And our resident Napa Valley savant speaks!

Yes, the best of Thomas Kellerman... but David is being humble and will accept something "not-as-grand"... hahahahaha. Pish posh, only two choices... French Laundry for marvelous Pate de fois gras or a Big Mac. Takes your choice, David.

 

Oy..... that sounds absolutely....

UNPLEASANT!

But yer through it and hope that your mending doesn't require getting inside!! You re-thinking my offer, dude? Hahaha.

 

I couldn't resist! Haha a big Mac has advantages! Such as the fact that you can buy hundreds for a seat at our good man T Kellers restaurant.

Nevertheless keep fighting DK, here's to a speedy recovery

 

Hang in there David. If I can do anything to help, please don't hesitate to reach out.

 

silver-lining...your setup is four pounds lighter!

hang in there and were pulling for you!

 

While I have some bruising to the inside of my lungs, Lauda's lung injuries were caused by heat and smoke. As I understand it, he was extracted from the wreck of his Ferrari after extended time trapped in the burning car. Without his helmet, balaclava, gloves, shoes and driving suit, he wouldn't have made it. The inside lining of his lungs was damaged and that's why he needed suction from the mouth.

It was fortunate there was no fire at all in my case. But as I'm learning, the lining of our lungs need to slide easily across our ribcage with a small amount of lubrication. The high-g impact has damaged that lining and was strong enough to fracture the bony tops off certain spine sections. Bone has healed (more or less), but the lining has not. That's why they went through the ribcage and into this pleural cavity to tap the fluid.

Let me reassure you- neither case is anything anybody wants to emulate!

 

All the best on your journey my friend! Get well soon.

 

thanks for the update DK!

 

and in the midst of all of this- he still finds time to educate us all one way or another

 

David, sorry I missed the update that you're back in the hospital, but as a critical care RN, IMO, it sounds like you're getting great care and you're getting better. Any idea of a discharge date, or will you need more procedures? Have you got a chest tube(s)? Are you ambulatory?

If you don't get out soon, we'll have to start a my350Z inpatient support group, with you and I as the charter members. I've been in and out of the hospital (not in my professional capacity) for most of the last 6 months myself. Nasty infection in my leg that just won't stay away, and won't respond fully to IV antibiotics. It came back again last Friday and every time it's worse, so I'm starting to have some real concerns. Worst part is that I need a kidney transplant, as my previous transplanted kidney failed after 16 years, and this crappy infection is delaying the evaluation to even get listed for another kidney. Anyone with an extra kidney they don't need (that's why you get two) feel free to PM me with the details. And let's hope we're both back to 100% and back home soon.

 

Dean- sorry to hear about the reoccurring leg infection. That must be nasty and frustrating. I swear, I don't know what's worse--being in the biz like you and knowing what's coming--or being a poor sap like me who's just learning about how the human body works and dreading the proposed procedure(s).

In any case, I was d/c last week and am ambulatory at home. Problem is, this lung stuff isn't going away and I've been told, the lining to my lungs may have been scarred and damaged from the accident. I'm getting a consult from a specialized surgeon on a potential decortication of the left lung. From what little I know, this is not something I'm looking forward to.

 

Hang in there, David. Keep a positive attitude, eat well and healthy, and you will prevail.

 

He'll be fine, Dave, I promised him dinner, nay, an incredible dinner, at the end of this ordeal.

And Dean, take care of yourself, my man! Both of you guys will be in my thoughts.

 

When you heal up, take a vacation closer to sea level, where the oxygen is thick and the beer flows like wine.

At the very least, get well soon dude.

 

Thanks again for all the well-wishes guys, I appreciate each one. Yesterday, the medical appointment with a cardiothoracic surgeon went extremely well. After reviewing the imaging of my chest and lungs, he believes no further action is required unless the symptoms come back. While the lining of my lungs was damaged, there's no indication a decort (see? I'm already falling into the medical lingo) would be needed at this point. We just need to see how I progress over the next few weeks. So high-intensity workouts, here I come!

 

good to hear!

 

Great news - glad to hear it.

 

Thanks, Dean. And how's that leg of yours doing? I hope the infection is cleared by now...

 

Awesome news, David, so relieved to hear it and glad for you!

Thomas Keller wants you to get well too.

 

I had a buddy who used a topless personal trainer (former stripper) for a while when he was recovering from a bad knee injury. Of course, she wasn't licensed or anything; she just did the training with her ***** hanging out. He told me it really helped make the physical therapy a lot more tolerable. It didn't hurt that he was a Microsoft millionaire either.

Maybe you can find one on Craigslist or something.