Guest guest Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hi all! I have returned! lol I am sorry that I have been so out of touch, I have been ill lately, too ill to participate in much of anything at all. In December I had some surgery and the site quickly became infected. I went on IV antibiotics and stayed on them for a month, with no improvement, only worsening. Curious about why this was getting worse when the wounds were healing from their infections, doctors and nurses began to worry that my port-a-cath was infected (it's ten years old, it's past it's prime). I had the port cultured and indeed, it was growing a most odd array of bugs, but it likely got that way because the surgical wound infection had gotten out of hand and entered my bloodstream before IV antibiotics began. So like all septic people, the clinical picture was unpleasant and promised to take a long time to improve. I had my port removed yesterday and go back on March 3 to get a new one. During all of this time, and multitudes of tests later, it was also determined that there are areas of thickening in some larger arteries - the subclavian and the brachial, so my left arm turns shades of blue and purple during the day - there is a plan to tackle this that needs further assessment and treatment. As well, I had a mitral valve prolapse before all of this happened and it is felt that this has been made worse by the infection, but that too will be assessed. Exhaustion has been a major issue and walking up a flight of stairs is a challenge most times, but having had a fever for 6 weeks and being on such large doses of antibiotics may explain a great deal of that. So, onward and upward now. It's good to be online after such a long absence - my ISP had to come into my home to do some repairs and this took time and planning as I was either not home or too ill to entertain their arrival! But, obviously that has been resolved now and for that, I am glad. Thank you for your support and kindness. Your letters, cards, phonecalls and love have been so welcome and appreciated - what a wonderful family this is!! Now I will start to go back and catch up on what I've missed, and see what's happening in your lives! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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