Hi all, Just got home about an hr ago. It was a long 11 days, but i'm glad to be back. The home nurse will be here soon to pack the wound and put me on my home vac pac. I'll post more as I get finished with this packing. :blob_fire All I can say is that there is nothing more painful in this world than having the packing pulled out and then repacked. I was on so much morphine the first wound change that I stayed out from 7:30 am to 6 pm. never woke up. even with that, when he changed it, all I could do was scream and cry and swear a blue streak. with everything I've had done, I've never acted or carried on that way before. This was horrible. It still hurts so bad i just want to cry (yes I do), :dizzy: :eek: but at least I'm home, so we'll see how it goes. I'll get back to you all later. thanks for all your support. I really need it.:angel:

Mary-
I am so sorry that you have been through so much pain. You are such a strong person for enduring all that you have. At least those 11 days are behind you and you are 11 days closer to the end of this issue. I am praying for a speedy recovery for you and that the pain lessens as the days progress. Good luck and keep us updated.

:wave:
Liz

I'm so happy to hear that you are home from the hospital. I was looking for you to post soon so I'm glad that you did. It sure has been a long road for you. I hope this pass soon for you and I'm praying that you get well soon.
Thanks for posting and keeping us updated.
Janie

Welcome Home!! I am sorry that you are in so much pain. Go ahead CRY. You deserve it. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope that you start to feel better soon.

Glad to hear that you are home, sorry to hear that you are in pain. Hang in there, think positive thoughts and vent whenever you need too! You are strong and will get through this.
Nancy

Hi Mary.

I am glad to hear that you are home. I just can't imagine how horrible it's been. Thank God the worst is behind you.

Please let us know how you are doing when you can.

(((Mary)))
You likely did better, carrying-on-wise, than I would have done. I feel so bad about what you've had to endure, and awed at how well you've handled it! I'm glad you're home now, and will continue to pray, and look forward to hearing your progress. Downhill, now!!! Hang on. Kim

Mary, I don't know if you remember me from last fall and early this year. We did have quite a few conversations and I am really sorry that you are still having such a big problem and are in so much pain. It was a good thing you went into the hospital to finally...hopefully....get the healing process underway!! I am thinking good thoughts for you and really truly hope that your foot starts to improve soon!! Sophie:angel:

Mary,
Welcome home! I cant imagine what that must have been like in the hospital! Couldnt they just put you out for a few minutes? How is your pain at home? Hope you have some relief!

Diane

Hi all,
I'm doing ok right now. Gotta love percocet. Sophie, of course I remember you. How are you doing? all healed up I hope. Haven't heard from you for a while so I presumed that things were going well. diane and kim and all, I really appreciate your concern and prayers. I really am happy to be home now. I'm still waiting for the bedside potty chair and my special walker to get here. The meds are keeping me pretty mellow, and keeping the pain level down to bearable. I had the home nurse come out yesterday to repack the wound. She really was very gentle and it didn't seem to hurt as much as it did in the hospital. both hubby and daughter got to see what it looks like Kinda grossed them out. the incision is about 10 inches start to finish, and it is about 3/4 of an inch wide. You can see the white tendons which are totally exposed. i can't wait for it to close in so I can get moving again. I'm getting sleepy again, so i'll be back later. mary

Mary!!! OMG!! 10 inches!!! I just checked and my whole foot is only 9 inches so I can't even imagine!! I hope you continue to improve and get better each and every day!!

Of course I not ok just yet...I am still on these boards after all!! I just had a 1st mtp fusion almost 3 weeks ago:eek: ...sitting here with yet another nwb hard cast on until August 17th...after that I'm just not sure at this point!! So I'll be around to follow your progress!!

I really hope this will finally be the last for you and this wound closes up soon!! Please take it easy and take care of :angel: yourself!! Sophie

Mary,

I am so happy to hear you are back home. I trust this means the infection is losing and your body is winning. I cannot imagine the pain you must have fealt. You are one tough lady!!!!

Glad you got a nurse who is gentle and hope this all ends soon. Just keep reminding yourself tht you are at least 11 (now 14?) days further down the marathon. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

In a wierd way, know that you are helping keep some of us going. When we think we are at the end of our ropes, we think of you and gain strength. If you can do it, then so can we. Thank you.

Get well soon!:angel:
jane

good morning to all
I've been home almost a week and things are getting into a routine. the home nurses are great with being kind and taking their time removing the sponges. On Fri, the nurse noticed that the wounds are kinda dry, nothing going into the collection tank on the pump. She also said that the top of the foot is starting to get warm and red. She called my doc to see if he wanted me off the vacpac, but he said no. just put the pump on interminent and not continuous. so now every 2 minutes the pump kicks in, sucks the sponges into my foot and stays on for about 3 min. then it shuts down again for two minutes, and all the sponges expand for that time. It is such a weird feeling, it feels as if my foot is alive with things moving in it. really wierd. Now that I'm used to it I can usually sleep thru it. Because of the change in the top part of the foot, I have to go to see my doc Tue afternoon. I'm sure everything is fine, i'm still on both augementon and levaquin antibodicts so I know it's ok. doc still thinks it will be another 2 21/2 months before I can be pwb. I;m hoping that it heals well. Doc did mention to hubby that I may need skin grafting done before this is over. I really don't think I need it. I don't care how bad my foot looks as long as it works. I was tickled pink to receive a thankyou card and a get well card from the nurses on the floor I was on at the hospital. Really a nice thing to get. I guess hospitals are getting friendly in this day in age :) . Well, gotta go, that means unpluging the pumg, collecting all the plastic tubing, getting out of bed onto the walker, hopping to the other room. you all know how that is. It takes some advance planning\ be back later
mary:wave:

Mary,

You are soooo courageous! I think I would need a sedative to get through all the treatments which you have been through. Are you able to get out of bed at all? I know I am frustrated with my situation but at least I can walk around the house. I wish you luck with your appt. on Tues. Please let us know how you fare.

I am sending healing thoughts your way!

Diane

Mary-
I'm with you on the heat, although we do have an old A/C/heat pump that struggles mightily to cool the house to tolerable levels. Today the heat index is 113!!! Dominion electric should send me at least a thank you card ;) I can't imagine no a/c at all.

If you could afford it, I would send someone to Best Buy and get a new A/C. Having bandages or boots really adds to our collective misery, eh. My husband just can't seem to understand why the huge fluffy liner and the boot make me sweat like a pig. I also seem to work up a sweat just getting from point A to point B - crutches stink

Okay, enough complaining on my part. Good luck at the doctor's visit. Hope you do not have an infection!!!!!! Saying a prayer for you-
jane

Hi all,
Saw the doc, there are some parts on the bottom of the foot that he is concerned about. He said that on the side of the incision, that it is turning white and looking really wet. He was concerned that the pump was sucking the good skin and trying to pull out all the fluid, so he took the pump off for a day. That really hurts, the bandages are rubbing the open wounds. Ouch. He did say that it may only have to be another 4-5 week before he takes me off the pump. then he will let the rest of the incision heal just being wrapped. then it will be extensive PT. It will be at least 10 months of not walking before I start PT. Doc said I will have to learn like a baby to walk, and must build up the muscle in the left leg. I can't wait. I wish I could speed up time. At this point, all of my joints are starting to freeze from lack of use. Im trying to bend and flex the ones that I can. It hurts some but I know it needs to be done. Just one of the things I need to stay on top of. When this heat breaks a little, i may try to get on the exercise bike, using only my arms and right leg. That may help. If not, what the heck, I tried.
Mary;)

Mary, I'm so sorry things are still hanging like that, and that Doc isn't ecstatic with your progress. I had hoped all this would clear you up more quickly. We can sure get impatient when we're tied down, eh? Well, Hang on, strong one, and know you're in prayer. Post again soon. Kim