Tuesday, March 17, 2009

WATCH OUT FOR THAT CURVE BALL!!!  I think that is what someone should have said before I entered Dr. Carbonell's office today.  Just when I thought I knew what was going on--everything changed.  

One--I need to stay on the antibiotics for at least another month (maybe longer).  Both of my doctors agree that there is a great likelihood that the bacteria is still hiding out in the bone. They are both afraid that if I go off the antibiotics, that the bacteria will come out from the bone, kill it--and then I could lose the foot.  Oh . . . I hadn't heard about that.  This is a very real concern--one they will have to weigh with causing damage to my kidneys and liver from being on the antibiotics for too long.

Two--I am NOT going for physical therapy anytime soon.  Dr. Carbonell wants my wound to be closed up first before I start sweating and moving my foot all around.  For now, he wants me to continue to move it around on my own and put pressure on it when I walk with my walker. (The pictures show my wound before and after dermagraft.  The milky appearance is the dermagraft that my own tissue has "absorbed."  The VAC will now encourage my own skin cells to fill in the rest.) 

Three--He foresees me wearing my velcro boot and using my walker until AT LEAST August.  Now picture this in July with a bathing suit (Really--I'm not complaining).

Four--If it means that I have to be in a standing position--he does not want me to return to work until August.  I think I will figure out a way to teach sitting down.

Five--If the wound does not close up in a month, he will have me go through another surgery to remove the plate by my ankle and use my own skin to cover the wound.  Right now, my own tissue and the dermagraft is resisting growing over the metal plate (you can see from the pictures).  The plate is quite long so he would really have to cut far above and below the wound to remove it, but if it refuses to heal--we will have no choice.

Six--I am wearing the VAC again (see the tube?).  The constant suction will encourage the tissue to grow.

FINALLY--on a personal note--I wore real pants today for the first time (wipe away a tear).  And . . . I was able to speak to my students today at their weekly chapel to talk about the struggles and blessings that have come from this injury.  So good to see them.

Love to you all!

Anne