Yet another year later....a mosaic

Having not made another post since May 2015, nearly a year later, perhaps it's time to dust the shelves and resume. This is probably going to end up a very lengthy random rant, so my apologies in advance. But I need to speak, and it's time to start.

I have felt an inner strength simmering beneath the surface, a familiar feeling made unfamiliar through many years. Oh, it has bubbled there on occasion over some time, but it is always quelled by inner voices. But that strength is becoming insistent, refusing to be silenced. It actually began a couple of weeks ago, when I found an innocent little pink card (enclosed with my Pink Zebra Sprinkles):

"It's funny how day by day nothing seems to change but when you look back everything is different." ~Anonymous 

Then, more recently, I noticed yet another quote, when I was contemplating various plans yet feeling at a loss how to begin: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin

Then, today, we reviewed more messages and entries on the Lourdes Hospital Watchdog Facebook page about yet more people harmed. And, to top it off, in my Facebook Memories, a post came up from our other blog, Shawnee Forest Diaries, discussing David's first canoe trip three years ago today: http://shawneeforestdiaries.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-canoe-trip-after-shoulder-surgery.html

Okay, universe, I get it.

It's difficult enough to get one's life back on track trying to recover from any surgery; but after THREE surgeries (two botched and one repair, or four if you also include the first surgery in 2008) finding not only the physical strength to recuperate and recover but the mental capacity to heal is overwhelming. I feel I have been of little help in this regard for my husband; I have certainly had my own issues to deal with, physical and mental, in relation to his trauma and my own from years past. I've been able to deal with very little, which then consists of shutting myself down or crying at really stupid things. Sometimes, things so bad happen that they change you.

This unfortunately has been our reality, like it or not. Shortly before David tore his shoulder for the second time (the first in 2008), we had bought a building where we had recently relocated so that we could finally fully delve into the vintage motorcycle business he had had to delay for various reasons over the years. More on all that later, but by the time we closed the deal on the building in December 2012, he was in a sling again...with a dilapidated building we had counted on him being able to restore and remodel. Life, eh?

Fast forward to today and David has improved dramatically, mostly mentally. Physically, he still faces huge hurdles every day, and constant setbacks due to the damage caused by Hunt. Not only his shoulder was damaged, but his back, and the lingering side effects from the infections and the overdose he survived.

The vintage motorcycle business is slowly but surely getting off the ground, and that massive cavernous building is now home to a pretty darned great man-cave surrounded by mini-workshops so that business can grow and expand. His ingenuity, strength, determination, and perseverance is amazing, to say the least.

And...he has ridden a motorcycle again, something he never thought he would do. That is thanks to the wonderful doctors from Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Without them, particularly Dr. Aaron Mark Chamberlain, any kind of recovery would have been impossible. Our gratitude cannot be expressed in words when David wasn't even sure they could save his arm, or his life, from the infection. He had lost all hope by that August 2013 appointment.

And you can bet he is still taking awesome photographs. His Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ShawneeForestDiaries/?fref=ts has helped him through so much where he can post some of the photos he takes.

Yet, as I mentioned, we still hear from people that have also been harmed with unspeakable tragedies, not only by Philip Hunt, but at Lourdes with infections. Most recently a young boy whose family was in Paducah only visiting had to be taken to Lourdes for an emergency. He contracted an infection there and they are now having to confront their whole ordeal back where they live (I don't feel I can share any personal details, suffice it to say they are not close by). We know every second of every day is a horror no one should have to endure.

Every. Single. Second.

Over this time, my heart would go in my throat when we heard these because it was sure to cause yet another setback for us; feeling the anger welling all over again at the injustice of nothing being done about Hunt or Lourdes, and having no voice whatsoever. Days, that turned into years, of dealing with the trauma, still far too fresh in our own memories, and trying to "move on" with our lives.

And it wasn't only that. The thought of innocent people, old and young and everyone in between, being harmed causes us such consternation we would be inconsolable and stunned all over again. Feeling so helpless to assist and so worthless at being a mere ear to listen is disheartening and incapacitating in itself.

Our business, and the building, needed our complete attention or we would go under. Anything beyond existing day-to-day was impossible. And, to be sure, all this also ruins you financially with the hospital bills and associated costs, including physical therapy. With the threat of your own livelihood continually at risk, in addition to dealing with recovery, it all seems insurmountable at times. It's easy to say "pull yourself up by the bootstraps and get on with it" until you actually have to live it. Every aspect of the health care system in the US is an atrocity. It was made undoubtedly worse for David, coming from England and the NHS, where most of these problems wouldn't even have been an issue.

(I also must mention what an abomination the legal and justice systems are here as well, it's not only the health care system we have had to endure...but I can't deal with discussing that today too.)

While David would scream at the situation, I would curl up into a ball, cry and crawl into my shell wishing it for all to be over. At times, David would have to go into a very dark place in his brain, and he wouldn't allow me to go there with him. He didn't want me to see that world of his, the one that his haunted dreams would try to ease without success when he even could sleep. At times neither of us could help the other through.

He has refused any prescriptions for painkillers; this is hardly surprising since they nearly killed him back then. What he accidentally discovered was another remedy: anger. Anger increased his adrenaline which ultimately eased the physical pain. This carried him through some very rough times, but admittedly it is difficult to be around, particularly seeing a loved one in such pain and that helpless feeling washing over you.

Since that pain is constant, it seemed life was in an eternal and constant upheaval. Even the most innocuous things can trigger distress. While knowing the anger isn't even directed *at* you, hearing the words spilling out in desperation eventually causes your own anger, your own resentment at not only the doctor and hospital, but frustration at everyone who hasn't cared one iota what happened, at the entire situation we found ourselves in through no fault of our own.

The mosaic begins to form...

Once lives become a bit more "normal", it is easy to feel reluctant to allow yourselves back into that time, that detrimental period in life that caused so much pain and hurt. We can't think about it without so many horrible memories flooding our minds and there we go, right back into the darkness. One step forward, eight steps back. But change normally doesn't come from comfort, it takes discomfort.

But avoiding won't help. It ultimately doesn't help us, or others. Still searching for solutions and a pathway that will find ears that will listen in order to let all those like us feel they are not alone. That some positive change can happen, somehow. That if we can help even one person what we went through wouldn't just be in vain.

David, over all this time, has also found another avenue of easing pain: being creative. When he has trouble sleeping, which is still often, it's imperative to not sit there and stew over the dark thoughts and feelings. Doing activities such as making music, working on bikes or the building, art, photography, even walking down to the creek to feel surrounded by nature instead of the oppressive helps get him through. I've had to realize at times, too, he just needs to be listened to, with comments unnecessary.

But what has really saved us, time and time again, is this place. This simple, unassuming place where we live, where we finally moved to in late 2011 after dreaming of such a place. A connection to what is important, and it’s nothing that mankind has come up with.

It is so healing here in the woods near the river; it carried us through what is one of the most traumatic occurrences in our lives. Had we not been here, I don’t think either of us would be here to talk about it.

This rural area allows us to realize just how insignificant we are. That is not meant as a negative thing, it's quite the opposite. So unspoiled by mankind, we’re reminded that if we allow it, nature can clear our heads, heal our bodies, mend our tattered souls. It’s one of those things that the most eloquent bard truly can’t explain so I certainly can’t come close…it must be experienced.

This is where writers write, painters paint…an escape to a place off the beaten path that is a rare find in this world. There is only one prerequisite to enjoying it here: allow one’s self to immerse in it. You’re not likely to see another human being, and sometimes that is a good thing.  

I'll close this very long post with this. Another orthopedic surgeon, Ted Jefferson, is soon to go to trial over comments and "terrorist threats" made when he found dirty instruments while about to perform surgery at Baptist Health Hospital (also in Paducah). Disclaimer: "allegedly, of course". Having lived through (and still enduring) what can happen and how it devastates your lives, we can understand where he is coming from if he is trying to prevent an infection to occur in his patient. Isn't caring for the patient the important thing?

Until next time...

Infections at Lourdes Hospitals in Paducah KY Part 1

"Dr" Philip G. Hunt

Today's topic is one that is going to appear in several parts and is extremely important to us: infections in Kentucky hospitals (namely Lourdes Hospital). Its importance is undoubtedly due to the fact that my husband contracted an MSSA infection at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah KY during the original January 2013 surgery performed by none other than "orthopedic surgeon" Philip G. Hunt when he installed two Arthrex anchors and claimed he repaired my husband's shoulder tear.

This infection was left untreated intentionally for months, until it was finally treated by the infectious disease specialists at Washington University in St. Louis MO in August 2013 through February 2014 (and a month later there was an eye infection to deal with...but I'm getting ahead of myself).

My husband David felt there was something very wrong within days of the January 2013 surgery. Since his arm was to be completely immobile due to the sling and block provided to him (photo at right taken February 15, 2013) for six weeks, it was difficult to ascertain everything or pinpoint what was wrong.

The pain David felt was excruciating every second of every day, similar to a screwdriver being dug into you. Go ahead, grab one and jab yourself with it, I'll wait. That's what he lived with from January until August.

He could tell the problem was deep within a short time, and called Hunt's office within days to alert them of a problem. On the 6th, Hunt's office called in a prescription for Clindamycin and on the 11th we went to their office for a consultation. Hunt was nowhere to be found, we only saw his PA Tanna Vaughan, who said she couldn't imagine what the problem could be and proudly showed us some photos of the surgery. (note: when we requested the records from their office much later on, these photos were nowhere to be seen so it's hard telling if those were actual photos or not...they could have been stock photos they downloaded from the internet for all we know).  On that day, she suggested that David continue the Clindamycin so we filled the prescription while we were there and decided to try to salvage the day by going out to eat at Whaler's Catch, particularly since it was my birthday.

I felt horrible dragging David there, he was extremely uncomfortable and the sling was bothering him greatly already. If you can see it poking out, he had to tuck one of our fabric napkins under it to avoid any further irritation. He went through life just putting on a brave face for months.

This was the extent of our lives for a very long time. Snippets of trying to salvage a horrible situation or just trying to feel normal again. Unfortunately it never lasted very long, the pain would just be too great and we would have to return home so he could rest the best he could, which was nigh impossible.

Back to infections. Did you know that Kentucky has no laws regarding the reporting of infections? According to this website at http://www.hospitalinfection.org/state_reporting.shtml Kentucky is one of 13 states (and D. C.) that do not have any laws for reporting, although it is noted under State Reporting:
Kentucky

Kentucky hospitals are not required to report HAIs, and no legislation is pending on the subject. However, many hospitals in the state report HAI data to NHSN, and the information can be found using http://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html. 

For more information, visit: http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/

I think you can see the disconcerting red for Lourdes Hospital. Keep in mind this is in regards to MRSA, and "voluntary information". My husband had MSSA which is apparently an enormous problem but rarely mentioned even in states that do have laws for reporting infections. MSSA nearly cost my husband his arm and his life; by the time he had his third surgery in August, he lost an extensive amount of bone due to it. Why pinpoint only certain infection types to be reported? Insane. 

What ARE the actual facts regarding patients that contract MSSA? Your guess is as good as mine. We have serious issues folks, how do these infections occur? Hunt claimed it was an "infected" anchor (the Arthrex ones) and indeed during the August surgery it appeared to be the origin of the infection. So, pray tell, how do two separately packaged anchors come to be infected? Not just the anchors. the THREADS of the anchors. We'll be discussing these anchors soon too. Did Hunt intentionally put MSSA on the anchors? Was it an accident? Later you will see why I'm asking these questions....

In a recent thread on the Topix forum, I happened across this recent entry by someone who apparently worked in surgery with Hunt:  

"coworker" wrote: "You wouldn't want to know how he is as a surgeonin [sic] surgery. I worked with him. No no no, don't go to him...he brings his coffee into a sterile environment all the time."

Even if Hunt didn't put the MSSA directly on the threads of the anchors himself, he is just as guilty if he is doing this sort of thing in a surgery. It's inexcusable. 

Still want to go to Hunt? Hope you're the praying sort, or very lucky, because that's the only thing going to save you. And don't bother reporting it to Lourdes Hospital, they aren't interested. More on them later too. 

Much more to come regarding infections later...

Kentucky named 3rd worst for nurses

You can hardly expect to receive good, let alone adequate, care if the entire state is seen as a terrible place for nurses to work. I know what we witnessed at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah KY in June 2013, when an attempt was made to keep David in the hospital, was alarming. I did not feel safe in leaving my husband there for several reasons; the nurses were a large part of that. More on that fiasco later, below is the article discussing Kentucky and its future for nursing: 

Kentucky may not be the ideal place to be a nurse, judging by a 49th-place ranking by the personal finance social network WalletHub.

The Bluegrass State is the third worst state for nurses, according to a WalletHub analysis of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The list of Best & Worst States for Nurses is designed to help registered nurses – particularly those who are new the field -- settle in places that are "conducive to both personal and professional success," according to WalletHub.

Fifteen key metrics were reviewed for each area, and Kentucky ranked poorly on many of them, including average number of hours worked and projected number of nurses per capita by 2022.

Kentucky ranked 40th in the opportunity-and-competition category, which includes things like salary and job openings. It ranked 48th on work environment, which includes things like mandatory overtime restrictions and average commute time.

The top three states overall were Washington (1), Colorado (2) and Minnesota (3). Indiana was 20th.

The release of the list coincides with the start of National Nurses Week.

Follow Courier-Journal health writer Darla Carter on Twitter @PrimeDarla.

Article from: http://ux.courier-journal.com/story/health-bytes/2015/05/06/kentucky-third-worst-for-nurses-according-to-wallethub-analysis/70905898/

Kentucky rural hospitals

One of the many problems we will be discussing, today's post is a recent story featured by WPSD Local 6 about the plight of rural hospitals. This particular article refers to Kentucky but it is a national issue. Living in a rural area of southern Illinois, I am well aware of the difficulty in finding proper care.

From: http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/28975604/kentucky-rural-hospitals-run-the-risk-of-closing

WPSD Local 6: Your news, weather, and sports authority

Posted: May 04, 2015 7:58 PM CDTUpdated: May 04, 2015 10:06 PM CDTBy Juliana Valencia

By Jason Thomason

 

PRINCETON, KY -A new study shows 68 percent of Kentucky rural hospitals are below the national average in financial strength and one third of them are in poor financial health.

Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Adam Edelen found hospitals are increasing their administration costs to keep up with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.

“My view is not enough of the resources that we're investing as tax payers have gotten to providers,” Edelen said.

MCO'S are supposed to cover Medicaid patient's costs and pay hospitals between 30 to 90 days, Edelen and several area health care institutions at a meeting in Princeton Monday about these results, agreed that doesn't always happen.

Marshall County Hospital CEO David Fuqua said most times their hospital aren't paid within 90 days.

"It's very difficult because it's hard to budget for, it's hard to manage for, and the cash flow becomes a huge issue, especially for smaller institutions."

Part of the problem is they're five different MCO's within the state with different processes. Edelen recommends renegotiating contracts to create a set standard to make claims easier.

“The MCO project has to be renegotiated in a way that squares the deal for patients, providers, and taxpayers,” Edelen said.

It's also creating more wait time for patients. Graves County Health Department Director Noel Copeland said check in and check out times have doubled because it takes longer to check how Medicaid patients are covered.

"We're getting paid less and we're seeing fewer in the day because of the obstacles placed in front of us," Copeland said.

Edelen said to encourage the next administration to keep doing studies that track the performance of rural hospitals so decisions can be made based on facts.

“If we lose an analysis based on facts, it becomes based on politics. We're going to wake up in a few years and we're going to have a lot of politicians who feel like they've won the argument, but we're going to have a whole litany of hospitals in rural Kentucky that have closed,” Edelen said.

A rural hospital shut down also really hurts a community. Edelen said they're usually the biggest employer and pay a higher wage than other jobs in the area. He said not having a hospital hinders economic development.

“A factory is not going to locate in a community in an advanced manufacturing world where a fellow who's been hurt on the line can't be stitched up quickly," Edelen said.

Forty-four of 52 rural hospitals that participated in Edelen's study had an average of 72 percent of patients on Medicaid or Medicare, and they're combined administration costs go up about $157,000.  Half of those hospitals said they increased administrative employee hours, hired more administrative employees, and increased over-time because of Medicaid managed care.

Walmart Pharmacy joins the Hall of Shame

Today's post will be about Walmart, since there was a call yesterday afternoon from Walmart's "Claim Management Team", where David's plea for help ended up. Katie Hawkins, of said "team" was more worried about how much money David was asking for (which was zero) than getting to the bottom of things, and the statute of limitations of any wrongdoing. We also discovered the pharmacist has lied about the events that evening, so I guess it is time to turn in the details to the Board of Pharmacy and whomever oversees their "administrative rules". We recently discovered that proper protocol was not followed that night; had it been David may not have nearly died later.

A bit of background, which is how Walmart has ended up on our Hall of Shame. On June 14, 2013, after the second disastrous surgery by Hunt when David discharged himself from the hospital (a whole 'nother story on its own), we drove to Walmart since it was getting late in the day, didn't know any other pharmacies that would be open, and they were fairly near Lourdes Hospital.

Below is a statement I had written up some time ago that I am pasting here because to be honest, it gets very wearing typing and telling the story repeatedly, and trying to remember the various details over the course of time.

           On 6-14-13, we left the hospital and I drove to Walmart. I felt in a panic because I didn’t know what time it was or know what time the pharmacy closed; I also don’t feel comfortable driving at night and was unfamiliar with the area, and David had to direct me to Walmart.

My phone rang and I ignored it since I was driving. I heard the voicemail signal. My phone rang again, another voicemail. I was worried that it was the hospital and what they wanted.

            We arrived at Walmart and immediately went in to the pharmacy. I went to the reception window to give the girl behind the counter the prescription we were given at the hospital. I told her that my phone had rung on the way there and I needed to check if it was important. The times noted below are per my cellphone records and available upon request.

6-14-13 8:24PM I called my voicemail as David told me he was going to get his favorite cheese. The voicemails were from the nurses at the hospital stating that Dr. Hunt wanted to prescribe another medication and to please call them back. One message specifically stated (transcribed later from voicemail): “Please call Laura at Lourdes at 444-2545. Dr Hunt wanted to call in some prescriptions for you and wanted to know what pharmacy you are going to. Thank you.”

6-14-13 8:25 PM I returned the call as requested, explained who I am and that I was told to call back regarding another prescription from Hunt. (3 minutes)

6-14-13 8:31 PM I had to call back because I accidentally disconnected the call. While I was on the phone, I could tell I had another call coming in, explained to whomever was on the other end that I needed to answer, and ended up disconnecting both.

6-14-13 8:33 PM I noted the call had been from 270 994-XXXX and while looking the phone rings again.

6-14-13 8:33 PM Dr. Hunt, who apparently was calling from 994-XXXX, calls me back.

Pam: Hello?

Hunt: (unintelligible part, difficult to hear, then) I can’t lay in front of your car.

Pam: (disgusted that he had repeated that again, since he had also said this to the nurse at the hospital, I just went to the point of the call) The nurses said you wanted to prescribe another medication?

Hunt: Yes

Pam: Let me hand the phone to the pharmacist.

(I waved and spoke up to pharmacist Gina Miller, asking if she would speak with Dr. Hunt regarding another prescription. Miller comes down near the counter where I am standing, takes the phone from me, and goes back to her station behind the high counter). (5 minutes total call)

I see the pharmacist coming back toward me and she hands me the phone, but she begins to turn around too soon and doesn’t quite get the phone in my hand and it falls to the floor. I lose the call, and return the call to Hunt at 270 994-XXXX.

Pam: Sorry, the phone fell to the floor and lost the call. Did you need to speak to us any further?

Hunt: (unable to hear, I begin walking around to see if I can find a better location, Hunt repeats himself but still unable to hear a couple of times, I tell him I am going to give David the phone to see if he can hear better than I can since he had returned to the area by then.) I hand my phone to David at that time.

I didn’t pay that much attention to what David was saying for a while, but I did sit down beside him a bit later and heard him say to Hunt that he would be at Hunt’s office first thing Tuesday morning waiting for him and then he hung up.

While David was speaking with Hunt, I had checked with the pharmacist to confirm she had what she needed for the additional prescription (she is back at her station by then) and she nods affirmatively without looking at me.

I continued to monitor the pharmacist so I could be ready to pick up the prescriptions. The prescription was ready at 8:51 PM so I get up and walk toward the counter. As the pharmacist nears the counter she gently tosses the prescription bag to me with the paperwork. I catch it and proceed to the pharmacy window (where I dropped off the prescription) and pay for the prescriptions at 8:51 PM.  Then we went to the main store registers and at 8:56 PM we complete the transaction for the rest of our items.

At no time did the pharmacist ask David or me any questions if we needed any counseling or provide any information regarding the prescriptions. Neither David nor I signed anything for either of the prescriptions, which turned out to be Hydrocodone and Cephalixin, one of which had been prescribed over the phone to the pharmacist by Hunt. We have recently discovered these actions are apparently illegal*. (see Provision 201 Ky. Admin. Regs. 2:210, Secs. 2, 5 and Sec. 6 (2).  How was this documented in Walmart’s records? *rather than the term illegal, it's apparently "against administrative rules", whatever that means, according to Kentucky State Police Officer, Detective Trevor Pervine. More to follow once we've checked in to this further, and more on Pervine later when he appears on the Wall of Shame. 

Both prescriptions also reflect Signature Required = Y but neither David nor I signed anything for these prescriptions. 

So, after the phone call with Katie Hawkins yesterday, David tells me that the pharmacist has blatantly lied about what happened that night, claiming she spoke to David. 

Months ago, David had compiled a letter asking for Walmart's help in finding out what Hunt said to the pharmacist. It could be vitally important or it could be nothing...there is no way to know unless questions are asked. Yet again, no one wants to help. At no time did David even ask for any money, but that is all Walmart assumed we were after. David had created a package of the letter for help along with a DVD of some videos he had done some time after surviving his near-death experience. They are difficult to watch and am not going to post them at this time; David hasn't been able to watch them yet but he has listened to them a bit. 

He had dropped these off at the Walmart Pharmacy on Hinkleville Rd in Paducah KY, to Trey Jones (?) who is the pharmacy manager. He had apparently sent the entire thing off to some guy at corporate, named Frank (Tomlin?), who had then handed it off to Katie Hawkins of the "Claim Management Team" who may actually just be some third party noodleheads rather than Walmart employees. No matter to me, it's all just the usual corporate unsurprising BS.  

I'll put this on my list to deal with. *sigh*

Another journey begins

Nothing gets done without starting it. Pretty basic, isn’t it? Yet the horrible ordeals that my husband David and I have endured for the past couple of years especially have been so wearing that neither of us have had the energy to do anything beyond bare existence each day, let alone any mental capabilities to string two sentences together. His pain, physical and mental, has been overwhelming. My pain, physical and mental, yet for far different reasons, has been overwhelming.

But today, my husband said the words, “I’m a survivor” and that has made all the difference. Today it begins. “It” has yet to take true form, but we know it will be in the realm of helping people that have also been harmed. Our stories, especially combined, are long and arduous, but hopefully they can be of value. This isn’t about dwelling on the past…far from it, it is dwelling on the future, and reassuring others that there can be a future. There are many like us that have survived, or trying to survive, yet feel so alone in what they are going through, that they have no voice. It is small wonder, we have found that few will listen and even fewer will take action.

Our ordeal began with “Dr.” Philip G. Hunt, of Paducah KY, a supposed orthopedic surgeon that attempted to destroy our lives. He failed miserably; just as he failed at the two botched surgeries he performed on my husband at Lourdes Hospital and installing two MSSA-infected anchors that he left untreated for months, and trying to kill him with an overdose of prescriptions. My husband nearly lost his arm, and has been disabled. My husband nearly died in front of me; of all the terrible things that have happened to me, that is the one that will haunt me forever.

We know Hunt has harmed others; they are now finally coming forward. He’s done this for a long time. This has tormented us since it all happened, knowing the others were out there. I know all the sleepless nights my husband has endured in pain unable to think of anything else. 

Now we see a purpose, to implement change where we can, help others get through what we fought so hard to get through alone. And this was just one doctor. There are plenty of others. And there are many that are complicit in allowing it to happen. We will expose them too. All of them that refused to help, or even listen, should be ashamed of themselves, and should be brought to book for the harm they do. This is not what humanity is supposed to be.

Things have to change. Many things in not only the medical field but in the legal and law enforcement fields. Laws need changed. Many things that are far too numerous to cover in one post, or to change in a day. Some may not change at all. But we can start. If you don’t start, it never will start. We have to take things one day at a time, be patient. We’ve been patient and we can continue to be patient. Slow and steady can win the race. Hard work will win the day.

Join this journey with us; don’t worry, we will take breaks along the way. Living in the beautiful Shawnee Forest near the Ohio River saved our lives and allowed us to heal. Heal with us. Our poor neglected Shawnee Forest Diaries blog will see the light of day again. It isn’t all doom and gloom: the wonderful doctors (orthopedic surgeon Dr. Aaron Chamberlain and Dr. David Warren of Infectious Diseases) and their staffs from Washington University at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis MO saved my husband, so there are heroes in our stories too.

There have to be heroes; we just have to find them. It isn’t like the movies where they are summoned by lifting a red handset or shining a light in the sky. Underdog won’t always fly in to save us at the last second; we aren’t all Sweet Polly Purebred. But they’re there. We’re here, and we know you are too. So, it begins at last.  

Together we can make a difference. Let’s make that difference…together.