Well my last post was in April and a lot sure has happened since then.
The unimaginable happened June 10th, I was home from work sick and around 3:00 in the afternoon I received a call from my brother Trier however when I answered the phone it was Lexington County EMS telling me that Trier had been in a wreck and that he was being transported to Palmetto Health Richland. My parents were out of town in Charleston for my father's job. The EMT wouldn't tell me anything on the phone he told me he was unable to release this information as I drove to the hospital I had a mix of emotions running through my mind. I finally reached the hospital and my boss and co-worker were there waiting for me to take me to meet with the patient liason. Shortly after I arrived I was taken to the consulation room where I met with the Dr's who saw him immediately on arrival.
They informed me that his facial injuries were very severe and that I probably wouldnt recognize him but that he was awake and aware of what was going on. He was very relieved to see me and was pretty upset as you can imagine. He didnt remember anything that happened.
I was able to go back and see him about 30 minutes after meeting with the Dr's. It was a sight I will NEVER forget my poor brothers face was completely crushed and he was completely unrecognizable. He was in a lot of pain and he was pretty shaken up by what had happened. He was driving down Hwy 378 and passed out behind the wheel crossed three lanes of traffic and went about 500 yards before taking down three pine trees.
He endured a lot of tests (MRI's CT scans, blood work galore) and a 12 hour reconstructive facial surgery by the most amazing plastic surgeon EVER Dr. Wasserman.
He also had a tracheotomy and his eyes were sutured shut as well as his jaw after surgery it was
very heart wrenching seeing my brother like this as he is a very outgoing person.
He kept his spirits very high while in the hospital and worked very hard and was discharged two weeks after the accident which was a true miracle.
He does look a little different but he is still the Trier that we all know and love inside.
He will more than likely have to have another surgery to repair his sinus cavitiy more since it was so badly crushed he is unable to breath through his nose at this point, but as Dr. Wasserman told him he wasnt really too concerned about that during the first surgery he was just worried about repairing the fractures throughout his face and working with what was there.
I had a very eye opening experience myself in July I had a few moles removed. I didnt really think anything of them I just wanted them off since I didnt really like the way they looked.
Well I got the phone call two weeks later that no one EVER wants to hear I was diagnosed with Skin Cancer (melanoma stage IB) I was told that it was caught early so that was a good thing. I scheduled surgery for August 20th to have it removed. I was extremely nervous, scared, and very surprised to say the least. I am only 27 how could this have happened to me.
I had surgery August 20th to remove the cancerous cells. The area removed was on my left calf. The surgery was pretty painful as were the days after. Due to the location of the incision it was pretty painful to put weight on my leg for a few days. I got my results back last week and they say that it looks like they got all of the cancerous cells but I will continue to get a 3 month checkup for the next 2 years.
I also took a loooong weekend vacation Sept 2-5 with some good friends and Wesley to Edisto Beach we had a really GREAT time!!! Wesley and I took a walk on the beach on morning and watched the sunrise and collected seashells something I have not done since I was really little it was really nice and peaceful.
Wesley went fising while we were there and caught a few stingrays it was really neat to see them that close.
I sat under a sun shelter the majority of the time on the beach. It was nice just to be able to get away from "life" for a few days
On a better note Wesley and I got a new puppy. A black labrador retriever named Drake. He is the sweetest thing ever he is 15 weeks this weekend and holds my heart for sure.
I have scheduled my right PAO surgery with Dr. Frederick Piehl for October 21, 2010 at Palmetto Health Baptist. It is about 5 weeks away and I am much more nervous about this one than I was the first one I am not really sure if that is due to the fact that I know what to expect or the fact that anything is possible.
I know that I will be laid up for quite sometime but also know that I have AMAZING friends and family will make this bearable as they did the last one.
I will update more once surgery gets closer and my recovering so that everyone will be able to keep updated on my progress, recovery etc.
I have a pre-op appointment scheduled for October 1, 2010 so until then.
