Darlene's surgery

[Mimi]

Hi, just received an email from Darlene's friend Michelle containing the latest news. Here it is:

"Hello to Darlene's friends on the Board:

It has been quite a day for Darlene today! She had surgery this morning and the surgery went well. She was a little more nervous than I've seen her in the past, but she was quite alert and relieved when it was over. The surgery involved opening her knee, flushing out the infection including removal of a small part of the artificial knee and replacing it with a new part, etc. The surgeon hopes this will take care of the problem. He told me that he thought there was an 85%- 90% chance that it would. Then a bit later the infection specialist came in and told Darlene that she needed to be on an intravenous antibiotic for 6 weeks before they could even begin to know if the problem is resolved. He told her that he thought there was a 60% chance that this would take care of it.

Part of the problem is the fact that when she went to the ER because of her swollen knee, someone determined that she had bronchitis and prescribed an antibiotic which she took for 2-3 days before they drew the fluid from her knee to send to the lab. That short course of medecine has interfered with their ability to identify the infection, so they don't really know how they should be treating it. Down the road if the infection recurs, they may have to dismantle the artificial knee and do some temporary measures while they fight the infection before replacing the artificial knee. Please please please keep her in your prayers... she might need a minor miracle!

My facts may be a little sketchy since we pieced together the puzzle from a variety of sources; but to the best of my knowledge this is what she's facing. I believe she will be in the hospital until at least Wednesday, Nov. 19th; and she will have limited activities while they're trying to fight the infection, such as church and doctor's appts. Things could be better, but at least her spirits are good right now.

I'll do my best to keep you posted if there are any changes before Darlene gets home and can correspond with you herself! God bless you all!

Sincerely,

Michelle"

[Mary6906]

Thanks for keeping us posted on Darlene's progress, Mimi.

[Dee]

Thanks for passing that along Mimi. Much appreciated!

[hoops]

thank you Mimi and Michelle. rudie vibes work miracles. prayers and positive thoughts too. and much much love
peace
hoops

[JoanM]

thank you Mimi and Michelle. rudie vibes work miracles. prayers and positive thoughts too. and much much love
peace
hoops

couldn't say it better...ditto

[Bat]

It's amazing how wonderful modern medicine can be...and how stupid! It helps if one hand knows what the other is doing, usually. Best of luck to Darlene for a great recovery, and thanks for passing the word, Mimi!

[leslie]

Thanks so much for keeping us posted!

Leslie

[aabram]

I got that email too. Mimi, thanks for putting it up before I could. Sending love and prayers

Hugs, Annabel

[dragonlady]

Getting an infection in my artificial knees is something I'm really terrified of so I really hope this treatment works for Darlene...my prayers are on the way....-di

[DaveM]

Much appreciate the update and the mostly good news. Continuing to send The Vibes regardless.

[coffeegyrl]

I had a similar experience with an infection--random antibiotics before a major abscess was diagnosed, surgery, and IV antibiotics. It took time but it finally was cleared. (I ask many questions before agreeing to antibiotics now!)

Major Rudie Vibes coming from these parts for Darlene. :)

[sky]

Ir sounds encouraging that she is on the antibiotics, and they didn't see fit to have to take out the entire artificial knee and get rid of the infection before putting in another artifical knee (I have seen that done before on rare occasions). I hope the infection isn't MRSA. Good luck and rudie vibes to her.
Sky