When surgery (ies) go wrong-- Osteomyelitis...

Yes;  I have not been around.  No, the surgeries did not go well;  yes, I am in worse shape than ever before.

Many of you are aware that my jaw-joints (older stock joints) were removed after 13 years back in July.  The surgeon created (accidentally) fistulaes in my right ear-canal and going into my right joint space.  It/they were never closed-  there was no attempt at closing it as, I believe, the surgeon simply mis-judged my anatomy and was not aware that he had cut through the ear-canal from that angel.  I wondered why I had what looked like a razor-cut on the outside of my ear but can now map-out exactly how the incision and accidental fistula(es) were made.  So, it was open from July until January. 

January;  the lovely new joints were seated (bilateral) and, after a few months, I was able to eat solid food, including a steak!  However, my right ear was still producing a LOT of pus and, about a week after I was able to eat something so nice, in April, the entire right side of my head and face blew-up with infection (staph, strep) and I had to have the bone drained.  Yes, the worst possible outcome happened to me.  The mandible, especially where the new joint was attached, became infected and is necrotic.   A couple of weeks ago, I had to make an emergent trip up to Boston to have the joint removed...  and it will stay gone for at least a year!

I have osteomyelitis.  I have a bone-infection.  And, I have a PICC line from my arm into my aorta to deliver me (some of) the antibiotics to clear this up.  However, as the fistula is still there, I have an opening for many or any different bacterium to enter the joint space and the mandible.  It's awful!  I am now on a pump (in a fanny-pack.. yay me).. and have to go to the infusion clinic three times per week to have the i.v. bag replaced.  This has been the worst year of my life-  it's been a year that I may not live through!  And, as I am losing much more bone (and still have a major bone-infection).. the joint that was so carefully made for me cannot be used again.  It's such a major frustration!

Take this as a warning-  IF you have any sort of joint-replacement surgery, pay attention to ANY openings, sores, fistulaes;  if you doctor (surgeon) is ignoring what's going on with you, go to the emergency room immediately!  I allowed the doctor(s) to blow me off and, now, look at where I am.   It's a major pain in the rear-- and, as I said, it could still kill me!  Aside from that, I have NO joint (anatomy) with which to eat more solid foods  The right side of my jaw is collapsing;  the left side (with the new metal joint) is incredibly painful-- no matter how many drugs I take, the pain is constant and horrendous.   Even swallowing is becoming painful.  And, it all goes back to one doctor making one huge mistake--- and refusing to own up to it.