Operation New-Knee-For-Chase is officially a go!

I realize its been a while since I have updated this thing, I might have forgotten about it. That probably tells you what my journal looks like: one page I'm partying with all of my girl friends talking about how great the single life is the next page I'm married and its the happiest day of my life. Haha.

Alright let me think of what all has happened...

Chase's second doctor visit went well. They took out the staples in his left arm and gave him a cast for his right.  It had been about 3 weeks since the accident and we were both wondering about his knee. Dr. Redd told us once we finish with Chases arms we would move on to the leg.  Two weeks later we come back! Doctor visit number three consisted of the rods in Chases right arm being taken out. It went kind of something like this: Dr. Redd grabbed some a pair of pliers, wiggle wiggle wiggle, yank! (x2) We got to keep those as souvenirs, Yes! At long last the doctor started looking at Chases knee. He pushed and pulled while I watched a knee move in a way it shouldnt. Dr Redd scheduled an MRI for us at teton radiology the next day (last Friday).

Chase has also started physical therapy! I could probably describe PT for chase in a few words, painful, mean, and all other synonyms for those words. I go every now and then just to make sure Chase is being tough.

We got the results of the MRI this past Tuesday and was asked to come back to Dr. Redd's office on Thurday. Chase has a torn ACL and PCL. Together these two ligaments keep the knee from sliding back and forth. There are also a couple of tares in his meniscus. Dr Redd referred us to another specialist for the surgery, he didnt feel comfortable reconstructing both the ACL and PCL.  Our appointment with Dr. Andere is Monday and we will figure out when the surgery will be scheduled.

I have yet another song from Chase that I know all of you are anxious to hear. It was a Sunday morning about three weeks ago (back when Chase was incapable of wiping his...well...) and I was in the living  room eating my morning granola; Chase calls to me from the bathroom. I took a deep breath while I walked down the hall to the bathroom. I'm sure you're familiar with the famous foldgers coffee jingle: "The best part of waking up, is foldgers in your cup!" Chase put his own spin on it when I came to the bathroom door: "The best part of waking up, is wiping Chase Clarks butt!" I couldnt even be mad. It was hilarious.

Follow Up Visit Numero Uno!

Here is my second go at this post...I tried writing last night and it got erased somehow and then I got angry and was not motivated to write it all again...

This past Thursday was Chase's first follow up appointment with Dr. Redd.  Being in an orthopedic doctor/surgeon's office, it was only natural that Chase met a fellow cripple and they swapped their stories of motorcycle accidents. This other kid, much younger than Chase (probably in his teenage years, which would have explained his cocky attitude about his accident) seemed to be in a little better shape. His only injury pertained to his ankle. While I was listening to them talk, I couldn't help but realize how this boy wasn't humbled by his experience. Even after hearing how Chase was hit by another driver on his bullet bike, this boy talked about how keen he was on buying his older brothers bullet bike, while his mother and grandmother sat there telling him 'Oh, no you're not'. I am thankful I have married someone who can see how delicate this life is! Even though Chase did take the chance of owning and riding a bullet bike, he knows a sign when he sees one and he knows that they aren't safe for us. 

Once we were called back, the nurses changed Chase's bandages and we got to see his real battle wounds! His left arm that has two metal plates in it has about 20-25 staples on either side of his arm. His right arm that was broken near his wrist has two rods sticking out! Talk about nasty. I will spare everyone the extra details. Dr. Redd told us approximate healing times for his arms (6-8 weeks) and for his leg (up to 6 months) for a full recovery. Chase was suppose to get a hard cast put on his right arm but it was still too swollen. And just when Chase thought our visit was all in vain, the Heavens opened and angels sang and Dr. Redd wrote him a refill for his prescription of hydrocodone, his pain meds :) Since leaving the hospital, his dosage was cut in half and the time between dosages was lengthened. He was more than grateful when Dr. Redd told Chase he could take two pills when needed. After this we made another appointment for the following Thursday, Chase and the other cripple said good luck to each other and we were on our way back home. 

The Leg

Rods in the right arm

Staples on the inside of his arm

On Friday, thanks to our brother-in-law Paul Winward, Chase and I had a consultation with a personal injury attorney. Our purpose of the visit was simply to establish a relationship and to talk and figure out exactly the road we would need to take if it comes to the point we would need an attorney. Our meeting was quick but informative.

The past few days here at home have been much better! When we first came home from the hospital it was pretty uncomfortable for Chase. The pain was more evident and finding a comfortable position to sit or sleep was difficult. I am very happy to say that is not the case anymore! We are trying to find ways to stay entertained. I bought scrabble from walmart the other night and we have played a couple games, but if anyone would like to give suggestions as to wholesome ways for Chase and I pass the time when we are at home I would appreciate it. I am beginning to see that there are only so many things I can do around the apartment to stay entertained. And while laundry seems to always be an option, sometimes, I just don't wanna do it! haha. 

I would like to document some of the songs that Chase has made up since we have been married. This one is specific to now. Without the use of his arms, Chase can't really shave his face and even though I did it once for him after we got home (without drawing blood!) it was scary and I don't really want to do it again! So here it is to the tune of the spiderman theme song:

Kiss the scruff, kiss the scruff

Danielle loves to kiss the scruff

A hairy face

My name is Chase

Kiss the scruff, kiss the scruff

Oh man! Chase makes me laugh! I love him!!!! There's some newly-wed gooshieness for you : )

Congratulations on Eternity! Here's real life.

So Chase and I have been married a whole month and eight days! It has been a lot of fun. I think he and I can both agree, living together, so far, has not had a lot of challenges. People always say that living with someone is totally different then just dating or being engaged and it is, but the both of us have adjusted easily. What people should warn you about is having to share a bed with someone. People (Chase) do some weird things in their sleep! I have labeled Chase a notorious pillow stealer. I woke up one night to him literally trying to steal my pillow. I woke him up and told him to calm down and stay on his side of the bed; I tend to be kind of grumpy when I'm woken up in the middle of the night. In the morning Chase told me he was having a dream last night that he was handing out Book of Mormon's and he reached into his backpack in his dream and grabbed the book, which in real life was my pillow! Haha oh gosh Chase...

As fun as things have been in the past month or so, it's not a secret that life will hand you trials and here is our first big one! On Thursday September first at 4pm Chase was in a motorcycle accident on Main Street here in Rexburg. Chase was being the awesome husband that he is and was taking my wedding ring to the jewelers to get a diamond put back in that had fallen out. Not even a block down the road a man making a left hand turn crossed in to Chase's lane and hit him. As soon as I found out I drove to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where Chase was being life flighted by helicopter. I was asked to wait in an ER waiting room where a nurse would relay information to me as soon as it became available to her. She came back several times where she told me about his injuries, what they were planning on doing next and to assure me this was going to be a long night. 

As soon as I was able to see Chase I hurried to the his room. The nurse had told me he was responsive but I was surprised to see how much he was talking. The first thing he told me was he was sorry and "No more bullet bikes babe". While I was busy crying, Chase was busy asking me questions like "Danielle, am I naked?" and telling the doctor he was "Like a boss" when the doctor told him he had taken quite a hit. I guess wondering if you are naked in front of a medical team is a pressing question whenever you have broken limbs and cuts? I had to laugh through the tears. A couple of our friends, Kevin and Maria, had come to the hospital with me so I wouldn't be there alone and apologizing for being naked (even though he was covered up) in front of his wife was the first thing he said to Kevin.

Dr. Redd, Chase's orthopedic surgeon, told me that Chase injuries were this: two broken arms, ruptured ligaments and tendons in his right knee, bruised pelvis, broken nose, puncture wound in his left leg and that he had bitten through his bottom lip. NO head injuries and NO internal injuries. WHAT A BLESSING. Dr. Redd also told me they would be taking him to surgery right away. His left arm was an open fracture which means the bones had punctured his skin and oxygen was getting to the bone; this increased the chance for infection. I walked Chase to the OR, kissed his head and told him he was going to be ok. This began a long two hours of waiting and calling to inform my family and answering phone calls of people who knew to tell them Chase's condition. By this time Bev and Keith and Steve and Luanne had made it to the hospital. We all waited together. After the surgery, we all went to the room Chase would be staying in, talked to Chase for a bit and then everyone left and Chase and I were left to sleep. 

We stayed in the hospital for two days. Chase was discharged to go home on Saturday morning. He has a special type of crutches that he is able to use to get around on. They are just like normal crutches except have removable platforms for his forearms to rest in. We strap his arms in and away he goes! It is quite a effort for him to use them though. Since we have been home Chase has been enjoying (not so much) the humbling experience of not being able to do much for himself. I help lift him up to stand, I feed him, I open his door, I change his bandages amongst other things that you can surely think of that I have to do for him. Haha. Chase jokes about how helpless he is, but being newly married and having been preached to that he is to be the head of the household and the provider, I know it is not easy for him to have me do all of these things for him.

Chase's Crutches

Tomorrow we are heading back down to Idaho Falls for a follow up with Dr Redd. He will be giving Chase a removable sling for his left arm and a hard cast for his right arm. His leg is still pretty swollen. Dr. Redd told us it is likely that Chase will end up having surgery on his leg. 

I shaved his face! 

Thumbs up for peach rings!

I gave Chase a mani. He was self conscious about his dirty nails.

Aside from the hospital and the surgery and the awesome medical professionals that took care of Chase, we have had lots of care from the people in our ward. Suddenly our lonely cookie jar is filled to the top with snickerdoodles, chocolate chip and nutella (yum!) cookies. Our fridge is adorned with food from families around  us who have cooked us dinner every night since saturday. Pretty sure my hips have enjoyed the extra few pounds I have put there from all the cookies, pies and muffins... Our apartment has been cleaned with help from my wonderful mother-in-law Bev. It is somewhat of a hard thing to do, to let some one else clean your home. Bev and Keith have already done so much for us, with letting us have the reception at their house and flying all the way to Indiana just to meet my family and friends that, if anything, I felt I needed to be the one offering to clean their house! 

From here Chase and I are just trying to stay optimistic. I believe that it can only get better from here! There will surely be more to come so stay tuned : )

Danielle Clark