Thinking of You!!!

Joe,  Just heard the news from Keith!  It sounds like you got lucky - although you probably aren't feeling lucky right now....  We are glad to hear you made it through surgery without any serious complications.  The drain in your wound is to allow excess blood not to drain and not accumulate - so it does not put pressure on your incision site.  As nurses, Tony and I recommend you listen to your Dr. and your nurses and eventually your therapists!  We know you are not one to follow rules - but in this instance you might want to.   We are thinking of you and wish you a speedy recovery - and in the meantime enjoy your "bed baths"!!!  Take Care and we will be following your progress via this blog.  Keith, thanks for the communication!

Social Worker Conversation

We just had a very good conversation with Joe's Social Worker, however she could only answer so much prior to speaking with Joe's Physical Therapist (PT) and Occupational Therapist (OT). We haven't met them yet, but hopefully they'll be in before the day is over. It is their recommendations that will hold the most sway in deciding the next steps.

Everything else being equal, Joe would like to do his two week rehab in Chicago. Unfortunately, things are far from equal so that's where we're very interested in what the two therapists have to say. They will be taking everything into consideration including Joes wishes and what's best for the patient.

These two weeks of initital therapy will probably (I say probably because again this is subject to the therapists inputs) consist of three hours per day of intense work and will require him to stay in a facility. Managing his pain will be an important part of this, and I believe he will soon be moving from the self-administered morphine to a more regularly scheduled medication routine administered by the pros.

So, bottom line is that the Social Worker knows his wishes and we're waiting for what the PT and OT have to say after their full evaluation of his condition. On the business side of things, the social worker is also checking into exactly what the insurance will and will not allow. The bean counters are involved in everything! Chicago may be the goal, but Atlanta may be the reality. If so, then the goal switches to getting Joe home by Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed.

By the way, Joe's beard is coming in nicely and he's trying to decide whether or not to shave. I'll try and get a new picture up so you can all help with the decision. Maybe a poll will be in order!

Looking Forward...Keith

For what it's worth...

After a bad back injury, I did a pretty long, very productive stint in and out of the Rehab Institute of Chicago. It's an amazing place with amazing staff. My Musculoskeletal specialist, Dr Smith, is the CEO there now too. It's where Tom Mackechney was for therapy. It's also a lot easier to heal emotionally when you're near your friends and family obviously.

Glad to hear things are getting clearer. 

bertocchi 

Near Future Thoughts

Over the next couple days Joe hopes to gain focus on what his next steps are and where they may take place. In rough timeframes, he has a bit more time to spend in the hospital he's in currently; probably a week or less. As of last night, he had not been moved out of the ICU, but that likely had as much to do with logistics and finding another room than it did with his condition. He's expecting to move rooms at any time.

Following this hospital, Joe's understanding that he'll need two weeks in a rehab center. One complication to Joe's rehab is his broken arm. Not having full use of the arm will prevent him from fully supporting himself while he works on strengthening and rehabbing the pelvis injury. That means he needs a lot of support from health professionals in the early going.

The biggest question right now is what rehab center he will go to and what city it will be in. It can obviously be done right here in Atlanta, but Joe's still trying to figure out the possibility of moving to Chicago for that two week session. Doctors make it sound like they would only recommend travel via ambulance or medical flight. Pros and cons will be weighed and the risks of travel evaluated before he makes any final decisions. More later.

Looking Forward...Keith

GREETINGS FROM THE SCRIBNERS
Joe,
John, Katie, Becca and I are sending out a big, but very gentle, hug to you. Do what they tell you, if it means hastening your escape from the green jello confines. You have a really big cheering section wishing you to get well.
With all our best,
Patti & Co.

Conspiracy Dreams

Hey Joe-

 Judy and I saw from a previous post that you are having some interesting conspiracy dreams. Since we can't be there to wish you well or help you understand your dreams, we're  sending a good friend of ours, Oliver Stone, to help you decipher them. (I think he is also looking for inspiration for his next "fact based" film, but who cares)

Seriously, we hope you heal quickly and return home soon. Just don't laugh too hard at all these posts or you'll throw your hips out of alignment!

You obviously have some great friends that care a lot.

Be good-

Mark & Judy Shelstad

The Morning After

A quick update this morning. I just spoke with Joe's father who reports that Joe is sleeping soundly. A tough morning had him being shifted and moved a bit which made things hard on him. It sounds like they have increased his morphine a bit so he's getting some needed rest.

The really good news is that they'll move him out of the ICU later today. To me, that indicates another step away from an urgent situation and towards recovery. I'll see Joe later this evening.

Right now I have to go vote! Things aren't over in Georgia!

Wow. Thinking of you...
Mood:  spacey

Hey Joe:

 

For crying out loud, feel better fast, would you?! My G-d...I can only imagine how terrifying that all is. We are all thinking of you and looking forward to youbeing able to put all this behind you. And we will provide you with a lifetime supply of bubble wrap, for future endeavors.

Counting blessings seems like a really good idea right about now. Hang in there,

 

Pamela 

One Step Back

Well, from a pain perspective it's one step back as Joe is really feeling the surgery. No doubt this will be followed soon by some big steps forward. Since the surgery he has been in kind of a haze. He says he had the craziest dreams while he was under and is convinced he's part of a conspiracy. I'm not 100% positive that he's not messing with me, but I do believe it's mostly the drugs.

Anyway, he's sleeping a lot right now which is just as well. His body has some healing to do. There has been talk of getting him up and moving in as few as two or three days from now. It sounds agressive, but it will be great to see. As far as what the rest of a schedule looks like over the next two weeks, I think it's still a little wait-and-see. I know all the Chicago folks are anxious to get him home and I've never wanted so much for him to leave Georgia! (I think you kow what I mean).

Since sleep is in order, I'm not going back tonight and his parents are just staying long enough to go back in after the shift change to say good night. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Hey Everybody...Good job with all of your prayers, energy, well wishes, and good thoughts. There's no doubt in my mind that all of this is contributing to the healing process.

Lastly, one point of clarification. The "drain" I posted about earlier is actually for the surgery associated with the pelvis, not the arm.

Surgery is Complete

I just received a brief update from Joe's father. Joe has just come out of surgery and the doctors said it went as planned. I take that to mean there were no complications. A "drain" was put into the arm, but I'm still not clear on what that's for although I did get the impression it's definitely a temporary thing.

Joe's parents will probably get to speak with him in the next half hour or so, and I'll be heading down shortly to get a first-hand update. I believe Joe will soon be alert enough to let us know how he's feeling. I'll update again as soon as I know more. Keep the good thoughts coming!

By the way...it snowed in Atlanta during his surgery. Maybe Chicago was blowing a little support his way!

Looking Forward...Keith

Surgery Morning

They took Joe off to surgery this morning at 6:45. A good portion of today will be spent putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. I'll give more updates as they come in

Keith

Surgery Eve

Joe's family spent most of the day with him and they report that he slept for most of it. I just left him about 30 minutes ago. He had a fever today and it has broken, so he was due for a change of sheets. After the fever broke, he was feeling better and says he is definitely ready for tomorrow's surgery.

They have officially scheduled his surgery for 7:15 am and will be wheeling him out of his room at 7:00. It will be a full day for the surgeons. I'm hoping to get some status updates as the day goes along. I wonder if the surgeons are on Facebook...(Joe's surgeon is thinking he'd rather be golfing than fixing a broken pelvis right now).

   Looking Forward...Keith

Sunday Morning Update

Joe's parents were with him again this morning and will be there most of the day. Joe's older brother, Tom, flew in around 9:30 this morning and has joined his Mom and Dad at the hospital.

Joe is about the same as yesterday. He was told again this morning that his surgery is set for first thing tomorrow, Monday, and that he and the doctors will spend most of the day together. That is to say, it's not a quick in-and-out surgery. With that timing in mind, please keep Joe in your thoughts tomorrow as he takes this big step towards his recovery.

I'll be back at the hospital this evening and will get an update from his family. I'll try and post anything new tonight and will then give any updates during and after the surgery tomorrow.

Looking Forward...Keith

Open Blog Now Operational

Hello All. I know some of you have discovered how to comment on posts. That is great, and please continue at your pleasure.

In addition, I believe you can now start your own posts. This feature was not turned on, but has now been activated. On the left hand side of your screen, you'll see a link called "Post to this Blog" under the header "Open Community." Click that link and you'll be able to begin your own blog entry. Please feel free to post away.

Looking Forward...Keith

Mom and Dad

Just returned from the hospital and left Joe in the best of hands. His Mom and Dad made it down from Indiana and they came in with Joe's nephew Matthew who lives in Atlanta. Brother Tom (Mike) flies in tomorrow morning.

Also, I just wanted to say that there have been so many great messages and phone calles coming in and if I haven't been able to respond to you directly, please don't take it personally. I will be relaying all of your messages to Joe.

Picture Time

Okay...Joe is giving the nurses a hard time, so I know he's feeling better. Except for his big injuries to the pelvis and arm, he's beginning to feel less pain. It was his entire body that took such a big shot so he aches in just about every way. Today he was able to lift his arms over his head...not something he was capable of just yesterday. Coughing is his biggest enemy right now and he's trying to do everything he can to avoid it.

When the nurses come in he acts like he's in the middle of story that's meant to shock them. They're already on to him and have quickly learned to roll their eyes at Joe like the rest of us.

Every little change I see makes me feel better and the differences in Joe today were great to see. Now, I know he just wants to get on with Monday's surgery so the next big steps, figuratively and literally, can be taken.

He wanted folks to see he is feeling better, so here are a few photos. The first one is just showing off, the second he gave you all a smile, then a thumbs up, then when I asked for him to work with me and give me "pouty" I think instead he chose "Blue Steel."

Showing Off

 

Give Us a Smile

 

Everything's Gonna Be All Right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Steel

 

 

Thank You All

Just wanted to add a quick post to say "Thank You.

As the news of Joe's accident has spread, the well-wishes, prayers, and energy coming his way have been fantastic. Offers to help in whatever way possible come from everyone I speak to. It's obvious that Joe has a lot of friends and believers in him and support is coming from so many directions.

If you want to send Joe a card, feel free to send them to him in care of me and I'll be sure to get them delivered. Plants and flowers are not allowed in the ICU. My address is:

Keith Forrester
511 Augusta Drive
Canton, GA  30115

 

Wonderful Visitors

Joe was more "with it" yesterday when I saw him in the late afternoon. I spent the morning going back into the mountains to retrieve his phone, wallet, and gear. His phone is what's allowing me to send this out to more of his email contacts.

I believe the new bit of strength Joe had today came directly from the visitors he saw. Jana and Joe's three daughters spent a good part of the day with him. I caught up with them for a very late lunch as they were headed back out of town and told Haley, Rachel, and Emma how much they had just helped his healing process. Joe visibly perked up when our friend, Dan Sokley, popped his head in on Wednesday as he was passing through from Texas to North Carolina. I made sure the girls new that if that ugly man could lift their dad's spirits a little, then their beautiful faces couldn't help but do wonders.

After the late lunch I headed to the hospital and Joe was feeling like he had a better idea of what the near future would entail. They're talking a succession of wheel chair to walker to cane to full recovery. I won't pretend to guess at the timing of those quite yet. There is also an indication that within a relatively short time (2-3 weeks perhaps) he'll be able to travel home slowly and finish his healing there. I know that is his great wish.

Surgery should be on Monday barring any other emergencies that may come ahead of him. Once the surgery is completed the real healing can begin.

 

First Facebook Update

I initially put up a "Note" on Facebook to get Joe's message out, but that is a limited audience. Following is that first message and it should help tell the beginning of Joe's saga:

My great friend Joe arrived late Sunday night to spend the Thanksgiving week at my house. Although I had to work this week, he brought his motorcycle in his pickup with the hope of spending some time in the north Georgia mountains for a few days. It rained on Monday so he just hung out and relaxed. I wish it had continued to rain.

A cool Tuesday morning came with the promise of warming up as the day went along. Joe was psyched to get out and ride. Unfortunately, the day was over early and ended very badly. Joe hit some bad pavement around 11:00 AM on a very twisty road and negotiated a right hand curve badly. He crossed the center line and had a head-on collision with a pickup truck. As will always be the case, the truck won that battle.

Joe has been badly hurt and needs all the prayers, energy, and good thoughts you can send his way. He was initially taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. Before I could reach him there, he was airlifted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta. He required the level of trauma care that Grady could offer. Sumarie (my girlfriend) headed to Grady while I made my way down there. I was finally able to see Joe in Trauma Room #3 around 8:00 PM if memory serves.

Joe had not only broken his right arm, but his pelvis was broken in 5 places. He was feeling some serious pain, but the biggest concern was his bleeding.

The bleeding was battled by placing a "binder" on Joe. Basically a very tightly cinched girdle designed to keep the pieces of his pelvis closer together. Later on Wednesday morning, Joe was moved to a less hectic exam room in the ER, and was able to sleep a bit with the help of some serious painkillers. He was subsequently moved to a room in the ICU. Here, he was placed in a much more comfortable bed, however, comfort is something that still eludes him.

Although he has painkillers to help, he continues to be in pain and can't move from his position in his bed. This morning (Thanksgiving) he finally ate something. A bit of jello, one swallow of broth and two apple juices. He was told the his surgery will be on Monday and will consist of hardware to piece him together. Both his arm and his pelvis require surgery and it's my belief that both will be taken care of at the same time.

This afternoon Joe was taken back off of any food or water taken orally. This makes him very thirsty and the reason for doing this is they detected some level of bleeding. When bleeding becomes a concern, a quicker surgery may be required and that means they want/need the stomach to be as empty as possible. This evening he was not as lucid as this morning.

Tomorrow, Joe's daughters will be coming into town and I expect that will raise his spirits greatly, although his dry mouth will hamper his communication. I'll be heading to the mountains, where his bike was taken, to retrieve his belongings...wallet, phone, camera, etc. I'll update this again as soon as there is more information. In the meantime, any good thoughts you can direct toward Joe will help in his recuperation and will be greatly appreciated by his family.

Welcome Update

Hello All,

My name is Keith Forrester and I am Joe Burke's friend. Joe has been injured in a motorcycle accident and I would like to use this medium to keep all his friends and family as up to date as possible. His accident was Tuesday afternoon, November 25, 2008. I'm playing catch-up with getting this message out there but will try to keep this up to date with the goal of Joe taking it over in the near future.