sheet but I don't think it's inappropriate to have a page for interested viewers to gain an education. Surely I'm not the only one with an interest. Of course I don't want you to go to a lot of work on my account either. So if you feel like posting it I would be interested, if not I won't be upset. :)

I thought it was probably DNS. Do you use it to navigate too or do you use a mouse or mouse emulator? Sorry for all the questions. Just curious. You can tell me to shoo. :)

KrippledWarrior said...

DNS will do commands and navigation as well as type words. I use my fingers to type today. and I use a Logitech Marble(track-ball). The DNS does not do français. I will find away to describe the medals and ribbons Por Vous.
KW

Edie said...

:D merci beaucoup!
Have a blessed weekend!