Spaulding Rehab Center trip report: Pedx ing

“Skiracer was already at Spaulding when Skeetah Bait and I (monkeyboy) met him in the lobby. Since he had visited Pedxing earlier, he knew right where to go. We left a stack of papers with directions, phone numbers, room numbers, even his last name, all at home on the kitchen table. The receptionist couldn't give me his room number with the little info I had, but never fear, SKIRACER was here!!!!

We headed up to his room, and saw a man laying in bed, with neatly trimmed short hair. We asked for Pedxing, and this man hopped right out of bed. I didn't immediately recognize Pedxing, but there he was, with new short hair! I must say it was gratifying to see him hop right out of bed to greet us.

Things went a little slower from that point. His skin is tender and his hands are a bit shaky. But he is able to do much. He had some help getting his shoes and socks on, then donned a gown to meet with us in the nice day room at the end of the hall. If he leaves his room, he has to don a gown and latex gloves, if we enter, we have to.

We chit chatted for quite some time, about this and that, his future employment, a new home for him, etc... He works for a good guy, distant relative, so easing back into the work schedule should be worked out just fine.

He longs for a cold drink of liquid. Due to either damge or atrophy, they are not yet sure which, he must thicken liquids to swallow, about nectar thick. As he gets stronger, his ability to swallow has gotten better, so....

Tomorrow, he is hopeful that he will not need an escort to walk down the hallway. Today, he was to have one. Of course, we volunteered.

When he sat on his bed, preparing for lunch, his finger was bleeding. He immediatly put some bacitracin ointment on it, and called a nurse. It was not bad, but they watch that stuff there. He was not sure how it happened, it could have been from the flexxing of his skin, or scraping his finger on the bed rail or sheet.

He had his mother coming at noon to pick him up and take him to her home for a few hours. This was his first pass! We bantered back and forth as he ate before his mother came, then we left him to prepare for the trip.

I must say, he seems in good spirits, and we are relieved to see him doing so well. It's a long trail ahead of him, but one I am certain he will conquer.”

“Thanks for the update, monkeyboy. Sounds like overall he's on the up and up.”

“Monkeyboy, thanks for taking the time for such a complete report. Sounds like it will take more perseverance to complete the rehab than an Appalachian Thru-hike. I hope Pedxing come thru with flying colors.”

“That's so great --- He seems to be making amazing progress!

I guess he still has to be mindful of infection... and some things take longer to get back to normal after being 'on pause' like that.

Still... Words fail. All I can say is 'Wow'! <SMILES>”

“That is so great! Thanks for sharing your visit with us.”

“cool beans!yo bear!”

“:)”

“Yes, it was a nice visit to let Pedxing know that we are all rooting for his success and that he is on a lot of people's minds. He is a strong willed man that anyone would have to admire, to get through this ordeal and everyone has him in their prayers.

One thing Pexding seemed pretty happy about, is that he will be getting married in just a few weeks. We are so happy for him! We wish him all the best and will be glad to see him on the road to recovery.”

“Great news. Keep up the fight Ped!

Congratulations on the impending wedding. I wish you the best.”

“When I went to visit Pexing with Skeetah bait and Monkeyboy today, I was amazed at how much he had progressed in the past 16 days since I last visited him at Mass. General. He is able to carry on conversations much better, has much more energy and looks much, much better. He said that he didn't remember a lot of people that visited him past 10 days ago and the docs said he really didn't have much of a short term memory before 10 days ago.

He told us his lungs were at 98% capacity, which is better than a lot of people who haven't been through an ordeal like he has been through. He works with a physical therapist who works mostly on his hands...getting the skin to stretch and remain as flexible as possible, increase circulation and other good things. He gets some good pain meds before the PT works with him.

He told us that he was scheduled to get married just a couple of weeks after the fire. Obviously, that had to be put on hold. The good news is that he is still getting married in just a couple of weeks. He said it was really weird to remember nothing after they had put him under at the hospital until just less than a couple of weeks ago. It was like two months of his life had passed. I think it may be a good thing that he doesn't remeber much from his hospital stay and all the pain he must have had to endure.

I'm really happy that he looks much better and is feeling better, although there is still a long road of recovery before him. Way to go, Ped! He said that he won't be able to hike at all this year, but was looking forward to getting on the trail next year. For awhile, he will be ultra-sensitive to sunlight and heat, even the heat generated by his own body.

Please keep Pedxing and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

“I am simply overjoyed to hear how well Ped is doing. It brings tears (of joy) to my eyes! Thanks to everyone fro all the updates and reports. I look forward to the day that I can meet and hike w/ him.

I will continue to keep him and his family in my thoughts.”

“He sounds like a strong guy!! Im glad to hear hes doing so well!!”

“thank you for the updates.”

“thanks for posting reports, guys. I am thrilled that Ped is doing so well. The speed at which he progresses is miraculous! He is a very determined guy. :o)”

“Nice news, people!”

“Great reports, monkeyboy and skiracer. Glad to hear he is doing so well. Thanks for reporting back to us so diligently!”

“YAY!! :-D it's nice to hear from people who've seen him in person.”

“Thanks for the update!”

“great news”

“Excellent!”

“Thanks and God bless.

Doug”

“Well that makes my day!”

“The best 'trip report' ever. I will continue to keep Pedxing in my thoughts and prayers. And someone post the wedding date so we can particularly be there in spirit.”

“Thanks for the report monkeyboy,
Still rootin for ya pedx...”

“Thanks for the update. Its great to hear how well he is progressing.”

“I've been off hiking and missed this thread--thanks to all of you for the report. I am especially pleased Pedxing is still planning to be married. This is great news.”

“And tell him he needs to get his ass back over here. This place needs therapy, LOL!”

“I got moved off the floor that had a computer, but I've continued to get stronger and just got the OK to go downstairs on my own to get on line. I'm due to go home on May 7. Will tie the knot on May 1.

I'm really moved by all the concern and was touched by the visit from monkey, ski, and skeeter. Thanks for you thoughts and prayers and everything else.”

“Hey Ped! Good to see your name again here. Hope all is well!”

“PEDXING!!!

Alright! You found a computer and all your bad habits (TrailTalk) are coming back!!!

Glad to hear your doing well, keep up the great work!”

“Cool, ped! Glad that things are going better.

My best to you and your bride-to-be.”

“oh welcome back, i am soo lgad to hear from you. thank you. you made my day.

your getting married? ok when and where do Igo?

hehe”

“Wow.. I've been catching up on some of the threads about my injury. Y'all have moved me to tears. Your support in so many forms has really meant a lot.”

“Great to hear from you Ped. May 7 is my wife's birthday, so I'll add a toast to your homecoming, too, while we have the bubbly going.

Getting married on May Day? Why you left-wing New England liberal pinko, you! At least you'll remember it's your anniversary when you see all the red flags flying on the TV news from abroad. Sincerely, all the best from me and reino to you and your wonderful bride.”

“So the nekkid hospital bed dancing girls showed up then?

They weren't cheap ya know!!!!”

“congratulations on the knot-tieing!

glad to see you back, i've missed making fun of you.
;-)”

“Back atcha there, Ped. I can't tell you how good it is to see you posting again ---- ya dang wacko”

“Yeah man, that lyra is nuttin' but trouble!

You're gettin' married on Saturday!

Good luck and my good thoughts, buddy!”

“On both the move home and your impending sentence(whoops) I mean marriage!!!

Hope you're back on the trail sooner than anyone predicts!”

“Wow, getting married before being released, that seems extra special. Sort of a testament to love in hard times. This may be the first time I've posted to one of the threads, but I've read them all. I'm sure there are dozens of other folks who've been reading, praying, and going through the emotional ups and downs as we follow along with you that didn't post.”

“Wahoo! I can't believe you've healed so quickly! That's great!”

“The month of May brings you so many positive things!! YAY!”

“Isn't May Day a big pagan holiday?”

“I got so excited I fumbled the message!!


Now I have to go read what is going on!”

“Congratulations! What great news”

“Mayday is a good pagan holiday!


How about it Ped . . .right back into the religion wars.



Actually. In your honor of your calm and mediating prescence, since the accident, all of trailtalk has abstained from any sort of inflammatory speeck, threads or action.

Everyone has been civil and courteous in expressing their opinions. THere have been no dog, guns, religion, political, war, or other contreversial threads.”

“Its just great to see your sign on.

just great.”

“Great news! Thanks for keeping us posted.”

“Ought to be an interesting honeymoon, with the nurses walking in all the time.


;)”

“

Everyone has been civil and courteous in expressing their opinions. THere have been no dog, guns, religion, political, war, or other contreversial threads."
lee

Yep, it's been dull without you.”