Winslow drove me to her appt. with Dr Villanueva and didn't run through a single light or stop sign. She is back to her old self and almost ready to tackle the world again. He reviewed her recent MRIs of lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. Everything in lumbar area (where abscess drained) looks fine and no longer an area of worry. There is still evidence of bone abnormality in the thoracic area but since she has no pain at all in this area he feels no treatment is needed, and it will take care of itself with time. A repeat MRI of this area will be repeated in 4 months. To help with back stability he ordered stretching exercises at PT at same time she does her knee therapy.
Winslow still takes a pain pill in AM and at bedtime. It would be ideal to replace those with a strong anti-inflammatory med but she has the history of the ulcer being found during her initial hospitalization. She is due to see Dr Greenwell for upper and lower endoscopy to make sure there is no evidence of any potential GI bleeding areas. This will set up as soon as possible. If all is well she can make the medication switch.
It certainly has been a long and painful ordeal for her but the light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to shine!
Winslow is winning,
John
