Sean Driver

Sean Driver - from Smithville Review MArch 2005
(EDlTOR'S NOTE: The following is the testimony of Sean Driver who underwent surgery to remove both of his feet. Sean, along with his wife Christie and son Garrett live in Dowelltown.)

This is for you, the citizens of DeKalb County.
The story starts on January 3, 2004. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and my family and I were headed to Cookeville, TN to meet my brother's family to eat lunch. Later that night, around 7 p.m., I started to feel flu-like symptoms.
The next day, I felt worse. I was very nauseous, couldn't hold anything in my stomach, and I had a headache.. I was disappointed since it was Sunday and I wanted to go to church. However, I missed church that day and got even worse.

On Monday, ill the early hours of the morning, I awoke to find my feet were as cold as they had ever been before. I went to my bathroom and ran hot water in the bathtub to warm my feet after 30 minutes of soaking, I couldn't feel any change. So, I tried putting socks on my feet, wrapping them in a blanket, and getting back into bed. One hour passed, and there was no change. So, I got out of bed and did the same as before.

After another 30 minutes of soaking, I still couldn't feel any change. I went back to the bedroom and by this time it had become very difficult to walk, after some 15 minutes of lying in bed, I woke my wife and told her what was happening. She thought it might be best if I got my whole body in the bathtub and soak in the warm water. After 10 minutes or so, my wife noticed that my ears, nose, and elbows were turning blue. Thank God for her in that she is a registered nurse, because she told me to get out of the bathtub saying "We need to go to the emergency room". My wife and I have a 3 year-old son and we carried him to my parents' house just down the road. I had no clue I wouldn't see my son for another 14 days. This is the day that I was supposed to go back to work, but I was on my way to the emergency room. We never know what tomorrow is going to hand us.

We rushed to DeKalb Baptist Hospital to enter the emergency room. When I was received, chaos became evident because the nurses knew something was very different from anything they had seen before. Dr. Kevin Rhody was working the shift and he knew who I was and knew a little about my history. Dr. Rhody was an intern in 1993 when I had some troubles with my blood and had to have my spleen removed. Our spleens help to fight off colds and diseases, but you can live without it..He was there for some of my surgery and God meant for him to be there on that Monday morning in January of 2004. Dr. Rhody did some examinations and quickly made the decision to transport me to Baptist Hospital in Nashville.

Here is where my memory began to fade, except for the fact my feet were so cold We arrived in Nashville and immediately the nurses put me with a team of doctors, who placed me into a regular room. After 2 hours of tremendous pain in my feet, Dr. Kirk Barnes came to my room and almost immediately after reviewing my blood results, called for a transfer to the intensive Care Unit (ICU). I knew in my heart something was wrong from the start, but when he Said lCU, I became real concerned!. Once in ICU, the chaos was even more rampant, as many doctors were coming in and out examining and taking notes. My blood results were saying my platelet count was around 7000. Platelets are what we have in our bodies that help to clot blood If we get cuts or something thereof. A normal platelet count is around 150,000. The doctors had to find out what was causing the platelets to diminish so fast The doctors ordered three different kinds of intravenous antibiotics, just to get something started if it was bacteria causing the platelets to diminish. This also goes hand-in-hand with the fact my white blood cell count was elevated. Bacteria are evident when the white blood cell count is elevated. The doctors on call that day made the decision to have an infectious disease doctor come and make his or her diagnosis.

An older gentleman came into the lCU room where I was and introduced himself as Dr. McNabb. He said he specialized in infections/diseases. After reviewing my blood results and the situation concerning my feet, he made a diagnosis I had what was called streptococcal pneumonia bacteria. My whole body was septic (completely taken over) by the bacteria. My body was not producing more platelets and my feet were losing circulation because of the bacteria.

The doctors were dealing with a dilemma in they wanted my body to produce its own platelets, which it would if enough antibiotics were killing the bacteria. How ever, the doctors wanted to give me a blood thinner to start circulation in my feet. The conclusion is you cannot give a blood thinner if the body is to produce platelets and in turn keep any hemonhaging from occurring on the inside. After two or three days my body began to rebuild itself, but during that time tests were being done showing I had a bleeding ulcer and my heart was beating too fast, in addition to the circulation problem in my feet.

On the fourth or fifth day in lCU, I noticed I was losing my eyesight I mentioned the problem to the doctors because I was having trouble signing my name on release forms. They immediately called a surgeon of this specialty and he carne and examined me. The next day I was admitted into surgery for my eyes. He drew out the bacteria from my right eye and inserted antibiotics into both eyes. Not certain the antibiotics he had given would kill the bacteria, he first had to do tests in the lab to get positive results. The doctor had stepped out on faith and faith can move mountains. Thank God! I can see as well now as I ever have.

As the days pass lying there in lCU you begin to wonder what is going on in your life. Many things had happened up to now and I was asking myself what could be next?

The issue of lost circulation in my feet had not been resolved. I was released from ICU and placed in a regular room awaiting information on how the doctors were going to revive the blood flow in my feet. After a five day waiting period, the doctors decided to transfer me to Tennessee Christian Hospital in Madison, Tn.

There, I underwent treatments of oxygen surrounding my whole body in a machine called a hyperbaric chamber. I was set up to take two hour treatments daily for 20 days. The doctors were trying to revive the cells in my feet so circulation could start again. This type of treatment had produced many positive results in the past, so we were hopeful. The days passed once again and the treatments showed some fair results, but after the 14th treatment I began to notice there weren't anymore improvements. Through all of what I have told you about so far, I can honestly tell you never once had my faith ceased. Many prayers to our God in heaven were constantly being said for me although this sickness and my hope was still there. I know what the power of prayer can do and what it is still doing today. I finished all 20 of the oxygen treatments and began to realize I was going to be faced with a difficult decision. I had to accept the fact I was going to lose some part or parts of my feet due to dead cells. That's what the doctor; wanted me to accept, but I knew of a higher power that can change things in the twinkling of an eye. My hope and faith were still constant if the obvious were to happen, I was asked if I wanted to talk to a plastic surgeon at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. My wife and I discussed the issue and agreed to go and see what the surgeon would have to say.

He did some examinations and told us if he were to do the surgery, there could be failure and/or extensive pain in the future. The options of what to do were slim to none after we visited with the plastic surgeon. We made our way back to Tennessee Christian Hospital, faced with one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. The decision had to be made to remove my feet in order to prevent further infection from traveling throughout my body.

I asked my case manager at Tennessee Christian to allow my family and me to go home for a few days and spend some time alone. I needed this time to be with my wife and my 3-year old son. I also needed this time to be more at peace with God and ask him if this was his will for me, then I could accept it and still serve him through all of my days.

After five days of being at home with my family and realizing just how important family really is during our hardships or trials, I was scheduled on February 16, for a bi-lateral amputation of my legs at Vanderbilt Hospital. The doctors were going to amputate six inches below both of my knees. By doing this, it would give me the most stability for walking again. Keep in mind, my faith and hope were still constant because God can intervene at anytime and take all the sickness away.

However, it was God's will for the surgery to take place and it did
I stayed one week at the hospital and was transferred to Vanderbilt Stallworth for rehabilitation. There began to walk again on some temporary prosthesis with the aid of some great therapists. I stayed for two weeks and was allowed to go home.

The prosthesists taking care of me at Vanderbilt told me to go home for one month and come back for evaluations. Here is where reality sat in and the life changing process began. While at home I was faced with trying to figure out how to do the things I normally did, but now while being confined to a wheelchair. I managed very well with my own will power and with the aid of a loving wife. If you don't have any will about you to accomplish the tasks at hand, then you've given up and God needs you.

During the one month period at home, I had three important visitors; come to encourage me, tell me everything was going to be fine, and it would take some time heal. I knew everything was going to be alright because God was taking care of me. He loves me. God being at the forefront, the three individuals I held close to my heart. God put it in their hearts to see me and to tell me what I needed to do as far as healing faster and being able to walk again. Those three individuals are Bobby Crook, Terry Self, and Dick Clement. They are amputees as well. They are very dear to my heart in the fact they showed me their drive as individuals to go on with their lives, and said to put God first in everything. They led me to a great prosthesist. Their encouragement I'll never forget and I want to say Thank You so much to you three and I Love You all.

That prosthesist's name is Rob Pittman. He is the owner of Superior Prosthetics. I started working with Rob toward the end of March, 2004. He was very thorough in explaining his techniques and his offices are geared around a family atmosphere. He has nine offices in Tennessee and has some of the most qualified personnel I've ever met for the type of care provided. Rob only sees a handful of patients himself and at that point I was going to be one of them basically because I was referred to him by those three great individuals. Rob dealt with me for one month and he, along with a physical therapist, had me walking again in four weeks. I want to say a special thanks to Mrs. Kim Foutch for encouraging me, pushing me, and talking to me when I wanted to brag on God. Keep up the great work! I have had four different sets of new prosthesis since I stared working with Rob. That has to do with the fact my legs
shrank in size because of muscle loss in the lower leg. I see Rob only on a need-to basis now, that is, if there is changes in my legs or if he wants to enhance the technology of the prosthesis to give me more comfort.

There was a certain month in 2004 when I didn't get to work with Rob. I was set to receive some new prosthesis around the first week in August, however, I went back to Baptist Hospital because the same bacteria had returned. That Sunday afternoon,. August 1, my family and I were all devastated. The doctors were baffled and did many extensive tests; more so now than in January. I was released on Sunday to go home and they had mentioned during that week I had some gallstones, but not enough to worry about. Monday, I went back to Baptist Hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain.

Here again, more tests were given and showed I had infection around my pancreas and liver coming from the gall bladder. The doctors wanted to do surgery but couldn't at this point because they needed to give me some antibiotics to reduce the infection around the pancreas and liver. On the 11th, I went in for gallbladder surgery. After the surgery, the surgeon came and talked to my wife and I and told us the gallbladder was highly infected and there was still some gallstones in the bile ducts. The next day I went in for arthroscopic surgery to clean the bile ducts of any gallstones. Everything went great and I was released to go home on Saturday. Just to let you know what I feel in my heart, I'm sure the bacteria were being harbored in the gallbladder, but you won't get the doctors to admit that. God is so good!

After this Setback in August, I, was back in the wheelchair once again. I couldn't walk because my stumps had become so tender. It took me another two weeks before I could stand on my own and when I could do this, it was time to receive some new prosthesis. Rob and I got back together and every- thing is going great. Thanks so much Rob! You're an inspiration every time I see you. .

One year has passed since the first appearance of bacteria as well as the loss of my leg and feet. I can say I am doing great, the family is well, and life is good. Thank God for his many blessings! With that in mind. I want to dwell on the wonderful people of this county. You, the citizens are the reason I am here today to relay this heart-felt message to you. God heard your prayers for me and my family and he answered them. It is a privilege to be living in a county with believers of the faith. Oh, what blessings God has in store for you who took the time to say a prayer, made a call, sent a card, gave a generous donation, stopped by for a visit, shared words of encouragement and inspiration, sent flowers or baskets, ect., ect

I want to express a very humble and most rewarding thanks to the county for a special date in my life I'll never forget. It was a year ago on February 25, 2004, when this county turned out in great numbers to support and help a mere soul like me. I still have deep feelings of that day and can't believe it all happened to me. I know my family is humbled by the experience and so appreciative to you all. I was lying there in a hospital bed when I got the word a 'benefit' was being giving in my name. I pray you can imagine the feeling I felt and the tears I shed. I received a 30 minute video of that wonderful night and the greatest blessing I received was the fellowship among saints in one mind and in one accord. There are so many people to thank and my wife; and I have tried to send thank-you after thank-you to those names we caught along the way. However, I know we missed some names and some of you didn't want us to know what you did, but God knows and I know he will multiply your blessings for it So, from me and my family we are most appreciative and thank you from the bottom of our very hearts.

I don't want to single many people out, but there are some businesses and individuals I would like to thank who played a vital role in getting my 'benefit' together. I want to say a most gracious thank you to Jeff McMillan and the Alexandria Lion's Club for having a strong hand in all of this. To the DeKaib West Elementary faculty and staff for all their help and use of the facilities. To my buddies, Kevin Rigsby and Philip Cripps, for always being there, ever since kindergarten. Thanks Kevin for the heart-felt words in the Smithville Review. To a great friend, David Adcock, who held a county-wide raffle in support of me and my family. To Larry and Deborah Hancock for their donation of bread and hot-dogs. To Larry and Jannie Evans for their donation of chips. To Emerald Supply and Joe Wolbrooke for their donation of paper products. To Coca-Cola and Rick Climer for the donation of many drinks. To everyone who contributed in bringing desserts. To Colonial Thrift in Lebanon, TN for their bread donation. To Ricky Baker for the BBQ donation, To R&R in Alexandria, TN for the use of a U-Haul Trailer. To Corky's in Smithville, TN for the auction donations.

Many, many people and/or businesses gave to the auction and I don't have a list of who you were but I say thank you greatly. I also greatly appreciate The Smithville Review and The Middle Tennessee Tunes for all their reports on my sickness and improvements. Many people appreciated all the updates and kind words. Thanks Angela and Sheryl.. Thank you so much to the many churches in the county for all your kind words, donations, cards, and most importantly your prayers.

I want to say a special thank you to my brother and his wife. Brad and Kelly, you were there to visit, made sure I had what I needed, gave reports every day to those who were concerned, and cared for Garrett on more than one occasion. Love you both. And finally, I want to say a special thank you to Daddy and Mama, Darry and Susan Driver, for all their help in everything. It makes life so much easier when you know everything is being taken care of when you can't lift your head off of a pillow. Thanks so
much. Love you both.

I want to finish this 'Testimony of Thanks' as I have titled it by saying THANKS to my dear, loving wife. First of all, she was there with me day and night That takes special people and that to me is strong love. That's exactly what a mate is supposed to do for their mate. I'll never forget it. I can only remember maybe five times she left my side to go home for a short time or to get caught up at work. Then, she would ask me if it were alright or if I was going to be alright She's amazing in my sight and I Love her so much. I Thank God for her. When we came home after my legs and feet were amputated, she came to me in tears and told me she had prayed to God, back when we were expecting a child in January, that God could take the baby if He wouldn't take my legs. She was heartbroken and I just looked at her and said; "Everything's gonna be alright I'm home now, and that's our blessing, as well as Garett,and he needs us."
CHRISTIE and I announced in December 2004 we were expecting our second child and God willing he/she will arrive in July 2005. Isn't God great? God is good. All the time and All the time, God is good.

From Grateful and Humble Hearts,
SEAN AND CHRISTIE DRNER