Wed, March 31

Hi everyone,

Well finally starting to get into a routine here and enjoying being home - 2 more wks of IV antibiotics and then 6 wks of rest till we go in to see if the antibiotics worked or not. I am feeling better each day and getting more energy each day too. Nephew David is staying at night time, but will get a reprieve tomorrow - Monday because sister Judy and husband are flying up and will be staying here - can't wait to see them and it will be fun to just have them here for a couple od days over Easter!!

Yesterday I got my Lifeline bracelet and found it interesting that it actually goes into Hanover Hospital - small world. This has given me some more peace of mind.

Tomorrow OT will be here to make sure I am getting my shower correctly so as not to reinjure myself and also a nurse will come to change IV dressing.

Thanks for thoughts, prayers, and cards!!
Carole

Tuesday, Mar. 30

Hi everyone,

Another busy day at home trying to come up with a routine and get everything done with many interruptions. Linda was here to help again today and we got a lot done - snow and winter decorations finally put away - so much for Easter!!! PT here this morning and nurse pulling more blood. Antibiotic levels too high so several calls to Critical Care and Hershey and new doses should be coming tonight.

I did receive my medic alert bracelet tonight and it seems to be working fine - hope I don't have to use it except for sense of security. I'm very happy to be home!!!

Thanks for prayers, thoughts, and cards!!
Carole

Monday, March 29

Hi everyone,

I had a great day yesterday - still tire very easily, but am starting to get into a routine here at home. It takes twice as long to do everything, but I am doing ok. Still administering my own IV without any problems. Friend Linda stopped for a while yesterday afternoon and helped get some things organized around here. Still a lot more to do and we will work on taking down winter and snow and getting some spring things up this morning.
I made 2 calls to Hershey this morning - one about tingling on outside of my leg - they felt this is nerves starting to wake up after 4 surgeries and the other call was about the discrepancy in length of time it takes to administer the IV at the nursing home and here at home. Only takes little over an hr here, but over 2 hrs. there. I was assured my dose was fine here and suggested the nursing home might have different rules about administering that strength. So, guess all is well, but as you can imagine, I am a bit paranoid about these things!!

Have a great day - OT coming at lunch and a friend visiting after school.
Carole

Saturday, march 27

Hi everyone,

What a beautiful day!!! Most of my energy today went into giving myself the IV and then preparing and going to niece Missy's baby shower for a couple of hours. It was a lot of fun and good to see so many people. I would have like to have spent more time with Missy, but she was squeezing a lot of celebrating and family visiting as she could into 2 days.

I have included a song that I think says so much and currently means a lot to me. Thanks again everyone for all of your support through this ordeal!
Carole


DO IT ANYWAY
Martina McBride


You CAN spend your whole life buildin’
Something from nothing
One Storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You CAN chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This worlds gone crazy
And it’s hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all YOUR heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love em anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yeah I do it anyway, YEAH,

You can pour your soul out singin”
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah sing it anyway, YEAH, YEAH

I sing
I dream
I love anyway, yeah.

March 26, Friday

Hi everyone,

It has been a long tiring 24 hours, but I am home - had issues with IV med not showing up last night as promised - nurse showed up, but no med. So spent this morning making phone calls to all involved - of course no one wanted to claim responsibility!!! Med finally arrived today at 11:30 - the good news is I think I can administer to myself - unfortunately can't do it until 10:30 tonight, but only takes 1 hr as opposed to 2 hrs for IV at the home.
Had visits from OT and PT today and finally some time for me at 4:30 when I took nap until 6. Still very tired - hope I can stay awake tonight. Sister Jamie brought food to last a couple of days and did grocery store run. Brother Eric stopped by to pull wire on timer on oven which was running uncontrollably last night until nephew David pull breaker!! Reminded me of nurse beeps from home - not pleasant.

anyway, starting to get rest and stronger so I can finally start to feel good!! Have a good weekend!!

Thanks for prayers, thoughts, and cards!!
Carole

Thursday, Mar 25

Hi everyone,

I am going home today!!!! Very busy day - will have IV here at 7 am - then discharge 10-10:30 - brother Randy taking me home and help unpack - IV med to arrive this afternoon and then home health nurse to come this evening to instruct how to give IV at home - I'm told it is fairly simple and several family members are coming to learn how to do it!!

Next appt. in Hershey April 13 at 8:40 am. - more later!!

thanks everyone for thoughts, cards, prayers, food, visits, calls, etc.!
Carole

Tuesday, Mar 23

Hi everyone,

Today was a great day!! I am going home on Thursday!! Brother Eric took me to Hershey – dr. removed sutures (ouch!) and thinks incision looks great! Also saw the Infectious Disease specialist – still nothing identified as positive – both drs. Felt that I looked good and think I can go home! Dr. Maish was still very cautious in his optimism about my case – the infection is still unidentified – it can still attack other parts of my body and he shared about a recent patient with very similar case to mine – he put new hardware in the hip and the patient did well at Hershey, but 2 days after being home had problems again and he was back in hospital with hardware removed and incision scrubbed out. I really really hope that doesn’t happen to me.
After lunch at Panera’s and a Bruster’s ice cream afterward, we came back to nursing home and I did OT and spent a lot of time talking with PT. I also talked with the social worker and I will have home health care working with me for the 3 wks of IV and also doing some therapy. Nephew David will be staying with me at night and Joanne, Cyndi , and Jamie will help with administering IV. I will get my wheel chair tomorrow.
Friend Betty will be coming to visit Wed and help me begin to pack up.

Thanks for cards, letters, and prayers!!
Carole

Monday, Mar. 22

Good morning,
It is a rainy Monday, but nothing will get me down today because I go to Hershey tomorrow morning for an appt. with Dr. Maish to have my sutures (35) removed and a report on my condition and where we go from here. I hope he will allow me to go home and we can work out the IV thing. There are many things to do – get a wheel chair, get RXs filled, have home approved, etc.
Had a great PT this morning – worked on how to get in and out of car using a walker so I can drive eventually. I don’t think it will be too long till I am ready to try this with someone along because I am feeling soooooo good right now. I also had to stand on a 16 in. diameter flat disc with a ball on the bottom and balance on one foot and take a hand off of walker without letting the edge of the disc touch the floor. It was a challenge, but I did ok. Only taking a Percocet before therapy and one at bedtime and other than that just using Tylenol.
Currently getting IV, Linda is bringing Subway lunch and another friend is visiting this evening. Hope my good day continues!!
OT went well this afternoon, had my hair done, signed some preliminary papers for “if” I leave on Thurs, and talked with a former rider this afternoon. All good – hope my luck continues!! Check in late tomorrow afternoon for the update from Hershey!!
Thanks for prayers, cards, and thoughts!!
Carole

Sunday, March 22

Hi everyone,=
It has been a lazy Sunday here today with lots of calls and visitors. Brad dropped off my mail early this morning before church and breakfast has continued to be a challenge because they don’t want anyone eating in their room any more. I had a first today – finished reading my first book since this whole ordeal began on Jan. 21. I am hoping that I will be able to get some more reading done now.
Pegg visited after church along with my parents who were passing time before going to POPS concert this afternoon at 3. While they were here, cousin Mindy and Tom visited and brought me a nice bouquet of flowers. As they were leaving, Bill Wilson stopped in. I returned to my room for a short rest when Barry Warehime stopped to visit my ill roommate. Barry and I went outside and then I had 3 phone calls in a row from family and friends.
Currently I am waiting for a high school friend, Nancy, to bring me a baked potato and chili from Wendy’s. I am really really sick of the food here at the home now and am looking forward to any food from the outside. I am so looking forward to going home this week and do hope my Hershey dr. agrees with me on Tues. If all goes well, I should go home on Thurs. – can’t wait!!
Thanks for cards, thoughts, and prayers!
Carole

Saturday, Mar. 20

Happy First Day of Spring!!

It is very slow here at the Home this morning - I think it might be a long weekend and I will be happy to hopefully get out of here next week. I have no plans for the moment and no therapy today except what I will do for myself. More later...

The day moved slowly because they had to wait for the hospital to call with the results of my blood work before giving me my IV - finally they started it around 1 just in time for my afternoon company to appear. Linda and Joanne's parents (Sandy and Hank) stopped by to visit so we rolled my IV to the sun room and visited for about an hour. Thanks for the delicious "dark chocolate delicacies" from Phila. area.

I had a short chat from Bob Lang from the CCC ride last summer - good to hear from you and thanks for John's number.

Perry and Joanne and Matt invited me to the POPS orchestra concert for the evening - it was held at the high school right across from Home so Perry just wheeled me over. Of course the return ride was quite interesting with traffic and using a flashlight. But, I had a great time and leg held up well sitting in wheel chair. I actually felt well afterwards too - it was good to have a night out!!!

Thanks for prayers, thoughts, and cards!!!
CArole

Friday, March 19

Hello everyone,

Thanks Bobbi for your vote of confidence - glad you had a good St. Patty's Day. My day didn't start well because I dropped my phone - is currently charging again - hope I didn't break it - back and battery fell off - Brie, if you are reading this just bring the pizza at lunch because I might not be able to call you.

One of the girls was able to fix it and all is well - thank goodness, that would have been a catastrophe in this place!!!! Had both therapies this morning and they had me tossing a 2 lb ball with them using both hands testing my balance - also had me step on a short see saw with my good foot - had to walk front back and both sides on a 2 in squishy matt. All went well, but then tired.

Back to room for IV and niece Brie brought me pizza for lunch - my roommate wasn't happy with us talking, but she'll get over it. She has been sick this week and pretty sensitive to noises - course yesterday she thought it was snowing all day?!?!!?

More after dinner - going outside now!!

Well, just saw a body bag go down the hall - that unnerved me a bit - hope I get through this weekend without getting my roommate's cold - I just don't need it right now!!!

Hope the weekend goes quickly!!!
thanks for cards, thoughts, and prayers!!
Carole

Thursday, Mar 18

Hello everyone,

Well it is a great day because I had a good night last. I actually took my first shower since Feb. 11!!!!!!! It was quite an experience to wash my hair and body instead of just a sponge bath!!! I really think we are headed in the right direction. I was just in therapy and they are having trouble coming up with things that I can’t do here. My roommate is doing better today recovering from pneumonia – makes me a little nervous, but hopefully none of the germs will attack me!!!

I made it through the night with Tylenol and one Percocet and am trying to back off on pain meds. It is almost time now for my antibiotic IV. – so more to you later!!

I had a great day in therapy today. They have started rolling a ball to me and having me kick it with my bad leg. I don’t do real well while sitting in the wheel chair, but standing up with the walker, I have quite a strong kick – I even surprised myself. I am able to do more and more each day with the bad leg. Don’t want to get my hopes up too high yet, but will continue to work as hard as I can to do as much as I can. I was given info today for the medic alert program that I might use when I go home until I am well again.
They reduced the strength of my antibiotic today based on my blood work from this morning and will keep it at that rate until Sat. morning when blood will be drawn again. Then Tuesday I go to Hershey to see Dr. Maish and get my sutures out.
I was outside for an hour this afternoon and then friends took me to battlefield and we got Ping’s take-out for dinner. It was a pleasure and very delightful evening and I returned to the home in time to visit with my parents.
Tomorrow my niece, Brie is bringing me pizza for lunch!!! I am doing the best I can to avoid this dining room and have been very successful this week. I even had coffee from Sheetz’s this morning.

Thanks for prayers, thoughts, and cards!!
Carole

friday, March 17

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

It is a beautiful day today and I am planning to go outside as soon as I am done writing this. Had therapy this morning and then a "Care Plan" meeting which is similar to an IEP mtg, but shorter term. Tentatively, I will be here until March 25. I go to Hershey on Tues. and if all is okay with dr., will go home Thurs. planning to have Home Health Care person visit once a day and help me with the IV - one or two other family members will be trained as well as myself so that we can cover the second dose. Insurance doesn't like to do this, so it might be a batttle trying to get it approved. I am also looking into getting an "alert bracelet" for times when I am there alone in case I should fall or need help. I am currently researching the different types of programs that are available.

Hope all are well and don't drink too much of that "green beer"!!!
Carole

Tuesday, March 15

Hi everyone,

I had a good night last evening and watchedd the Haiti Hit tennis fund raiser with Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Nadal, and Andre Agassi - there were all "miced" and it was fun!!! Then I slept well - didn't wake up for IV to be removed. Had breakfast in dining room this morning - a little smoother than yesterday!!! Then down to PT which went well - I'm in much better mood today - might have something to do with sunshine after 4 days of rain. Betty Boop is coming to visit today and hopefully will take me out for a car ride. Will let you know how that goes. Bettty is nervous!!A good day today – sun is out and it is warm. Betty Boop visited and took me out for my first car ride since Feb. 11 that wasn’t to or from a hospital or medical facility!!! We stopped at Ruby Tues. and got a bite “to go” and drove to Spangler’s Spring and ate it. It was fun and beautiful!!! I had a great time, even though I am still only good for about 2 – 2 ½ hrs. at a time without laying down. Betty was really nervous until she saw how well I could get in and out of her car and then we had a great ride.
In therapy today he helped me go up a step that was about 3 in – I was really nervous and did make it, but only one time. He had to help me, but we made it. Hopefully with more practice and my walker, I should do better. I had my arms on rails that were much wider than my walker, so my arms weren’t much help to me. Endurance with my arms is up to 10 min. at a time on the pedaling machine.
Tonight for dinner, I will have homemade vegetable soup from my friend Patti. Anything to avoid the dining room!!! Sister-in-law Cyndi brought me coffee from Sheetz today – quite a treat in this decaf world I am living in!!!
I got some more cards today – I can’t tell you how much they are all helping. I realize how fortunate I am to have this much support, because many people here don’t have anyone or very few. This afternoon Bill Wilson, my sister’s father-in-law from Biglerville stopped in to visit.
Tomorrow is my care plan meeting here at the home – brother Randy will attend and I’ll let you know tomorrow how it goes!
Thanks for cards, thoughts, and prayers!!
Carole

Monday, Mar. 15

Good morning everyone,

I was frustratedd with my computer this morning so have come down to the library bright and early this morning. Slept really well last night - never even woke for them to remove the IV and woke first at 4. Took a pain pill at 7, so we will see how the day will go.The day was a fairly quiet one with therapy in the morning and again in afternoon. Linda brought me a strawberry milkshake for lunch – good thing because the rest of lunch was not something I enjoyed!!

Tonight was a real treat because my friend Dee ordered Ruby to Go and we shared an Alpine Swiss burger with green broccoli and snap peas!!! Wow!! It was really good! Thanks Dee. It helped me avoid the big mess in the dining room! Patti Lawson dropped off soup that I will use for lunch tomorrow.

Wed. at noon I have a “Care Plan” meeting about my case and my time here. I think one of my brothers will attend with me. PT today told me that they will be very surprised if I am allowed to go home next Wed. because they have never seen anyone be able to do that until after IV is completed. So keep your fingers crossed for me!!

I see the sun should be coming out tomorrow, so hopefully it will warm up and I will be able to go outside again!!!!
Thaaannnks for cards, thoughts. And prayers!!
Carole

sunday, Mar 14

Good morning,

Lost an hr of sleep last evening and natives were restless in nursing home!!!But, good news is that computer is working so far this morning. Second night of independence for moving from bed to chair, etc. - getting better each day! Going to read for half hour before breakfast!

Went to church this morning and was greeted by Nancy and mother, Betty afterwards, followed by Pegg (my SS co-teacher). This is a lazy weekend at the home - no therapy, appts. etc. so I did have them walk me down the hall so I wouldn't stiffen up over the weekend. Brother Brad brought mail and visited followed by Maxine and Clodius bringing me my Irish corn beef and potato meal for dinner.

Natives are fairly quiet tonight and I hope to get a good night of sleep. I was able to take pain med every 5 hrs today instead of every 4 - hope I don't pay for it tomorrow!! Tonight is the first time that I actually washed my incision - they tell me it looks great and isn't nearly as hard as it was earlier in the week!

Thanks for prayers, thoughts, and cards!
Carole

Saturday, March 13

Hi everyone,

Good morning on a rainy Saturday morning!!! I had a good night and was up several times as usual for med. and bathroom. Saturdays are very slow at the home – no therapy – there are some things that I can do on my own and can start walking with an aide if they have time. Along with my med. Every morning I get a shot in my stomach – Lovenox which is a bridge to Coumadin (a blood thinner) – the shot isn’t too bad because it is a short needle and into my fat. I have plenty of it on my stomach so not too bad – only one more week of them and then he will switch me to a regimen of aspirin. So things are slowly looking up – Jamie brought me homemade shrimp chowder, salad, and homemade bread for dinner last night. That was really a treat!!!
Today was an incredibly busy day - my neighbor and daughter came to visit with pictures drawn by the kids and some freshly made brownies. Next Corwyn came bearing pizza (first I have had in a month) and brother Brent who shared a slice too. This was followed by nephew Bryce and Carlee bearing clean laundry, and as they were leaving in came Patti Lawson and Colin. They brought me a shramrock plant for some Irish luck!! Next was brother Gary and Kathy and while they were there nephew Matt and his girlfriend Megan. Finally nephews Michael and Tyler came in - boys are all 16 now and just got their licences as did my godchild Liz, today! Congrats Liz!!!

I hope to walk with walker tonight and then get a good night of rest!!! Enjoy the rain!! All of supporters have been appreciated and enjoyed!!
Got a nice card today from Tricia (Alicia's sister) from Wisconsin.

Thanks all for the cards, thoughts, and prayers!!
Carole

Friday, Mar. 12

Hi everyone,

A really good day today - have been altering 2 hrs. in bed and 2 hrs. in chair and up and about - I feel really good. Just had good news in thereapy - they are making me independent in my room meaning that I can move from bed to chair to toilet, etc. without calling nurse. I will continue to call nurse at night time. It is rainy, so no outside sitting today, but that is okay - am wearing shorts and t-shirt cause so hot in here.

Dr. Wasserman saw me this morning and then spoke with my surgeon from Hershey and it has been decided that the swelling I currently have is normal - I could have had an ultra-sound, but think I will trust them and wait to see how the weekend progresses!!

I did finally have time to watch half of a movie this morning while resting and hope to watch the rest tonight. Maybe I can finally start to read some now!!

Have a great day and thanks for thoughts, prayers, and cards!!
Carole

Thursday, Mar. 11

Hi everyone,

Well, we have up days and still a few down days – today was not one of my best, but it is ending okay. Last evening the nurses felt that my incision was hard at the upper end and wasn’t the night before – 3 nurses all felt it was okay, but different and of course my mind did all kinds of crazy things. Spent this morning with the head nurse and the “wound nurse” who both assured me the incision looks good, isn’t red, and has no drainage. In fact they removed the dressings. Then I had therapy a nd a couple of other appts. And ended the afternoon with PT – he was kinds and shared some info with me about the spacer.

This afternoon I did call Dr. Maish’s office in Hershey and ran my concerns by them – they felt all is normal and only suggested that I keep pain level even and also even out the amt of time I am sitting in wheelchair and bed throughout the day. They welcomed any other calls – such nice people up there!!!
Sister Jamie is to visit this evening and wash my hair – want to take bets on time she’ll get here??

Thanks for thoughts, cards, and prayers! Carole

Wed. March 10

Good morning,

Had a good night and slept more soundly - am getting pain meds under control to one every 4-5 hrs. as needed - incision is healing nicely. Last night nurse wanted to put a thinner dressing on and I wouldn't let her because it was the same nurse that tried it the last time and I had a big leak?!?!? I really think it is fine, but will wait another day or so for it to happen. Off to breakfast and therapy!!

Another fairly good day today – lot of work in therapy – had to walk sideways, front and back with walker. Hopefully can do self transfers by tomorrow during daytime. Corwyn visited today for a couple of hours – Llinda stopped by and we sat outside all afternoon for the last of the warm weather days!! Well the head therapist just stopped in to tell me that insurance approved me until the 24th – they were trying to pull me today?!?!!? That was quite a shock to me - the 24th is day after next appt. in Hershey and I strongly suspect if all continues well that I will be leaving after that.
Had a pleasant surprise visit from one of my students and her mother this evening – several phone calls from friends and now am watching TV and catching up on computer before my next IV drip at 11:30.

Thanks for cards, thoughts, and prayers!!
Carole

Tuesday, Mar 9

Good morning - had a great night of good sleep - up twice for bathroom - looks like another great day outside - plan to go out this afternoon. Off to breakfast, med., and therapy.
Got word yesterday that my next appt. in Hershey will be Mar 23 for suture removal, etc.
Long morning of therapy - IV drip for 2 hrs. and then outside 2 hrs - company from school and family and then inside to rest up for dinner - friend showed up during dinner and visited and now resting and watching tv.

It was a good day and I am feeling stronger each day!!
thanks for the cards, thoughts and prayers!!
Carole

Monday, Mar 8

Good morning all,

Had a great night last night - slept well and even went an extra 2 hrs. before getting my pain med. Internet is working well this morning and I am on my way to breakfast, so life is good!! I will have therapy after that - there is a resident here who knows my parents and he keeps calling me "Lois" (mom's name) - I've corrected many times, but have given up because don't think he has ability to make the and egg beater eggs!! Yun!!
Carole

The day continued well with only a minor hitch in the amount of pain med. I was taking - straightened out for this evening and I think the new order will help quite a bit. Friend Betty brought lunch and spent afternoon - went outside again this afternoon to enjoy the weather. Terry (Matt's girlfriend's mom)made me some wonderful choc. chip cookies and visited a while this afternoon.

Dr. Wasserman stopped by this morning to give support and chatted about a muscle that he is missing a chunk of = good to hear!!

My next appt. in Hershey will be Mar. 23 with the surgeon and the infectious disease specialist. Will update as we get nearer!!!

Received a nice surprise from Trever, Joelle, McKenzie, Emerson, and Carter - pictures from all kids and some great looking sweet treats!! thanks!

Have great evening and thanks for cards, thoughts, and prayers!!
Carole

Sunday, mar 7

Hi everyone,

It was another beautiful day here today and I had lots of company – went outside again for couple of hrs with family and friends. Had lots of visitors all day long and lots of good food. I’m very tired tonight, so will keep this short! Leg feels good – still no drainage, yea!!! Started wearing shorts today cause so hot in nursing home – woke up drenched twice last night. Tomorrow will be beginning of another week and more therapy!! Will write more then!

Happy Birthday DAd!

Thanks for cards, thoughts, and prayers!!
Carole

Saturday, Mar 6

Saturday, Mar 6

Good evening,

I have had a good day today – very relaxing morning – read newspaper, had breakfast and was visited by Karen Szoke who brought me a bag full of books to read and some protein bars. We had a lovely visit followed by my 2 hr vancomycn IV drip and lunch. After lunch, I decided to see if I was able to go outside and was given permission and headed out for the afternoon. It was a beautiful day and the skies were so blue. Then my company began – nephew Bryce and his girlfriend, followed by Courtney and her boyfriend, and finally niece Britni. We actually sat outside in a gazebo and chatted for a long time and then back inside. As we arrived inside, a funeral for one of our church members was dismissing and I saw a lot of people from church. As nieces and nephews were leaving, next arrived Peg Gardner, and at end of dinner brother Brad. Later in evening, Randy and Stef stopped by and now I am in bed trying to finish up some computer things!! I continue to feel stronger and am looking forward to this ordeal moving forward!

Hope you had a good day and another nice one tomorrow – I plan to go out again! Thanks for thoughts, cards, and prayers!!

Carole

Friday, Mar 5

Friday, Mar. 5, 10

Hi everyone,

IT IS Friday evening of my first day back in the nursing home. So far all has gone well and I just thank God and pray every night that it holds for another day. I feel good and worked with another new PT today who is also impressed with my strength – so I will continue to do as they ask and push as much as I can hoping to get back as close to normal as possible.

Many residents were happy to see me return – one of my table mates from breakfast passed away while I was gone. Really nice lady, but 90 some years old. Also, my aunt passed away last Friday and today was her funeral. Some of my family thought they should take me to the funeral, but luckily they didn’t win the battle!! This was my dad’s only sibling, so this was a hard week all around for him. I did see him tonight and I think he is very happy I am back in Gettysburg.
Off to bed now – and some tv!!! Back tomorrow!!

Thanks for thoughts and prayers
Carole

Mar 4, Thursday

Hi everyone,

I am in limbo here - thought I was going to GBG today, but haven't heard for sure. Surgeon says I can go - incision is doing well - no leaking and hopefully won't be again for quite a while. Dr. in early this morning - one muscle on side of leg is almost completely gone due to the infection - he tied a very few loose ends together, and can't guarantee it will hold nor regenerate - this will cause my leg to swing out to side and may have to walk with a cane. Should be able to ride recreationally eventually. But, will always have to deal with one leg being stronger than the other. Long road ahead, but 6 more wks of IV antibiotics and then 6 more wks before sugery. So guess this teaching year is done - will continue later today when I have more info.


Well, here I am back at the nursing home in gbg for 3-6 more weeks - then should be home for 6 weeks and then back to Hershey for final sugery of putting in new hardware again. Pretty emotional return, but at least the room I am in now, I have found one spot that I can get the internet - so that will help! So have to prove again that I can do self transfers before I can be a little more independent!! This is a long long struggle and am happy to have so many family and friends supporting me!!

Thanks everyone!!
Carole
Carole

Wed., mar. 3

Hi everyone,

My day started very early with dr. showing up at 6 to pull out the drain - my night was fairly good except for dealing with the gas from the anesthesia. Finally tonight I had success with that so tonight should be a better night of sleep. I went to PT today and again, I am way to strong for me to qualify for a rehab which only leaves a nursing home. At 4 the social worker was going to find a bed and said she would be right back - it is now 8 and still haven't seen her. But, I think I will be back in GBG sometime tomorrow and will have to let you know where. I think sister Jamie might be going to transport me because of having a handicapped van. I am sure I will be exhausted after that trip and receiving 2 units of blood today.

The dr. said that the one muscle on the side of the leg is pretty well shot due to infection and he tried to pull bits of it together - I may have to walk with a cane the rest of my life and will never ride competitively again. I told him that I really didn't ride competively, but was only a recreational rider - he said I may be able to work with that, but one leg will always be stronger than the other.

For right now, we just hope that there is no more leakage and that the vancomycin will continue to keep infection under control until next surgery when new hip hardware will be put in.

I will let you know as soon as I know.
Thanks everyone!! Carole

Tuesday, Mar. 2

Hi everyone,

It is Tuesday morning and I did survive surgery yesterday - went in at 12:30 and out around 4:30-5 - back to room at 7:15 - fairly painful first half of night - but when pain meds kicked in, I slept better. Have had many many people in my room this morning including PT who have me sitting up in a chair and now typing this entry. Spoke with dr. briefly this morning who is really thankful he went in yesterday - said the drainage I was having was only the tip of the iceberg and had a lot of work to do once he got in there. He was able to get spacer in with antibiotic beads - which should help get rid of infection and help with the difference in lengths of two legs.
I will update later in the day today when I have more info.

Here it is later in the day and I don't have much new except that the infectious disease specialist was in and pretty much repeated what I already know. The dr is to stop in this evening, but hasn't yet and three brothers are sitting here with me to hear what he has to say. If he shows, we report tomorrow because I am tired tonight!

Happy Birthday Corwyn and Ashli!!!!
Thanks for prayers and thoughts!
Carole