LCpl. David (picture is pre-deployment with his little sister) was wounded in Afghanistan by an IED in late June. His Mom reports that all of his extremities have been affected. He has partial hearing loss, fractures in his leg, both hands and fingers, including the amputation of three fingers. He will also be having surgery to remove his left eye, too badly damaged to save.
Please take a moment to send this Marine and his family some comforting thoughts and support. They will appreciate it.
Update 7/6/10 from Mom: Surgery was cancelled on Monday and David is going in today. They want to get all of the wounds done at once to limit the surgeries that he is having. They will be working on his legs, then cleaning out his hands, putting in screws and a plate. They will set him up so his body grows its own skin grafts. She saw his right hand for the first time yesterday. Every finger was sewn back on, and they have to change the wrapping every day while he is awake, a very painful procedure. "I am so thankful that David doesnt have to go through this alone and that we can be here for him. I also want to thank ALL the Drs. and nurses .. they are all wonderful."
Update: 7/7/2010 from Mom - David had surgery yesturday for 5.5 hrs and was in recovery for 2 hrs.. No fever with this surgery.. They took his left eye, replaced it with a place-holder and attached the muscles to it ..3 of the 4 muscles are good the 4th is a bit damaged, but they are hoping it will repair itself. The left arm has a block in it so he no longer feels pain in his left arm or hand, they washed out his hand and put in a plate and screws into his arm, but left the halo on for more support. His right hand was washed and dressed. His shrapnel wounds were cleaned and sewn up. The left leg still has the wound vacs on them so the wounds there will be done at another time. He has pain where the eye surgery occurred, but doing ok this morning. They put a block on his left arm, the most painful part of his body and he cant feel a thing.. He is breathing and doing well.. thank you all for your prayers.. they mean alot.. God Bless
Update: 7/17/2010 from Mom....David got out of his bed yesterday and was able to do 3 laps around the floor in a power wheel chair. It's only at a 30 degree incline but he is ok with that. Mom says he didn't run over anyone. They have it set to 'slow' so that he can keep control of it and so Mom can keep up with the IV pole. She says they make for quite a sight!
We're glad you're up and around David! Watch those speed limits!
Update: 7/27/2010 from our volunteer. Purple Heart Family Support brought dinner into the hospital Sunday and caught up with David and his Mom. There was a bad storm and power was out all over the area so they were really happy to see dinner arrive. Our volunteer had a visiting assistance dog with her, and Scooter walked in and plopped down next to David's bed....quite the hit with the Marines and their families.
David's pain management is working better and they are working on his left hand lately. They are very thankful for your support and prayers.
Update: 7/29/2010 from Mom - A nerve block is handling most of David's pain in his left arm where they have devised a 'flap' growth as a healing step. His right hand is described as shattered, dislocated, pinned and fractured in places that cannot be fixed. His right arm will have a nerve block as well very soon. The staff have to be able to manipulate the fingers before they develop atophy. His legs aren't doing much better. He's been told he will walk again but they are not sure how well. He's in lots of pain there too. On one side there are muscles and nerves missing and he's experiencing sciatic pain. Mom tells him every day..."If there is one thing I could do for him it is to take away his pain, and if I could take his place I would" She says he smiles and says "I'm ok." and she knows he is.
Update: 8/29/2010 from Mom - David has had more surgeries and is progressing well enough to be out of the major hospital. He will now be able to be closer to home. He has a long way to go in his therapy and recovery but he's doing well. Mom could use a few hugs as she deals with David's move and his sister's return to school. It's so hard to be there for everyone who needs her, but she's doing it.
Update: 9/6/2010 Tiffanie has been able to spend this weekend with David and is so proud of his progress and his willingness to get out into the world again. He regularly goes out with his recreational therapist at his side and still has a wound vac attached but it hasn't stopped him from visiting the zoo, a park, a festival, a mall, the state fair, and playing his "new addiction" Bingo!
OohRah David. Keep up the good healing. It sounds like it was a good weekend for Mom too. :)
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Date added to program: 7/2/2010
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