Frustrated! Angry! The Curse of Africa!

[RR 314]

Cooking and music sounds like a great escape! I just saw you live in Colorado Springs. Come down to sea level where there is some oxygen. . All of us here (effectively) love Africa and obviously would be extremely frustrated in your situation, but keep focused on what is truly important. What is super frustrating is this is largely not on you to control. We all know guys who have busted their buts to get in shape, rehab injuries etc. to make the trip. I know the feeling of not being in control and just waking every day hoping and praying for improvement is disconcerting. Sounds like you have a good crew of doctors on your side and you will get this resolved. I hope you make the trip this go around and Karma is on your side!

 

[Rare Breed]

Thank you everyone! Thank you so much for both your support and your knowledge! I can’t believe how good of a community we have here!
I will use this thread for a reference and I see my Doctor tomorrow and will ask about multiple things brought up here!
So a couple of things… First the infect is gone and the wound has had progress as I stated in my first post but the recovery has been so slow, frustrating, and very painful!
The reason for the poor blood flow in the leg is because of “major vascular abnormalities due to multiple GSWs” as stated in my medical charts. These abnormalities have caused over a dozen DVTs in leg that have collapsed the valves in several of the main veins. I’ve had a ton of Arterial Flow tests done and they come out perfect. No problem with flow down just an issue getting it back up.
I was wearing compression socks until the wound opened and then even after for a while but the socks were tearing the wound opened so I had to discontinue. I do still use a short compression sock for the foot and they double wrap the calf above the wound for compression but the wound area itself won’t tolerate compression at this point. The new growth there is, is too fragile for it…

I have been seen by four doctors that include two vascular surgeons. I’ve been to two wound clinics. And now I have specialized wound doctors that I see three times a week. They are the ones that put on the Embryonic Stem Cell Skin Grafts which are horribly expensive! As in more expensive than a lot of people’s homes sadly!
They were very positive that the grafts would have it closed up within 10 weeks which is as many as they can apply but sadly two months now after the last graft the wound is still open. They are using silver for it now and it has responded positively to the silver but it’s still open! Both frustrating and maddening!!!
I know they will get it healed but not in time to recover for the Safari…

I will absolutely look into the Doppler test as I’ve never had one, only ultrasounds.
I will also look into and ask about the supplements!
I have looked into the Hyperbaric therapy and sadly it’s not an option for me…

Thank you again everyone for your kind words and support! I’m sorry I even posted the thread but I was so frustrated and angry at the situation last night I really needed to vent! Thank you for all the advice, I will follow up on it…

We are with you in both mind and prayer!!!!

 

[CZDiesel]

We are with you in both mind and prayer!!!!

Thank you! And thank all of you! I hope all of you are having a great Christmas season!

 

[Manwe]

Just don't give up.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well guys it seems as the Curse of Africa is strong when it comes to me! So you see I was booked, payed and ready to go to South Africa in 99 and I blew out my back out at work and had to have surgery so I gave away my hunt to a friend. In 02 I was booked and payed for Tanzania and several weeks before departure I was shot five times and ended up in the hospital for the next eight months and had to give that hunt away too…

Now fast forward to 24 I have a hunt booked and fully paid for in the Save Valley Conservancy this coming July and it’s happening again!!! I banged my ankle a year or so back and it was nothing more than a scuff but because of the gun shot wounds I have poor circulation in the leg and that scuff lingered…
Months later after traveling to Dallas for the DSC convention that scuff opened up to a small hole the size of an eraser head but still was not wanting to heal and then this summer happened, and there was no way I could foresee it, and the wound contracted MRSA and before we knew it the wound was the size of a tennis ball and growing! MRSA IS NO JOKE!
Almost $400,000 later and seeing wound specialist three times a week for the last five months ,who used Stem Cell Grafts and every thing else on it, it’s still open!
It’s much, much better and the infection is out but still open sadly…
I have for over 25 years dreamed and paid for Safari and it seem like I will be denied again! I have talked to the PH and he was really cool about it and said let’s just wait a bit before making a decision but it seem as the wound will not heal in time and I’ll have to postpone at the minimum.
I have pics of the wound but didn’t post as they are a little graphic and I did want to upset anyone but can if the site is ok?
I cannot believe this is happening once again! I cannot tell you the level of frustration!
My friends all say it’s the Curse of Africa and I should abandon the idea of going but I just dont think I can do that…

@CZDiesel
Seem as though if you didn't have bad luck you wouldn't have any luck.
Hopefully your leg heals up soon.
Instead of booking a hunt in the future you should just surprise yourself with a last minute unplanned hunt.
Hopefully you half up soon a finally get to go on that hunt.
All the best and merry Xmas mate
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thank you everyone! Thank you so much for both your support and your knowledge! I can’t believe how good of a community we have here!
I will use this thread for a reference and I see my Doctor tomorrow and will ask about multiple things brought up here!
So a couple of things… First the infect is gone and the wound has had progress as I stated in my first post but the recovery has been so slow, frustrating, and very painful!
The reason for the poor blood flow in the leg is because of “major vascular abnormalities due to multiple GSWs” as stated in my medical charts. These abnormalities have caused over a dozen DVTs in leg that have collapsed the valves in several of the main veins. I’ve had a ton of Arterial Flow tests done and they come out perfect. No problem with flow down just an issue getting it back up.
I was wearing compression socks until the wound opened and then even after for a while but the socks were tearing the wound opened so I had to discontinue. I do still use a short compression sock for the foot and they double wrap the calf above the wound for compression but the wound area itself won’t tolerate compression at this point. The new growth there is, is too fragile for it…

I have been seen by four doctors that include two vascular surgeons. I’ve been to two wound clinics. And now I have specialized wound doctors that I see three times a week. They are the ones that put on the Embryonic Stem Cell Skin Grafts which are horribly expensive! As in more expensive than a lot of people’s homes sadly!
They were very positive that the grafts would have it closed up within 10 weeks which is as many as they can apply but sadly two months now after the last graft the wound is still open. They are using silver for it now and it has responded positively to the silver but it’s still open! Both frustrating and maddening!!!
I know they will get it healed but not in time to recover for the Safari…

I will absolutely look into the Doppler test as I’ve never had one, only ultrasounds.
I will also look into and ask about the supplements!
I have looked into the Hyperbaric therapy and sadly it’s not an option for me…

Thank you again everyone for your kind words and support! I’m sorry I even posted the thread but I was so frustrated and angry at the situation last night I really needed to vent! Thank you for all the advice, I will follow up on it…

@CZDiesel
Don't be sorry you posted.
That what this community is all about.
Caring and sharing and not just about hunting and firearms.
I bet you feel better for having posted as you look at all the responses you have got.
As my dad used to say
A problem shared is a problem halved.
We are all on your side
It will happen and you will enjoy your trip.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Manuka honey is also known to promote healing when all else fails. You just apply under light sterile bandage. Good luck.

@steve white

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Manuka honey is also known to promote healing when all else fails. You just apply under light sterile bandage. Good luck.

@steve white
It does well at healing wounds especially ulcers that won't heal
BUT
It has to be the proper medical grade honey not the one you put on your toast.
Bob