The Following is a recap of the past two months of my journey and a special thanks to all: What a journey! This past weekend I celebrated my birthday and reflected on my beautiful life. These past two months brought challenges to my body, mind, and spirit, serving ultimately as months of gratitude and growth. Tomorrow marks two months since I first arrived for a loving and fun filled family reunion in Florida. As most reading this know, the trip ended with nearly two weeks of hospitalization for a necrotizing fasciitis infection threatening my limbs and life. The sixth floor West Florida Hospital nursing staff cared for my body and my spirit, helping me heal and acting as my teachers and friends. My surgeon Dr. Comitalo removed the necrotized tissue and skin before it could claim my arm while my infectious disease specialist Dr. Kumari ensured the bacteria in my body was eliminated before spreading throughout my system. Dr. Kumari played another part in my journey in the way she cared for me and the special connection we shared over the course of my treatment. Returning to Nashville I met the skilful team at the St. Thomas Wound Center. They ensured the healing of my large surgical wound as I journeyed around town in my Wound Vac. Two weeks ago my fourth and final surgery was completed by Dr. Robbins. Skin was taken from my hip and grafted onto my arm closing my open wound. A cast for a week and then another week of creams and wraps behind me, Dr. Robbins removed my stitches and revealed a 100%take on my skin graft yesterday. Now I enter the final stages of care. One more follow up in two weeks and I look forward to all normal activities again! A big thanks to my Jacob for all his love, support, and constant care and attention. To my parents for being with me in the hospital and simply being available for anything I needed. To my cousin Susan and her family, thank you for the use of your home and you uplifting presence during my Florida treatment. To my dear friend Erin for organizing a fundraiser. An event that helped financially, but more importantly allowed me a venue to connect with family, old friends, and loved ones. To all the sixth floor nurses whom I had the pleasure of being under your care, thank you dearly. To Dr. Kumari and Dr. Comitalo, I am thankful for your dedication to saving my arm and my life. West Florida Hospital staff, you provided efficient services encased in kindness. St. Thomas, thank you for the wound care and your kindness. Dr. Robbins, I am grateful for the successful graft and what I am sure will be a great looking one as healing completes. To the unnamed friend of Dr. Kumari who wrote me a beautiful anonymous letter from your home in India, thank you for the healing words, advice, energy and for being a manifestation of The One. Without having met you, I see you and am humbled by your beautiful spirit. To the thousands who prayed, sent kind words and thoughts, and played an integral part of this life affirming experience, THANK YOU! I end with two quotes. The first from an inspirational old gospel song recently recorded by Maria Carey “I just can’t give up now Ive come too far from where Ive started from Nobody told me the road would be easy and I don’t believe He’s brought me this far to leave me. Second, the words spoken as a blessing over my life aby a kind stranger who hugged me close and spoke these words just days before I left for Florida and had the vacation of a lifetime: “May you have a long and fulfilling life.” I pass this blessing on to all who accept it: May you have a Long and Fulfilling Life…no matter if it is for one more day or one hundred years.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 02:07:48 +0000
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