I've been reading Lactnet every day but it's been quite a while since I
posted. I enjoyed seeing everyone at ILCA.
I feel like I am always sending news that isn't good and unfortunately, this
time is no different. I just wanted to let everyone know what's happening.
I am seeing a new physician who listens to my concerns, unlike the last one.
In August I began running fevers up to as high as 104.0. This went on for 2
weeks. The doctor decided to order an aspiration and culture of fluid from my
hip.  He insisted that the cultures be allowed to incubate for at least 10
days. Cultures taken in January were incubated for 3 days and showed no
bacteria.
Well, by 10 days the cultures were growing 2 different types of bacteria
which are susceptible to all antibiotics but ampicillin, which is the only
good news. An infection does explain the persistent lack of healing.
I am scheduled for surgery on October 12th.
During the surgery a pathologist will look at a piece of the bone. If there
are more than 5 WBC's per "high powered field" he will take everything out.
That means all of the hardware.
If it is infected, I will have to be on IV antibiotics for several months.
If there is anything left of my pelvis [emphasis on the IF] in 6 to 12 months
they will try do the transplant and put a new artificial hip in then.  Even
then there are no guarantees that the pain will be gone, that I will be able
to walk, or that it will be stable enough not to dislocate.
There is a slight possibility that it isn't infected and the culture results
occurred from contamination. If the frozen sections are clear they will
proceed with the bone transplant.
I won't know what's been done until I wake up.
I want to thank you all again for your support through all this. It's been 2
years of H*** for me and my family.
Marie Davis

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