Amazed And Perplexed

Chuckwagon Adventure has moved to: http://chuckwagonadventure.wordpress.com

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

SUBJECT: The continuing knee saga.

We went to the wound care center this morning and met with Dr. Marcus for the first time.  She examined G’s wound and told us her plan of action and proceeded to cut away all the hypergranulation (overgrown new tissue) with cuticle clippers.  I don’t like blood and gore.  The process was gruesome looking, and thankfully did not cause G any pain.  Once the blood and gore was over with, she dabbed silver nitrate around the edges, dusted the wound with Multidex Powder Wound Dressing which looked like sawdust and then bandaged it.

She assured us that the orthopaedic surgeon had done everything he should have thus far.  She also gave G a set of instructions about eating a high protein diet (which he's already been doing) with six small meals per day.

“No showering,” she said.

G visibly slumped in the examining chair.  He’d graduated from sponge bathing to showering a couple of weeks ago. 

“I stink if I don’t shower,” he replied.  In his opinion sponge bathing just doesn't cut it.

Dr. Marcus correctly gauged his resistance and got blunt. 

“There are so many bugs around the mouth and nose area, not to mention the terrible bugs around the anus.  Showering with an open wound is essentially pooping in the wound.”  Ugh!  Seriously?

With this sort of blunt speech she knew she would get her point across. 

“And don’t sponge bathe with a washcloth either,” she instructed.  “Your washcloths have bugs too.”

Now I feel like I need to throw out all our washcloths and buy new ones and sterilize them after each use.

The good news is that G has avoided infection for three months, is walking like a champ with his new knee and is pain free.  The bad news is he’s back to sponge bathing and can’t shower for four to six weeks more.

Methinks he beginneth to stinketh.

Endeavor To Persevere

 

The open wound on G’s knee is healing oh so slowly.  The doctor ordered a wound V.A.C. be put on the wound on April 12th to speed up the healing process.  G endured three weeks of the wound V.A.C. therapy while tethered to an electrical outlet.  The battery could last up to six hours when unplugged.  During the times when G was unplugged, he had to carry the wound V.A.C. slung over his shoulder like a purse.  The wound V.A.C. did its job.  It came off four days ago.  It was a great relief for G.  We are back to dry bandaging, this time over collagen strips.

Two months with an open healing wound has culminated in a very sore knee.  The skin and tissue surrounding the wound has become irritated and sore.  However, there is no sign of infection.  All looks well, but G’s knee is sore, and he is limping almost as badly as he was before the knee replacement surgery.

 

March and April were difficult months with us alternating in turn in the battle to keep our spirits positive.  The black hole beckons.  It has been an unusually cool, grey and rainy spring in Georgia spreading a bit more gloom on this already weary and sometimes discouraged couple. 

Because of the MDS (which is not being treated now), G's blood counts are currently dropping, and he may need intervention soon to boost his WBC.

We must be getting close to the finish line, but we can’t be sure.  We find ourselves close to giving up and in danger of sliding down into the black hole.  We must soldier on to the finish line.  This will end eventually, right? 

 

Click on the link below and give the following song a listen.

"It's Going to be Alright" - Sara Groves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmzo3KxP5wo