Hikin' Mike...

“Every so often some people e-mail me and wonder how I’m doing, so I figured I’d post.

Background:
· February 2006 Right knee replaced.
· Two more surgeries on my right knee because of “infection”. I go once a month to get an IViG Infusion…I have to do this forever.
· September 2006 another surgery to do a skin graft and “Flap” on my knee.
· October 2006 had to remove my hardware on my right knee. Basically I don’t have a knee. Two days after my surgery, I got a minor Stroke. I’m 42.

Update:
My speech/typing is getting better…much better than 6 months ago! I still have a few problems but there getting better.

I saw the doctor(s) March 28, 2007. Plastic surgery said I was finally “healed” and I don’t have to see him again…yeah! My Orthopedic surgeon (Knee) doesn’t want to try installing a new knee again. I still have a bad immune system and he thinks it will do it again…I agree.

Right now, my right leg has fused together…it just did since October, so I can’t bend it. Also since then, my left leg won’t straighten out. The doctor did some x-rays to see what he can do, if anything. I need to find out if I can put any weight on it at all. Should be getting a phone call this or next week about that. Right now I’m in a wheelchair.

Right now it doesn’t look like I’ll be hiking/backpacking like I used to. Most of the time, I’m okay with that…it could be worse, but other times…well you can imagine it. My wife Stacy has been my rock…I couldn’t do it without her. She jokes…”For better or worse; and you better not get any worse”. My two kids (9 & 6) now know that I’m not going to die soon (they were concerned) and that I will probably not walk like I used to, but we can do things together.

Now I can start to move on with my life. I’m planning on camping still; just it’s going to be a bit different. I’m still into photography. I can’t go to those remote places, but there are places that I can go to. We just bought a “new” van a few weeks ago. I can get into the van now so I can start going places again, in fact I went to church for the first time in almost 2 years last weekend. Went to the San Luis NWR on the way home from the doctors and took a few photos. Planning on going to Yosemite soon!

That’s about it for now. Thanks for listening…

-Mike”

“Ah but you CAN backpack! You may just need to find some new techniques and definitely lighten the load. All ya have to do is think outside the box! Besides, most of the TT trips are within a mile of a road. LOL!

Are you getting around with crutches?”

“Wow Hikin Mike.

I'm glad and amazed at your positive attitude.”

“Nigal,
No crutches or walker...can't put any weight on my right leg and my left leg is bent 90 degrees and won't straighten out.

Tree,

Have have to... :)”

“Ah I see. I thought it might be fused straight. 90 degrees would be harder. As long as you can get out in the outdoors and enjoy yourself. Keep on it and aim high.”

“llamas, get yourself a couple.

Glad to see you handling it well and moving forward.”

“good to hear from you again Mike. will keep you in my prayers still! let's pray to have knee unbent?!”

“Mike,
Hope you can meet us for those car camping trips. Maybe they will plan a fall color camping trip again this year.
Your a strong guy. I know you'll get out there some how. Tell Stacy and the girls hello.”

“Keep on keeping on Mike.”

“Great to hear from you again! We're all rooting for ya ---”

“Mike, good to hear with a few adjustments you can still get out and go camping. I admire your attitude.”

“MIKE!!!

Believe it or not, I just thought about you yesterday! BowlderSon was asking me about lyme disease (that was the original cause of all this, right?), so I was telling him about you. Nigal is right about the short distance of most TT trips - I'm sure we can all figure something out to make sure you are there!!

Glad to hear you are doing OK, all things considered.

PS: BowlderSon just said to send you his best wishes....
last edited: 4/05/07 10:09:17 PM”

“Mike - Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear that you won't be walking, but glad to hear you have some great support!

Hope to see you at a campground or trailhead sometime!!!”

“Mike, God bless and keep you. Forgive my curiosity but I am coming late into the story of your struggle. Someone mentioned Lyme's Disease. Was that the cause? Was the reason they had to remove the artificial right knee a secondary staph infection or a direct affect of the primary diagnosis? Is there any chance that sometime in the future they will try the knee replacement again? Can physical therapy help the left knee?”

“You need a sit-on-top kayak big enough to carry camping gear.

Keep you hopes up!”

“Mike,

I'm glad you posted - i do wonder how your doing - you've been through a tremendous amount of stuff and were it me i'm not sure I'd be in nearly as good of shape as you seem to be.

Keep it up!”

“HM, thank you for your update. You are in my prayers. Can't wait to see your pics again!”

“Solitary Hiker,
Originally they thought Lyme, but they believe my Immune System (bad) started to attack my joints...mainly my knees. The infection was because of the "hardware" and immune system. I doubt they will try it again...unless in a few years my immune system gets better. I've tried with PT on my left leg and it won't budge. We'll see if the x-rays say.

Tango, I have my photos here: Images In The Backcountry

Thanks everyone! :)”

“Could it be Lupus?”

“OMG...what wonderful pics.....thanks for sharing!!!!.....”

“Sol,
Not Lupus.

Divinity,
Thanks! :)”

“You are an inspiration HM, truly.”