Anniversary week + recent doctor appointment

We left home August 6th for a Humanitarian Trip and arrived home late on August 14th.  

We hit 2 anniversaries while we were gone.  

August 7th: 1 year anniversary of the accident

August 14th: 1 year anniversary of hospital release and coming home!

What a perfect way for our family to celebrate Brigham's recovery!  God was in the details for us to be doing something we all love.  We spent the week serving the Martinez Family by building them a new home. None of us could have imagined that a year later Brig would be healed enough to return to one of his favorite activities.  This was the 3rd house he has built in 5 years. 

Amazing view from the job site

     Final building day with the Martinez family

Taco Stand 

Yes, Brigham used the Skilsaw while working. 

Even though he couldn't do everything like he could before the accident.  

He adapted. It wasn't easy but it felt good to accomplish this for the Martinez family.

 He woke up with right calf cramps 2 nights in a row which is a clear sign he overdid it.

Twin shirts! For some crazy reason there were like 9 people on the job wearing blue the same day.

Brigham's knowledge and skills were helpful on the job as he could teach others what to do. Which is great for these projects it gives people the opportunity to try + learn something new.

He could not walk on the roof like he would have done in the past.  He couldn't trust his right leg to not buckle so he sat on the roof instead.  His leg hurt near his scar on that upper thigh while he sat on the roof.

We spent the last day before coming home at Huntington beach.  The waves + tow were strong that day.  We were all exhausted from fighting them. 

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Brigham quit his job at the IRS to go on this trip.  So, when we returned he started working construction with Jeremy again. This is the picture I received on August 24th:

With the text: Dad says deja vu, we are building deck stairs again.

Jeremy did all the cutting because he could not bring himself to let Brigham do it. He only left once the cutting was done. Before he could drive off Jeremy had to sit in his car for a minute because it was eerily familiar to the day of the accident. I'm surprised how the trauma is still ongoing. Sometimes it is physical (heart racing, hard to breath) other times its emotional (crying, feelings of panic + worry).

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Wednesday September 8th- doctor appointment and celebration visit

Brigham had a follow up appointment at the Vascular Clinic.  Which as a reminder includes an ultrasound before visiting with the Sherly (NP). A few things they are specifically monitoring: the diameter of the graft (they measure it every time) + the blood flow of his femoral vein and artery.

We brought doughnuts for the office in celebration of the 1 year anniversary.  We also delivered hand written thank you cards with a few pictures of Brigham working in Tijuana for the specific vascular doctors who treated him. I thought it would be nice for them to see him in his life not just as a patient. 

On this day, the WCF (Workman's comp insurance) assigned RN for Brigham came to the appt. We have talked to Nurse T many times but this is the first time meeting her due to Covid restrictions in appointments.  She is their to advocate for Brigham and ask questions we may not think of in these doctor visits.  

Before I get into what we learned at this visit, I will be honest, I have been avoiding this post.  I've been in a mental + emotional funk this month.  I find myself avoiding deep thoughts, feelings, etc.  I know that is not good but I'm giving myself grace. I am moving forward and trying to get a little bit better everyday.  The road of healing is a lot longer than I expected. 

What is new: 

1. We all have perforated veins in our legs.  One of Brigham's perforated veins has grown significantly.  This is a good thing.  His body is adapting to what his leg needs.  This helps move the blood flow up + out of the leg. Bodies are amazing.  

2. He still has strands in his blood.  These strands are what forms blood clots.  This is now considered Brigham's new normal.  Which means blood thinners permanently.  

3. For the first time, the diameter of the femoral artery graft has increased.  This is not what we wanted to hear.  Veins are amazing in the fact that they can expand to the size of an artery.  However, veins can also keep expanding larger than the native artery which can create an area where clots will form and potentially cut off blood moving through the femoral artery.  This is why he will have yearly checkups for the rest of his life because the expanding can happen at anytime. If it becomes to big they will need to redo his graft. *deep breath + sigh*  

Brigham's native (original) femoral artery size is .9.  I asked Sheryl if there is a magic number when they decide its time to redo the graft surgery.  She said yes and told me the number.  He is halfway to that number.  Brigham really does not what to have surgery again. Sheryl told him it would be much easier for him and she would do the cutting this time (she smiled trying to lighten the mood). It would be tedious work for the surgeons because of the scar tissue. They would need a new vein for the graft, if it came from him it would come from his left leg or one of his arms. I'm not sure about a donor vein.  We will cross those discussions if the time comes. 

4. They consider him MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) and will be arranging to get his Disability Assessment done. 

Last of the 1 year Anniversary celebrations : After the doctor visit and getting new compression socks we went to Mckay Dee hospital.  We delivered doughnuts to the ER staff.  We also delivered more cards with pictures and gift cards for the doctors and surgeons in Brigham's medical records.  I can't believe I forgot to get a picture. 

Then we drove around the hospital. Phew!  That was the first time back for me.  I had a hard time controlling my emotions as I showed him where we waited outside for hours, showed him the window where the ICU nurse waved at us from his room, and where life flight landed before wheeling him into the ER. They are expanding the hospital on that side and looks like they may be taking out the island of grass we sat for many hours.  

I'm so glad we made effort to show appreciation for those involved at the hospital. Sheryl says most times they never hear or see from those they work on in the ER or in surgery.  I think everyone likes to be remembered and appreciated.  I hope those doctors feel good seeing Brigham living life a year after he was on the brink of death. What they did from August 7th-14th mattered to Brig and to our family. 

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So as always there it is. The reality. The good and the hard. The beauty of life and the unknowns of life. Remember to live life today.  Let your loved ones know how you feel.   Share your talents, light and love.