Thoughts on a complicated question

kb426 · August 21, 2021, 10:40:11 PM

Here's best wishes with the doctors.

GPster · September 01, 2021, 02:43:17 PM

Well the surgery went OK and I got to come home on the same day. Never got to talk to the doctor and was released with the normal instructions. Had a family friend that is a nurse come down and change the bandages this morning. The doctor thinks he got all of the mesh from the 3 previous surgeries out and he hopes that is the source of the infection. So it's the surgery and more medication and see what happens. I'm cut from my forehead 1 1/2" above my ear to the lower tip of my ear. I may need a skin graft to close the big hole in my forehead but that's a wait and see depending if the infection is gone. Back to worrying how to get the tranny crossmember cut out of the frame so close to the gas tank? GPster

kb426 · September 01, 2021, 06:23:24 PM

Glad to hear your headed in the proper direction.

GPster · September 02, 2021, 10:49:56 AM

Well the Jeepster will not be making it to the car show in two weeks. I might not make it either even though it's only 5 blocks away. I forgot how hard this surgery is on me and after they changed the dressing on it yesterday I was made aware how much more intensive this procedure was. The hole in the side of my head had 7 feet of 3/8" wide packing packed into it and I won't get a clue what the next step will be until next Tuesday. I'm surprised they let me sleep in my bed rather than making me sleep in a recliner. So there's no sliding under the Jeepster's chassis on my creeper to re-design a tranny crossmember and my weight lifting limit puts a question on putting in the new radiator in, even though it's plastic and aluminum. So my car building will be reading the RRT Forum. Enough complaining, GPster

Crosley.In.AZ · September 03, 2021, 09:19:04 AM

Thanks fr the update Joe... Take care, take it easy for a while. You will be back in the saddle.. er Jeepster

chimp koose · September 03, 2021, 10:43:38 PM

GPster , take it easy and heal up well . We can all try to keep you entertained in the mean time . Maybe someone can start a metalflake picture thread

WZ JUNK · September 06, 2021, 09:39:16 AM

Take care and keep us updated. You are tough, and I know you will do just fine.

GPster · September 11, 2021, 10:11:53 AM

This is the latest up-date (on me). I was at the hospital an Tuesday and they checked the hole in the side of my head and removed the stitches from the incision. Then the realization that they couldn't plan on the next move until they were sure the infection was cleared. My original step into the hospital was through the infectious disease department. They sent me to the plastic surgery department so any decisions about my care involves both departments. I'm looking at 4 weeks of waiting until both departments think I will have reached a stage that they can collectively decide the next step. Of course with this open wound in the side of my head. the high temperatures ot the summer and the dirty atmosphere in my garage any work on the Jeepster is limited. But it will happen. My free time can be better spent on the internet now that RRT is back up. GPster

WZ JUNK · September 11, 2021, 03:48:28 PM

Joe, I am entered in Rocky Mountain Race Week2.0. It will start next Sunday Sept 19th. The class I will be competing in is the limited street 13.0 index and they are usually one of the first classes called up. The event will be streaming live on you tube beginning at 3:00 each day. This is my first time to enter but usually I try to work a little while I watch this event. You might enjoy viewing it and this next week beginning Monday will be Hot Rod Drag Week. Something for you to do while you are laid up.

GPster · October 06, 2021, 06:13:59 PM

Well there is an update on me and the Jeepster. I was seen by the NP Monday and she looked at the hole in the side of my head (2cm x 7cm) and she took a picture of it for the doctor's file. She said that I should come back in 4 weeks and I would probably be released. The way it is healing she thinks the hole will close by itself the way the skin is forming and won't require a skin graft. That means that for the next month the change of bandage twice a day will continue but there is at least a plan in place. On the Jeepster side because there were so many restrictions on my working on it I hired a guy to pull the crossmember out for me. With the crossmember on a bench so I could plan on it I figured out what could with it so I went to work on it with my little side grinder and a cut-off wheel and removed the offending metal. I tacked on a new transmission mount and a modification for driveshaft clearance. I took it to have it welded last week and coming back from my doctor on Monday I felt so good I put the crossmember in myself. Had the guy that pulled it apart for me come today and finish putting it back together, install the new radiator, and pull and re-install the starter so I could put a new solenoid on it. I took it off the jackstands and now it's back on the ground. That was three hours of me working/thinking for me which is just about my limit so I had to stop, eat lunch and take a nap. So who knows just now, GPster

kb426 · October 06, 2021, 06:26:59 PM

That's a real good update, Joe.

jaybee · October 06, 2021, 07:33:23 PM

Great to hear your update, GPster, it all sounds very encouraging.

Crosley.In.AZ · October 09, 2021, 07:48:21 AM

We hope all goes well Joe... thanks for the update.

enjenjo · October 09, 2021, 12:06:08 PM

I'm glad to hear you are on the mend. You have been a wonder to me every since I first met you. You can beat this.

idrivejunk · October 09, 2021, 12:36:15 PM

This sounds encouraging.

Just continue to "hit it easy-like" and know our thoughts are with you, tough guy.