September 17, 2007

  • NOT A HEADLIGHT

    At the end ot the tunnel,
    But the relief of knowing a few things,
    And our son in good spirits -- now the fun'll,
    Begin,because his release is in sight, happiness brings.
    -----------------------------------------------
    I am putting here what I put in my diary entry tonight,  so that I didn't miss anything.

    EASED A BIT


    Information provided today by Doug’s doctor. When they drained our son’s knee, Psuedo Gout was discovered. Same pain – different crystals (calcium type rather than uric acid). They drained it again today. He was given a shot of something like cortisone which has given him relief and doctor is prescribing oral medication for him to use too.

    Googling around on Psuedo Gout, a lot is explained.

    Due to the fact that he has been on Coumadin (warfarin) for years due to blood clot problems and he was taken off all such things prior to surgery, problems developed and the medics tried to bring his INR to the proper level with heparin – which hasn’t been working. They are talking about letting him use Coumadin again. In the meantime his release from hospital depends on his INR level being within range, his temperature near normal and being able to bear weight on his knees.

    The thought advanced is that the hip surgery and the necessary rotation of the femur possibly caused the Pseudo Gout problem to come into being.

     The doctor without consulting his medical information made the asinine remark on the order of, "You are aware that you need surgery on your knee ?" Sheesh Doug has been bone on bone with both knees, white knuckling it ‘til he could get the hip surgery done.

    This evening when we visited him he was feeling much better, had eaten decently and rested well during the night.

    So for the time being he is in a holding pattern, waiting for INR level to come into the normal range (blood clotting which is helped by Coumadin), temperature to get in the prescibed range so that they will let him come home. Then comes the months of physical therapy . . . . . . . .

    It was wonderful to see him in good spirits and feeling better tonight. Hope that continues ad infinitum and his Dad and Mom’s minds are EASED A BIT . . . . . . . .
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    We had lunch with our granddaughter early this afternoon,  (Rob's oldest daughter) at Jerusalem Cafe a place almost on DU campus,  specializing in Middle Eastern food.

    DSCN9791

    Heather and grandaughter at  right rear.

    Then Heather and I took flowers to Rob's grave at Fort Logan,  today is his birthday.

    DSCN9811

    Thence on the way home I saw some of the denizens of the sky zoo disporting themselves in a wild cavort.

    DSCN9801

    Home to rest a while and then to hospital to see Doug.


     

Comments (12)

  • may healing come. on many levels.

  • Sending love to the whole family...you are what we are all about

  • *hugs

  • glad things are getting better for your son.  he is lucky to have you 2 around to lift his spirits.  lunch with your granddaughter--i bet that was special.

  • So glad he is feeling better. Hope the therapy etc. goes well and he can get the knees done asap.

  • Finally, some good news for you about your son.     Prayser does work.

    Never tasted middle eastern food.    Do you like it?

    That's two polar bears doing tricks, right?

    Ava

  • What a relief , Doug , after the anxiety of yesterday . Things are improving for your son . They found the cause of his painful and swollen knee : uric or calcium crystals . Sure after the draining and with the cortisone he will go better and better . The going back home is in sight . 
    I cannot express how much I enjoy this good news for both Heither and you and for your son and his family of course .

    In friendship
    Michel

  • I forgot to say a word about the other part of your post . It ' s very moving .

  • I haven't been keeping up with Xanga so was surprised and dismayed over this post. I know the feeling when the doctor wrote that stupid note about his knee. I have had the same caregiver for years at the local clinic yet they sent me for a steroid shot and that doctor said he couldn't give it to me for I am allergic to cortisone. If he hadn't noticed that, I would have been in deep trouble.

    I am so glad your son is on his way to healing. If he is anything like his dad, he will come thru with flying colors! I will put him in my prayers today!

    Love

    Bev 

  • as ira said, I hope healing begins-on many levels.
    (hugs)

  • A.  Everyone I know who's had joint surgery comes out much happier after than before.

    B.  We have a Jerusalem Grill too.  Our first experience with Middle Eastern food.  We loved it.  (I think I wrote about it.)

    C.  Does the cemetary bring peace or tears?  Or both?  For me it's both.

  • I apparently have not been here in 10 days, as all of this is news.  What did we ever do before the internet, when we can easily read about pseudogout?  It's so nice to have medical information at your fingertips.  Glad your son is on the mend and I'm sorry you've had a really rough week.

    I would like to know more about Rob, obviously a veteran, was he in Vietnam?  Where is Fort Logan?

    Sorry I missed all of your news!  Take care, and I mean it, take good care.

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