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Hip Infection* 2 stage revision with osteotomy

Thank you for all your support .

@Westy yes I’m sure nickel allergies effect lots of people. I’m just glad I was aware of it before I had my replacement and was able to do allergy tests on prosthetic parts .....info that was important for the surgeon. Your poor little fingers ......ouch !

Didn’t manage a shower or sponge bath today.....maybe tomorrow. My dressing was changed and is looking pretty good. I’ll attach some photos of the spacer soon. At the beginning of my journey I found it really difficult to find info and pics on cement spacers etc so I hope my journey will help someone else as all yours have helped me.

@Celle yes it is somewhat reduced......I’m definitely taking it gentle. I usually show the nurses a quick photo and let them hear the creaky sounds so they don’t try to overdo me ha ha. I wish I could squirt oil into it.

Thanks @Melina and @Izabel

Lots of love
 
Cement spacer with antibiotic beads and osteotomy.
 
Bone cement spacer with antibiotic beads and osteotomy.
 

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:wave: @Aura Gypsy
I know this is quite the journey you have embarked upon...not one we wish for you or anyone.:unsure:

I hope you are doing well.
Sending healing mojo your way. :loveshwr::loveshwr:
 
Thinking of you this morning @Aura Gypsy Hoping each day gets a little easier. Glad you have a caring, compassionate team there. We will be here to encourage you and hold your hand through this process.
Wishing you every comfort as you wait to be completely infection free. :flwrysmile:
 
Thank you for your well wishes and support.... and cute emojis.

It’s now day 13 post op and I’m hoping to leave hospital tomorrow and venture home, which I’m excited about.

I did actually think it would have been a faster process, but for me slow and steady has been key.

In the beginning I had a few issues with low blood pressure and fainting when getting up and moving around. The pain was so intense it seemed inevitable. I attempted to tell the nurses and physios of the pain but was continuously pushed, until my blood pressure become so low that the emergency button was pushed and the rapid response team had to deal with the situation. Hence from that day on things slowed up a bit and I was able to go at my own bodies pace.

I have had a little oozing of my incision. To slow it down the doctors took me off the blood thinners for a few days and I have had the pico 7 vacuum negative pressure dressing on which must help it heal faster. I must admit I did get the pump wet in the shower and it broke....but they attached a new one. I had a look at a photo of the incision between dressings and was really impressed with the surgeons handiwork, using a dissolvable one stitch to sew the entire 40 cms. I pray it heals fast.

The PICC line was put in place on my upper arm and I have been having a IV penicillin family antibiotic every 6 hours. I’m pretty sure the ID Doctors are happy with the results so far. They have been pretty thorough with blood testing checking the liver etc for side effects.

I can say I have been really well looked after in the hospital. I actually ended up in my own air tight, bright and spacious room with floor to ceiling windows and air con. In hospital jargon it is called an infectious isolation room and came about because I tested positive to the ESBL bacteria in pre admission tests. Luckily I enjoy quiet time to myself.

So the next adventure continues.........

Sending lots of healing vibes out there into the post op communities.
 
:wave: @Aura Gypsy
It is so good to see your post and I do hope you will be able to go home tomorrow.
Too bad you had to "fall out" in order for them to step back on the activity, but it sounds like they regrouped and have been good to you.
Hope all the major hiccups are behind you now.:ok:
We are all behind you as you step into the next leg of your journey.

Healing hugs coming your way!:loveshwr::loveshwr::loveshwr:
 
Glad to hear all is going well and you will be home soon.

Aura Gypsy said:
I have had the pico 7 vacuum negative pressure dressing on which must help it heal faster.
Click to expand...

I had a pico negative pressure dressing for a week and it healed well. I had read it supposedly helps the incision area stay together, too, for a nice result.

Happy journey home!
 
Thanks for updating @Aura Gypsy
I'll bet after 13 days you're ready to fly the coop in favor of your own nest. You'll rest so much easier at home. Safe travels there! We hope you'll continue to share your journey so we can support and encourage you along the way.
Hugs :loveshwr:
 
Such a good update! I hope there's heaps of good healing going on and it's easy coasting from this point forward.

I loved that you sent healing vibes out to the post op members.. that is so sweet of you and they will return tenfold to you, too!

I hope you do get to get to your home tomorrow.. it will be such a good feeling, won't it?

Please keep us posted.. :praying: :flwrysmile:
 
Keeping my fingers crossed that they finally spring you tomorrow! :fingersx: Good update, though it just boggles my mind why it takes a patient literally falling out before the nurses and physios take notice. Glad they finally realized they needed to back off and give you time.
 
Pretty amazing what can be done to the body and the tools and technology available. Your reference to the isolation room brought back memories I had forgotten. It's a little different today but about 45 years ago I was in an isolation room with no contact. I remember they served my meals on paper plates. hospitals were pretty crude back then.
 
Hello and Happy Tuesday :wave:
Its been two months since your first stage revision @Aura Gypsy
How are you doing? Hopefully things are moving smoothly and according to plan. We’d love to hear from you...
Stay safe and well!
 
Hi again @Layla,

Everything is going pretty well thank you.

I’m still on crutches, but are now weight bearing which makes life easier.

I finished the 6 week course of IV 8000 mg a day of flucloxacillian and are now on a 6 week course of oral anti biotic staphylex (flucloxacillian) 4000mg a day. So far so good.

We have a fantastic service here in Australia called ‘HITH’ (hospital in the home) so whilst I had the IV PICC line in, a nurse came to the house everyday to change the antibiotic bottle over and do my obs.
I would then go to the hospital once a week and have the PICC line dressing changed and blood tests.

I ended up spending a few more extra days in hospital as my incision was still oozing. It continued to ooze a-lot once I got home so my surgeon decided to do a wash out the following week. I was devastated as I didn’t want to spend another day in hospital, so I prayed and wished it better.

On the operating table just before they were to put me under I said, ”umm excuse me, but I think the incision has healed and we don’t need to go ahead with the operation.” Everyone in the theatre just stopped, turned and glared at me. I felt pretty embarrassed, but I really didn’t want to have the surgery.
Anyway a couple of the doctor/surgeons, none of whom I recognised from my initial surgery, prodded deeply into the incision with needles, ouch, and sent photos to my surgeon who was operating in another theatre. They said yep it looks good. I felt so relieved but a little doubtful as they weren’t my surgeon. But just as I had that thought my surgeon bounced into the theatre himself, and did the same needle prodding and pummelling and said wow that’s fantastic, it looks great. So I was wheeled out. They suggested I catch a taxi home and surprise my partner .... ha ha.

So slowly healing. Just need to stay optimistic and be patient.

Sending lots of healing vibes to everyone.
Xxxxx
 
Hello @Aura Gypsy
Three months since your surgery. With any luck you’re hanging in there an all is going well for you. Hope to hear from you as time allows and you move forward with next steps.
Wishing you only the best. :)
 
:wave:Happy Four Month Anniversary!
Fingers crossed you’re faring well. I hope you have a lovely Summer! :flwrysmile:
@Aura Gypsy
 
Hi @Layla ✨✨

Thanks for your messages, I really appreciate it .

Yes I’m so happy to be at the 4 month mark ✨✨✨.

It certainly has been challenging since my last post in April. Unfortunately my mum become sick with a rare fungal infection, so I travelled to another state here in Australia to spend the last 2 months with her before she passed. It was a blessing that I could do that with my current hip situation and not working due to COVID .... and with the assistance of a really supportive partner .

It has been painful though and at times unbearable. There has been a few issues including a little bit of nerve pain and inflammation in the SI joint. Also I have a nickel allergy and the surgical wire holding the broken bone in place does contain nickel. This was discussed before the surgery and was decided that it is only going to be in there for 6 months max.

I’m still hopping around on my crutches working my way towards one crutch. I’m doing my exercises and doing my best to manage the pain. I do a lot of sitting down as I’m unable to do a lot of other things which can be a little frustrating at times and doesn’t help my situation I’m sure.
It seems like a catch 22.

I see the surgeon tomorrow and hopefully we can pencil in the 2nd stage surgery. I think I now need to see the light at the end of the tunnel to help me move forward with a more positive mindset.

Apart from that I’m am travelling fairly gracefully ☺️.

Hope your enjoying your summer.......we are moving into winter here which is lovely and mild .

Thank you for your well wishes ✨✨✨
 
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