Update on Jim Metzger

[Russell Legg]

Day 28 of JimBob's Road to Recovery..........Wow, 4 weeks on this journey have passed. We finally got approval from insurance to go to Salt Lake for the skin graft surgery. They were uncomfortable doing it here because of exposed nerves, tendons and a artery. Salt Lake has expert surgeons for this. They will transport him Wednesday with surgery scheduled for Friday. Also eyelid repair was not as succesful as hoped so may need another surgery. Please pray for the surgery Friday and a miracle healing of the eyelid. Thanks for the incredible outpouring of Love.......it is a big part of making this ordeal bearable.

[Adam Frisch]

You have any latest news on Jim, Russell?

[Russell Legg]

Day 37 of JimBob's Road to Recovery........talk about adding insult to injury!! Docs ordered no caffeine or chocolate to keeping the blood vessels flowing well. As I mentioned his 9.5 hour surgery went well and the Docs are happy with the healing thus far. Passed the critical first 48 hour period where they checked the skin flap site hourly. Praise the Lord! Looks like we will be heading back to Boise this weekend...will go to a sub-acute facility for wound healing and then physical therapy for a few weeks. Thanks for all of the prayer coverage...it is definitely working.

[ghancock]

Awesome news!

[Russell Legg]

Day 39 of JimBob's Road to Recovery.......good news is that the attached blood vessels and artery in the skin flap site are functioning very well. On the downside there is a slight infection. In addition to more serious antibiotics he will go back to OR today for a procedure to open up a small area and flush it out. A bump and detour in the road which will set back the transfer back to Boise. Sorry to be so needy, but would appreciate prayers for a successful procedure and for the infection to resolve itself and for strength and positivity for both of us. Thank you for the overwhelming outpouring of Love and prayers.....We are so humbled.

[Russell Legg]

Day 42 of JimBob's Road to Recovery..........today marks 6 weeks and we are tubeless in Salt Lake City. They have removed all drain and IV tubes in preparation of a transfer back to Boise. It will be to a transitional care center until the restriction on keeping the leg elevated is lifted in about 10 days. Then he'll have several days of full on physical therapy. He's been doing leg lifts and upper body work with a band while he has been on bed rest. We feel blessed to have been sent to SLC where we had world class surgeons perform this specialized surgery and follow up care. The flap is doing very well! Not only were they skilled surgeons, but they were very compassionate and caring. They even hand selected a room with the best view. We could watch the helicopters come and go as well as seeing the international airport in the distance. Not to mention the changing fall colors and nighttime city lights. God is good and a full recovery is in sight.

[Adam Frisch]

Thoughts are with Jim! Great to hear he's doing so well.

[Russell Legg]

Day 50 of JimBob's Road to Recovery...........we are back in Boise at a transitional care center. Since surgery He has been under restriction to keep leg elevated. Blood flow in skin flap area is good, but there is still some drainage. They did another culture today, so they can tell if it's infection vs "melting fat tissue". Other than that they are happy with how its looking. Today starts a protocol where he can hang it off the bed for 5 minutes 2x a day, increasing time each day until he can build up to 30 minutes. Also working at transfers from bed to wheelchair and other surfaces. Doctors think that we will be able to be home before Thanksgiving. What an awesome celebration that will be. Will still be non weight bearing on right side so will need walker/wheelchair for awhile. Yesterday, they allowed a pet visit and it was great therapy.

[ghancock]

Awesome.  I can't imagine spending that long in a hospital.

[EricDapp]

Russell, if and when you can tell us what happened would be greatly appreciated. Maybe from jims point of view.

I only ask from the standpoint of safety and so we can all learn. Jim is obviously an accomplished pilot.

Learning from others misfortunes can make us all better pilots.

[Russell Legg]

Too true, too true...

Jim is well and truly in the recovery exit phase now and back in his home environment.

I have personally discussed this with Jim and he has no memory of the day of the incident.

Perhaps in the fullness of time the key factor(s) will emerge - media photos of the wreckage show the right hand prop with no damage, indicating that this engine was not operating at the time of impact...

I have encouraged Jim to join this site - would be great to have him plugged back into the Twin Commander world!

[Adam Frisch]

Heard Jim is back home again and doing well, which is great news. Any new updates, Russ?

[Russell Legg]

Hi Adam,
Jim is making remarkable progress and was able to get out of hospital for Thanksgiving.
His medical was pulled shortly after the accident and he will have to go through the process of getting it reinstated in the fullness of time.
Jim has no memory of the day of the accident so we may never know the true cause of it.
More rehab is scheduled over the coming months to strengthen his hip and ankle.
I look forward to seeing Jim 'bob-up' on this site soonest!
Cheers
Russell

[Russell Legg]

Hi Folk,

Great news - Jim is back on his feet and enjoying the everyday challenges that gravity demands!

He has issued a BIG thankyou for all of the support he has benefited from over the past 127 days.

Cheers

[ghancock]

Hard to believe it's been that long.

Glenn