During the first week of November I started having bad headaches
behind my eyes and Motrin did nothing to control them. My wife and I
decided to see my neurologist to get his thoughts on what might be causing the
headaches. We also wanted him to check out the area of my incision that
had been the source of several infections because it seemed to be
changing. After the neurologist scheduled an MRI we decided to go visit
the Infectious Disease doctor and have him take a look at the incision site to
see if he had any concerns. The Infectious Disease doctor had us get my
blood work checked prior to our appointment. We visited all of my doctors
and had my MRI in the same week. All of the information was shared with
my Neurosurgeon and her team. She received the results late Friday and
was concerned enough by my blood work that she had the Neuro Nurses call us
first thing Monday.
My wife answered the call from the Neuro Nurse on Monday
morning. After the call she came in to see me with a very concerned look
on her face. She went over her conversation with the Neuro Nurse, which
involved two options. Option one included re-starting my prescription to
heavy antibiotics and most likely staying on them for the rest of my life.
Option two involved the removal of the section of my skull that had been
surgically removed immediately after my injury on March 7, 2011.
Even though I hated the idea of having surgery again to remove the
skull flap, the decision took me about one second. Given the fact that I
continued to have infections it seemed that my bone, which had been replaced
after my accident, was the source of the multiple infections that I was
experiencing.
The week was a whirlwind of doctor visits. We visited the Neurosurgeon on Wednesday, did pre-op labs on
Thursday and I had surgery on Friday morning. I am not sure we processed exactly what happened because it
was so unexpected and seemed to happen so quickly. It didn’t seem to make sense as I wasn’t feeling “sick” and
2 ½ months before I rode my bike from Boston to Philadelphia with no problems.
I was in the hospital for one week. The stay was longer than
usual but the doctors had to ensure that they had the bacteria identified so
they could treat it with the correct IV antibiotic when I went home.
Prior to my surgery the infections had appeared to be limited to the area near
my scalp, however, during the surgery an additional infection was found inside
my skull. Considering the location of the second infection, the decision to
have this surgery might have saved my life.
I am on IV antibiotics for six weeks. Then the doctors will
monitor to make sure the infection is gone. The original bone flap will
be replaced with an acrylic prosthetic in 3 - 6 months if all goes well.
I have to say this has been one of the most difficult times sense my
accident. I truly felt that I had
overcome the infections and was moving forward with my life. I can only speak for myself but I have
to say that the greatest challenge of my TBI recovery is that it seems to be one
step forward and ten steps back. So for now my bikes are officially on “Moth
Balls” until the infection is gone and my skull is rebuilt.
If you are reading this blog, and have been through similar
challenges I would appreciate your posts on how you addressed the challenge.
Sharing your personal experience would be very helpful for me and others who
are dealing with TBI issues.
Happy Holidays to all!
Wow Bob. This is Jane, a friend of Lesli's in DC. I have not been through a similar challenge, but I want to let you know how your blog helps even those of us who are not facing what you are. Every account we hear of tenacity & bravery in the face of setback helps us deal with our own challenges, even small ones. My new granddaughter was born with severe to profound hearing loss in her right ear. We will not know until late February when she gets an MRI [she has to wait until she is 6 months old] whether she has a syndrome that would most like mean hearing loss in her left ear as well & severe balance challenges. It is scary waiting. But when I see pictures of you & Lesli & your beautiful children enjoying life I think "it is what it is" and we will get through it and all be happy. So thank you & please keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Mike Gowen shared the link to your blog with me. So glad he did. I had no idea of the recent challenges but as always, am lifting you up in prayer. You truly do have an "S" on your chest!!! Just know that there are many of us sending well wishes and love your way!
ReplyDeleteHi Quinea, Thank you for the thoughts. This means so much! My prosthetic surgery will take place within the next three weeks. Good news...I completed my last college class and my Bachelors Degree Diploma is on the way. We should talk soon and I hope everything is going well.
DeleteHi Robert my son suffered a tbi this past nov.2013..they had put in a pressure drain to relieve swelling..did not work which required removal of right bone flap. .after swelling went down about 2mnths..hosp.stay..removal of drain
ReplyDelete.we went back to put skull piece they had preserved back in..3wks later staph mrsa set in..they had to remove flap & dispose of it..he is on vancomycin through a picc line for 6wks..same as u identical..waiting for infection to b 100% gone..then 3d ct for artificial skull..ty for sharing ur story nice to know he's not alone. .he was also getting his life back, going back to work, school..driving..then wham..ughh..stinks..ik what ur going through..& God bless u for ur courage & bravery..if u ever want to chat plz don't hesitate to mess.us..ty Francie Boothe
Hi Francie, thank you for sharing what you and your son are going through. I would be happy to talk anytime. Our stories are very similar and I hope all goes well with his prosthetic surgery.
ReplyDelete