an Explanation

 On September 23, 2023 the mister was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident.  

He was airlifted to Harborview Trauma Center (Harborview Hospital, Seattle, WA) from Wenatchee Valley Hospital.  

He suffered an open compound fracture of the right femur (broken in 3 places, a serious fracture of the left meta carpal bones and a broken sternum.

He spent the next 8 days in the trauma floor of the hospital.  He had emergency surgery for the leg, and the hand and sternum were treated. He required a blood transfusion and was on a heart monitor for his hospital stay and for a week post hospitalization.  

On October 2 he arrived in Colfax at the rehabilitation center, after being transported by ambulance from Seattle.  This center was completely unacceptable and as soon as I was able to have him transferred he went to Pullman Care Rehabilitation Center in Pullman, WA.  He stayed there from October 6 until October 20, 2023, receiving Physical and Occupational Therapy.  He continues to receive PT at their facility when I take him into town two times a week.  

Because there were no orthopedic surgeons in our immediate area (within 50 miles) able to take patients we must go to Spokane-90 miles one way-for orthopedic consults.  He used a wheelchair for a week as well as his walker (adapted to be used so no weight is on his left hand) and is now using only the walker.  

This was a very traumatic experience for us both.  For him to his body & psyche; for me to my psyche and my ability to cope with all of the insurance, auto & health, "froo-fraw".  He has been told this will NEVER happen again.  No one prepares you for how to navigate all of the myriad pathways one must tread when things like this happen.  And caregiving is a tremendous job, especially for someone who isn't "up to snuff" in their own health department.

OK, updates will follow when this one gets time and energy to do so.