- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Morganton NC
Well, I got to come home yesterday.
What happened:
A few weeks ago I felt a little tenderness in my elbow on Monday morning. Nothing bothersome, just kinda made me aware of it. Tuesday I woke up, and elbow was a little swollen. By the end of the day, it was a lot swollen, red, and hot. Wednesday I went to the Doctor. Be said some type of Arthritis, and prescribed steroids, and antibiotics. So I took them as prescribed. After a couple days, it seemed to be on the mend,.....NOT!
It progressively got worse. Swelling increased as did the pain. Finally Decided what I was doing wasn't working. so back to the Doctors office. He said it was beyond is Field, and what had been prescribed should have worked, but it didn't, so he said I needed a Orthopedic surgeon. Knowing the quality around here, I chose to go to Mission hospital in Asheville. Went thru the normal realm of stations in the ER and after not much time, was being examined by Dr. Graph, an orthopedic surgeon. He said he had to go in and clean out the infection. As he was leaving the room, he told them to cut off my wedding band, before I lost that finger!
About 10 PM Tuesday(Happy 4th of July!) was was in surgery. He cut me about 4" above my elbow, to about 4" below, so a total of about 8" in all. The next day he told me it was the worst infection he had ever seen in a joint of any kind. I told him it felt like it was about to bust open. Bare in mind, at that time before he cut me, it was the size of a grape fruit. My arm was swollen, looking like Popeye forearm, and hand looked like a rubber glove that had been blown up. When I made the comment about busting open, he said" oh, it did. As soon as he started, a major mess! He said he cleaned out what appeared to be a gallon of milky yellow stuff.
To ad insult to injury, I was diagnosed as Diabetic. Although this may be as he said due to the steroids, and the infection, both of which will elevate blood sugar levels. So for now, I take pills, do the testing, and take insulin according to my level. Watching my diet and foods I eat. Not a big deal, but I tell ya, sugar free drinks suck big time!
To date, no one can Tell me why this happened, or what caused it. When I say no one, I mean any doctor I saw. I saw many of them, everyone is a specialist in a certain Field. My surgeon did however give me a name for it, which sorry to say I don't remember, but it was a very long one!
So I sit, wait, take pills, poke myself, and try to fill my time. Pain is tolerable most of the time. Worst part is I have so many things to do, and can't. Also the fact that I am basically self employed, so no work, means zero income. I am sure we will manage some how, and I hope for a speedy recovery.
ok enough blab, ya'll post up a lot more 4 wheeling stuff to entertain me!
What happened:
A few weeks ago I felt a little tenderness in my elbow on Monday morning. Nothing bothersome, just kinda made me aware of it. Tuesday I woke up, and elbow was a little swollen. By the end of the day, it was a lot swollen, red, and hot. Wednesday I went to the Doctor. Be said some type of Arthritis, and prescribed steroids, and antibiotics. So I took them as prescribed. After a couple days, it seemed to be on the mend,.....NOT!
It progressively got worse. Swelling increased as did the pain. Finally Decided what I was doing wasn't working. so back to the Doctors office. He said it was beyond is Field, and what had been prescribed should have worked, but it didn't, so he said I needed a Orthopedic surgeon. Knowing the quality around here, I chose to go to Mission hospital in Asheville. Went thru the normal realm of stations in the ER and after not much time, was being examined by Dr. Graph, an orthopedic surgeon. He said he had to go in and clean out the infection. As he was leaving the room, he told them to cut off my wedding band, before I lost that finger!
About 10 PM Tuesday(Happy 4th of July!) was was in surgery. He cut me about 4" above my elbow, to about 4" below, so a total of about 8" in all. The next day he told me it was the worst infection he had ever seen in a joint of any kind. I told him it felt like it was about to bust open. Bare in mind, at that time before he cut me, it was the size of a grape fruit. My arm was swollen, looking like Popeye forearm, and hand looked like a rubber glove that had been blown up. When I made the comment about busting open, he said" oh, it did. As soon as he started, a major mess! He said he cleaned out what appeared to be a gallon of milky yellow stuff.
To ad insult to injury, I was diagnosed as Diabetic. Although this may be as he said due to the steroids, and the infection, both of which will elevate blood sugar levels. So for now, I take pills, do the testing, and take insulin according to my level. Watching my diet and foods I eat. Not a big deal, but I tell ya, sugar free drinks suck big time!
To date, no one can Tell me why this happened, or what caused it. When I say no one, I mean any doctor I saw. I saw many of them, everyone is a specialist in a certain Field. My surgeon did however give me a name for it, which sorry to say I don't remember, but it was a very long one!
So I sit, wait, take pills, poke myself, and try to fill my time. Pain is tolerable most of the time. Worst part is I have so many things to do, and can't. Also the fact that I am basically self employed, so no work, means zero income. I am sure we will manage some how, and I hope for a speedy recovery.
ok enough blab, ya'll post up a lot more 4 wheeling stuff to entertain me!
) or head up there.
