My BIL, the microsurgery miracle man

Thanks to everyone who's been praying for my brother-in-law Steve, who had the industrial accident on Monday, August 19. He's home and is doing really well. Thought you'd like to see his face, since y'all have been so sweet in asking after him. :)

I have added a page to my website showing pictures. If you are squeamish, do not go there. But if you want to see the miracles of God and medicine, it is amazing to see how bad something can look, yet be anticipated to mend and be useful again! http://gardenwife.com/steve1/

It's amazing to me to see those photos and that Steve is at home. Who is changing his bandages? That must be quite an ordeal in itself. He must be so happy to be home. How was the Chicken and Noodles?

LOL, my mother-in-law is changing his bandages, and it is quite an ordeal. There's so many steps to each bandage change, and she's still getting the hang of it. Mom and I will learn how so we can give her a break, too. The chicken and noodles were fabulous, the best my MIL's ever made, I think.

For those of you who don't know, Steve's big wish while in the hospital was for a plate of his mom's homemade chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes. :)

Bummer...messed up the tatoos! ;)
Looks like he was lucky to not be hurt worse, thank God!

LOL My morbid little friend! Who is worse, you taking the slide show or me not wasting a second to see it! (GW and I share a secret life of sharing medical sites. Don't want anyone to think I am insensitive). Looking at those pics, I am sure it is a miracle that he is alive and still has his arm! Will the opening have to be grafted or will it eventually be able to be put back together? I really feel for what he has been through. I never cease to be amazed at what doctors can do now!

LOL, Badseed. You know I am an archivist. If I was the type who thrives on deadlines, I'd be a photojournalist in a heartbeat. Steve thought it would be cool to be able to send the pictures to his sister in Alabama since she can't get up to see him, plus someday he can look back at those pictures and remember what all God brought him through.

They think it will all fill in on its own, at least that's what they're hoping will happen. He's healing up better than they'd expected, but it's still a long haul.

ooooo nice close up shots there and all! *feeling green* wooozey* thump*

It's not easy feelin' green....I thought it would look a lot worse than it did, actually. Whew!

Oh my, Steve is going through a lot these days. I'll be thinking of him and praying for his complete recovery.

Great news about Steve even though it will still be a long time before it is as good as it will get. My prayers are still going for you and yours. (((Huggzzz))) Lani

I can't look.

That's okay, Aimee. I put it up there because a few wondered what it looked like, but it's not for everyone.

Wow...he's smiling! Glad to hear he is outta that hospital and doing better. (I'll look at the pics at a later date tho.)

Oh, wow! That's wild! I saw your post, Kimberely, so I've been keeping him and you all in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so glad he's on the road to recovery!!!

It's amazing what they can do nowadays! My first year as an EMT, I treated a man who had his leg caught in an auger. They had to amputate. I certainly don't know the extent of Steve's internal injuries or exactly why they amputated the other man's leg, but it kind of looked like what I imagine in my head that Steve's arm looked like before they pulled the skin and muscles back together. I wonder if that man had waited thirteen years to have his accident, would he still have his leg? Wild ~ the leaps and bounds in medical technology! I'm so glad it was here today for Steve!

Great pictures, GW! Yeah, I'm one of those that are fascinated by things like this, too. ;)

Such good news, Gardenwife. Your website was very interesting. It gives a person comfort to know what can be done these days to mend such terrible wounds. He's such a young man and he has so many years ahead of him.

I too liked your pictures. I am fascinated by things like this. I love learning about all the advances in medicine and surgery. Thanks for the post. Lani

Thanks, guys. I don't feel quite so much like a weirdo, LOL!

That machine took a mighty big swipe at his arm, he's lucky to still have it. If it had torn the tendons at the elbow and wrist, it would just be a club hanging from his shoulder. Thank God for medical science!!


Wintermoor

I wanted to update you -- Steve is going to school! The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation is sending him to college so he can get a degree in electrical engineering (I think that's his major, anyway).

That's the same organization that enabled Howie to be retrained when he broke his back at work and had to have fusion surgery. I guess his family is well-acquainted with how bad situations can turn around for the good.

Great news Kim. Glad to hear he is doing that well now.

That is wonderful. I wish him all the best in his studies and in his entire life.

How awesome! I'm so glad that he's doing so well, Kimberley. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers for good grades and smooth sailing through school and into a great new job. Thanks for the update. :)!!!

That's great GW.