I’m sorry not to send an update for so long.  There’s not much improvement to report, but the focus has shifted.  

I finally got to meet Dr. Brady’s replacement in mid January.  He was pleasant enough, and spent a fair amount of time explaining the CT report of my knee area.  He told me the rod was centered in my femur at the top, but my femur is “bent”, so when the rod gets to its lowest point, it is all the way to the outer edge of the bone.  He claimed it is causing stress; that I could live with it like it is, but he felt I would be more comfortable if the surgery was redone with a shorter rod.  The shorter rod would end further up, where the bend was less pronounced, so it would be more centered, thus relieving the pressure.  Since the June surgery was the second attempt at my femur, I have no idea why a shorter rod was not used then, in basic principle.  

Here is the statement of fact that I keep coming back to:

THE ROD AND NAILS WERE IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION BEFORE AND AFTER THE JUNE SURGERY REDUX.   NONE OF THE CURRENT PROBLEMS WERE BOTHERING ME THEN.  THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAD WAS THE ONE LITTLE PART NEAR THE TOP OF THE FEMUR, WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE PORTION THAT HAD NOT KNITTED TOGETHER.  

Later, I would have that occasional weird pinching around my knee, which was determined to be the broken nail.  

During the meeting, I mentioned extreme tenderness in my calf, which Dr. Bergmann said could be vascular, but did not suggest referring me to have it assessed.  

I told him surgery was not a decision I could make on the spot, but needed to mull it over.  He scheduled another appointment in four weeks.  

After four weeks past, the surgery pain had finally let up, but I was having more problems on the vascular side.  Dr. Bergmann was in surgery, so I met with PA Becky.  Becky was with Dr. Brady during surgery the day of the accident, and I’d met with her often, so she was familiar with my whole event.  When she asked if I made a decision about surgery,  this was my story; she agreed:

“When I was brought into the hospital, the day of the accident, a doctor came to the emergency waiting room half way through surgery to update Chris and all attending well wishers. He said they just weren’t sure I was going to make it; it was very serious and there was internal bleeding.  

When surgery was over, Dr. Brady met with my “supporters” and told them the only reason I might make it, was because I came in so very healthy.

Today, I am not nearly as healthy as I was then.  My thyroid levels have dropped noticeably, my Vitamin D levels have dropped nearly in half, indicating mal-absorption.  All tests are showing muscle atrophy.  I am working very hard to reverse all this.  Since I can’t really walk,  I purchased a bicycle trainer so I can use my bicycle in the house to get some low impact exercise and cardio stimulation.  

If I allow you to do this surgery again, and it should keep me down for another 6 months, or so, I just don’t know I could ever have the strength to work myself back to good health.  So, I cannot even consider surgery at this time.” 

Becky totally agreed, then promptly discharged me, telling me to let them know if problems arose.  No referrals, no whole body evaluation - only focus on one bone and multiple chances to cut me open.  Really frustrates me beyond measure!

Remember when we were all so sad I was losing my leg?  Life would be so simple if I only had to learn to walk on my magnificent prosthetic!

My primary care provider, Dr. Pierre, made referrals to a vein clinic.  Dr. Vogel said one major vein in my thigh was not operating properly; sealing it should help reduce all the constant swelling and pressure.  But my other complaint, he felt was not emanating from veins, but from my back due to compressed discs.  Whoa!! That sent my head spinning, as I have always been so thankful to God that my core was basically, blessedly, undamaged.  

After an MRI two weeks ago, I met with Dr. Gordon, the Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, at the same clinic.  Rather than compressed discs, he says its lower back arthritis, which almost everyone has, especially at my age.  When asked why it never bothered me before, the now too familiar reason was given - muscle atrophy!  His plan is to inject me to block the pain so I can comfortably do the necessary exercises to learn to walk and use all muscles properly.  First, however, he wanted to get my previous records to make a well informed decision.  

The vein procedure was done last Friday and a recheck today.  Both times they said Dr. Gordon was still going through my records; that they had no idea the volume they would be receiving.  Blah!  I could have told them that!

I met with Ryan the day after Dr. Gordon shared his thoughts.  Without waiting for a full report, Ryan has redesigned my PT routine to focus on back strengthening.  

So, that’s my whack-a-mole story.  Maybe, in fact, it’s more of a jig-saw puzzle, with so many pieces yet to be put together.  

Chris is leading a tour to Germany in early June, and it seems it will finally, actually happen.  I’ll be totally on my own, so it’s crunch time.  Two months to either kill the mole or get the puzzle pieces together properly.  

Chris’ crocus are in full bloom.  Daffodil leaves are popping up everywhere.  The grass is turning green and I bet he still gets to use the new mower first!  Rats!!!