On Friday I had the stitches removed from the incision, although it has not healed as we had hoped. The incision continues to drain and the open wound remains present. This wound has now been open since early February. There is no infection, but clearly my body is not able to allowing the normal healing process to occur.
After a rough week emotionally, I spoke with the Chicago surgeon on Friday evening about 7pm. We talked for about twenty minutes on the phone and she answered my questions and listened to my frustrations. She said that "enough is enough" on the incision and it is time to have it surgically closed (either with skin grafting or a suction device implanted) by a plastic surgeon. She has contacted my St. Louis surgeon and we will begin the process for this to happen - probably very soon.
The Chicago doctor will remove the toe pins next Friday at a post-op appointment in Chicago. She strongly wants me to do 4 weeks of physical therapy (during June) in St. Louis. If at the end of June the pain remains and my function issues continue with walking, she is willing to work with me on transitioning to a prosthetic foot (amputation). There is no further surgery that can be done to correct the positioning problem that still remains. There is a definite positioning deformity that still exists and is not something that can be fixed via surgery. Going with a prosthetic foot obviously is a huge decision, which requires much research and skill on the part of the surgeon. No one "wants" to go this route on someone my age, but we are also at the place of needing closure.
She (Chicago doctor) still feels that physical therapy may help, so we will give it one more try. In the past, it has not been beneficial. I will agree to cooperate with four more weeks of therapy, if there is a four-week time frame. I am in need of closure and finality to the situation, which cannot take all summer. I will get stronger pain medication when I meet with her next week.
I am thankful that I was able to speak with the Chicago surgeon on Friday evening. My work schedule is extremely busy beginning June 1, so I am concerned about getting the plastic surgery done, pain, energy, stamina, etc. I am looking forward to getting the pins out on Friday, May 25th. We will go to central Illinois Thursday evening and then will head to the Chicago area early Friday morning.
Thanks for your continued prayers as big decisions are ahead .... wishing you a joyous weekend!
je
2 comments:
Glad I logged on. Timing not so hot on this end, though, b/c Elijah just spit up on the floor in Isaac's room. Lovely. Welcome to my world. Though yours is not very bright now, either. Saw the entry about the 1 mo trial of physical therapy then serious consideration of amputation. Jenny, I'll pray that the decision is a CLEAR one. Will NEVER be an easy one, but clarity and closure is what you need (the "closure" part being in your own words). We love you, your sweet spirit, and your longsuffering (literally) with this whole thing. Blessings to you this Sunday. Gotta go clean up on this end (and somebody else's end, too, by the smell of it)...Hope I made you smile!
To Jenny from Isaac: jobback That was typed in ALL ON HIS OWN with only one minor error b/c his keystroke is too long (not bad, huh)! Hugs from all! Laura & family
Also, though you probably already have an orthopedic surgeon in mind, if you need a recommendation, Dad has used one in the past for all of his (many) ailments. He's actually a client of MINE w/ his dog, Puck, a 12-year old black lab. Dad has had surgeries from him and from another doctor in the practice whose name, when translated, means "God With Us." Strikes Dad funny every time. Unlike the name of the orthopedic surgeon who taught me surgery in school--his name was Dr. Payne (have I told you this one b4?)--not spelled Pain, but says it all the same. Toodles! LJ
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