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.
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