One down, one to go

Hi all-

This is Zac. I know you all are nervous to hear about how my dad is doing after the surgery. I called my mother immediately after the surgery (while my dad was still getting stitched up) and here is what she told me. The surgery was a success. My dad's spine was reset with no difficulties, and while he lost a lot of blood, this was expected because of the type of surgery he was undergoing. The surgeon said that at that time, he had no qualms about my father going under the knife again tomorrow for his shoulder blade. Before he undergoes that surgery, he was going to have my father put on a brace and walk one lap around the ICU. Everything is fine.

Now that the most worrisome part is over, let's keep him in our thoughts until everything is completely done. We can take a deep breath knowing that the worst is over.

Zac

Surgery Tuesday afternoon

Hi all-

Ariela here, again. Just wanted to let everyone know that Bill will go in for surgery Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm EDT. He doesn't have internet access currently.

Kids, this is your back on DUMB!!! Listen to you Moms!!!

More Images. I can't easily access the Head CT scan to send Images, but I will try again later.

Some Images from injuries

Some Images from my shoulder and Back Injuries.

Return to the New World with Bill !!!

Limited Internet Access has waylaid any recent blogs from me.

As we slowly make our way to San Diego, I am struck with the realization that I am now spending 2 unexpected days in David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. Thru some miscommunication ( possibly from the Radical Center.... or perhaps from Robot Bears !!!), we were unaware that we were to have a layover in Northern California prior to our final arrival at San Diego Naval Medical Center on Sunday. Hopefully this will not overly delay my expected definitive surgery on my back on Monday !!!

Actually continuing to feel better during the time that I am not being carted around as luggage thru the Med-Evac Systerm. Hard to get good pain control when you are strapped to a cot....

My kudos to the West Virginia Air National Guard who were in charge of the middle 2 legs of my journey. Exceptionally professional and without a doubt, the best landings on an airplane I've ever experienced.

All in all things are good. I want to get up and walk on my own 2 feet ASAP ( not allowed to stand up, though there is no Neurologic damage). A shower would be great!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the well wishes. Hope to see everyone soon.

Bill Olivos

Onward East!

Hello fans of my big brother!

This is Bill's sister, Ariela. Just wanted to update you on Bill's progress back to the States. As Bill's looking at Japan in the rear view mirror (ok, a slight exaggeration) we just watched their team pound Denmark with three amazing goals to progress to the next round of the World Cup.

Anyhow, here is an excerpt of a note from Maura received around midnight between Wed. and Thurs. EDT:

We are in Okinawa where we spent last night afteer arriving from Yokosuka. It was a difficult journey for Bill, because he has to be in a stretcher strapped onto a metal rack that can hold other stretchers above and below him. It was a 3 hour flight yesterday, and in 1 hour we go to the flight line to process for departure to Hawaii. This will be a 9 hour flight, and Bill is trying to think about when to take his pain meds so that he can be as comfortable as possible.

The CO here in Okinawa is a friend of mine from my BUMED days, and everyone has been so kind to me and Bill. Of course, everyone wants to know what not to do when climbing Mt. Fuji!

Looking forward to San Diego....Bill so wants to get onto surgery and out of bed. He has a long road ahead of him right now, but the surgery will be the first step.

Love to everyone, and thank you for writing on his blog. It is tough to be stuck in bed and he checks the blog and his email every hour when he can.

Looks like we, the people of the blog, are able to keep his spirits up! Let's keep writing, encouraging, and praying.

Ariela

Have Brace, Will Travel !!!!!

Well, everything is on line for a fight out tomm to Okinawa. The next day we will be getting to Tripler (Hawaii) and then the following day (hopefully) to San Diego.

Hopefully, surgery will be next Monday (possibly Friday, but less likely). The shoulder will be re-evaluated.

The surgeon in San Diego wants me to follow-up with him in 2 weeks following the surgery. I was hoping not to get stuck on the West Coast so long ( could turn me into a tree hugging liberal..... NAWWWWW!!!!). Maura wants me to stay in San Diego, but I'm hoping to be able to go home and then possibly come back (thats probably not going to happen!!!!).

Continuing to do better, but I need some definitive therapy before I can get up and restart my Ultimate Fighting Career ( Crazy Bill vs Sumo Jack is my next gig ).

Hope everything is well with everyone. Looking forward to getting home and back on my feet.

Bill

Hi Dr. Olivos,

Sally & I just wanted to say hello and let you know we were thinking of you. We keep checking the web site for your progress. Sounds like you are in good hands, having your own personal physician and all. I hope you have a safe and smooth flight back to the U.S.

Everyone is asking about you and sending well wishes.

Annette & Sally - the office girls!!

Fathers Day in Japan with Back, Head, abd Chest boo-boo's

Well, continuing to feel better. Tried to make it with only toradol (Super-duper IV motrin), but I was too wimpy. I'm not in agony, but its really tough to move around at all without some percocet.

Got my head stiches out !!!! They say I might have to pay for the rock I broke with my head (skull ok... I don't know if my skull is the rock or the hard place). Will start on lovenox SQ today for DVT prophalaxis. My head CT scan yesterday showed no evidence of new blood or any swelling (notice I didn't say it was NORMAL... that ship sailed years ago!!!!!).

Maura is here and taking good care of me. Can't thank her enough and she got me a Fathers Day card AND a Cadbury FRUIT & NUT bar ( she must love me !!!).

Waiting for med-evac on Wednesday. Hope it doesn't take to long to get back to CONUS (San Diego Naval Hospital to be specific).

Thanks for all the support !!!!

Bill, Uncle Bill, Tio Bill, Tio Silly, That crazy guy in Rm 212 who fell off Mt Fuji.

Sorry to hear that the injuries are more extensive...but glad to hear that you will be transferred closer. By the way, where is Tripler? Tell Maura that we brought her flowers home and they are beginning to come back to life. Hang in there, Sue and Joe

Well, it could be worse !!

Howdy all, thanks for the well wishes.

The MRI done yesterday morning showed somewhat more extensive injury than I had anticipated. Apparentltly, there is some posterior element injury as well as some injury to the posterior endplate of the T8 vertebral body. Also, the receiving orthopod at NNMC is on leave so I will probably end up being med-evaced to Tripler or San Diego ( Heard good things about the Tripler Spine Surgeon), It looks like I may have to be surgically stabilized....

Right now I'm pretty bored... waiting on Med-Evac. No real plans for the day ( my surfboarding plans fell thru...!!!!).

Great to hear from everyone,,, Thanks for the comments.

Bill

Dear Dr. Olivos,
Your medical imaging nurses prefer advance notice for add on patients. We know what you need for pain medication. And trust us, we'd be generous. Don't you wish we were there. We wish you were back here safe with us. We know you're interested in new frontiers like Capt Kirk, but falling off the mountain was highly illogical, to quote Spock.

EMMC Medical Imaging Nurses

Bill:

Its been 13 years since we have communicated and now my first communication has to be this well wishing note...what is up with that? Linda and I were sorry to here of your mishap on the mountain. Sounds like something from "Jackass" or the like. Fun until the fun abruptly ends. We wish you a speedy recovery from your injuries and will put you on our ever growing prayer list as we continue in our fifth decade of living and all that goes along with the aging of ourselves and family.

Megan received her BSN 4 years ago and is employed and lives in Blain, MN. She was recently engaged to Tony Berendes and they are planning a July 2011 wedding. Hence I am still working fulltime in private practice in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Colin is in college and works in Alexandria, MN at a resort near our lake home. Linda is busy volunteering at a food shelter and spends lots of time quilting (although less now that we are not shutins from the winter cold). We enjoy pro baseball and have season tickets to the Minnesota Twins.

We again hope you and your family the best! We should make a much better effort to keep in touch at least once a year.

Greg and Linda Haines

Bill,
Never thought I would be wishing you well as my first communication with you in 10 years, but when I heard about your accident, I knew I had to write. So sorry you have had your trip cut short. Knowing you, you'll be up and about very soon, although it must seem like an impossibility at this point. I'll say a prayer or two, and with any luck, lots of other people will do the same. I'll be thinking about you.
In case you are bored, I'm living in New Hope, PA. Still married, four children doing well, one out of college starting work in two weeks, three more in college. I'm working very hard in private practice, in Doylestown, PA. Still miss NNMC, although from what I hear from sources, I won't recognize the place soon. Big doings, much construction, etc, etc.
I dream daily of retiring to the shores of the Chesapeake, kayaking, sailing, and even the occasional scotch (for medicinal purposes). Right now though, tuition bills have me in arrested dream mode.
Other than the current disaster, hope all is going okay.
Best regards from an old friend and colleague

Bill Corse

Whoa there Cowboy!

Bill,

Will was thoughtful and sent me the link to this and I got to tell you that my heart was pounding until I found out you were OK. I am going to go back to my couch now and try not to trip in the house. Have a safe flight home and give Maura a hug (gentle) for me. Did she really have to wash your hair? Ewwww. Will let Greg, Bob, Kilton and Bill Corse know that you are battered and bruised but otherwise fine.

Don Flemming

Hi Bill,
Well, what a way to make the Japanese newspapers! You could have done that back here in Maine...Just kidding. We are so happy to hear that you are feeling better. Now, listen to those doctors (Yes, even the one you're married to..) and get your a** back to the Good Ole' USA.
Setting up this blog is a great way to stay in touch.
Take care and know that we are thinking of you,
Love,
Joe, Sue, and Miss Liberty

What were you thinking?

Bill,
Glad to hear that you have not lost your sense of humor! A poncho?!?! Sounds like fun until you crash!
We all hope you continue to heal; hope your wife does not knock your head about too much as she admonishes you! (Though perhaps with a few more knocks, you might get to 100% functioning!)
Be well.
Holly

from Annette

Hi Dr. Olivos,

I'm glad you are going to be OK, we have been thinking about you. It sounds like you got banged up pretty badly. I spoke with your wife on Tuesday, she was lovely.

Please let us know what we can do for you and keep us posted on your condition. We are all thinking of you. Annette

Still OK.... being hurt HURTS !!!!!

Maura got here without any difficulties and Maegan took off this morning. Had a bunch of x-rays yesterday evening which were particulary uncomfortable due to my multiple injuries ( 5 right sided rib fractures, one left sided rib fracture, T8 vertebral body compression fracture ( about 20-30%), fractured scapula.... the brain stuff doesn't hurt). Also bad a repeat CT scan of the Thoracic spine to reasses the T8 fracture. Maura brought a T-spine brace which will help get me up and about. Currently, the team is talking about med-evac next wednesday with arrival back in Maryland around next Friday.

All in all, feel well if I lie quiet... any significant motion is not much fun. Maura washed my hair and shaved me this afternoon (I was getting pretty groody). I can't seem to get a handle on Pain meds.... I've never had any significant problems and I don't know how much to take or how often. Currently, they won't give my my old standby motrin and I am at a loss as to the conversion factor of Motrin to Percosett or Morphine !!!!

MRI T-Spine tomm am to see if any T-spine instability...( I'm sure there isn't... young ortho doctor!!!!).

I'll try to update regularly.

Bill, Uncle Bill, Tio Billy, Tio Silly, "Hey you get off that mountain!!!!"

I'm alive and well thanks to the superlative efforts of my kids.

May I comment that sliding down the snowcap on Mt Fuji on Poncho may not be the smartest Idea I ever had.

Fortunately for me, Maegan and Zach keep there wits about them, dragged my carcass down to a shelter. Subsequently, Maegan bushwacked the rest of the way down Mt Fuji and found Japaneses Rescue to haul my ass out of there the next morning. Zach stayed with me and made sure I didn't die too fast.

No permanent injuries and no obvious brain damage......

Sorry if I worried everyone...

Hey its me (Bill !!!!!!!!!!),

I am currently at Yokusuka Naval Hospital in a really great room overlooking the ocean. Maura will be here in 3- 4 hours and advise me on my total lack of common sense (can't really argue with her there!!!). I feel fine, no permanent injuries. Brain box functioning at 98% !!!! (thats 10 percent more than then I had a concussion!!!!). I can now speak 3 languages (Does Baby talk count ???).

Doctor coming... gotta find a hiding place... more later

Bill, Dad, Uncle Bill, Tio Bill, (that dofuss that fell off the mountain)

Welcome!

This blog is for everyone interested in my father's health after his accident on June 12th while climbing Mt. Fuji with Maegan and Zach. As of now, Dad is currently in a hospital in the province of Kobe. Later today, Japan time (which is he will be transported to the Yokuska Naval Base, which is about 4 hours by ambulance. Maegan will be traveling with him. Maura is currently on a plane crossing the Pacific to meet up with the two of them.

Zach has returned safely to the States, and is recovering from the sun and wind burns he sustained on the mountain both during the hike and through the night.

The last I have personally heard, Bill is doing well. He did sustain some moderate to serious injuries, but the prognosis is great for recovery. I don't want to share too much information without knowing exactly what the situation is. I think once Maura meets up with Bill and Maegan, more of the information will be clear and we can update the information on the site.

There has been a major outpouring of support and concern from family and friends, and I know he appreciates it. We also appreciate it as well. Hopefully having a central site for sharing information will assuage everyone's concerns.

Best,
Will