Meet the miracle workers

Today's journey to the "land of miracles" was my 13th one since the "jumping the curb" saga of August 4th happened.  I had planned all along that it was going to be my last one and it actually was just that, well...kind of /sort of.  More on that issue later on tonight.  


On the way over to Wichita today, I got to thinking, once again about all the people who have worked so diligently to get my totally messed up arm put back together in one reasonably good looking piece. It couldn't have been easy, that I know for a fact.  That whole "looks like a bomb went off in there" scenario didn't lend itself to being a "quick fix."  I kind of think it must be like a jigsaw puzzle only most of the pieces are missing and the ones that are left aren't even close to being in the right place. And when I said, early on, that it would take a miracle worker to make "old lefty" even remotely a shadow of its former self, well, I really meant that.  But a miracle worker, I did so find and his name is Dr. Prince Chan of the Kansas Orthopaedic Center in Wichita.  The photo below was taken this afternoon, and by the way, that's "Old Lefty" in the x-ray behind us.  I think it looks like I've got a wrench or something in my arm....but it's only just my lovely "plate".  If I ever do fly again, geesch, I know what will happen.

Friends, this I can say with 100 percent surety....If you EVER need a surgeon with the skill to put you back together again, should you ever try to jump a curb or any other stupid/not so stupid thing....then the only person you should have do it is Dr. Chan.  This man is absolutely the best as far as I'm concerned.  From the first day I met him, I knew that I would like him as my doctor.  


I must admit, that I had seen the words "hand reconstruction specialist" by his name once in an online ad.  That was a little unnerving~probably because it forced me to realize and accept the gravity of my injuries.  It wasn't going to be an easy fix.  Hey, I think it's fair to say that it wasn't even a half-easy fix...far from it.  I still remember his words to me at my appointment before the surgery when he said, "I can't promise you it will work but I can promise you that I will do my best."  You know what?  That was good enough for me and thus this wonderful adventure began.  


And then, there's Kim Lockwood, affectionately known as "Kim the taskmaster".  What Dr. Chan could do miraculously with surgery, Kim could do with occupational therapy.  He took me a long way from that very beginning meeting with him.  "Old lefty" was still in a long-arm cast and all he could do was to give me some exercises to work on for my fingers.  After the casts came off, then he started in "full force" to get my arm, hand, wrist, fingers and shoulder back to work.  Kim was the "strike buster" who convinced the ailing parts of "old lefty" that the picket line was disbanding and it was back to work for all them.  I wouldn't exactly refer to my weekly visits with Kim as being "fun and exciting"--quite the contrary, a lot of times they were very painful.  But he labored on and wouldn't let me quit either.  To him, I say a word of "thanks".  Here we are today, in what I hoped would be the last visit I made to his part of the office.  It was, kind of/sort of....

He really is a nice guy and I use that term "taskmaster" in an endearing sort of way, believe me~ Don't give too much worry to that hammer in his hand or that it is near my head.  That's a long story and when I post the "verdict" later on tonight, I'll explain more.  Kim worked very hard at trying to help me get everything close to normal again.  We made progress, not as much as he'd have liked to see, but progress nonetheless.  


Early on, Kim gave me the names of occupational therapists closer to my home here in Hutch so that I wouldn't have to drive back and forth each week.  I thanked him but turned him down on trying any of the local therapists.  I would not have been satisfied with anyone but him...and it was worth EVERY mile of the 82 mile round trip to get there once a week.  Without hesitation, I'd do it again as well as recommend him to anyone that I know having issues with their hands or wrists.  Kim Lockwood is good.  Seriously friends, he is THAT good!


I know that in the future, whenever I drive to Wichita and see that orthopaedic clinic on the south side of K-96, I'll always remember all of the people there whose job it is to put people like ME back in some kind of healthy shape.  The task has to be daunting for them but they rise to the challenge each and every day. And boy, am I ever grateful!

Miracles can and do happen friends and they happen in THIS place each and every day!