Knee Infection* The girl with the two fake knees

[zzevi]

Your being so strong, I was angry, bitter, after finding out about infection and all. I admire you that your staying so positive which I'm sure is helpful for helping you heal.
I feel so bad for you tho, it's a long enough road without any set backs. I will continue to pray for you that everything clears up, no more surgeries needed. I know it's not impossible of miracles.
I am sure that part of your energy drain is just regular healing and the other you body fighting to get rid of this infection.
It's nice when we find a person to care for us that we bond with, I felt that closeness even tho it only was for a couple months, I felt that with my wound care group that worked with me. I give them more praise than the actual surgeon and p/t and such as they start at square one, no thinking this or that in their book. And they seemed more approachable all the way along, they never judged me on my thoughts, always listened and gave helpful advice.

 

[ACDCJen]

Well poo, I have my fingers crossed for you being in 50% non prosthesis infection. I go tomorrow for aspiration & culture.

Oh no!!! Best of luck, I literally know what that's like!!! I thought I read somewhere that you are near Buffalo? I grew up in Attica and I live in East Bethany (south of Batavia). Sending you healing vibes for tomorrow.

Jen

 

[ACDCJen]

Your being so strong, I was angry, bitter, after finding out about infection and all. I admire you that your staying so positive which I'm sure is helpful for helping you heal.
I feel so bad for you tho, it's a long enough road without any set backs. I will continue to pray for you that everything clears up, no more surgeries needed. I know it's not impossible of miracles.
I am sure that part of your energy drain is just regular healing and the other you body fighting to get rid of this infection.

Thank you so much @zzevi . I'm pretty sure I'm just worn out from surgery, infection, lack of sleep, and depression. I'm disappointed that it ended the way it did, but being angry takes energy I don't have, and it wouldn't have prevented the infection initially, especially since I may have had it from the hospital.

I sincerely appreciate your feedback and I hope I don't need any support for the next step and that it stops here!!!

Jen

 

[lene']

Jen, first I am so thankful that you got to see the dr in Brockport. Is she in the old hospital? I thought they closed that hospital a long time ago? My sister used to live in Brockport, and I used to work there many years ago. I, like the rest of your friends here on Bonesmart, are praying that you will heal with the oral Cipro and that will be the end of your trials. From there I hope you heal and can move forward with your life. I am very proud of you for not getting angry, be gentle with yourself and use the down time to visualize yourself back to health. I will be praying for you. I don't know if I would handle it as gracefully. But just keep looking forward to the day when you are healed, you have many angels here and beyond that care for you!!
Besides, I still want to take that walk in the park with you!!
Blessings,
Lene'

 

[newlybionic]

I hope the Cipro does the trick any you can avoid the extra surgery. Hang in there. We are all in your corner praying for a good outcome.

 

[Jamie]

Jen, it sounds like you've connected with an excellent doctor and you're now in good hands. Your personal strength through all this is amazing.

 

[mwetzel394]

Praying for you Jen, loving your strength and faith, god bless


R Partial Knee Replacement 11/28/16

 

[Red's Mom]

Jen, your in my prayers for resolution of the infection without further surgeries!

 

[PegGar16]

Jen I am glad you got to see the doctor and there is a better understanding on what is going on. I also hope you get the better 50%. I know you are feeling worn down and wish I could help with that. I tried to watch my diet and added a lot of protein and vitamins to build up my system. It has helped me in the long run.

 

[baclectic]

@ACDCJen read your entire thread nights I couldn't sleep. Have been worried about you. You went to the doctor yesterday, didn't you? Hope he was encouraging. Just wanted you to know you have another concerned friend praying for you.


Sent from my iPhone using broken link removed: https://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=75543

 

[Arttie]

@ACDCJen Thanks for the comments on my pending TKRs. I have been reading about your journey since December. You certainly exemplify the Serenity Prayer. May your new treatment protocol be wildly successful!

 

[skigirl]

Jen, I am glad you spoke to a doctor you liked. If anything changes, you can let her know right away.

 

[ACDCJen]

Had another dressing change today. I also switched my vac out last night because the battery ended after the 7 days. Took me long enough to realize I could do that without help!!! Today, I got it all undone, at least the parts that weren't in the wound, but taking the draping off except around the suction disk, turning off the machine, cutting the tube, and using a syringe to put Dakin's through the tube to soften the foam for less painful removal. I know I could do it all if I had gloves, but it's nice to have a nurse or doctor keep an eye on it and make sure it's sterile. It was relatively painless today...well, tolerable... It seems to look pretty good too. I'm not sure that it's THAT much better, but it's pink and "beefy!"

I see the OS next Tuesday and hopefully, he'll have the blood test results from the ID doctor from this week. Just want an idea of where I am. I'm being positive and trying not to think how bad this could end up. Thankfully, I feel like I've gotten a lot of support here! It helps cut down on the anxiety for sure.

I'm feeling a bit better today physically too. My dad said I even had a little color. I don't realize just how sick I actually feel until I have a good day. Going to try using my cane if I can. I'm able to sit in my chair and get up without too much pain. I mean, it's all tolerable, but such a backslide from where I was.

Anyway, here is a picture from today. (Kneecap is top of pic, hip is towards the bottom)

TGIF,
Jen

 

[KarriB]

I know it helped that my OS saw me twice a week and the ID once a week. I felt like everyone was supporting me and keeping an eye on things. Try to keep your mind busy, that was really hard for me.

 

[zzevi]

I often thought I could probably do some of my care for myself also, but it is nice to have someone else to over see it and pickup on any possible negative changes in the healing of it. It for me was just more time consuming and when your energy is low it's sometime hard to muster the energy to do one more thing.
Glad to hear today was a good day, praying for more good days. I should go back and read your whole thread, but what caused or started your issues, did it start with the staple removal and then start opening back up?
Well I will continue to pray for you, thinking of you daily.

 

[RMasano]

Jen, Can you contact your insurance and see if they could send a home nurse out to you a few times a week?

 

[Bikesouth]

Oh no!!! Best of luck, I literally know what that's like!!! I thought I read somewhere that you are near Buffalo? I grew up in Attica and I live in East Bethany (south of Batavia). Sending you healing vibes for tomorrow.

Jen

I have ridden thru Batavia before on the way to the falls. Had a cousin marry a girl from Geneseo. Skied at Bristol mountain too.
I live in Atlanta, could never take the winters up there even as beautiful as it is in summer.

 

[ACDCJen]

Had a couple of good days in a row. There is a pretty noticeable improvement in my overall sore/achy feeling everywhere. It is more pronounced at the end of the day, but I can deal with it. Having less accidents because I'm able to get to the loo faster. I am getting "Cipro's revenge," so no more colace for me. I still have my moments, but I don't feel so much like a zombie. My biggest complaint is the sharp pain around just my wound and nausea/upset stomach. I'm pretty sure that I'm getting better.

Wound vac and I are officially BFFs and it rarely beeps or growls at me anymore. Still getting drainage out of it, but it's less than the last canister. Just hope it keeps working. I see my OS next Tuesday, so I'm sure I'll get his feedback. I want to find out how long he feels I'll be using it. My wound is still pretty deep, even though it is noticeably better.

All in all, I'm pretty decent. It's not even on my mind that I'll have to go beyond this stage because the infection will be GONE!

Plus, I've discovered Longmire, so I'm pretty preoccupied.

Keep in keepin' on fellow bonesmartians!

Jen

 

[ACDCJen]

Jen, Can you contact your insurance and see if they could send a home nurse out to you a few times a week?

I do have the visiting nurse coming in once a week. My insurance covers them because of medical necessity. I am also seen at my OS's office weekly. Wish my doctor made house calls. Nothing like waiting in his office for the opportunity to catch something else!!!

Jen

 

[KarriB]

I stopped senacot and Miralax after starting my antibiotics too. After the infection surgery going to the bathroom wasn't an issue, but by 1-2 months getting to restroom in time was a problem. My probiotic has really helped in that area.

My doc saw me twice for a month after my infection surgery. It was tiring going so often, but it helped that I needed to get up and dressed.