Removal of the hip,femoral and knee bone to clear infection before reconstruction, leaving leg 'floppy' for that time until leg is infection clear.Anyhoo the mumborg had operation 8, since February, yesterday, which resulted in the Removal of the hip,femoral and knee bone to clear infection before reconstruction, leaving leg 'floppy' for that time until leg is infection clear. The mumborg actually said something about trying to get in the Guinness book of world records for number of operations in shortest period of time, I was not amused. It is hard to imagine what exactly I mean by 'floppy' unless you can see what I mean. I will try an draw it for you:
If you remember the Option A, B or C? post, you will see that it is Option A that they sort of went for. The risk now as always is infection, infection and more infection. Only until it is 100% infection free will they go ahead and try and reconstruct the leg. So yesterdays operation was only the first part of the long continuing process of trying to save this ruddy leg. It is always in the forefront of my mind that the mumborg might lose the leg anyway, but it is better to be prepared for that. The mumborg signed the consent form for amputation yesterday, luckily it didn't come to that this time. If she can cope with losing the leg, then who I am to say anything? Although of course I did say something along the lines of 'Bloody fucking hell mum'.
I am pondering writing and doodling a guide to visiting people in hospital, especially aimed at people who are in hospital for a long time. It will be a mix of sarcasm, a few stabs at wretched family members and some useful stuff. I asked the mumborg to help me with some tips from a patients prospective, sound fun? There is a whole range of topics to be covered, from what gifts to buy to how often one should visit.
Ps: To Gracie, The mumborg adored your card and has shown it to every visitor. They of course think its rather strange that the mumborg is receiving cards from people I know off the 'internet', also they don't get the 'mumborg' thing either. What is important, is that the mumborg loved it and wanted me to pass it on how much so.
I also do pass on well wishes from folks on here, BC and twitter, the mumborg is amused by it all and tells the nurses that my blog is read by millions (lol). I think the fame has gone to her head.
I know people wonder why I write about the mumborg on here and on twitter, especially when things look grave. The simple fact is that all these thoughts are swirling around in my head and they need to go somewhere. I also hope that other people in similar situations, with parents and loved ones in hospital get something from it too?
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Grapes! Everyone needs grapes in hospital. In fact, if you don't get any, your bedside table doo-dah looks pretty lonely.
ReplyDeleteAnd the floppy leg thing... I've got some image from the second harry potter movie, when harry lost the bones in his right arm. Ew.
I hope you're feeling grand :) and that the Mumborg is doing well too.
Still can't get over the idea of an empty leg though. Xx
I feel all uneasy when I find some one has or will go through an amputation.
ReplyDeleteI am glad it may not be going in that direction. Well wishes to the Mum !
I don't get the lack of family members visiting either, what's with that. My brother was in isolation having a bone marrow transplant (he's fine now) and other family went to see him twice in the entire month he was there!!!!! Friends went far more often and in fact when he was in on Christmas day it was two entirely unlikely people who turned up that day and not family at all. I tried to shame the family but the crap about being afraid of hospitals... "it's not about you!" OK, sorry, had to get that out.
ReplyDeleteI am just in total admiration of your Mum and how she is dealing with all of this. I hope that you have someone there for you too though :) Big hugs and big love to you both :)
I too admire your Mum and amazed how she deals with all this. I expect the writing about all this in your blog difuses some of the stress there must be involved in watching your Mum go through this.
ReplyDeleteBIG HUGS to y'all... Hope this works.
ReplyDeleteYou know Claire, I can't say that I "enjoy" reading of the health issues the "Mumborg" has had, especially the past so many months but I do appreciate them for what they are -for her, as well as for yourself. Writing about all this has to be a good way for you to vent a bit about your worries and concerns -for openers -and yes, I do think it may be helpful for others to read, to learn, from what you and your Mom (and the whole family) have gone through too. Here's hoping this surgery has a quick healing -no infections, at all, please -and that the doctors can move on then to the next step which in turn will lead to your Mom being able to take steps again in the future! A long, drawn out process for sure but also one that shows others ways to cope with circumstances that aren't fun to deal with in a very positive manner. Keep doing that -both you and your Mom!
ReplyDeleteReading here all the time, and still hoping, but finding nothing to say. Except that I do "get" why you are blogging about this.
ReplyDeleteNot being an English speaker, maybe I can't express what I feel, but I sympathize with mumborg's situation, I think she's a brave woman, I wish her the best and I hope "the worst is all for the good". Keep blogging, Claire, we are here for you.
ReplyDeleteI think I would wonder more if you didn't blog about it as this is a major happening not only in your life but in the life of someone you love very much. To remain silent on the matter would a) serve no useful purpose and b) leave us wondering how your mum is doing. Therefore, blog away and let the Mumborg enjoy her worldwide celebrity!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that they can clear up all of the infection and move on to the next step which will be successful and doesn't require having to amputate the leg!
You may have heard of the insurance wars going on in the states. Your mother is fortunate to live in a country that believes in civilized health care for its citizens.
ReplyDeleteYour mum is a courageous lady and I hope she continues to improve.
I sure understand the benefits of blogging during a crisis! I started my blog originally to work through depression after my S-I-L died. It morphed into two separate blogs: One for happy stuff and one for the bleak stuff. The "dark" blog hasn't had any action for months so it really does help to purge yourself of all the dark goo.
ReplyDeleteTell your mum that I'm glad she enjoyed the card. I do think about you all a lot, and you're in my prayers....
~~~Blessings~~~
Stay strong Claire. You are sure holding it up and blogging is a great avenue.
ReplyDeleteI know I've not popped in for months but I am still following you. Anyway, hope you don't mind if I were to let you know that you've been tagged. Check it out at http://insidemybubbletoday.blogspot.com/2009/08/today-inside-my-bubble.html
Each comment is read and treasured by me :)
ReplyDeleteI think this has got to be a huge factor in writing about these issues, knowing that your voice is heard in times when it is hard to vocalise how you are feeling to the ones closest to you.
You'll be pleased to know I've just discovered your blog by typing "funny blogs" into google and looking about halfway down the list.
ReplyDeleteI really like you're style, and your way of looking at things. I've had my own experience with a parent who is post some serious surgery. I'd never claim any similarities of experience, but yours made me think of mine, and so I wrote out my own. Damn pleasing really. My best to the mother.
Take a gander for my own experience:
modernsophist.com
I wish the world famous Mumborg well.
ReplyDeleteWhen she recovers she should go on a world tour to meet her many fans.