Long Time

 Sorry its been awhile since I posted, i don't have any excuse other than getting into my normal daily routine.  I dont think I will post very often as things get back to normal and I will be retunring to work soon.  i have been released from my physical/occupational therapy and now am under the ships surgeon direction.  He will decide when I can return to work.  I am also still taking Effexor which may prohibit me from doing some things on the ship.  My job is very regulated and they may not let me be on watch or even in the reactor plant while Im on that medication.  The ship is looking into that now. 

 

My brother was here this week and he flew out about an hour ago to return home.  i am ok by myself as I can do just about everything I did before.  My hands and legs are not as strong as they used to be yet but everyday they get stronger.  I am able to open my medications and bottles of water, two things that were kicking my ass before.  I also recieved my compression gloves today and started the 6 months to a year that I will be wearing them.  The new skin on my hands is like scar tissue so it grows in thicker, the compression gloves helps to prevent thickening of the skin which would make them harder to bend and stretch.

 

I still am planning on being home Feb 17-mar 5, and my work has been awesome with working around all that has happened to make sure I get back to 100% before I return to work. 

 

Like I said before my family has been unbelievable as well as my friends through all of this, and I couldnt have asked for more.  I will not be blogging much as its time to close this chapter.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to email me directly at my primary email of PJNAVY25@aol.

 

LOVE

 

PJ

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Horrible picture

 Thanks heather for the horrible picture.  I guess if anything it shows how red I was before, now the skin just looks more tan in most areas.  I look much better in person trust me, and yes thank god i look the same.  My hands still look like they are badly sunburned but they are getting better and my strength is getting stronger im squeezing up to 60 pounds now from 15 pounds a few weeks ago.  I was telling heather today its amazing i couldnt even walk three weeks ago. 

 

I had therapy today and they bent the shit out of my fingers and strecthed the skin real good, its a good pain though.  They massage my hands and neck real good so im noc complaining.  the head doctor said today that it may take a year for my leg to get the feeling back in it though, i didint like the sound of that.  It doesnt bother me that its numb its just weird.

 

I have mental health appointment tomorrow and im going to ask if I can start weaning myself off of the effexor, its the last medication Im taking, beside the ambien which i took last night because of a nightmare but thats the first time in three days.  Ive been off the ATIVAN for about a week now and that was a hard one to drop, Ive never had to use the replacement for the ativan, because i didnt use it all.  The effexor is an anti anxiety medication also and i just hate being on medication so we will see what the doctor says.

 

My friends Rich and Mike from Montan get here in about an hour and Ed from San fran gets here tomorrow so i should have a whirlwind weekend, i just hope I can keep up.  My brother gets here tonight also and Heather leaves tommorow.  I really cant put into words how greta my family and friends are, thye have really rallied around me in a time of need.  I couldnt ask for better. 

 

Well ill write more tomorrow.

 

LOVE

 

PJ

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He's BAAAAACK

Well, I am getting ready to go back home, and I can't wait to get into the HEAT! I looked forward to the time of the day to leave PJ's house and go to his therapy, not only because I get to see how much he has improved, but also because I can CRANK the heat up to warm myself. I got a good head cold while I was out here because there is no warmth in this house.

PJ is doing awesome. He is back to his normal self. Always cracking jokes, smiling, and messing with people. He has come such a long way. Last time I was out here he didn't know where he was. You can tell that all of the goofy drugs are out of his system. He is more patient, he's not repeating himself, he can sit still, and he is not taking his sleeping pill. WOW!

His burns look outstanding. He has "scarring" which consists of discoloration where they were. They are like a red color. I have a picture that I will post of him in his hat that Robert and I bought him. (He kept saying that he was cold, so we had to get a hat a scarf for him... )
It's good to have him back. I am sure Chris and he will stir up San Diego when Chris get here. They will have fun.

Now it is time to concentrate on Erin's wedding. The festivities start this Saturday. I can't believe my little sister is getting married in a few weeks.

Anthony, Lauren, Erica, and Shelly, I will see you Thursday and I can't wait to see you. Love and miss you all!


Heather

Freezing

 OK, ITS SOOO cold in my house!  I bought five space heaters when dad was out here but it hardly helps, this morning it was 53 degrees in my bathroom, do you know how that tile feels on your feet????  I know missouri is having ice storms but man its freezing in my house.  I lost like 30 pounds in the hospital so i have no meat to keep me warm anymore, im always freezing, ive never layered my clothes either but now I am long sleeve tees and all.  Coats and scarves, I cant wait for summer!!!  I think I lose so much heat from my burns the rest of me freezes.

 

Im sleeping much better everynight, hardly any dreams so im much better rested.  I found I stare at the clock in the evening worrying about what time it is and how late i am up and how long til i have to go to bed, so we covered up the clock so i cant stare at it, keeps me much calmer.  My leg is still numb, however it cramps from time to time.  But I must say my hands look wonderful.  Friday at occupational therapy I ran into Walt Templeton, who was standing next to me during the accident and he has skin grafts and man am i lucky his hands looked much worse than mine.  I hate to say that but it is how i feel.  He also has burns on his arm where his uniform was blown off and a burn on his leg.  We talked for a while and he said i had my hands in the cabinet which i didnt remember, so I continue to piece things together.  All in all it was good to see him and Im glad he is doing well.

 

Im not taking Ativan anymore, since last tueday so that is good.  It was the medicine Ive been trying to get off of since i was in Paradise Valley. However i have started the double dose of effexor, i think it makes my jittery and im wondering if i should just take one like i was the first week, but until i see the doctors i will keep up the dosage.  It is an anti-anxiety medication also.  I continue to use the ambien to sleep, but Im thinking of weening off of that also.  The last few nights ive been so alert at night though its the only thing that calms me down.

 

Well thats it for now my email address is PJNAVY25@aol.com  I know aunt elma is online now and its easier for me to email than write a letter.  Have a good week.

 

PJ

 

 

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7:30 AM

 Well this morning I slept until 730am, i was awakened by Tori on the phone.  It was my third night without chasing dreams and I dont remember tossing and turning at all.  I feel very well rested.

 

Last night we enjoyed restaurant week here in San Diego, (once a year you can try the best restaurants for a set 3-4 course meal for 30-40 dollars)  Larry, Lynette, heather, Romel, Robert, My coworker becky, her sister and fiance and I all went to Rainwater's on Kettner.  It is one of the top ranked restaurants in the country and boy did it hold up to that reputation.  I had prime rib and man was it amazing.  From the portuguese soup, to the berry dessert, it was really a good time.

 

I am driving again, as much as my mom probably doesnt like it, I had to start again sometime.  I dont go alone and it feels good to be in control (im a control freak) again.

 

I had neurology yesterday and after getting pricked by a safety pin, which much of the time I couldnt feel, the doctor showed me right out of a book the exact nerve I have pinched.  He said it should work itself out and if not, then we would do electric shock testing in 4-6 weeks.  My hands continue to heal and my right hand looks almost normal.  There are no bad spots on my ear and my trach hole is healing like a belly button, I may have an "outy" on my neck soon.

 

Well that is all for now, just killing time, I have Occupational therapy today at 310 with a really good therapist who gives an awesome back rub. I can't wait.

 

Love

PJ

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sleeping better

 Hello all,

 

Just a quick little post to bring everyone up to date.  I am sleeping through the night and not having crazy dreams.  I am on ambien, but ive been on it for awhile and was having nightmares up until the last few nights.  I can say I feel much better now that Im better rested.  I didnt have any appointments today so Heather , Robert and I went to coscto and the exchange, so she could get some navy stuff.  I drove today for the first time, have to start again sometime.  It felt pretty good.

 

Tomorrow I have neurology appointment to figure out why my leg is numb and then Occupational therapy wednsday and friday.  All in all im doing much better every day, still stir crazy and i dont know what I would do if I was home alone.  Thank goodness for my family.

 

PJ

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Medications

 Well as some of you know I've been having anxiety issues in the evenings and havent been sleeping well.  Yesterday I talked to a psychologist and she said with all that has happened so fast, its no surprise I am having he anxiety and prescribed me a medication that will not effect my abbility to return to work and try to keep my mind at ease.  we will see how that goes.  My brain seems to race at night more than any other time and I am sleeping better but have some very busy dreams that keep me tossing and turning.  I am also taking ambien which helps but is not perfect as nothing is.

 

My right hand looks almost normal now, no longer looking sunburned (as much).  My left hand seems to swell more and is stiffer.  My left leg is still numb as well as my left toes, I see neurology on monday to figure that out.  My sister heather got here last night and her and Mom are passing the torch.  Mom was a big help this week getting to my appointments and helping me explain to doctors.

 

All in all everyday is another day and a better day, I cant really complain.

 

Love

 

PJ

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THERAPY BEGINS

 Well, Happy New Year to everyone, hope you had a good celebration. I was lucky that just about all of my friends, TJ, MARIA, Arie, Steve, Jen, Romel, Larry, Lynette, Chad, Steve, robert and his family all came by through the night.  Tara was supreme hostess with her baked Ziti and vgeteable trays, she really made the party.

 

Today we start our physical and occupational therapies.  I have a nurse Russell who is the awesome Lady at Balboa appointment this morning at 9 and then an occupational terapy appointment at 1300.

 

Im bored more than anything.  I dont sit still very well and Im getting stir crazy.  I cant concentrate enough to read a book so we watch alot of TV visitors help to pass the time so please feel free to stop by.

 

LOVE

 

PJ

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