Bad News

[tahoe1009]

So, for those of you who don't remember me, I am about 8 months out from a RTHR. I have had a lot of trouble, been in a lot of pain and have not been able to find anything out. I finally went and saw an OS that specializes in revisions to find out what was going on. He had me have some blood work done that showed inflammation, then he had me have a bone scan and they drew fluid out of the joint capsule to test for infection. Well this week I got the results and here they are along with the plan... So, we got a call back finally from the doctor's office this week. It looks like it's infected. Finally have an answer, but the least desirable answer I could have gotten. The up side is that now there is a plan... and here it is.

I go back in on December 10th for a pre-op appointment. That is the absolute fastest I could get in because the doctor is on vacation until then, the nurse told my wife that I was on the VIP list and am being put in front of everyone else. I am going to beg for surgery to be done before the end of the year (at least the first surgery, more on that later), because I am at out of pocket maximums with my insurance this year because of everything else that we have done. The scheduler that my wife talked to said that they would do everything they could do to make that happen.

So, this is how it goes... they go in and take everything out, clean it all out (remove all the hardware and bone cement), put in a temporary prosthetic (which he explained is just a less expensive set of hardware) and put it in place with antibiotic bone cement. At the same time they will put in a PICC line in place so that I can give myself IV antibiotics. Then, they leave that in for 6-8 weeks and I give myself antibiotics for that period of time. Toward the end of that time they test everything to see if the infection has cleared up. When it has they will schedule me back in and take the temporary stuff out and replace it with permanent hardware. Of course because I had that DVT with the last surgery I will have to be on Coumadin during the whole process so that I don't have another clot.

This is not the greatest news I could have gotten, but at least it explains the pain I have had. It also explains why I have been sick every couple weeks since I have had the first surgery, which is very unlike me. I have always been a guy who has like one bout of sickness a year. (Not one every week or two)

Needless to say I am a bit nervous about the whole experience. I did not have a stellar experience from the first one so... I am a bit scared of having two more. I will keep you all informed at what's going on. You guys were a big help for the first one so I am looking forward to having you around for the next two. :cnsl:

 

[JudyS]

Tahoe i am so sorry this has happened to you. I know it is uncommon, but reported on here every once in a while.
How much mobility will you have with the temperary?

WEll i remember you did not feel it was all right from the beginning. YOu had more pain than most, including myself.
I pray you havea a great revision specialist and at least this all goes smoothly. Is the Dec date for removal or just a pre op?

I have been waiting for back surgery for a number of months (the first got postponed on me) Mine is Dec 11th, we can recover together.

Glad you are back, but wish it was better news.

Forward with the plan:cnsl:
judy

 

[teejay]

Tahoe,
I’m so sorry to make your acquaintance is such a worrisome circumstances, but as you stated: now you know and have a plan of attack. You sound like a guy who will overcome this battle as well. No doubt this will worry you and your beautiful family (while you doc is playing golf in the Bahamas) but you’ll make it. At times life makes living more interesting for some people, because they can take whatever is thrown at them with a smile.

I’m certain the whole flock is here to support you in any fashion you can imagine, day or night. Welcome is not the proper greeting, except you really chose the right place to return to.

 

[1jt@atime]

So sorry to hear about this. Please try to look at this possitively: Even though it's going to really, really stink to go through all this, you at least now have an answer to all these months of problems and a plan to feeling/getting better. I only wish you the best for you and your new family as you go through this continuing ordeal.

 

[tahoe1009]

Thanks you guys!! I have received so much support here as well as some good friends outside of the forum. TeeJay it's nice to meet you, even under less than favorable circumstances. I really appreciate the things you said. I am anxious and afraid, but I am a positive guy. I have learned throughout my life that attitude is everything.... It determines all the outcomes I have ever experienced. I will continue to try to remember that throughout this process!! =) There may be times when I will need your collective help to keep this attitude. My beautiful family is good at helping me do this too. They are why I do everything I do, I love them so much. That brings up one other worry I have... Finances! I will obviously be out of work for awhile after both surgeries. I will have decent mobility after the first surgery I am told, which is awesome. Hopefully I will be able to go back to work with the aid of a walker or crutches within a few weeks and stay at work until it's time for the next surgery. Then, returning a few weeks after that while I recover. My job will help out the best they can to cover me on the stuff I am not going to be capable of doing at first. They did that the first time. The owners were rather accomidating about this development ( guess it's really good I am good at what I do because believe me they arenot being accomidating because they are nice guys). We will get through it though. Things fall into place exactly how they are supposed to.
Anyhow, thanks again you guys. I will keep you in touch.

 

[JudyS]

I am so glad to hear you will have decent mobiity after the first surgery. i was worried about that for you!!
judy

 

[Jamie]

Tahoe, I share the feelings expressed by the others who have posted. You are smart to focus on the future and not waste time wondering what might have caused the problems. Your attitude is awesome! But, that's what I remember most about you when you were active on the forum before.

Don't worry...you know the BoneSmart family will be here to support you and help you get through all this. Thank goodness you are in capable hands (even if the hands must go on vacation for a while before they can attend to you). One good thing about being first on the doctor's list after vacation is that he should be relaxed and rested....just how you would want your doctor to be!

God bless you and your family. This is quite a challenge, but I have the utmost confidence that you will come through it just fine.

 

[teejay]

Tahoe, there is a moment in everybody’s life when a mirror telling us that all is going to be just fine is needed. Yours was today. One day all this is history; and in the meanwhile, we are going to be here for you. God bless.

 

[Karen54]

Tahoe, so very sorry to hear what you are going through! Hopefully this next round will get you where you should be, healthy, pain-free, and very mobile! Thoughts and prayers headed your way!

Karen

 

[Texas]

Hey Bobby Got your email and I sent you an email.......Im so sorry boy i cant believe it all this time....wow im shocked......i know you dont want to go thru it again but trust me if hes good dr and you trust him..you will much happier i am...........I knoe leslie will be right there with you.....Im so sorry...............Prayers coming your way.!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[loggon]

Tahoe
It is so nice to see you post again, but hate it is under these circumstances. I have ask Kim how you were doing several times.

I don't know if your health insurance works this way, but there are several plans that do. Ask if the last 3 months of the year the amts. you pay will count toward the ded. for 2010.

Also, do you have disability with the health ins.?

But will keep you in our prayers for sure.

 

[shugaplum]

I'm so sorry to hear this...but in the same positive light as everyone else-at least you have an answer, a plan, and a solution that includes being pain free eventually. Best of luck to you...please keep us updated. We are all thinking of you!

 

[Josephine]

tahoe - that is such sad news. I feel for you. I do hope that all goes well but - and I hate to say this but - 6-8 weeks can be a tad optimistic. These things usually take their own time to clear up and there's no sense in them being done before it's absolutely safe. I know the surgeon said 6-8 weeks and, God willing, it will be. Just wanted you to be prepared.

My philosophy is always expect the worst and you're never disappointed!

 

[TurboHip]

Tahoe,

Haven't met you before but I'm so sorry this has happened. It's as if the worst nightmare that you tried not to think about has hunted you down and found you. You're right about the support provided here. I've been absent for a few weeks due to internet access problems but hope to be around more now that those are ironed out. I'll be thinking good thoughts and pray your situation works out for the best this time,

 

[tahoe1009]

Thanks again everybody. You guys have made this whole proccess so much better for me and my family. I still am not doing cartwheels about what's coming up, but sharing it with all of you will make it better. I was sick this weekend again, which really sucks. I have never been as sick as I have been since I had my THR. It seems as if I have been sick at least every other week since my surgery on 4/21/09. I am glad that I know why now. It has been a nightmare to this point, but I must admit that I look forward to having the outcome that I have seen so many of you have had the good fortune of having. I just want to not hurt at this point, no limp would be great to!! =) Thats all I really want. Getting past being sick all the time will be great too. I'm lucky I'm good at my job, so I still have my job!! Thanks for all your support. As for what you said, Jo, if it takes longer then I guess it will. Its been 8 months to this point I can try to have some patience. One last thing, my new OS sent me to a pain clinic and that has made a huge difference!! I don't like the idea of still being on pain medicine, but the other option was not working. I really would suggest anyone who
is having pain problems take advantage of pain clinics if they have the option. The point of all of this is to be pain free so... Take every option you can to make that happen!! Thanks
again you guys!

 

[teejay]

Hi Tahoe,

Good to see that you’re having some progress pain wise. It really sucks to be sick, and you have got every right to feel frustrated. One positive side product is that you learned what you’re made of. You’re tested and you turned out to be a great guy. That must feel good. Hopefully, I never have to resort to the pain clinic, but it’s good to know they’re effective. Pain free is good.

Please, keep us posted. Vaya con Dios.

 

[harleyrider]

Tahoe, my name is Mike I just was informed yesterday that I to have an infected knee. When did you have your surgery? How long did you have the pain before your Doc checked for infection?

Hope all goes well with you I meet with my Doc on Monday to see what our plan will be.

Mike

 

[JudyS]

Tahoe i'm so glad your doc sent you to pain management. I have been helped by pain management since last feb. World of difference. Mine is all for my spine problems. But they are a life saver.
When is your first surgery?

Harley I'm so sorry your knee is infected. You and Tahoe can become good buddies for each other now.

judy

 

[Josephine]

Oh Harley, no - I'm so sorry. Don't know what to say.

 

[marquesa]

Hello Tahoe, last night I went to the link for the book you recommended and sat at the computer for a long time..read every word. What a great resource and so simple and straight forward. Packed with information. Not a wasted word! It was better than anything I have read on the subject. and pulled together information that I have read in bits and pieces.

I know the doctor who wrote this has got to be more than passionate about the work he does and obviously has tremendous experience and has done his research. He pared down to the essentials so it was easy to understand.I especially appreciated the section on pain medication. Many people are severely over medicated by their doctors or do it themselves.

Now, this is the man, I understand, who is going to do the revision on your hip.
I don't know how you found him but I cannot imagine more capable hands and mind than this to do your revision.

So you have it all. Great surgeon, loving and supportive family and co-workers, your very positive attitude and philosophy, and your friends here on bone smart.

I know you will do well and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay in touch with us and let us know how you are.


And Harley, so sorry that you have this infected knee..what a shock that must have been. I am glad it has been discovered and will be tended to . Let us know how you are.

We are all thinking the best for both of you.
Best wishes , Marquesa