Update! 03/04/2010
 
Hey everyone! Time for a new update! I'm doing well. I'm getting back into therapy at the CFI. Just light cardio for now. The week of March 15th, I am going skiing again! This time we are going to Tahoe! Hopefully I will get to see some friends from Beale. After that, at the begining of April, Jessica and I are going on a trip to Houston to tour NASA. We are really excited about that. I also got some new wheels for my wheel chair. They are power assist wheels that will help conserve my shoulders. Since I had shoulder surgery November 2008, I already have weakened shoulders and transferring and wheeling all day is really hard on them. The power assist wheels allow me to still get cardio from wheeling, but make things like going up hills easier. After I get back from skiing I will be able to get back to walking. Walking again is a long process. I encourage you guys that read the website, that if you have questions, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to answer them!  While I'm gone on my ski trip, I will be getting a roll in shower installed in my house. I'm very excited about that! It will save a lot of work on my shoulders since right now, I am lowering myself in and out of the tub. I plan on posting pictures from this ski trip on the website. Thanks everyone! I'll update after the ski trip!
 
 
Hey everyone! Well according to my doctors my surgery feb 9 was a success. I had the surgery on Tuesday and was discharged from the hospital on Friday. I seem to be doing just fine. most of my time I am in bed resting. Im glad my mom, brother, two sisters, inlaws and grandparents got to come down for the surgery. I know it was very helpful for Jessica to have so much family support. This week I get to go pick up my truck that just got done being modified. I'm really excited about that. Hopefully within the next several weeks I will get to go back to the CFI to do some light cardio. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes!  

I added some new pictures of me and my truck! Check them out on the Pictures and Video section!
 
 
My name is Amy Bishop; I am an active duty service member with the United States Navy and am stationed at Travis AFB, CA.  My husband Matthew Bishop was an 11yr Navy Veteran who voluntarily separated with an Honorable Discharge in July 2008.  My husband Matthew has recently passed away on December 2, 2009 from a dissecting aortic aneurysm. He died at the hands of David Grant Medical Center at Travis AFB, CA.  I took my husband Matthew to the ER at David Grant Medical Center here on Travis AFB on 28 November with a weird sensation that went from his chest, up to his neck, and ultimately led to a severe migraine. (All are signs of a dissecting aorta) his pain threshold was off the scale. The doctor sent him home with an "I don't know", some migraine medication, and zantac for gas. His pain was about a 7 out of a 1 through 10 scale when he was discharged. He was told to follow up with his primary care physician in 2 to 3 days. He tried to make an appointment with her but could not get in to see her for 2 weeks. The headache and pains never went away, he got a fever Monday, 30 November and had severe sweats at night, and he called and received an appointment with a different provider for Tuesday the 1st of December and was sent home with another misdiagnoses of mild bronchitis. Was given medication and told that if his symptoms got worse than he needed to go to the ER. Matty had no symptoms of bronchitis. My husband knew something was wrong with him and asked the provider for a chest CT. The doctor told him that he didn't want to put that much radiation into his chest. My husband Matthew was livid, the doctor finally succumbed and scheduled one for the 17th of December. My husband died on December 2, 2009. I requested copies of his medical record and found that he had 3 previous chest x-rays a year ago and all 3 had a chest CT recommended by the same resident. My husband Matthew was never informed of the findings of his x-rays and was most definitely never told he needed a chest CT.  Matty's father lives on 20 percent of his heart, if my Matty was told he needed a chest CT he would have received it. David Grant Medical Center's negligence on more than 1 occasion has ultimately led to his unexpected and tragic death. He was 31 years old; he has left behind a Wife, and his 2 daughters, Evelyn-age 9, and Leiah-age 6 mos. My Matty was going to school at ITT and was a straight A student. He was a fabulous husband, an amazing father, a true friend, and an honorable man. He served his country for 11 years in the United States Navy, served as an individual augmentee and volunteered to go to Iraq in 2005 for 1 year; he was a Naval Aircrewman, AW1 and flew in the P-3 community in Hawaii and at Whidbey Island, WA. My husband did not deserve the negligent medical care he received and if they had ordered the chest CT a year ago, and if the doctors would have actually done their job the week he passed, he would have had the possibility to still be alive today to watch his girls grow up. I have shared my story with you so that if there is anything I can do to assist in getting Congressman Hinchey's Bill approved so that families like Sgt Rodriguez's, Dean Witt, an Air Force Sgt. who died at David Grant from an appendecotmy, Airman Christopher White, who also died at David Grant from shoulder surgery, Airman Colton Read, who lost his legs from a botched gallbladder surgery at David Grant,  and my husband Matthew Bishop who died from David Grant’s negligence,  can fight against the medical negligence and lack of quality medical care the government is providing to my fellow service members and our families. I will find and bring justice to my husband Matty; he was my soulmate, and the love of my life. I cannot even begin to describe the amount of pain and suffering that my girls and I are going through or the pain and suffering that my 6 month old will suffer when she gets older, I do not wish this on my worst enemy. The fact that there was a possibility to have saved my Matty haunts me everyday. My girls and I deserve to find justice for their daddy and hopefully prevent this negligence from happening to other families. Take care and God Bless, thank you for listening. Very respectfully, Amy L. Bishop

--Thanks Amy, I did add in there what each service member passed away from so everyone has an idea of what kind of medical care is going on at David Grant Medical Center. 

--On a side note, we have revamped the website. Make sure you check out the new Pictures & Videos section for pictures of Colton succeeding 
 
 
Hey,

I hope everyone’s holidays were great. I know mine sure was but different at the same time. This holiday season was really different for me because I had a lot more to be thankful for. This of course was my first holidays since my accident so that made the holidays a little bit different for me. I got a lot of wonderful gifts. I went to the Dallas Cowboys game on Jan 3 and it was SWEET. I was so excited to see them win a playoff game this past weekend. 

I do have some sad news. I will be having gallbladder surgery take TWO. Last week I went and got a scope done of my stomach so we ruled out everything else it could be. I am doing it a lot different this time. My only two request where that I don’t have the same doctor that did it last time and I have an open surgery instead of laparoscopic. I am scheduled to have the surgery on Feb 9. I feel a lot better about this surgery this time. If there is anything that freaks me out I will just say never mind and reschedule. I am living proof that prayer works. I try not to ask a lot of people, but will you all pray and make sure this surgery goes right for me.

Also I found out last week that someone died in December after being treated at David Grant Medical Center (Travis AFB) where my tragedy happened. I have spoken to the wife and she shared the story with me.  It is really sad to see something this bad happen to someone that is so nice and wonderful. I will be the first to tell you I don’t know 100% what happened, but I do know some and it is disheartening to see Travis allow this to happen. He leaves behind a wife and two kids. This could have been prevented but yet it wasn’t. This is sad on a lot of levels, first and for most it is sad that another wonderful family had to lose a love one. Second, they just had my situation happen 5 MONTHS earlier I would have thought they would pay more attention to what they are doing. Now Christopher White, Dean Witt, and Michael Bishop have died as a result of care from David Grant Medical Center since 2003. If this was a civilian hospital that this many mistakes it would have been shut down by now.

I really appreciate every one that supports me. I have been able to make some changes for others on my base. I say my things about David Grant not because I’m mad but because I want us, the people, to demand change in military hospitals and policies. If we are able to demand this we will be saving other military families limbs and possibly their lives
 
 
Hello all,

This is Jessica and I'm making a quick update for Colton before the holidays. Today was Coltons promotion ceremony to Senior Airman! We are very excited and were very honored by all the people that attended! Not only was Colton promoted today, but was also given an accommodation medal for his work on images that resulted in saving 8 American lives. The medal was presented by Col. Woliver who came down from Beale AFB to present it to him.  I am so proud of Colton and all the work he has done.

We are planning on going home to the DFW area for the holidays and are planning attending the Cowboys game on Jan. 3! Colton will also experience a new first this holiday. He is going hunting with his grandfather and is very excited. Hunting is another hobby Colton enjoyed doing before his injury. 

We hope that all of you have a great holiday and please keep all of those who are not with their families, but fighting for our country, in your hearts this holiday as well. We will update again in the new year!
 
Ski Trip 12/11/2009
 
Sorry that I have not updated for so long. I have been really busy. The week after Thanksgiving I had a really busy week. I got a chance to go see where I might work after I rehab. I am in Colorado right now. I learned to mono ski on Monday. I had to cook a healthy meal for the people that came with us in our group. Starting on Wednesday I really started to get the hang of mono skiing. Thursday I went down a harder slope that was a blue. I made it down it without falling. I have the best instructor in the world. I would like to get a mono ski they are very fun and exciting.  Mono Skiing has been the best thing ever; it has made me feel more free than anything else since the accident.
 
 
Hey,

 Well… The past week and a half has really turned really bad for Jessica and I. The CDI (Command Directed Investigation) we were able to get some of our closest family and friends come down for it. I had very low expectations of the CDI but it was WORSE than expected. I did not learn anything new. I felt like I went in and they basically told me I had lost my legs, well I already knew that. The people that briefed us were very kind and very respectful. My wife and I thought the CDI was overrated and pointless because not only did they not tell us anything that we did not already know but they told us thing we did not remember to be correct.

Also yesterday we went to find out the results of me getting the TSGI (Traumatic Special Group Life Insurance).  This is an insurance that is suppose to give financial help to people that lose a limb. Someone can get up to fifty thousand for each limb and a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars.  I was really hoping for the one hundred thousand so Jessica and I can work on building our house. Well sad to say that I was told that I did not qualify for it. Their guidelines exclude injuries that happen from medical reasons. They took their guidelines from the civilian insurance where someone can sue the doctor that makes the mistake. I am in the military where I cannot sue a doctor. Also it excludes because of cases of diabetes and loses of leg, but I am a totally different story. I lost my legs for a totally different reason for which I went in to surgery for and because of a mistake that some doctors made. I was told the only way it could change is if congress was to review  vote for a change.

I was really happy because I had three friends come down from Beale and my mom from Ohio for the CDI.  Last Friday was the first time since I turned 21 that I got to go out and have a guys night, that was a blast. I also got spend some quality time with my sister and mother during last weekend also. Then this week my squadron, group, and wing commanders came down. I got a chance to go out to dinner with them; once again that was a blast too. This week, Sunday, I am flying up to Ohio to go spend Thanksgiving week with my mom.  I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving week!

V/r
Colton Read

 
 
 
Hey everyone,

 Things are going pretty good for me. To start off with, my legs got raised another four inches. It’s really neat to grow that much in just one day. I can’t wait until they put feet on them, it will be easier to balance so I could get rid of the walker.  I am really excited because my mom is coming in to town on Thursday and a lot of people I know from Beale AFB are too.  I am having the Command Directed Investigation (CDI) this Friday.  The CDI will hopefully give me a lot of answers about what happened during my surgery. Once I find out what happened I will let yall know, because yall have supported me so much and I appreciate it. I got my new wheelchair that the VA paid for. It is red with black accent, it looks cool. Since I have developed carpal tunnel in my hands and I have bad shoulders, I am going to get power assisted wheels. They make it easier to wheel.  There are settings that for every pound I push it multiplies it by 3 so it is a lot easier . I got my second dog back. His name is Moose he is a 100 pound yellow lab mix. Now between the two dogs I have yellow hair and black hair, it’s a lose-lose situation when it comes to getting hair on clothes.   

 V/r

Colton

 
 
I can walk! 10/29/2009
 

Hey everyone,

I have had some really great things going on this week. First, last Friday was the first time I walked. I had a socket on my left and on my right a little stilt since my legs are not even. I stood up with a short walker. Then I walked on my own two legs with a walker. I have to use the walker because I do not have enough balance yet. My balance will be better when I have feet on my leg. Then the day before that I went to my first wheelchair basketball practice and I loved it. I really want to start playing on the team and we have practice once a week. The day before that was I got a chance to meet with the Spurs. They are some really nice people. I got to play wheelchair basketball aganist them it was so cool. I had some scares this week. The doctors are afraid I have an infection in my bones.  I had bone scans Tuesday and Wednesday. Today I grew instantly. I went in to put my prosthesis on and they both had been raised. My left had a little stomper on it and about a 4 inch raise on both legs. One of my legs has gotten smaller so I have to get a smaller socket made. I am excited because I get to go to a college football game this weekend. It is one of my favorite teams. My in laws are in town and they have been so much help. I moved into my new house this past Monday it is really nice.

 

 

V/r

Colton Read

 
 
    Hey everyone! I’m sorry about not updating for so long. I have been really busy. I want to start off with a correction. Thursday before last, October 08, 3 days before I was suppose to leave for San Diego the CFI told me that they thought it would be best for me not to go. I was kind of bummed because I thought I was going to go for so long then at the last minute they changed their mind. Fortunately, there are several of these paralympic camps throughout the year and I will be more ready for that one! 

    Now onto some great news! We went and looked at a new house Friday, October 9. It was better than the house we are in now but still had room for improvement. There are 14 fully ADA houses on FT. Sam Houston for the Senior Enlisted, E-7 through E-9 but they only have four houses partially ADA for E-1 through E-6. To me, it seems a little off balance considering that the majority of the CFI patients are not Senior Enlisted. When we went to view this second house, the housing office made it clear to us that there were none of the four “ADA” houses available for E-1 through E-6,and none would be coming available soon. We also would need special permission to move into this house because it is a four bedroom house and we have no children. We would also not be available for the FULLY compliant ADA homes, because they are for Senior Enlisted and the Army does not mix junior enlisted with senior enlisted no matter what the need is.  Some people made phone calls for us and a miracle happened! On the following Monday one of those four houses came available! It’s strange because you have to give the housing office a 6 week notice that you are moving out. Oh well, all that matters is that they are giving us a more suitable house and they are making more renovations to make it more equipped for me. 
 

    The next great thing is I was able to stand on my leg on Tuesday for 10 minutes then I took a break then I stood back up for 15 minutes! On Wednesday it was even better, I stood up for 20 minutes! The best day last week was Thursday, I finally got my right leg casted for my socket. The greatest news is I should be walking this week. So I am happy I did not go to San Diego last week because this would not have happened.

    Another great thing that happened last week was a special visit from General Otto and Chief Parkhill came down from Beale AFB. They brought the Intel Guard unit from Beale and 40 other awesome people with them. After that I got a chance to meet some great people from Randolph AFB. Friday was just a wonderful day all together.

    One more thing that happened for me was that I was signed up to go on a ski trip. I LOVE to ski, my family use to take me every winter. I have not skied since my injury. When I go skiing this winter they will teach me how to ski in a ski seat. It will be great. 

    I want everyone to remember one thing. It’s something I kind of live by now “Every day is a new day” so try your best every day and you never know what greatness might come to you.

 

  V/r 
  Colton