3+ Months Update!

I'm Still Alive (Not kickin' but still breathin' at least)!

'pologize.  It's been pretty hectic.  I hate saying that especially after reading this NY Times Op Ed piece, but it's true.  I've been handling the prep. before my move to Portland and I've been studying for an accelerated A&P II class (8 weeks compressed into 5).  Final exams this week and then I start Physics II for Summer II.  I also shadowed Dr. Mary Surkein, D.C. in Plano.  (The Graston technique is fascinating.)  I also found an apt. that's pretty sweet with his/her saunas, heated pool, rec. room, and within walking distance of the uni.  Now I just need a roommate 'cuz they're out of 1 bedroom apts.


It's been a little more than 3 months since my achilles surgery and boy is it night and day!  I feel pretty great.  So great that I asked if I could use my Groupon for these boxing lessons I have.  He gave me that typical look of you are a complete idiot!  And then said slowly that boxing has you on your toes the entire time and it's ridiculous to even consider.  He also said that I can get my face punched in easily without boxing... I had to have a comeback, so I said, "like getting skin cancer?" (Dr. Hanssen had basal cell carcinoma).  Perhaps a low blow but we're way beyond that line by this point.  (The nicknames he's given me have gotten progressively more insulting.  It started out as "Hey Superman!" on the day of surgery.  Then "Hey cowboy!" in subsequent check-ups.   And the last few times, it's regressed to "Hey crazy!") 

Doc said I can get rid of the boot now and even go ahead and start running "in-line."  Though when I told his wife, Kelly, a physical therapist, that she gave me a look and said hold off on running for another 3 weeks hah!  I teased him saying he did really well for himself and that she's got to be half his age.


Anyways, she was a sweetheart and gave me a bunch of physical therapy exercises to do at home.  I'll share them with you below.  Oh she also said that she tried CrossFit once at CrossFit Deep Ellum and never again.  She said she discovered muscles she never knew she had and was so sore the next morning.  However, she said they kept pushing her and she finally told them that she is a therapist and KNOWS that some of these movements are NOT safe, especially since she's had knee surgery before.  I guess that was the final straw for her. 


(Disclaimer:  Do not try any of the following PT exercises without approval first from an MD or a physical therapist.  If you have just had surgery do NOT try these out as it may provoke a re-rupture.  Err on the side of caution.  That's one thing I've learned from all this mess.  Plus, don't be like me.  Support your chiropractors, physical therapists, and orthopedic surgeons!  They paid a lot for their education and training and deserve just compensation!  Being at home is one thing.  Results are much better if you get worked on by an expert.  Plus, these exercises were specifically tailored for my injury and status quo.)


Before I give you the goods.  Here's a photo of what my "wicked scar" looks like today.  It's a little bit raised but hey chicks dig scars, right?

Current scar as of July 3, 2012:

In any case, it's a helluva lot better than it looked 3 months ago!

PT Exercises to do at home (courtesy to Kelly Hanssen, PT):

1. Calf stretch 3 sets of 30 sec. reps
- leg extended out straight to stretch the gastrocnemius
- leg bent 30 degrees to stretch the soleus muscle

2. Hamstring stretch (or as Kelly wrote it "hamstretch [sic] stretch" hah)
-in 3 different directions to stretch out all three heads of the hamstring, again 3 x 30 sec.

3. Single leg balance
- eyes open: 3 x 15 sec. (or longer with improvement)
- eyes closed: 3 x 15 sec.

4. Seated calf raises 
-bearing no weight
-standing calf raises in a pool

*Self-massage the achilles tendon for 5 min. with lotion to work out the scar tissue.  (When I told the doc that it was still "lumpy" he said it'll stay that way since the suturing will never go away.  I said I thought with PT the scar tissue would fade away.  He replied, "Don't think. It's not your strong suit.")

After 3 weeks of the above, Kelly said I could try these warm-up exercises before running "in-line" as the surgeon suggested I do now...SMH.

* Single leg balance 3 x 30 sec. on a trampoline
* Jogging/prancing (alternating single legs) 3 x 30 sec.
* Standing squat to calf raise (start out in an air squat on the tramp. and come up to the balls of your feet.) 2 x 10 reps
* Squat jumps on trampoline

Then go out and jog in-line.  (He made fun of me when I didn't get what he meant by that.  He meant don't make rapid cuts, but gentle turns are OK.)

Dr. Hanssen

I wanted to get a photo with the jerk that fixed my achilles just so y'all can see his wicked scar on his face.  Only he didn't let me take a photo last time when he looked like shite.  (He held a grudge for me telling him that too.)  So Samantha took the photo and I said don't flatter yourself it's to show people your nasty scar and Kelly's eyes bugged out.  I quickly explained that he has the biggest ego in the world so you can't even give him an inch or he'll take a mile.

Next time I'm getting a photo with Kelly.  For reasons that are obvious once you see the photo.  When he said she married him for his hot body.  I said more like your money.  Then he said he has even younger girlfriends...So there you got a touch of his chauvinistic humor and megalomania. :-p

Seriously though, he's one of my favorite doctors of all time.  I almost became an orthopedic surgeon 'cuz of him.


If you're in the DFW area, especially in Plano and have an orthopedic surgery.  Definitely look him up!  The Cole Clinic.  You'll get fixed up and you'll have a big belly laugh.  All the staff are amazing too, the ladies there make up for his douchebaggery (especially Samantha and Kelly).  ;-)

Kelly is an awesome PT!  I warned her about my nasty eczema on my big toe from wearing the boot (not breathable and the neoprene just has the sweat stagnate on your skin), but she said it doesn't matter...she's used to seeing maggots and rotting wounds. ;-p

Oh and for some reason I didn't get charged anything today.  That was nice.  I guess it was just a check-up though and he didn't do anything but insult me.  However, Kelly the PT did give me a lot of great exercises to do at home.

Thank You To My Readers!

P.S.: A big shout-out and thank you to Nicole Rogers!  First, for giving me a reason to continue updating this blog after all this time.  (I probably wouldn't have even made this post if it were for your prodding.)

Secondly, for the Chipotle vouchers!  Probably my favorite fast food restaurant hands-down.  I've told people before that if I had to eat something everyday for the rest of my life, I wouldn't mind it if were Chipotle.  I went all out and got guac and steak too.  I also got to try the barbacoa for the first time and my goodness was it a revelation.  Dat sh*t is off the chain!  It blows the steak out of the water, not even a contest.  The steak is like eating sandpaper in comparison to the moist morsels of barbacoa.  Wikipedia states that barbacoa is made from "cow head."  Not sure if that's true...ignorance is bliss.  Erica told me that authentic tamales are made from pig heads (she found her grandmother cooking and she took off the lid and saw a pig snout sticking out from the giant pot and knew it was tamale night...)  I said I've never had authentic Mexican tamales then.

Day 50 Update

Life Since Da Boot

I can't believe it's been 50 days already.  I had my surgery on April 6th, so it's been nearly 2 months since then.

I've come a long way but there still a ton of hard work ahead.  I know because just from sittin' on the loo doing my numero two, I would gingerly place my injured right foot on the ground and it would feel completely foreign to me, as if that foot was not apart of my own body; almost like I'm putting my foot on a bed of prickly nails.  It's not as bad as it was when I first got my cast off though.  Back then (a few days ago), it was numb and tingly and at some points would go completely numb and would go purple from lack of circulation (not sure from what).

The rash has gotten so much better.  I think just exposing my skin to the air and sunlight has helped tremendously.  Also, a couple of days ago, I washed my leg for the first time with warm water and soap and it was f'n GLORIOUS!  I even used a loufa in the area adjacent to the wound.  I still keep that whole leg out of the dirty bath water since I don't want an infection but being able to just rinse it with running water feels f'n amazing.  What feels really great is using a cotton ball soaked in cool 70% rubbing alcohol and giving it a thorough wipe-down.  Instant itch-relief.   (Sooo much better than that nasty back scratcher I was using to get into my cast.)

I took these photos 2 days ago when that bottom scab finally came off after I took a hot bath.  With a little help from my rubbing alcohol friend, I peeled back the old bandages and then scraped carefully with my nails to remove most of the excess dead skin.  A photo speaks a thousand words, so enjoy!


Before the Scab Came Off:

Process of Peeling Off the Nastiness:

This photo was taken the following night after the previous photo. In case you were wondering, I re-bandaged the scabbed over incision and then the next night checked to see if the scab was ready to come off; and alas, it was.

It was a bit scary since when I tried this the first night I got my boot the incision had not fully closed up and as I tried to remove the bandage the wound was reopening!  I didn't want that to happen again so I was really cautious this time.  With that said, it was hella satisfying to get that black mess off of me!

Doubts & Concerns (THE FEAR)

Last night before bed I was having sort of a despair/pity party for myself wondering if I would ever be able to be a competitive athlete again.

Would I dare try olympic lifting, powerlifting, or even just deep stretching?  (After all, I was a yoga instructor for a short while in India.)  In Ashtanga Yoga during the sun salutations, especially in downward dog, both of your achilles are stretched to the limit as you strive to keep both heels firmly planted on the ground (as if you're establishing roots through the base of your heels). Just thinking about that movement scares me now and yet I loved the way that asana made me feel.

I dunno if I will be able to do that again...even if I could and would, I think there would be a nagging linger of fear or doubt in the back of my mind telling me to dial it back and not push it since I don't want a re-rupture.  That would be the worst part of all this.

Well, I can get over any mental setbacks.  I just want to make sure that I am fully healed 100% physically.

Anyways, I don't want to jump the gun.  I think with serious PT, I will be back in tip-top shape and need to just focus on the positive now.

W&W Vance Experience

Once again, I'm try and be a kind-hearted soul.  If you'e stuck around following this blog this far along, you might as well get something to smile about.  So I won't leave you with those foul, stomach-turning images.

You've already seen Weston.  Well here's Whistler (and the last photo you get to meet Max; his older brother was unfortunately killed by a motorist.)

Here are some nice photos of Fraternal Love:

Boys Will Be Boys:

Once they knew I had the camera out...let's just say boys will be boys.  I showed Whistler the photo and he said, "We're a bunch of perverts! LOL


Boys Are Fascinated by Stairs:

"Hotel Vance" is just one-story, so they were both endlessly fascinated by it.


 Weston Being A Self-Professed "Monkey."

Classic West:

Gotta love that tie-dye shirt!

Shenanigans:

This really cracked me up.  Nearly as much as when Weston accidentally bounced my lacrosse ball (used for working out the knots and balls of tension in my muscle, back when I still CrossFitted) into the friggin' toilet (what are the chances of that?)!  Thank G-d, I flushed.

(The boys are crazy but they were raised well.  I told 'em someone's gonna have to fish it out and clean it well.  Whistler scrubbed it clean and I reminded him to use soap.  That's why Whistler was talking about his hands smelling like ____.)

Max, Whistler, and me en La Villa de la Ayala-Vance.

Just for the record, my dang leg ain't actually amputated!  (I know it looks like it's just as stump.) I was just trying to get down into the shot, more or less.  I spread my crutches far apart and tried to kneel down.  Anyways, my friggin' head is chopped off but it's still a sweet shot, considering it was taken by free cell phone (that's right, I'm the last one in the free world without a smart phone).
Max is all calm and collected down there while we crowd around him trying to accomodate the real master of the house haha.

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All these photos of family reminded me of a video I had to watch for my online defensive driving course for the speeding ticket I received*.

(*1st time I've ever gotten a speeding ticket and there were extenuating circumstances but the cop wasn't hearing it.  He was out of his patrol car and crouching in the bushes with his radar gun, like some sneaky thief.  He was positioned near the middle of a short stretch of 35 mph zone in a primarily 45 mph road.  Anyways, it's a story I don't want to get into.  I'm just glad my driving record will be pristine again after I complete this course.)

Now I don't normally like these types of videos because they can verge on being preachy or PSA-like, so I was actually starting to zone out as it was playing until about 1:30 when the dad started to give his speech on his son.

It struck a chord and I honestly found it incredibly moving.  I even found the drunk driver to be very pitiable.  I thought the letter he wrote to the victim's family was very touching and sincere.

(You may think I'm a corny sap, but give it a try, you may change your mind.)

FREEDOM!!!

Fast Healer

Got to say right off the bat how much I love The Cole Clinic (Dr. Hanssen and Samantha)!

Most people are in their cast for a minimum of 7 weeks, but I convinced my doc to let me switch from the cast straight to the boot (after just 3 or 4 weeks? in a cast) without putting my foot into neutral first WHOOOOOO!  (Last visit, he said I was to be put in another cast and my foot would gradually be moved to the neutral position.  F*ck that!)

Saved me $300 bucks and the hell of having another cast on!  I told him how I couldn't resist and for about 2 weeks now I've been jamming this unsanitary back scratcher (the sharp handle part, where something broke off of it) into my cast, which is why all the padding was gone.  When he was using the cast saw to cut off my cast it grazed against my skin and it hurt so I moved away.  He said I was acting "like a little girl," then when he took it off he saw why...the padding was gone becauseI had pushed it away unintentionally while scratching at it.  So the saw was basically cutting into my skin rather than the padding.

When it came off I thought it looked disgusting with all the red bumps.  I asked if that rash was normal and he said it was because I was "sticking random objects in there" LOL.

Now that it's off though, it feels weird.  All numb and tingling.  I felt my achilles tendon and it's like a hard knot of ropes tangled up.  Really strange...


Check Out This Disgusting Rash:

(::Dry heaves::)


He made a crack about how my dad should tell others that "I'm adopted."  Whatever.  I got him back.  I told him now that he's back in TX he's going to get FAT in 2 weeks, guaranteed!  (He lost 25 lbs in Italy because he did so much walking.)

Oh the best part?  Samantha went to talk to the doc right as he was leaving the room and she got me a deal!  They usually charge $600 for the boot, even though they purchase it themselves for $50!  Well, Samantha got it so that I would only have to pay $50 for the boot!  Amazing!

DA BOOT!

(I wanted to write "DAS BOOT," like the iconic movie, but unfortunately that means "the boat" in Deutsche...sigh...Germany lets humanity down AGAIN.  #GermanFAIL ;-P)

(Do people really pay $600 for this?!)


The doctor's fee was still around $85 or so, but seriously — not bad!

(Then again, all he did was cut off my cast peel off one of the bandages to take a look and then left me to do the dirty work.  Oh yeah and he insulted me and complimented himself on a job well done. LOL must be nice to be an orthopedic surgeon, especially with the mark-up for boots from $50 to $600 haha.  Seriously though, I love these guys.  I can't take being around people who don't have a sense or humor.)

I gave Sam a big bear hug and said she's like my "God mom."  She said she's been "taking care of me for so many weeks" that she might as well be!  The doc overheard and felt left out I guess and said, "What am I? Just your fat skinny doctor?"  I didn't even get what he was saying at first...it's because I told him he lost a lot of weight on his trip.  He said, "In a few more weeks, I'm going to look just like Brad Pitt" while rubbing his sides.  I told him he's going to be fat, but you already heard that part.

So I went home to scratch and then clean up my leg with tons of witch hazel and rubbing alcohol!  Oh God, it felt damnnn gooood.


Before Cleaning-Up (Warning, Not For Those With Sensitive Stomachs):

After A Thorough Wipe-down (Up Close & Personal):

Super Macro setting on the digital camera.  The wound looks SO MUCH better than before (look at the image above and then look below).  All that dead skin has been wiped off, more or less (hence the different skin tone, plus lighting).  That black gunk is congealed, old blood.


All Clean & Bandaged Up!

I cleaned up the wound and put the bandages on myself!  (Why did I pay the doc again?)

Check out that beautiful, meticulous work of mine.


2 Months' Atrophy!

Here you can see how much my right calf has atrophied in just shy of 2 months!  Terrible, just terrible...

Can you see the difference?  Can you spot which leg has atrophied?  It's easy for me.  Here's a clue:  the injured one has a rash on it and has bandages...

T-Nasty Came Bearing Gifts! (Pork Rinds & Cute Minors!)

I decided to be nice and not leave you with a bunch of disgusting crusty, hairy, bloody feet pics 'cuz I know not everyone is into that scheiße...

So for you pedophiles and gluttons out there (just kidding!)... T-nasty was in the neighborhood and came bringing heart-clogging fried pig fat and a talkative 4-year old by the name of Weston!  Mis padres got a kick out of Weston 'cuz he kept asking a lot of questions and was really assertive, which is why I call him "little man."


W Is Easily Amused

I swear that's not a sex toy.  It's for pumping air into balloons or sumpin'.

Fried Pork Fat (Chicarrones):  Snack of Champions!

Believe it or not, I have NEVER tried pork rinds before!  This will be quite a culinary and cultural experience for me, I'm sure.  I'll blog about it afterwards LOL.

For inquiring minds:  the shirt reads, I MOUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION.

Time To Get Ya Learn On, Yo!

I came across this article the other day and thought, wow what a coincidence!

The Achilles tendon is the thickest tendon in the body, a cord that attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus), dictating every interaction with the ground. Over the past few years, we have seen some of the greatest athletes suffer tears in this region, a very painful rupture that generally requires surgery and months of sport absence.

Read the full article at the blog, Sparta Point.

Take the Good with the Bad

First the Good News...

I've finally had some time to wind down and enjoy myself a little.

After the guitar concert, it was past 9:30 PM, so I was starvin'.
We went to Denny's for a late night feast. I had blueberry pancakes w/ white chocolate chips, a strawberry milkshake, eggs, hash-browns, sausage links, amazing pot roast w/ mashed potatoes drenched in gravy, & chorizo sausage.

Then yesterday, my friend was in town from the Caribbean so we went out to Chuy's and got fully loaded nachos w/ pulled pork, salsa, y queso (all you can eat, self-serve!) Comida deluxe, hatch chicken enchiladas, chalupas, etc. Frozen margaritas w/ tequila + a shot of Grand Mariner – great combo. (I love happy hour!)

The guitar concert went really well too!  Even though about 1/5 of our Guitar I class didn't show up, those that did didn't mess up too badly.  Watch the awkward footage below.  I'm in the back row with the white cast on my foot, nearly knocked over a guitar propped up on my way off the stage (I don't even know why it was there, nobody used it throughout the entire concert...probably just to vex the one cripple, that was me).

I mis-played one wrong note B instead of G, I think, but apparently nobody noticed.  My mom said she only noticed mistakes (in other performances) when it was obvious; for instance, she said in another performance (Guitar II) this girl would mess up frequently and then giggle to herself.



This is the level of classical guitar proficiency is what I aspire to attain one day!  Really cool guitar trio inspired by the French book, Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint Exupéry:



This was the last song played (I believe by the Guitar IV class.  Who said community college didn't have amazing music programs?!).

El Cachimbo (a Chilean folk song):




Now for the Bad News...

Now it's time to cram for finals, write my reports, and start on my application essays...oh boy!

Even worse, I went to the dentist on Friday (it's been a year since I've been) and found out I have cavities and need 2 fillings!  She even said I need to start flossing since I have some bone loss (holy crap!)  That really opened my eyes.  I'm flossing everyday from now on.  The dental hygienist and dentist suggested I get Invisalign for the bottom row of teeth which aren't perfectly straight.  However, when they sent the receptionist over she said I would need both the top and bottom done since it might affect my bite if I only get the bottom row done.  Oh I forgot, they also said I grind my teeth and need to get a custom night-guard!  Yeah dental work costs a fortune in the states.  (Yay, more exorbitant medical bills!)

I'm probably just going to get the filling done somewhere else.  When I asked for them to e-mail the X-rays to me they said I need to pay $25 for that...to obtain my own X-rays, which I already paid for.  It's not surprising that the dentist there owns a Rolex watch, manicured nails, and has done extensive cosmetic surgery on her face.  I could tell she's had collagen injections in her lips and botox (her face barely moved when she talked) and probably an eye lift before the dental hygenist even told me!  When she told me I said I'm not surprised.  Apparently, the dentist has been on TV a lot apparently.  She's also Persian but her hair was nearly platinum blonde with streaks, coiffed up high (it looks weird when your eyebrows are jet black but your hair is platinum blonde).

**UPDATE (5/1/2012):  I have no cavities at all.  There's no need for any dental fillings.  I have never gotten a dental filling in my life and I plan to keep it that way!  I also do NOT have bone loss.  Another dentist looked at my X-rays and says the bone level is more than good and she drew where older patients bones would show up usually.  I'm also not getting a night-guard because that was just a phase and I haven't have an issue with grinding teeth in years.


The one good thing that came out of this is that I learned to always seek a second opinion. Also, this close call made me realize the importance of flossing (I never used to floss before).  


Enough about your Dental Issues, What About Your Dang Foot?

Not much news now.  My doc is still vacationing in Italy and France.  I was supposed to meet him on the 8th of May but then I realized that's the day before my ACS comprehensive Organic Chemistry (I and II) final exam!  So I rescheduled and I'm seeing him on the 13th now.  I'm getting my cast changed then.  I'm going to ask how long I have to wear the NEW cast for and when I can start wearing a boot.  Most importantly, I'd like to know when I can start physical therapy.

Achilles Tendon Repair Info. (Day 13)

Follow-up Visit

I went to the doc's office this morning for a follow-up and got my bandages and splint taken off for the first time since the surgery!  Don't worry I got new bandages put on again and a hard splint on the bottom to maintain plantar flexion.

(Turns out the doc is going to recycle this for the hard cast...I found that rather distasteful but then he assured me just the cast part in the back, not all the soiled, bloody bandages as well.)

Soiled Dressings

It was pretty gnarly looking.  I had no clue there were friggin' staples in me haha.

My cell phone doesn't have flash and Samantha has an iPhone 4s so she offered to take some photos and send them to me as e-mail attachments but I decided to go with my own photos after all.  They are more close-up and you can see more details like that weird blood pustule and the weird black grooves.

Also, there's an odd growth at the bottom of my foot that was never there before (see that bright white spot on my sole?).  The surgeon said it was probably just a "maceration" (maybe he meant laceration?) but later said it's probably a tumor.  I said I'll cut that out myself and he said he would watch.

Metal Gear in Me

He said I would get a cast put on, on Tuesday since the staples aren't ready to come out yet.  He said if he tried yanking them out today they would "hiss" and "squirt"— nasty!

New Ace Bandage

The doc said, "Don't worry.  I'll make it all pretty again for the ladies.  I could see the stress in your eyes."  What a joker.

I asked him if it would be OK for me to return to classes next week and he said, "I want you to.  We can cure everything but stupidity.  Have you heard that before?"

He also told me that since I waited so long to have surgery, the gap has widened considerably so instead of using 2-4 strands, he needed to use 6.  I asked him about the suturing and he said it's super strong sutures.  He said those 6 sutures are strong enough to support my whole body if they were hanging from them upside down.

Surgical Staples vs. Sutures


I forgot to ask why staples were used to close the wound instead of sutures though my mom said that black stuff ARE the sutures so she said both were used, only since it was such a large wound both sutures and staples were required.

I'm not so sure but this eHow Health article explains it pretty well.  (Note to self:  also ask the doc to check my left Achilles because it's been feeling odd.  I hope it's not tendonitis.)

I read a study that said in stapling led to 4x the number of infections versus traditional suturing but since I obviously have staples in, I'm going to ignore that study and not post the link.  Ignorance is bliss.  Anyways, there are plenty of other studies out there that say they are comparatively the same, the only difference being cosmetic (staples leave more scars, but scars are sexy so who cares?).

A preview of what's going to happen to me next week:

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The Nitty Gritty

I found some more interesting videos to post.

This one is just a general video on how one ruptures their achilles tendon or if it's just tendonitis (check this out, B-money!).

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This other one talks about the Krakow suturing technique for connecting the two ends of the ruptured tendon.  It's a very detailed and informative video.  The best one I've seen so far.  (FYI:  some graphic still images show up after 2 minutes though.)





David Beckham's Ruptured Achilles Tendon (2010)


After seeing that video, I looked it up and apparently soccer star, David Beckham, ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2010; I don't follow soccer/football so I never knew.  Read about it here.

After 2 years, David Beckham I guess is still not all healed though and he never went to the World Cup because of it.  Now he's doing Bikram yoga to heal his Achilles.  Sigh ... I tried to find an article stating that the soccer star was now all healed but even after 2 years, I couldn't find any.  Oh well, I'm a lot younger than him...

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"Plastic Planet"


I know this has nothing to do with my achilles surgery at all, but I also wanted to write a review on a brilliant documentary I started (but didn't finish) last night called "Plastic Planet."  It's fascinating and scary how much a completely synthetic product has come to dominate our planet, from clothing, chemicals, fuel, to even cosmetics and food additives.

They assured everyone that plastic is a completely inert material that will not invade the food system but in fact, it has.  Fish eat tiny bits of plastic that has broken down from sunlight exposure and the churning of the seas.  Cattle and livestock eat petroleum-derived, pesticide-laced grain feed.  Even our processed foods are all packaged in various plastic materials and even preserved and colored with petroleum-derived preservatives, food colorings, and other additives.  We are assured it's all safe, but we now know (after all the BPA, pthalates, parabens, plasticizers, etc. media blitz) that it's endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic.

I believe it's a German documentary so I couldn't find the interview I was after with the scientist, Klaus Rhomberg.  He talked about how a single PVC diaper takes 200 years to breakdown to its component petroleum materials.

Anyways, for those that comprehend German, enjoy! (I didn't see this clip in the documentary; it's probably part of the deleted or extras from the DVD, so I have no clue what he's talking about.  Can someone translate?)

For English-speaking folks, here's a trailer:

Rubber Ducky (Day 10)

It's the Little Things...

I don't think I've ever been so thrilled at the prospect of taking a bath.

This must be some grand scheme by the universe to teach me gratitude or something.

I'm never going to take for granted hot running water and soap again, especially shampoo!  My head was so itchy after several days without a shower!  It was interesting having to take a bath sitting in a chair in a bathtub with one leg all wrapped up and hanging out over the edge LOL.  Now I know what it feels like to be an old man in a retirement home getting a sponge bath (or conversely a swaddling baby...).

A few days ago, I was ecstatic at being able to poo and now I'm thrilled that I can take a bath. It's like I'm a baby again!

Next step is being able to walk again...but that probably won't be in the horizon for the next few months.

It truly is remarkable how you feel after a hot bath though.  It's as if shedding all those dead skin cells, dirt, grime, and hair externally also leads to an internal renewal process.  Shedding the old shell and emerging a new rejuvenated you.

____________________________________________

List of Cream of the Crop Top Contributors (Triple Digit Donations):

Jorge Salhuana
David Wu
Alexander Holliday
Alvin Lin
Siby Spurgeon
Kyuha Lee
Jonathan Ko
Niven Hsu

(4/9/12 Updated) Extremely Generous Contributors (very close to the cream of the crop):

Jessica Wang
Shawn Hiller
Valerie Easterling
Christina Ayala-Vance
Chase Park
James Haver
Kim Palumbarit

Total Amount Raised To Date (including the $ spent for surgery, so far):  $1,955.58


Close to 2 grand after a week of fundraising is amazing!  I am so grateful to everyone who donated and those who helped in non-monetary ways as well.

The Breakdown:

Faith Surgical Center Fees:  $2,000
Surgeon's Fee (with the 30% discount):  $878.00
Anesthesiologist Fee:  $250.00
Orthopedic Consultation Fee:  $125.00
Previous Ortho. Office Visit: $78.00
Crutches: $32.00
Prescription Meds:  $22.00

Total Surgical Cost To Date*:  $3,385

*The anesthesiologist office warned that the bill may be raised retroactively if the surgery took longer than expected.  Also, I'm not sure if they charged for those shots of Demerol, cortisone, etc.  I won't know until they send the bills in the mail.


I'm just amazed that 57.8% of the surgical bill (that we know of) was covered by fundraising done in a week.  And it's all thanks to y'all.

The need for donations is no longer urgent since the surgery has been done and they require payment beforehand but it would be appreciated if the surgical fees could be defrayed and the future follow-up visits and physical therapy costs could be cushioned as well.


No One Is Forcing You To Donate; Private Message Me If You Want A Reimbursement

Again, I don't think I can stress this enough, only donate if you are freely willing and able.
(I would much rather you not donate, than try and hold me in your debt or blame me for any future financial troubles for taking your $20 to put towards surgery...)

For those that for whatever reason regret giving a PayPal donation should step forward and let me know and I will gladly reimburse them, no questions asked.

I sincerely dislike passive aggressiveness, so instead of bearing a grudge against me behind closed doors or expressing dissatisfaction in other insidious ways, just spit it out and I'll appreciate the initial gesture and sentiment, nonetheless, since you helped me through a very hard time.  I promise I won't hold it against you.  I've forgiven much worse, believe me.  I also understand firsthand what it's like to be between a rock and a hard place, so don't fear, you'll have a sympathetic ear.


Thank You

For those that have donated freely out of the abundance in their heart, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart and have all the confidence in the world that material and spiritual abundance flows both from you and to you for the rest of your days.