Wed, july 28

Hi everyone,

I am now home again and hoping this was the last. The outcome was superficial staph again and this time instead of aspirating the hip he continued straight through good tissue to steel rod by femur. At this point seems to be clean. However there is a chance bacteria is hiding. Plan at the moment is 6 wks of IV antibiotics along with an a very strong oral antibiotic. As soon as this ends, we will move right to suppression therapy orally and buy as many years as we can that way until my body can't tolerate the antibiotics any more.

At this point, I am just praying that this works and still plan to return to school on time. No PT this wk, just home exercises and start back up MOn. Should be able to get on bike then, assuming that I haven't lost too much bend in my knee this week.

Thanks everyone for the support - I am trying to stay strong!!
Carole

Tues., July 27

Hello everyone,

I am going home today with 6 wks of antibiotic IV and then will switch to suppression therapy using oral antibiotics for a number of yrs - where we go after that is still to be determined and I don't have enough info to sort it all out now.

It has been a tough morning and I am trying to focus on the positive. I still should be going back to work when school starts. I keep focusing on the 6 wks prior to June 2 when I was antibiotic free and my numbers all came back to normal. I am praying that will happen again.

Thanks all for the support, etc.
Carole

Monday, July 26

Good morning all,

I had a good night's sleep and feel a lot better today with the rest. I have had breakfast and am waiting for a PICC line today and also the cultures to be developed and then I will be discharged late this evening or tomorrow - if all can be arranged and my new meds can be scheduled and delivered so I don't miss a dose.

This was a very similar surgery to 3 wks ago - the difference is that they went in the same opening and found it to be superficial again - but then he continued straight in all the way to the metal rod - even through good tissue and took samples. Surgeon is calling this a whimpy bacteria and we will have some decisions to make about long term treatment.

Thanks again for support - prayer lists - concern - phone calls, etc. All continue to help me get through this ordeal. Oh and I now have a corneal abrasion as a result of surgery and came out feeling like Capt. Hook with a bum leg and a patch over my eye - it was mentioned that all I needed was a "parrot" for my shoulder!!

Carole

Sunday, July 25

Good morning,

Woke up Sat. morning and found drainage on dressing, so called dr. and he had me go to ER - this experience went better than the last time.
I am in the hospital again and underwent surgery #7 last night at 7:30 – at this point I haven’t spoken to my dr. but have talked to his residents. It was again a superficial infection – deeper samples were taken but appear to be clean. I’m not sure what the treatment will be, but I will have a PICC line again – prior to surgery, dr. suspected this was deep and had been missed by previous surgeon 3 wks ago when my dr. was on the hospital. Prior to surgery he told me 6 wks of PICC and not sure if that will be the case again or not. Nonetheless, I should be home sometime Tues. barring no other issues crop up.
I pretty much had a sleepless night, but they did let me eat a turkey sandwich prior to trying to sleep – lots of people in through the night.
Oh, and I have a corneal abrasion that happened sometime during surgery probably because I was laying on that side – so had a patch over one eye – notw just doing drops and ointment.
Thanks all for your prayers and support.
Carole

Fri, July 23

Hi everyone,

Had a real up and down week with some swelling in the ankle and resulted in trip to Hershey today. I need prayers again - waiting for bloodwork - just heard the one test went up (not good)and we will wait for other score no later than tomorrow. Possibility of another 6 wks of IV antibiotics - should know by tomorrow - not sure about surgery yet.

Keep your fingers crossed!
Carole

Monday, July 19

Hi everyone,

It has been a great day!! I actually got a chance to go out and do a little shopping with my friend and chauffer, DEe. I spent too much money and that was even with resting my leg in between stores.

It felt good, but I am tired tonight! I'm feeling better each day and do so hope I have turned the corner. I did speak with my principal this morning and asked him to move my classroom from the 3rd to the 2nd floor where all 5 of the classes that I work with are located. He was very kind and is agreeing and this will save me a lot of steps all day long.

I also had a good weekend with friends visiting and taking me to lunch and playing scrabble. It was a lot of fun!! Sunday I went to watch the veterans that were riding through town on their way from San Francisco to east. It was inspiring to watch them!!

Next appt. in Hershey is Tues. 27th - hope things are still going well!

Hope all are well!
Carole

Thurs., July 15

Hi everyone,

Well, I have finally come down off of the high from Tues., but am still doing very well. I did go to PT yesterday, but we didn't get on the bike because he wants me to have 110 degree bend and I only have 90. Maybe next wk - but, we did put wheels on the walker and tennis balls and I did learn how to do steps. I even went up the flight in my house, but won't do that again for a while because coming down was very scary. I have some more stretches to do for my knee.

It really feels weird to walk on both legs again - of course, my left is very weak so tomorrow we will start some strength training work to build it back up. Tonight the big accomplishment was to put the walker in the back seat of the car and hold onto the car to get in the front all by myself. So, soon as I get off of this pain med, I should be able to drive - probably a couple of weeks yet!!

I am feeling well again and will be sad tomorrow when my sister and brother-in-law leave for Kentucky. She has been a big help this week and has spoiled me again.

Thanks again for the support!!!
Carole

July 13, Tues.

Hi everyone!!!

This has been the best day for me since Jan. 21!!! I had an appt. in Hershey and have gotten a lot of good news and am on cloud 9! First of all, I am able to do 100% weight bearing and eventually wean from the walker to the cane – it will take a couple of weeks. The broken femur has mended! The PICC line is out of my arm and not taking any antibiotics at this point. I start the exercise bike tomorrow – this will be grueling, but I can’t wait to start! I can ride the bike everyday if I want and can take it!
Neither my surgeon nor the Head of the Infectious Disease Dept. feel that this is an immune system problem – basically just a string of bad luck. I am able to stop taking iron, but should continue the Boost drink. I still need to keep last incision covered for a while so we don’t have any rubbing or repeat staph infections. I am to continue pain med., so can’t drive yet, but he wants me able to deal with the pain and be comfortable.
All in all, I am very very happy tonight and look forward to next step. I want to thank everyone for the many phone calls, visits, cards, and support. I will continue to update and will talk to each of you soon!!!
Carole

Sat., July 10

Hi everyone,

It has been a good couple of days!! I am weaning myself off of pain med. and becoming comfortable with another new med. I have had contact with my surgeon almost every day this week and today he said it sounds like my most recent superficial infection is gone - that was great news!! However, the original infection will not be declared gone until I am 2 yrs. without and infection. I hope to not focus on that at this time and continue to move forward.
Spent today with a friend - lunch at Panera's; went for a ride around Codorus; watched a movie; and then out for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. It was great day and I feel pretty good.

Anxious for appt. in Hershey on Tues - hope to be able to put more weight on leg and get on exercise bike on Wed in PT. I might have to look at purchasing a stationary bike for home so I can get on it more than just twice a week.

Busy week coming up - sister Judy and husband coming tomorrow morning - PT Wed and Fri - car inspected on Thurs.

Thanks everyone, CArole

Thurs, July 8th

Hi everyone,

Have had a good day so far - PT this morning and visitors this after. and tonight. Trying to continue upward and onward. Hope to get on stationary bike next Wed. after visit to Hershey on Tues. - probably will have staples out and I hope PICC line out too, but not sure yet.

I got my knee to 85 degrees today - he wanted 90 by next Wed., so hope I will make it.

I'm working on coming off of pain med and so far so good - hope it continues!!

Thanks everyone!
CArole

Tues., July 6th

Hi everyone,

I have had a couple of good days - PT this morning and visiting nurse this afternoon to change dressing on PICC line - still giving me a hard time at the site of entry into my arm.

Today's good news is that Dr. Adair called to say that my glucose/insulin test was fine and I don't have to do anything about it at this time - he will check it again in Oct. I was sooooooooooooooooohappy to hear that!!!!! So I think things will continue to improve and I hope to be on the exercise bike soon.

Have a great one and thanks to all!!
Carole

Sunday, July 4

Good morning,

Yesterday was another beautiful day and I had company all day - started the morning with a delicious breakfast by Peg and spent afternoon with friend Sally - we played scrabble and actually got a 99 pt. word - top that sister Judy!!!!

Last evening visited with Ca. Megan and niece Brie and sisiter-in-law Vic. I felt good all day and incision is staying dry - yeah!!! Still tire from last w/end's surgery, but think definitely on right track now.

Hope all have a great 4th holiday celebration - had cable guy here yesterday so I could watch Tour de France, but I need new wiring in the house which will happen Wed - hope I can watch Wimbledon this morning!!

Carole

Friday, July 2

Hi everyone,

I am feeling good today and getting stronger each day. Had visits Kit, Diana, family, and neighbors. Still having some minor issues getting my arm to heal where PICC line is inserted - visiting nurse just left from changing it again.

I have PT this afternoon - yesterday made a short Walmart run and stopped by Comcast to get digital boxes so I can watch Tour de France beginning Sat. morning - of course will have to be watching tennis finals too - oh my?!?!?!?

Hope all have a great weekend!
Carole