and no more from me for a while, Ill stop stealing the spotlight...
My mom and I left November 20 for Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. I was scheduled for surgery on the 22, the day before Thanksgiving. Surgery lasted about 8 hours and I was sewn up, the doctors being completely satisfied. The surgery consisted of taking my left inner thigh muscle and attaching it to my elbow and stretching to my collarbone (along with arteries, veins, nerves and tendons). I was in ICU for 4 days and 3 days on an orthopedic floor. I was discharged on Wednesday, with my festive holiday cast and big splint to fly home on Thursday.
Friday, I bought a new car!! 2001 Sebring Convertible, silver, very nice! On the way home, my mom noticed my white shirt was covered in blood! After going inside and taking it off, it seemed to be that the incision in my arm had opened up and was draining a nasty, smelly fluid! I called the doctors right away and as I did not have any classic symptom signs of an infection, the doctors were not worried yet. 30 hours later, after my arm had drained about 3 or 4 cups of fluid I called Minnesota again and they suggested I come back.
Monday, December 4th Jeff and I flew back to Minnesota. We took a backpack with one pair of socks, underwear, one clean shirt and a toothbrush. Our return flight was for Tuesday morning. 10 minutes after seeing the doctors, they said to get my cast off and call the OR. While I checked in at St. Mary’s Hospital, Jeff checked in across the street at Staybridge Suites.
Monday evening, I went for surgery to see exactly what was going on. I woke up Monday night to find my arm packed and bandaged and my incision wide open. It was discovered that I had a massive Staph Infection. They did a “clean out” and left it open. I went back to the OR on Tuesday to “clean out” the infection again. Due to swelling and infection, the incision was left open, again. Wednesday they gave me a day off. Thursday was back to OR for another “cleanup” procedure. This was the day they discovered the infection had “eaten” the artery, which fed blood to the transferred muscle. After cutting into the muscle and not seeing it bleed, it had to be removed, it was dead!! Upon learning this news, I had a big WTF for the doctors. Friday night my dad flew out so that Saturday morning, Jeff could fly home, someone has to work. Saturday morning Jeff left, by himself, with my clothes, leaving me shoes and a coat. Saturday and Monday again brought the same “cleanup” procedures except when I woke up Monday I had a wound vac in my arm and an IV line in my foot. This was like a vacuum sucking the infection out of my arm. My good arm was so tired from IV’s; they tried 13 times, hence the IV in my foot. Tuesday, I got a picc line put in my good arm. After successful x-rays, the IV’s were taken out of my foot and hand. Wednesday, I was back to surgery, waking up with about 50 stitches and a drainage tube. Thursday was a day of rest. Friday morning, the doctors removed the tube, changed the dressings and sent my on my way with scrubs to wear as I had no clothes. Friday night, a nurse came to the hotel and showed my dad and me how to administer my IV antibiotics at home, this will continue for 2 weeks! Saturday we flew home.
So I am home and on the mend. It is disappointing to have such a successful surgery and to get an infection that needed 6 additional surgeries and that killed the muscle, which made the initial surgery USELESS. 7 Surgeries, more scars, and still at square 1!!
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. God has a plan for my arm, just not sure what it is yet . I am back to work on Friday!
Courtney
the details...
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- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:27 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: MVA in 2001, nerve graph in 2002, Median Nerve Transfer in 2004 and an unsuccessful Gracillis Muscle Transfer in 2006. I am living life and loving it! Feel free to contact me :)
- Location: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- Contact:
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- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: the details...
Courtney
I think you were very brave to even attempt this surgery.
Why you got the infection we will never know nor will we fully understand why you had to suffer like this.
But you are right God does have a plan for you and it's just not right in front of you yet!
I am a firm believer "If HE brings you to it HE will bring you through it." Also Romans 8:28...
I hope you will soon be physically and emotionally healed from this ordeal.
I hope you are able to enjoy you new car and have some fun and good health in 2007.
Love & prayers
Kath (robpi/adult)
I think you were very brave to even attempt this surgery.
Why you got the infection we will never know nor will we fully understand why you had to suffer like this.
But you are right God does have a plan for you and it's just not right in front of you yet!
I am a firm believer "If HE brings you to it HE will bring you through it." Also Romans 8:28...
I hope you will soon be physically and emotionally healed from this ordeal.
I hope you are able to enjoy you new car and have some fun and good health in 2007.
Love & prayers
Kath (robpi/adult)
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
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- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:27 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: MVA in 2001, nerve graph in 2002, Median Nerve Transfer in 2004 and an unsuccessful Gracillis Muscle Transfer in 2006. I am living life and loving it! Feel free to contact me :)
- Location: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:27 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: MVA in 2001, nerve graph in 2002, Median Nerve Transfer in 2004 and an unsuccessful Gracillis Muscle Transfer in 2006. I am living life and loving it! Feel free to contact me :)
- Location: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: the details...
Courtney
I sure hope Santa is very good to you this year.
You have been a VERY GOOD AND BRAVE GIRL...
It took a great deal of courage and strength to go for this...
Your not taking the Spotlight you are giving very valuable information and sharing with your bpi family.
We all want to know how you are doing.
hugs
Kath (robpi/adult)
I sure hope Santa is very good to you this year.
You have been a VERY GOOD AND BRAVE GIRL...
It took a great deal of courage and strength to go for this...
Your not taking the Spotlight you are giving very valuable information and sharing with your bpi family.
We all want to know how you are doing.
hugs
Kath (robpi/adult)
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
- marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: the details...
Courtney,
You are a strong person to go through this and I know you are on the mend now. Good luck and I am glad that they caught the infection before it could get any worse, trust me I know how bad it can get. I am sorry the surgery did not work out.
Have a nice, safe and happy holiday with your loved ones.
Marieke
You are a strong person to go through this and I know you are on the mend now. Good luck and I am glad that they caught the infection before it could get any worse, trust me I know how bad it can get. I am sorry the surgery did not work out.
Have a nice, safe and happy holiday with your loved ones.
Marieke
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- Posts: 746
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 4:58 pm
Re: the details...
Courtney,
Sooooo very sorry for all you had to go though. I know how stronge you are, as your mom said, you come from good stock.
So excited about your new car, enjoy every min. driving it. wow I can see Courtney cruising along now.
Have a wonderful Christmas and rest up.
Love and hugs,
Karen
Sooooo very sorry for all you had to go though. I know how stronge you are, as your mom said, you come from good stock.
So excited about your new car, enjoy every min. driving it. wow I can see Courtney cruising along now.
Have a wonderful Christmas and rest up.
Love and hugs,
Karen
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- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: the details...
YES,Yes Yes! Courtney,
God definitely has a Special Plan for you. You are a Wise and Brave Girl, my dear.
You are doing a great job of mending in your Recovery.
We all can learn alot from you about the "work" of Recovery.
HUGS all around today,
Carolyn J
LOBPI,68 & Proud of it!
God definitely has a Special Plan for you. You are a Wise and Brave Girl, my dear.
You are doing a great job of mending in your Recovery.
We all can learn alot from you about the "work" of Recovery.
HUGS all around today,
Carolyn J
LOBPI,68 & Proud of it!
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
Re: the details...
Dear Courtney,
I am so terribly sorry this had to happen to you. I hope things turn around for you.
Sincerely
Brandon
I am so terribly sorry this had to happen to you. I hope things turn around for you.
Sincerely
Brandon
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- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:27 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: MVA in 2001, nerve graph in 2002, Median Nerve Transfer in 2004 and an unsuccessful Gracillis Muscle Transfer in 2006. I am living life and loving it! Feel free to contact me :)
- Location: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- Contact:
Re: the details...
OK... got my stitches out yesterday... everything looks good! HOPEFULLY fingers crossed, I get my PICC line out tomorrow then I can SHOWER!! YEAH!!!! I was back to work on Friday and yesterday half days, today and from here out, full time!! Feels great to be back in the swing of things!
Thanks for the support!!!
COurtney
Thanks for the support!!!
COurtney