Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 28 Posted January 28 (edited) Hello everyone… Most of you that know me know that this trek started in late February of 2022. I had a serious Charcot foot ulcer and six (6) staph infections through most of 2023 (1st photo and wiki entry). From February through September I was on anti-biotic Chemotherapy everyday. The treatments would last anywhere from 1-4 hours depending on how my PICC line was working that day (2nd Wiki entry). One of the added benefits was I lost 12.9 stone or 180 lbs, as I completely lost my appetite while on Chemo. Not exactly a weight loss method I can get behind but It worked. In May of 2023 my foot was rebuilt and a restrictor frame was mounted for 14 weeks to prohibit movement of my foot. This of course was to allow for healing. I’ve had a series of five (5) Doctor’s on my team since the beginning. Two surgeons, one infectious disease specialist, one Kidney specialist, and of course my primary physician. I am very lucky as I am on the lowest gov’t insurance, which here in the States is not the best option. Well for more than 16 months now we’ve been attempting to get the wound to close. It will shrink down to roughly a .5”/1 CM then back to the size of a golf ball. We’ve determined that the original bone graft failed to fuse because of the staph infections. So what happens is it gets better and my foot will shift. The bone will damage muscle and similar, then heal and repeat. Over 16 months it has built up scar tissue and refuses to heal because of this. The Surgeon explained the procedure which will include removal of damaged tissue & bone. Then he will pin and screw the bone graft into place to hopefully lock it in. Hoping this will allow it to heal better. Over this he will add a lab grown matrix which allow’s the skin graft and new skin to merge better. All in the hopes it will help it all finally heal. My questions are this, what to expect from pins and screws ? How long should I be out of walking driving. Im sure Physical/Physio therapy will be involved at some point. Also what kind of pain levels should I expect. I take two serious pain meds as is and not really worried. Just like to have an idea as to levels and duration ? Needless to say I’m out of the game for a little while as I wont be able to get up to my office. Nor would I be able to sit there for any length of time due to pain. So I’m watching from the stands/sidelines for the next few weeks at least. Dennis Photo’s and wiki to help better explain what I’m unable to. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathic_arthropathy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripherally_inserted_central_catheter ❌ WARNING❌: Surgical photo’s. 1st photo is the wound: https://i.imgur.com/1qj0krR.jpg 2nd photo is the restrictor frame: https://i.imgur.com/Sr16Hbe.jpg 🛑MODS please remove if this violates anything. It is unintentional. 🛑 Edited January 29 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 4
Admiral Puff Posted January 28 Posted January 28 G'day Dennis, Well, that doesn't look particularly nice! I'm not, and never have been, a doctor, but I have had some experience acting for clients who have suffered injuries in motor vehicle accidents, particularly involving serious bone fractures. I suspect that the answers to your questions depend as much as anything else on how quickly you are able to bounce back from what will be a fairly traumatic experience. Given what you've already been through, you probably won't recover as quickly as someone who hasn't been through that. What's planned sounds as though it should provide a permanent cure, but healing will probably take a bit longer than it might do otherwise. Pain - probably nothing that the meds can't deal with, but expect to be taking them for longer than you might otherwise think. You will probably be immobilised for about the same time as you were with the restrictor frame, although if all goes according to plan that time may well be reduced. You may even be reasonably mobile fairly soon after the wound has settled (depending on what the doctors may have to say about that). Whatever happens, I hope that everything works according to plan and that this will be the cure you're looking for. Keep us posted on progress! Best Dave 1
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 28 Author Posted January 28 2 hours ago, Admiral Puff said: G'day Dennis, Well, that doesn't look particularly nice! I'm not, and never have been, a doctor, but I have had some experience acting for clients who have suffered injuries in motor vehicle accidents, particularly involving serious bone fractures. I suspect that the answers to your questions depend as much as anything else on how quickly you are able to bounce back from what will be a fairly traumatic experience. Given what you've already been through, you probably won't recover as quickly as someone who hasn't been through that. What's planned sounds as though it should provide a permanent cure, but healing will probably take a bit longer than it might do otherwise. Pain - probably nothing that the meds can't deal with, but expect to be taking them for longer than you might otherwise think. You will probably be immobilised for about the same time as you were with the restrictor frame, although if all goes according to plan that time may well be reduced. You may even be reasonably mobile fairly soon after the wound has settled (depending on what the doctors may have to say about that). Whatever happens, I hope that everything works according to plan and that this will be the cure you're looking for. Keep us posted on progress! Best Dave Thanks Dave, apologize for the photo’s but I thought it was better than anything I could ever describe. I think you're right about the recovery time, Im supposed to go into a cast after surgery. As for pain meds. I’m on long term use of two, one a standard muscle relaxer/combo that helps with pain and the other is a custom blended pill I get once a month. They're better than the oxycontin or other opioid the surgeon will almost certainly prescribe so I will stick with them. Being in my early 50’s am not the worst when it comes to healing. However add in diabetes and the fact I’ve broken 100+ bones in my life and would bet it wont be a quick recovery. Dennis
Mr T Posted January 28 Posted January 28 That sounds an awful lot to deal with Dennis over the last few years. Mrs T knows far more about wound healing and wound care than I do (as a District Nurse and later Community Matron), and feet are not always easy to heal as the peripheral circulation is not always good. With your diabetes that is probably something you are aware of. TBH think you need to be prepared for the long haul, she used to have patients on the books for a fair while, admittedly with somewhat different problems related to their wounds. They used to heal in the end, and it was often around doing as they were told, but you sound as if you are aware of that. I hope it all goes well, and the very best of luck. Martin 1
PattheCat Posted January 28 Posted January 28 Hello Dennis, I'm not qualified so I fear I can't give you any "medical" advice. I'm just wanting to say that morale is the best way to help healing. From the little I know about you, you're a resilient and positive minded person. Keep it on like that. Healing time indeed can vary from person to person, so I think it's best to stay focused on the actual goal - a complete recovery - and not the duration. Wishing you well. Friendly regards. Pat. 1
Neil.C Posted January 28 Posted January 28 All I can offer is my heartfelt wishes for your full recovery Dennis. All the very best mate, Neil. 1
scautomoton Posted January 28 Posted January 28 5 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: and the fact I’ve broken 100+ bones in my life and would bet it wont be a quick recovery. Dennis Flippin' heck! What did you do for a living? Test unsuccessful parachute designs? 6
Mike Posted January 28 Posted January 28 All I can add is a hope it works, and you get better soon Dennis. I've only had 4 relatively minor ops in my adult life, and they all went pretty well, but painful during recovery of course (mostly hand-related). Having that drag on for as long as it has for you, I'm surprised and impressed that you've managed to keep your online persona so buoyant Do what the doc says, and we'll keep our metaphorical fingers crossed for you (otherwise it'd spoil our already dodgy typing). 1
Pete in Lincs Posted January 28 Posted January 28 Wowsers! Nasty 😝 do as you're told and I hope the pain is kept under control. All the very best. Get well soon 🙏 1
John Laidlaw Posted January 28 Posted January 28 Hello Dennis, Crikey, that's a lot to happen! I can empathise regarding the non-healing wound as I've only recently been declared healed from the one in my left foot. It took 11 months including six weeks in a cast to immobilise my foot. I can't speak to pins or screws, but I do know that inflammation is going to be what determines your progress. Assuming no post-op infections and nothing else going on, it should be fairly rapid. Do you still have the PICC line in place? Wishing you all the best for the op, and rapid healing. You've been through a lot and deserve a break from it, now. I'll keep you in my thoughts. John 1
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 28 Author Posted January 28 (edited) 10 hours ago, Mr T said: That sounds an awful lot to deal with Dennis over the last few years. Mrs T knows far more about wound healing and wound care than I do (as a District Nurse and later Community Matron), and feet are not always easy to heal as the peripheral circulation is not always good. With your diabetes that is probably something you are aware of. TBH think you need to be prepared for the long haul, she used to have patients on the books for a fair while, admittedly with somewhat different problems related to their wounds. They used to heal in the end, and it was often around doing as they were told, but you sound as if you are aware of that. I hope it all goes well, and the very best of luck. Martin Hello Martin and Thank you, long haul I’m in for at (checks calendar) 35 months. According to my surgeon’s they're actually surprised at how well my circulation is actually. Considering all the broken bones, diabetes’, and blood pressure issue’s I’ve had in my life. Thank you again for the positivity and well wishes. 8 hours ago, PattheCat said: Hello Dennis, I'm not qualified so I fear I can't give you any "medical" advice. I'm just wanting to say that morale is the best way to help healing. From the little I know about you, you're a resilient and positive minded person. Keep it on like that. Healing time indeed can vary from person to person, so I think it's best to stay focused on the actual goal - a complete recovery - and not the duration. Wishing you well. Friendly regards. Pat. Hello Pat and Thank you, I agree with the morale comment and I try to always be positive and happy. 5 hours ago, Neil.C said: All I can offer is my heartfelt wishes for your full recovery Dennis. All the very best mate, Neil. Hello and Thank you Neil, all the positivity I receive here helps. 5 hours ago, scautomoton said: Flippin' heck! What did you do for a living? Test unsuccessful parachute designs? Close, I’m 6’7” tall and I played Football along with running cross country in school. After school I worked a number of physically demanding jobs in ware-housing, construction, truck driving, and law enforcement. Construction I used to put two 100 lb bags of Portland cement on my shoulder at a time. I was a tile setter and delivery driver for my company. I would average carrying 5 ton of stone on my shoulders a day. Add to that all the under-layment, grout, and mortar and Im guessing about 7-8 tons a day. The worst injury before my diabetes was getting my left foot crushed between two forklifts at my last job. It is the major reason I am medically retired at the age of 53. 5 hours ago, Mike said: All I can add is a hope it works, and you get better soon Dennis. I've only had 4 relatively minor ops in my adult life, and they all went pretty well, but painful during recovery of course (mostly hand-related). Having that drag on for as long as it has for you, I'm surprised and impressed that you've managed to keep your online persona so buoyant Do what the doc says, and we'll keep our metaphorical fingers crossed for you (otherwise it'd spoil our already dodgy typing). Thank you Mike, my personality has always been pretty positive. Well unless you talk to my 80 year old mother, she thinks I’m always negative and a downer. Thanks also for not giving me the riot act for the photo’s by the way. 4 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said: Wowsers! Nasty 😝 do as you're told and I hope the pain is kept under control. All the very best. Get well soon 🙏 Thank you very much Pete, all the positivity helps me a through the tough times. 3 hours ago, John Laidlaw said: Hello Dennis, Crikey, that's a lot to happen! I can empathise regarding the non-healing wound as I've only recently been declared healed from the one in my left foot. It took 11 months including six weeks in a cast to immobilise my foot. I can't speak to pins or screws, but I do know that inflammation is going to be what determines your progress. Assuming no post-op infections and nothing else going on, it should be fairly rapid. Do you still have the PICC line in place? Wishing you all the best for the op, and rapid healing. You've been through a lot and deserve a break from it, now. I'll keep you in my thoughts. John Hello John Thank you for responding, I know we've been traveling a bit of the same road. My left had the same issues in 2017-2018. Though it healed up after 7 months. The insurance caused the biggest issue’s this time by delaying preventative treatments in late 2022. Though will save that conversation for private discussion as it gets a bit political. The PICC line was my third and was pulled out in October of 2023. Though I’m going to bet money they will put one back in as a precaution during the surgery as normal IV line’s tend to clot up quickly (8-12 hours usually). I thank you again for the well wishes and response. Let me know if I can help or do anything for you ? Dennis Edited January 28 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 3 1
Mike Posted January 28 Posted January 28 4 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Thanks also for not giving me the riot act for the photo’s by the way. You gave fair warning, so any lost lunches (insert meal type as appropriate) are the vomiter's responsibility 6
Philly1860 Posted January 28 Posted January 28 Hi Denis, can’t offer any advise or medical opinion but I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Get well soon. Colin 1
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 28 Author Posted January 28 45 minutes ago, Philly1860 said: Hi Denis, can’t offer any advise or medical opinion but I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Get well soon. Colin Thank you Colin, I appreciate any and all thoughts & prayers I can get right now.
Philly1860 Posted January 28 Posted January 28 46 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Thank you Colin, I appreciate any and all thoughts & prayers I can get right now. You got it brother. 1
IanHx Posted January 29 Posted January 29 (edited) Check what you're allergic to. Have heard of cases where stainless steel screws used on patients allergic to stainless steel. If that's you, they can use titanium screws instead. Good luck , hope it all goes smoothly. Edited January 29 by IanHx 1
franky boy Posted January 29 Posted January 29 Dennis. I’m sorry I don’t have answers but just wanted to wish you all the best for the speediest recovery possible. James 1
brianthemodeller Posted January 29 Posted January 29 Showed your post and pictures to one of our clinicians at work who is a plastic surgeon specialising in post trauma repairs. He couldn’t make specific comment as he didn’t have all of your history but reckoned it looked perfectly repairable but would to be a long job. Hope that helps? Best wishes and keep us informed of progress. 1
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 30 Author Posted January 30 18 hours ago, IanHx said: Check what you're allergic to. Have heard of cases where stainless steel screws used on patients allergic to stainless steel. If that's you, they can use titanium screws instead. Good luck , hope it all goes smoothly. Thanks sadly they're in now, I will read the paperwork and see if it says anything ? 18 hours ago, franky boy said: Dennis. I’m sorry I don’t have answers but just wanted to wish you all the best for the speediest recovery possible. James Hello James, all the well wishes are really appreciated. Everything went better than the Dr. expected and I was able to go home after a few hours. Initially they were going to keep me for one night as precaution but it all worked in the end. 6 hours ago, brianthemodeller said: Showed your post and pictures to one of our clinicians at work who is a plastic surgeon specialising in post trauma repairs. He couldn’t make specific comment as he didn’t have all of your history but reckoned it looked perfectly repairable but would to be a long job. Hope that helps? Best wishes and keep us informed of progress. Every little bit helps Brian, thank you for the wishes. If you read the response to James above it will give you details. 1
silverfox63 Posted January 30 Posted January 30 Hi Dennis. My thoughts are with you and sending all the good vibes I can for a complete recovery, or as complete as can be achieved. I haven't looked at the photos, not that I don't care, just had lunch, and those sort of photos are not my cup of tea (other beverages are available). All the best. Cheers, Chris. 1
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 30 Author Posted January 30 47 minutes ago, silverfox63 said: Hi Dennis. My thoughts are with you and sending all the good vibes I can for a complete recovery, or as complete as can be achieved. I haven't looked at the photos, not that I don't care, just had lunch, and those sort of photos are not my cup of tea (other beverages are available). All the best. Cheers, Chris. Morning Chris, Sad day to wake up to Airliner got taken out a few hours ago in Washington DC. I truly appreciate all the kindness everyone has sent me. You all will never know how much that helped me yesterday. Understandable that some would never want to see the photo’s, thus my disclaimer notice in the original post. 5
bentwaters81tfw Posted January 30 Posted January 30 Glad to hear all went well. Now the road to recovery. Follow orders and take your time. Healing takes longer as we age, and legs/feet tend to take longest. 1
Bullbasket Posted January 30 Posted January 30 I'm a bit slow in responding to this, but now that you've had the op, I hope it all goes well for you Dennis. Take care. John. 1
jackroadkill Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Blimey, Dennis... Hopefully this will be the beginning of a sustained recovery for you, my friend. I hope everything now behaves as it should and that you're back at your bench soon. Keep us posted on your progress, old chap. Owen 1
Keeff Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Reading the original post, I have to admire your grit, courage and ability to remain positive through your journey. I hope the surgery works and you find yourself in a much better place ..... without that nasty hole in your heel! Take care and stay positive! Keith ☺️ 1 1
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