View Full Version : I just can't win
cszakolczai
10-15-2008, 17:40
I posted on this site for the first time a couple of weeks back after I made my "final recovery's" from my most recent knee surgery. Well as the title may hint at, I just cannot win. On the 13th, after having awesome progress with my PT and recovery, my knee became infected. On the 13th, I luckily made an appointment with a doctor for another side effect I was feeling from the surgery. The doctor noticed my knee and insisted that the knee was infected and that the side effect was due to the knee being infected. I called my doctor who met me at the hospital and prepped me for surgery immediately. I've been in the hospital ever since, and I will be here until at least Friday from what I've been told. My doctor still isn't sure what the infection was caused by, or what it is exactly. My one good piece of news that I've received is that the biopsy of cartilage they took from my knee, is not growing any sort or bacteria. Obviously this was a huge let down, as this recovery seemed to be doing so well, and now I'm back to square one. The first day in the hospital was the worst due to the fact I was so depressed. Today was semi tough as well just because I was told instead of Thursday, I'll be lucky if I am out by Friday. Of course having found the internet sky rocketed my moral and made me a little less depressed, although it would have been nice to be at home.
As I said before, I just can't win, I am dying to get home, and finally get out of this place. At 20 years old, I've now had 6 surgeries and I've been in the hospital twice for complications. I'm really starting to appreciate the simplest things in life, such as being in my own home, and being able to sit in my own bed. Although this time around, I'm going to have at home IV drips, which is not going to be fun. Well anyways, I just wanted to vent a little bit. I'm lucky enough to have cable TV so I can watch the debate tonight, and I have internet access so I can bitch and moan to you guys/gals. Another good bit of news, is I decided not to get a tattoo until way after my recovery, I was going to get a small little 5 to commemorate my 5 knee surgeries, well I'm glad I didn't, seeing as how I'd have to change it to a 6 now.
Oh, I've also learned to really respect morphine and its power... wow is all I can say. What an amazingly powerful little shot.
I've told myself this time, I'm going to win, so far the knee/infection has 1 point.
Regards,
Chris
Sorry to hear about all your troubles, try to keep positive and look ahead to a healthy future.
cszakolczai
10-15-2008, 18:23
thanks, I am trying to, and I am going to beat this stupid knee and infection finally. And when I do, the first thing I am doing is I am going to go play a non contact game of hockey so that I can show myself I can still skate.
Red Flag 1
10-15-2008, 18:31
maybe I will be banned
cszakolczai
10-15-2008, 18:43
thanks redflag, I saw you posted in my other thread and forgot to respond, so I'll thank you for the kind words here. I'm just happy I have the internet and I have the ability to watch semi entertaining TV.
ZonieDiver
10-15-2008, 19:08
thanks redflag, I saw you posted in my other thread and forgot to respond, so I'll thank you for the kind words here. I'm just happy I have the internet and I have the ability to watch semi entertaining TV.
You must get channels I don't! :D
cszakolczai
10-15-2008, 19:22
You must get channels I don't! :D
discovery channel, and thats about it. I love "how its made" other then that the internet has saved me.
a non contact game of hockey
I'm a big hockey fan, I've never heard of such a thing. :D
Sorry to hear about your setback. As far as not being able to "win", you might want to talk to this guy (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17981).
cszakolczai
10-16-2008, 05:54
That is an amazing story and I just keep thinking about stories like that to help me stay motivated. There are many people in much worse off situations then I am in currently. Realizing this, I am thankful to be around and able to do half the things I can do. Nevertheless its still frustrating being in the hospital, and it was almost unbelievable when I was opened up for the 6th time after I thought it was all over. Its just amazing at how frustrating it is being in the situation I am in, and I can only imagine what it must be like for soldiers returning from war with missing appendages, or in this case, the loss of ones sight.
Thanks for the replies everyone,
Chris
Oh and I admit I should change the title of the thread, I just can't figure out how, haha. I didn't mean I couldn't win in the sence that I was giving up, I meant it more along the lines that I can't buy a break. That even after 5 knee surgeries and thinking I was finally done, I magically spring an infection.
cszakolczai
10-16-2008, 12:46
I'm a big hockey fan, I've never heard of such a thing. :D
Its called old man hockey, its not that bad.
cszakolczai
10-16-2008, 18:39
Well just to keep everyone up to date, I was looking at a release date of tomorrow, but I think it will be more along the lines of Saturday, maybe Sunday. They are going to probably insert a pick and require that daily I go to an infusion center or have someone come to my home that can monitor me as I recieve treatment. The pick is something that is going to be inserted in my arm and will travel down into my heart... I'm a little confused but the specialist should be in soon so I can figure out what the hell is going on.
PICC
Peripherally inserted central catheter. It is safer from a medical and logistical point of view to inject the antibiotics into a larger vein rather than a smaller one over the long term. The line will run from the vein in your arm to the large vein right before (or at) your heart (Vena Cava).
Good luck with the rest of your treatment. How long do they expect you to be receiving antibiotics?
Doczilla
10-16-2008, 20:04
A PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is slightly larger than your average IV. It is inserted in the upper arm or crook of the elbow under ultrasound guidance and a little bit of local anesthetic. The tip simply floats in your venous system to the heart (though you don't feel that part). It can stay in for several weeks and be used for lab draws as well as administration of IV meds as in your case. The procedure is fairly quick (15-30 min) and there is no need for any sedation. Think of it as a complicated IV start.
'zilla
cszakolczai
10-16-2008, 20:50
thanks for the replies, yeah I asked my nurse to elaborate on the PICC line and she told me all about it. I'm going to have it in for about 6 weeks and so thats a little frustrating. My only fear is the antibiotics and how often I have to actually receive them. The nurse said it well, and I am probably just overwhelmed at this point.
Thanks for the information and support
Receiving IV AB through a PICC isn't a complicated procedure. In fact, I would be surprised if you aren't allowed to self-administer, even if the AB is a high-powered variety that requires a timed infusion. Just insist and ensure the tech that inserts the PICC does a THOROUGH job of disinfecting the entry site, and you are fastiduous about cleaning the coupling and site before and after using it. After spending quality time in a hospital, its likely you're harboring a number of nasty creatures on your skin that can play hell with your system if they get inside.
cszakolczai
10-16-2008, 21:08
Receiving IV AB through a PICC isn't a complicated procedure. In fact, I would be surprised if you aren't allowed to self-administer, even if the AB is a high-powered variety that requires a timed infusion. Just insist and ensure the tech that inserts the PICC does a THOROUGH job of disinfecting the entry site, and you are fastiduous about cleaning the coupling and site before and after using it. After spending quality time in a hospital, its likely you're harboring a number of nasty creatures on your skin that can play hell with your system if they get inside.
Thanks for the advice thats a really good point, the last thing I want is any more complications.
greenberetTFS
10-17-2008, 06:24
I'm a big hockey fan, I've never heard of such a thing. :D
Gypsy,
I agree.....I've never seen one either ....:rolleyes:
GB TFS :munchin
cszakolczai
10-17-2008, 09:03
Gypsy,
I agree.....I've never seen one either ....:rolleyes:
GB TFS :munchin
well the games are supposed to stay non contact but that usually doesn't last. Its not like college or highschool hockey where you can clean someones clock if they drop their head... god I miss that.
Anyways, I just had my PICC line put in... son of a bitch that was not fun, but as the nurse was inserting the line and all that fun stuff, I thought about all the people who have it worse than me. I just wanna thank you all for explaining the process and even responding to this thread. Its the little things such as responding to a simple online thread that can make someone get through tough times. I wish I could show my appreciation better or in a more respectable way, but I'm afraid an online thank you will have to suffice.
well the games are supposed to stay non contact but that usually doesn't last.
Been off the net looking at the pretty colors in the northeast and shooting all kinds of weaponry the past several days...but wanted to mention I was just teasing with you on the hockey comment. ;)
When down I repeat two mantras. This too shall pass, and the other...what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. Oh and BTW I'm strong like bull. LOL! :D
Take care and listen to your docs/nurses.
cszakolczai
10-20-2008, 20:31
Been off the net looking at the pretty colors in the northeast and shooting all kinds of weaponry the past several days...but wanted to mention I was just teasing with you on the hockey comment. ;)
When down I repeat two mantras. This too shall pass, and the other...what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. Oh and BTW I'm strong like bull. LOL! :D
Take care and listen to your docs/nurses.
haha, I know you were just teasing. Trust me I hate no contact hockey more then anyone, but thanks, I just got out of the hospital on Friday and had the nurse come to my house to show me how to run the at home IV through my PICC line. At about 8 o clock, about 5 hours after the hospital, they told me the PICC line was way to far and I had to rush back to the ER. So we went back to the ER, had the PICC line pulled back 5 cm or so and now I'm finally done.
Hang in there man. It is a crappy waiting game, but the pay off is worth it.
Similar story for you. My buddy has had 6 surgerys on his knee as well. All in a span of about 2 years maybe 3. Looking like he is going to have to go in again too. Knee just won't heal. To top it all off, his other knee is now shot from all the limping, crutches, and braces affecting his walk. Doc won't give him a knee replacement since he is way to young. He is in New Jersey as well. Kinda makes me not want to get knee surgery in Jersey. :D
Just joshing you there. Hang in there and you'll be playing old man hockey in no time. :lifter