Hi all. Well, we went to wound care in San Ramon today. We told the wound specialist our concerns with the way the wound vac has not been draining the 2nd wound. He agreed when he saw that it was leaking through the dressing. So since that is "the problem child" the vac is now only on that 2nd wound. That means it gets the drainage attention it needs. Very happy he was willing to make that change. The tailbone wound is now covered with a flat dressing, an alginate dressing with antimicrobial silver in it. Then a type of foam over that. It's to prevent bacteria and infection in that area since the wound vac is no longer on it. The 2nd wound has exposed bone (you can't see it but you can feel it as it's way deep in the side of the wound). So the surgeon who was there today, Hamstra, thinks we'll probably have to have a skin flap done.

That is what was discussed before, on the tailbone, when that had exposed bone. It's something we have to look into further. It would be a different surgeon operating, a plastic surgeon. We'll see Wotowic, the plastic surgeon he went to when he had problems with MacNemar (the bastard plastic surgeon from John Muir). We'll see what he says the options are. The problem with the flaps is that if you do one you can't do that specific type of flap in that area again. If he continues to have problems with pressure sores any time in the future that could be a big problem. So it can't be a hurried decision. But that bone can't stay exposed either.

Then we'll also look into physical therapy next week. Specifically, for the stiffness in his legs which occured for the first time around the same time the first pressure sore started a year ago. A woman I know, recommended Alta Bates Herrick location on Dwight in Berkeley. She got her PT certification there. I looked at their website and they seem like a good fit on paper. They work with the Center for Independent Living (first Disabled Organization started in Berk) and work with PT for paraplegics a lot. They also specialize in neurology rehabilitation including neuropsychology. They even have a wound specialist. So hopefully they will be another important piece of this massive jigsaw puzzle. Since we feel strongly the two problems, the leg stiffness and the pressure sores, are related. He never had either before last summer.

This week, I found out my cousin's 6 yr old daughter (I guess my niece) has E-Coli. She's been in the hosp almost 2 wks and will probably have to another couple. She's had daily blood transfusions. How scary! I hope my uncle will e-mail me updates.



Look at the great toasting flutes I got on eBay! Only $25-woo hoo! Sorry, I'm happy. They're the Anastasia style from Things Remembered, normally $50. They should go well with our vintage aspect. Can't wait til they come, hopefully well packaged. Fingers crossed...
Here is one of the monograms someone made for us. Jewells13, (Racquel) from the knot. She's still playing around with different fonts but we like this one. Probably a more simple "P" and my name in caps like his.

Ok, bed time. Everyone have a great wknd!