Stitches-R-Us ... AGAIN!

We're back from a quick trip to Chicago and generally all went well. We left work a little early on Monday afternoon and escaped the rush hour traffic leaving St. Louis. We stopped for a quick dinner along the way and arrived at the hotel about 10:00pm. The traffic in Chicago on a Monday night was like a ghost town - no traffic anywhere! Monday a long day, so we headed for our PJ's and called it a day.

At 8am on Tuesday morning, the surgery center called to say that the person scheduled before me had cancelled, so I could come as soon as possible. I was ready, so mom took me to the surgery center and came back to the hotel to move luggage to the car. It was a sunny, chilly 11 degrees in Chicago on Tues. morning!

It was like the princess had arrived when I arrived at the surgery center .... everyone was waiting and ready! I met with Dr. P & she explained her plan & what would happen during surgery. She was her usual warm, caring, self. She had also spoken with the plastic guy (several days ago) and brought him up to speed. He was fine with our decision. We did local anesthetic with a block in the foot - only partially worked, but we tried. The nurse I had start my IV was marvelous and got it on one try .... I have super tiny veins & it often takes several attempts.

During surgery they opened the wound, cleaned out scar tissue, took a bone biopsy, washed the entire area with antibiotic and then she carefully stitched with a "trauma stitch." After surgery she told me that the good news was that she was nearly certain that there was no infection, the bummer news is that it still may need to have skin grafting done - if it does not heal from the under side upward of the wound. Dr. P "set up" the wound to now grow new skin on its own, but whether or not it will is the biggie question ... it may, but if not she said she'll help me orchestrate to have it skin grafted. She did say that I could walk on my heel, but I am playing it safe with the crutches for a while. I go back to see her in 2 1/2 weeks and then we should know more if we've solved it or if there is more yet to do. Nothing was said about the oxygen treatment regime, so I guess we're beyond that.

We left the surgery center with hugs and headed to the drive thru at Steak-n-Shake about noon for a grilled cheese. We only stopped once on the way home (more ice needed for ice pack) and mom did a great job of driving. We rented a small SUV, which allowed me to stretch out & keep the leg elevated on the way home.

Resting today and the pain is manageable .... many thanks for all your prayers. Everything went very smooth and it was the fastest trip we've made. Mom says this is trip number 14 over the past year. Will keep you updated .... eating lots of protein and thinking healing thoughts!