Conklin Update 9/10

[FJ Flyer]

Here are the latest updates from Janie, as well as Steve's boss, Tim:

Today (9/3) we went to both the orthopedic & plastic surgeon.  The plastic surgeon said everything was healing great.  He changed us to a tight ACE wrap bandage instead of loose. The upper leg is going to continue with Bacitracin and bandaging for another week.  Then it will be slathered inn Cocoa Butter and no longer needs bandages.  Steve can shower and is encouraged to wash both areas with anti-bacterial soap and use lots of Cocoa Butter for moisturizing.  He can now allow his leg to be lowered to the floor (still without weight bearing).  We return in 6 weeks for a follow-up appt.

The orthopedic surgeon wasn't as promising.  He said Steve will need a bone graft surgery on the right leg in about 2 months.  He won't be expected to put weight on this leg for many months to come.  He released us to travel home to NC (we're leaving in the morning) and suggested we return to him in a month or get in touch with an ortho in Raleigh regarding the bone grafting.  We've made no definite decision on this yet.

Packing up the computer until we're back at home!  Yeah, we're both excited.

Janie

______________________________________________________   
 
To all,

I spoke with Steve on Monday 9/7. He and Janie are glad to be home and are following the doctor's orders. Steve is getting around by wheelchair with no effort
and and is cleared to resume a regular diet. His weight has dropped to 158 lbs. which is somewhere close to his "High School" weight. Overall his spirits are good,  but apprehensive awaiting the prognosis from the Raleigh orthopedist. He appreciates the calls and cards, and expects to engage more with work related issues as he heals.

Please call if you have any questions.

Tim

[Steve C.]

Hey Gang, it's been awhile since I've been able to sit behind a keyboard and type with two hands.  We got permission last week to take the temp cast off the right arm and to use it as pain permits.  You know the old joke " Doc it hurts when I do this"  Docs answer " Don't do that".  So here we are at home with a little more freedom including some short "hops" around the house on crutches.  These are pretty limited right now since my strength way down due to the 30+ days on my butt in the hospital.  Amazing how fast you loose strength and flexibly.  Hopefully over the next few weeks I can get some strength back and hobble out to the shop to see what's left of the GSXR.  They cut all my gear off including a brand new pair of Sidi Vortice boots, I know they are taught to do that kind of thing but when they cut along the same line of the zipper you have to wonder!  We will be back in the Docs office in a month or so and get a little better reading on the bone graft.  No need to worry about it until we get the word for sure but I'm thinking it's going to be the recommended path.  I want to thank everyone for the cards, calls, well wishes, prayers and good karma you've sent my way.  EVERYTHING has helped and is appreciated.

Just a short word on the accident itself.  The best I can pull together is I passed a friend and then pulled on the brakes to slow up and fall in next to  him.  Apparently I pulled on too much front brake and endo'd the bike and since I was on the edge of the lane slid off the road and down the hillside through all the various trees, rock and other hard objects.  Now the word of caution to all, if you mod your bike, make sure you check out all the performance changes.  I had swapped the master and did not think it had equal power to the original, apparently it had enough!!!!  Also my track bike is equipped with shorty CRG levers and the street bike with full length OEM levers.  Apparently there is a huge difference in the leverage (duh).  Bottom line is I messed up and came damn close to not being around to write this, thankfully my gear and helmet (HJC Carbon) held up and saved my butt for an untimely end.  Janie has been an absolute saint during this whole deal and I can't imagine getting this far without her.

Hope you all have a safe and fun rally, see you guys in twisities in the future, even if I'm in a fiberglass cage!!!!

[racerman_27410]

Steve,

it's good to hear from you brother. I've had prayers going up for your complete recovery and
  I know you wont stop working until you do 

Best regards to Janie, I know how tough all this must be on her as well as you.

are you accepting any visitors at home?

Frank

[Yamifj1200]

Steve, its great to hear from you after all you have been through. Im happy to hear you are still in good spirit as thats a big plus on your recovery. Listen to the docs and your wife and Im sure in time you will be your old self again. Thanks for the update and I hope your able to be good as new before too long..

Eric M

[Steve C.]

Hey Frank, yup the prayers and positive thoughts sure help.  It's been a bit of a tough go, with more to come but we're gonna keep chipping away at it, hoping for a total recovery.

TeeeeRoy stopped by this morning on his way to Chapel Hill to visit his Brother.  It was good to see him and spend some hang time.  We've had family in and out too, so I guess visiting hours are open for anyone who wants to stop by.  I'm not much of a host, but the fridge and panty are in plan sight from the living room so I'd just invite folks to make themselves at home.

Put both of the dirt bikes up for sale since I haven't been able to ride them for a couple years with the tennis elbow and I will be off bikes for probably another year with the leg soooooo, no sense in them sitting 'round collecting (more) dust.  Sold the GSXR-750 track bike last week for the same reason.  Haven't looked at the GSXR-1000 yet but it will probably be parted out if the frame is bent.  Not sure but more than likely it is.

Steve

[mst3kguy]

heal well, steve, and keep up with the positive.

[FJ Flyer]

Steve,
Great to see you on the board!  And glad to hear the recovery is progressing as best as possible. 

Bill T. was kind enough to send me updates on your condition, etc.  Let me know what you need, especially if its anything up here at HQ.

Hope to see ya soon.

[Fred]

Good to see to see you posting Steve.

[Steve C.]

Thanks Guys, it's nice to be sitting up and to almost have full use of both hands.  Now if we can just get this leg thing to heal overnight we'll be in business 

Steve C.

[Mark Olson]

Steve,

thats good news, keep your spirits up you will ride again.

take it easy and time will heal all wounds.

you  are in my thoughts and prayers.

I have been there myself.

[ddlewis]

Steve, glad to see you making your own "Conklin Update".   heal up fast bud.

[rvnmaniac]

 So your up and atem are you... Glad to hear from your ole ass.... well you know i've felt some of your pain but thankfully not that damn much. Keep the good spirits up at least your here to talk about it....... Don't forget old men heal slow DAMHIK....

[Steve C.]

Thanks again guys, it's pretty amazing that I survived the trip down the hillside through all the rocks and trees, one of the guys said just a little more to one side and I wouldn't have made it, or if I did survive it would be one of those Evil K. broken bone count deals.  I hear you Henry on the slow to heal.  I've been lucky so far, no infections and all the closed breaks are healing nicely.

[Marsh White]

Great to see you back home Steve!!!       Relax as best as you can and heal well.  When you get mobile again you'll probably have time off (hopefully paid medical leave) to work on your FI FJ project!      We received all (or most) of your updates here...you have been in my (and most others I'm sure) thoughts and prayers!  Keep your chin up - and I hope to see you at an ECR next year!

[Steve C.]

Hey Marsh, thanks for the well wishes and the continued support on Janies web site , I think it's helped sales a bunch compare to that POS I have cobbled together.

Not sure if I will be working on the FJ EFI or not, depends on what the boss lady says about me riding again.  Right now she's not crazy about the idea and I can't say I blame her.  So there may be a a monster motored FJ for sale in the future.  We will just have to wait and see how the recovery goes and if her feelings change.

Steve C.