Name:   Lifer - Subject:   Update on Steve AKA CatBoat Date:   5/16/2021 9:01:35 AM

I just got off the phone with Steve and told him several forum members have reached out to me wanting more details on how he is doing.  He asked me to make a post on his condition because he knows there is much love for him on these pages.  He said he is sure that most will be thinking it is a heart issue so he wants everyone to what is going on.  So with his permission and blessing I will share some details.

It is not a heart issue but a circulation issue complicated by diabetes.  He has massive wounds on both legs going up to the knee.  He had surgery on both legs back at the first of the year to increase circulation in both legs.  Both were successful and increased blood flow significantly but the wounds continued to progress.  He ended up in the hospital for several weeks having debridment surgery and fighting sepsis.  He had wound vacs on both legs to help with healing.  He has since been discharged home with a wound vac on one leg and compression dressings on the other.  He has wound care specialist visit twice a week and a nurse/aide the other three to help him out since he is pretty much bed ridden for now but does get in a wheelchair when he can.  He still very weak but fighting hard to reach the goals set by his health care team.

The good news is that the wound vac and dressings are working and he is starting to see progress in both legs healing.  His spirits are still high but he is naturally tired most of the time.  His pain level increases at night which make it hard to sleep and get good rest.  Since he does have health care workers coming in DeeDee is still able to work and run the business and Steve is looking forward to the point where he can return to the shop part time in a wheel chair.  He has lost a lot of tissue in his calf muscles and regrowing and strengthening that will take time, but he says he is up for the task!!  All prayers and well wishes are greatly appreciated.

Now I want to say this.  Steve loves knowing that so many think so highly of him and enjoys calls and visits when he is up to it, but having been in his situation a time or two, I know it can be very difficult to "entertain" well wishers.  I say this because his number is posted all over these pages and I know a lot of folks will want to reach out to him, so anyone who wishes to reach out to him please do it here, by text or email.  He can read them when he is up to it and respond on his time table.  He is still very weak and I know from personal experience that when one is in his condition just talking on the phone can be exhausting.  His only access to internet is his phone and it is hard for him to type on it, that's why he ask me to post the info.  

Keep him and DeeDee in your prayers please.