The ongoing saga with my right leg

And so it continues. 

When I saw my ps on Monday, he told me to call him on Thursday if my right leg changes at all.  He pulled the drains on Monday as they were left in to his maximum time.  The right leg then was a little hard in a couple spots but he wasn't concerned; therefore, just told me to watch it.

So yesterday, I had to call.  It was hard from my groin down to my mid thigh and in another spot closer to my knee.  Not only was it hard, but it was also red and hot to the touch.  As much as I didn't want to go back in, I knew I had to because if there was a chance that it could be cellulitis, I wanted to start treatment right away.

My ps looked at my leg and asked me how I was feeling.  I said I felt tired and worn down but thought it could be due to the fact I'm not sleeping much.  He asked why and I told him I was getting up at 3:30 AM to work.  He took a closer look at my leg, and based on his exam made some markings where he wanted to attempt to aspirate.  In two of the four spots he tried, nothing came out.  He gave me another round of antibiotics and wants to see me again on Monday (when I was already scheduled). 

After taking two doses of the clindamycin my leg looks a wee bit better.  I also don't feel as much discomfort when my leg is elevated as I did yesterday.  It is still sore when I walk.  I'm really hoping that whatever is going on clears up significantly by Monday.  And definitely by next Sunday since that's when I start traveling again.

Lisa,

Did your doc mention anything about putting warm towels on the areas or massaging them?  Hmmm, wonder if that would help.

Take care of yourself.  Sounds like you made a good call in going in to see him.  Hope the antibiotic continues to help.

He didn't mention warm towels or massaging.  It's really to hard to massage.  Since he didn't mention heat, I'm not going to do it unless he clears it.  (I learned the hard way awhile ago, that heat is not always the best thing for an infection).  I could call and ask, but today is a surgery day.  I know he'd call me in between cases, but unless something changes drastically, I'll wait till I see him on Monday.  But I will ask him then.

Last Monday I did ask him about ice and he said ice was okay - it may not do much but if it gives me a little relief than it would be fine.

Thanks!

He is my weekend contact person. 

Lisa, I hope it resolves quickly on it's own - but it's good that you're in contact with your surgeon and keeping a close eye on it.

I really do like the relationship I have with my ps.  When I had the drain issue with my leg, he could have easily sent me to urgent care or to emergency.  Instead, he met me in his office to take care of it himself after hours.  My job has me interacting with a lot of physicians from various types of specialties, and very few go above and beyond for their patients.

I trust & respect him.

I hate to hear about this - you have been super woman with all your surgeries so I'm sure this really is a saga for you!

Hope things get better for you real soon!

btw, enjoy your posts i just never get to respond much b/c i don't have internet at home ;(

Aw Kitten, you're sweet but not to worry.  I'm a tough chick.  This is really only a bump at this point.

If it's not better and  I end up in the hospital, there's wifi there so I can keep on working.    Although my mom has  had cellulitis, I'm younger and in very good health so no reason why this should keep me down for too long.

I'm glad you like the posts - I like put what I do out there, not to scare people or tell people how things are going to be for them - but just what I'm experiencing and how I'm dealing with it.  Recovery and idle time although necessary, can work against us.  I think it's safe to say that the majority of us are now use to very active lifestyles and when we have to take this much downtime for recovery - well that could be an opening for some bad habits to creep back in.  We've all worked to hard to meet up here to allow that to happen.