Finally got every thing free, but still aint pretty

[Grumpy]

The removed the last cast on the fingers today, now just have to keep the little finger taped to the one next to it. Finger looks like a snake, but at least I still have it. Starting real therapy tomorrow, 3 times a week for the next 4 weeks, know it is going to be painful, some joints barely move. But even one handed I am still at it, Interstate is completely dismantled , put the standard on the lift, and will start swapping parts over in a few days. May be a while before I can finish it, painting is on hold for a while, therapy is putting a dent in my funds, $40 copay for 12 visits, Almost $500 bucks. Saw some of the hospital bills today $98,800.60 for room, surgery etc, another $12,000 for the orthopedic surgeon haven't seen one for the last 10 visits to his office, going to be expensive I bet. If not for insurance, I would need to rob a bank. Told the wife it would have been cheaper to just plant me in the ground.

[Tundra]

  Thank God you have good insurance Bill. Congrats on getting the cast off.
Mine has become so horrible I've considered dropping it, cost more, covers less, high deductible. You have all the therapy you need building the new bike and tearing down the old bike. I knew you wouldn't be sitting still too long.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for the update Bill.  No mater what it is, it takes longer when we're older to heal and mend. It seems to me if you are not pushing it, the slow and steady work around the bike may be some PT in itself..... though not quite the masochistic torture the therapist will have planned for you.  

I think the cost of medical care has me more afraid of bike injuries than the actual pain and suffering of the injuries.  You'd think for a $100K, they could give you a 25 year old body replacement, and maybe some hair on top.    

I remember my dad, having been told of all the PT they had planned for him after the surgery, asking if it would be OK if he laid down during the surgery itself.  

When his knee replacement began to heal a bit crooked they strapped him in the bed and used Vietnamese rope torture to pull it over straight again.  I never heard any swear words growing up, and many years later I wondered where he had suddenly learned all that colorful profanity.  

[Grumpy]

I can relate to your dad Jess, I have learned a whole lot of new words in the last 3 months.

[Flrider]

Glad to hear that you are progressing on your recoup 

Can't give the Valks a break can you? 

I guess it is all good since it keeps you busy and sane.
I know it would drive me crazy not being able to do anything, I would be the same as you geting back in the swing of things asap but my wife in the other hand, she would be telling me to stay OFF and NOT do anything (to the bike that is) 

[TJ]

Glad to hear you're healing so quick , Well I should say quicker then I did... ( almost 3 years for me)

[larue]

glad you re healing faster and also getting your physical therapy dismantling the bike. stay strong my freind 

[Grumpy]

Glad to hear you're healing so quick , Well I should say quicker then I did... ( almost 3 years for me)

Healing ok, but it is going to take a long time to get my hands to function like they did before the wreck, Left hand can only close about half way, and not much grip, right has 2 fingers that do not bend at all, hoping the therapy will cure a lot of it. Finally got to see all the xrays today, more screws and pins than I thought, but I guess it could have been worse, the 2 that don't bend were almost completely severed, one in the knuckle and the other broke open and part of the bone was gone.

[John Schmidt]

Good to hear the progress Bill. Does this mean you're putting your boxing career on hold for a few months?    Those PT techs can be almost ruthless, but sure made a difference for me. Had a sweet little gal, cute as can be, worked with me after my episode in 2012. I kidded her near the end, she always used a nice voice when demanding I "KEEP GOING."  She signed off on me a few weeks early simply because I worked at it so hard. But not without her pushing me from the beginning. 

[Jess from VA]

John, your point about being signed off early is not uncommon, and worth noting.  Once so signed, ins coverage for further rehab PT is not authorized or paid and you're on your own thereafter.

It is a great idea for anyone to work hard toward their rehab, but I would not let them take away several additional weeks of covered rehab... unless I really was all better.  I believe most of the time it is in people's best interest to get all the rehab their ins premiums will cover. 

So even if you're feeling much better, don't tell them too much (even if you are sick of the torture, you are almost certainly better off with more than less).

[Valkahuna]

Glad to hear you are healing Bill.  Therapy might be a pain, but it's your best shot at getting full mobility. Keep at it and you will find a new "normal" that you can adapt to. I miss seeing you. Planning on going to the GOTF with James this year. I had hoped to make that trip with you sometime and maybe we still can down the road. Say Hello to Murphy for me.

Stay strong, Pete