That shower must have felt pretty darned good after so long! I know it was the best part of recovering from my foot surgery, and I did not have to go through as much as he did. Here's hoping the IV antibiotics do their job and he can be on the mend soon.

Thanks for the update.

Thanks for the update Mists of Spring

Waiting is often hard. Here's wishing thoses IV antibiotics knock that infection away!

And cheers to the three of you-and especially the joy a young one does bring to the holidays.

Thanks for updating us Mists! The waiting must be so frustrating. Thank goodness you have Rachel around to keep you busy, entertain you and take both of your minds off things. She is a real blessing, no doubt!

Sending caring hugs your way.  I can't imagine the mix of emotions you must each be feeling as this health issue proceeds.  Hopefully the antibiotics will fix the infection quickly and let the next decision get made.  It was good to hear the obvious joy you both get from Rachel.

Mistsofspring, i am hoping the antibiotics do their job, and knock that infection out of his system, so he can get back to healing and fighting.

(on a side note, it is not fun having iv antibiotics...so, hoping that this round is done and no more is required...._

take care

Thanks, Pinga.  He's on his second round of IV antibiotics right now and the infected area had been getting smaller every day until today when it expanded again.  He had also been taking oral antibiotics at the same time, but he ran out of pills two days ago.  Tomorrow he's back to the doctor and I suspect that he'll have to either have his dosage increased or have a combination of antibiotics again.

Mists - you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers over the Christmas season.  

From the tone of your posts, I can feel the worry, but also your strength and courage.  You are able to see the joy as well as the sorrow.   May that joy remain in your hearts and sustain you after the glittter of Christmas is past.   

If I could I would offer to drive Jim to his appointments.  If I were a medical person I would offer to pick up the new bags of IV and bring them to your home so he didn't have to make the daily trip.    But all I can do is send positive vibes.

Mists, I am thinking of you all.

Do they check his iv and health when he is in getting the new bags?  That may be why the trip.

I had an iv for over a month with antibiotics.  not fun.  do take care, and may the new year bring encouraging news...and may rachel continue to bring joy & laughter.  thank God for kids to distract us from the pains of life.

Mists

I'm so sorry to hear about all that's been happening.

Infection appears to be very common after surgery. I know it can take a long time to clear up but it will eventually. I had a bad bout of it myself being on IV intravenous antibiotics plus oral pills for over 3 weeks spent  in hosp. I looked like a pin cushion with 5 drainage tubes in my body  and bags  for a time. I also had   an aspiration procedure where they drain the infection watching it via ultrasound.

I spent another month at home with 3 drainage tubes and  bags plus taking antibiotics twice a day, about 20 pills a day total. In my case it was a perforated ulcer operation last May  ( not cancer) but it sure was no picnic.

I had two large wounds that were very slow to heal, one still isn't 100% healed. I just want to let you and Jim  know not to be too fearful since the infection is taking a lot more time to heal that Jim had planned. I don't believe there is a way to speed it up. I was drinking liquid boost everyday for vitamins and eating  Dan Activa - sp- yogourt which is supposed to be beneficial re infection.

God be with you all and may God  send you all  love,grace,courage, patience,good faith, good thoughts  and healing as you go forward to 2012. May God give the doctors and nurses wisdom and compassion also as they care for Jim.

A hug for ((((((((Rachel ))))))) 

Thank you, everyone.  Yes, they are checking the wound and putting in the new IV bag every day when he goes.  Now it's going to be two IV bags every day...one attached to each arm.  Each will be in a fanny pack that he wears.  The one he's on now goes for one hour straight every 8 hours; the new one will go for an hour straight every 6 hours.  They won't have them set to go at the same time, so that's 7 hours of irritating noise that he'll have to put up with every day (and me too, at night).  Obviously that's not the biggest problem in all of this, but it's one more annoyance with which to put up.

Aw Mists...sorry...

I know that antibiotics destroys the good bacteria in our bodies as well as the bad. Perhaps they are giving him a type of vitamin supplement re the 2nd. IV or keeping him well hydrated. Diarrhea can be a bad side effect of antibiotics so they watch out for dehydration.

So sorry to hear of all these problems Mists.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  

No, it's definitely another antibiotic.  I'd have to ask him what the names are, but he's got two different ones hooked up at the same time.  Fortunately I don't think he's had any diarrhea yet, but he does appear to be losing some weight...and he was already pretty thin to start with.

O.K. Mists...lets hope the meds work , that's the main concern and I hope he's trying to eat well, whether he has an appetite or not. Its very important.

Thanks for sharing all the news, MistsOfSpring.  It sounds like a very challenging time for you and your family.  Hope things improve quickly with the infections.  Lots of caring thoughts are with you all.