The Road to Recovery

Fri, Dec 8, 2017

Two weeks ago today, I joined a group of guys for a day of riding Honda Quads in the CA desert.  Unfortunately, I didn’t make it up one of the climbs and the Honda and I tumbled back down the hill and the Honda rolled over me pushing my legs into my chest.  The result was seven fractures:  three vertebrae, three in my right hip and a rib.

After four nights in the hospital (two in the ICU), I was discharged and walked out under my own power.  Thanks to crutches, that is, as my right hip was not able to support my body weight.

Over the past few days, I’ve transitioned to a single crutch and can walk a bit without support, although very gingerly.  I’m hoping to ditch the crutches for a cane in the next few days.

I’m also required to wear a TLSO brace (thoracolumbosacral orthosis) whenever I’m out of bed.  Mine was made by Aspen and is designed to immobilize my spine to allow the fractures to heal.  Basically, it prevents me from rotating or arching my back and I could be stuck in this thing for 2-3 months.  We’ll see.

Sleep continues to be a challenge as any movement, such as rolling onto my side, creates pain in my hip and rib.  I’ve learned how to do it with the least amount of pain but it doesn’t always work.

As for meds, I have a prescription for the generic form of Vicodin, a mixture of hydrocodone & acetaminophen at a strength of 5 – 325 mg.  The other option is Percocet that is a mixture of oxycodone & acetaminophen.  Oxycodone is similar to hydrocodone and is the active ingredient in Oxycontin.

5 mg is a low dosage and no doubt reflects the current state of opioid addiction sweeping the nation.  Nonetheless, it’s been fine for me as I’ve only taken 13 pills in the 11 days since my discharge while the recommended dosage is one every six hours.  I’ve been able to do this since the pain subsides if I don’t move.  Steady as she goes, no?

Boredom.  I’m not one for sitting around all day and that’s another of my challenges.  Don’t laugh but I watched an NFL game last Sunday.  First time in years (decades?) that I’ve sat by myself and watched football.  Seriously.  And just for the sake of full disclosure, I’ve watched plenty of TV golf, at least on those days that Carol was willing to give up the clicker 🙂