Well some disappointing news-- the surgery needs to be postponed. I think maybe right before Thanksgiving. I got an abrasion on my back from the Velcro on the sling. It has to totally heal so I'll be checked on Nov 1
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Well some disappointing news-- the surgery needs to be postponed. I think maybe right before Thanksgiving. I got an abrasion on my back from the Velcro on the sling. It has to totally heal so I'll be checked on Nov 1
Jackie, sounds like you could use some tape for a quick fix on your strap....
There are some really good video's lately, here are 2 anatomy vid's you might find interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3GVKjeY1FM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAdpqjaFU0s
I get a kick out of Dr Sechrest mentioning that the shoulder is an elegant "piece of machinery".
I never thought of it as having my "machinery fused". (smiley face)
Ed
Thanks Ed. I need something for sure. It is a great disappointment. The best I know is a few days before I discovered the abrasion ,I stepped into a depression on the grass. It jerked my whole right side and I felt a pinch on my back. A few days later someone told me the back of my shirt was wet. The abrasion had formed a blister that broke. Since I don't have that kind of feeling from all of the spine surgeries i did not know. Once discovered I had to have it checked out. The neurosurgeon team informed my surgeon for this scapulothorasic fusion and he wanted to see it. So once he did that he cancelled surgery until it heals. It looks like a deeply shined knee.
I go back on Nov. 1 for a recheck to see if we can proceed.
The videos are great. Just think one of the muscles faked for me. It literally rolls up if I contract it. So no wonder the sling and shoulder blade were able to pinch the skin. It is litterly skin over bone.
It's healing but taken its sweet time.
Hi there Jackie, I am only occasionally on the forum but wanted to wish you the best with your surgery.
Susan
Hi Susan, thanks for the well wishes. I am on hold with this surgery due to an abrasion on my back. It is healing very slowly. I am starting wound care next week. If it doesn't heal soon surgery will postponed until January
So surgeries can be postponed for even a small skin scrape? What is the reason for that? Do they fear infection from the scrape travelling to the surgical site?Quote:
Originally Posted by jackieg412
Yes the surgery is postponed because of the open skin. The surgeon said anything that could not be surgically scrubbed was too risky. I begin wound care treatment tomorrow in the hope it will totally heal. Otherwise it is put off to January.
Just an update. I never would have thought what seemed so minor would become such a problem. The wound has to have surgery. The surgeon has to remove all neurotic tissue. And at least it didn't extent to the screws. I am still under wound care. They changed the treatment and used a seaweed patch. What seemed so minor has become a big problem.
The major surgery is postponed until sm e time next year.
And I'm just trying to move forward.
Ohh Jackie...
Have they identified the bacterium? I know of one member here who had to have debridement surgery to remove necrotic tissue...
And yes its good that it didn't extend to the screws. I suppose they want to do this surgery right away. Let us know
Thx for the update
Ed
The wound is beginning to heal. There wasn't any infection just a light positive for the common staff . No antibiotics. It is still being treated 3 times a week. It is beginning to fill in. All of that is good.
I saw the neurosurgeon team yesterday for a year follow up. The cervical fusion is in place but not completely healed. The PA said it is possible to always bother me. The hardware is protruding to the skin and can be really uncomfortable.
Now we are trying to decide if hooking to the scoliosis rods with the cervical fusion is putting too much pressure on my thoracic . And if the hardware contributed to the pressure wound development.
I had an EOS X-Ray taken at Rush yesterday. It was very impressive. Now I just have to wait until they call me. They have a regular scoliosis X-Ray from 3 years ago to compare it with.
With the wound healing maybe we can move forward in the next few months with the shoulder. The muscle failure there can also be a contributing factor in the wound development.
I knew you were going to say that at some point. Staph is resolvable.... You have been outstanding at staying positive after all that you have been through which deserves praise....Quote:
Originally Posted by jackieg412
You are one of the very few that is fused neck to thoracic....be sure to let us know if they do decide to do a hardware seperation at some point.
I have a photo attachment below for those in pain or in a LOT of pain who cant post. Even though some of us might think they can handle a lot of pain, (like me) there are times when our struggles can really get tested....
Ed
Thank you for the laugh. It's all we can do sometimes. Sometimes I think I'm a little to crabby with people I really had a hard time convincing people not to touch my neck hardware. Until I lost it and then showed her how the inside looks she really didn't get it She understands now
Another update. The neurosurgeon's office called, after reviewing the CT and the EOS xray the area by the wound may being caused by some hardware. I have to go back to discuss this further.
He I'm just trying to get the scapula fixed.
Hi Jackie, I am so sorry you’ve been thru hell -can’t imagine going through what you have been through w/o pain Med - Really hope you get better soon NancyQuote:
Originally Posted by jackieg412
After reviewing the EOS X-Ray the neurosurgeon recommends removing part of the thoracic hardware. At the time of surgery he will decide how much. It may be a big factor in the wound.
The wound was cultured again but I don't know the results.
This is to take place on Jan 21 . Then hopefully the wound will heal so I can move forward to fixing my arm.