Cellulitis absence...but I'm back

[Grammy80]

I've missed being on the forum with regularity, but.....

In early June, while using my rollater in a drug store, one of the legs gave out, and to avoid the floor, I grabbed a shelf and hung on tight. When a few people held me upright, somehow, I had a nasty gash in my leg, a deep gouge, and a good-sized skin flap. In short, after two courses of antibiotics and visits to the doctor, Urgent Care and Immediate Care (all stop-gaps in the states), I went to the ER or A&E. It was still looking and feeling angry. They diagnosed cellulitis and gave me two intravenous antibiotics and a new prescription, doxycycline. They also told me to go to the wound clinic, as a friend had advised, and they also set an appointment with an infectious disease doctor, Dr. Weaver, what every doctor should be!! I saw her the following day, and she dressed it with silver alginate; this was a Wednesday. She gave me a second dressing and medicine pad and told me to photograph it Saturday when I changed the dressing. It looked better but still not happy.

Last year I had cellulitis with no open wound to the eye, and my right leg blew up in hours, and I spent five days in the hospital plus went for IV infusions of antibiotics for two weeks....so she wanted to get ahead of this.

I've been going to the wound clinic twice a week, and they wash, medicate, mess around a bit, and double wrap my right leg from toes to knee. It is a compression wrap...like a 24/7 support hose without the elastic, quite comfortable, all things considered. It is looking much better, and so am I ~!!! I was so tired. Why I've even done some cooking the last few days, it feels better moving around than being at the desk with my legs hanging down.

Immediately when I saw the redness, I knew I probably should stop my Actemra, TCZ. The rheumatologist verified that, so I had not taken it for over three weeks. I'm supposed to drop another mg. of pred on July 13, and I believe I will ask him if I should hold off. I don't want to invite any bumps at this stage; 8 mg. is my lowest in three years.

The most challenging part was I'd booked two suites, had an airline ticket to fly from Indiana to Maine on July 5....to see my grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law from Canada for five days and then visit old friends in Maine for six. It was July 2 when the physician at Immediate Care told me to cancel the trip or wind up in a strange hospital with doctors who did not know me. The next day I cancelled it all. I haven't seen my grands since August of '21....that hurt more than anything.

Just a bit of an update...a hello and a reminder of how easily and quickly an infection can set in. Even just reading your writings in these past days is a lift.💕💕💕xo

(I'll spare you a gross photo👩🏻‍💻)

[Grammy80]

So sorry....didn't realize it was sooooo long🥴

[Constance13]

Oh Grammy, you really are going through it aren’t you.Can‘t help I‘m afraid, just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Constance

[Grammy80 in reply to Constance13]

Thank you, Constance!💕

[herdysheep]

Oh crumbs. What a tale and how sad to miss the family/trip. You do well to sound fairly upbeat. Do hope it all resolves sooner rather than later and that the family can be rearranged!

[Grammy80 in reply to herdysheep]

Thanks...🌼🌼

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oh dear, you have been in the wars again…hope you soon feel better.🌸

[Grammy80 in reply to DorsetLady]

Do you think I may have a little Viking blood in me? Hope so!💕

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Grammy80]

Sure you have - but probably best to keep it inside your body and not let it spill out quite so much 🤦🏻‍♀️….

[Grammy80 in reply to DorsetLady]

Good one!!! I'm laughing out loud🤣😅💖

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Grammy80]

Thought you’d appreciate that! 😉

[Marijo1951]

I'm sending you a lot of fellow feeling. 3 years ago I tripped and fell at a friend's house and gashed my left calf open. It took ages to heal and I developed celulitis along the way. It was definitely not a fun experience and I wasn't forced to cancel a long-awaited visit to family! I hope you mend very quickly and you're able to rearrange your visit soon.

[Grammy80 in reply to Marijo1951]

Thanks, definitely headed in the right direction! 💕

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Silly billy!!!!!!!

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

Yeah! Silly Billy, alright 💕...I'll have to put my 'listening ears' on as Judge Judy says~!

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

how so?? If the leg gives out that's unavoidable like mine not responding when I fell down stairs. Sorry you are in a pickle Grammy but sounds like you have coped despite it all. I had cellulitis at 23 from football damage(kicks) and it nearly killed me acording to the docs at the time. Massive penicilin dose and then 3 months magnapen at 3000mg. Had to give up a promising football career or risk losing leg.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cycli]

She knows why I said silly billy - we are close friends

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

thought so but point I made still stands. Every now and then I can feel my leg wanting to give way

[Grammy80 in reply to cycli]

😀For the initial injury...it was the leg of my walker that gave out and unceremoniously suspended me; hanging on to a drugstore shelf for dear life! It is serious, cyclic, my lower right leg has a rod in it and lots of hardware and we know how bacteria loves metal. Last year it took over my leg in hours, luckily this year was slower. I'd been advised early on to go to the wound clinic by Pro and not wait for tablet antibiotics...hence, my listening ears!!💕

[cycli in reply to Grammy80]

Oh my Grammy. Wrong leg gave way, not yours. Sorry for not understanding. So glad the wound is hopefully under control. As usual PMR bang on with good advice.

[Grammy80 in reply to cycli]

😉No problem, I'd rather it was the walker leg and I'm sure you would agree. My football career was NOT promising...so, all is not lost.💕

[cycli in reply to Grammy80]

such fortitude and positivity. good for you.I was sad to have to stop at 23yrs. With either foot I could curve a ball from the corner post, once scored direct from a corner, could place a kicked ball anywhere accurately and was lightening fast so essentially unstoppable. Scored every game I played and was going for trials professionally when told that if I played another game the docs. wouldn't take responsibility for the future of my leg. A bit like my cycling now. A whole world of future potential in something I excelled at taken away. Talk about grieving.

[Grammy80 in reply to cycli]

Each day is 'life happening'.....I think everyone coping with the changes that have occurred in their lives makes memories something to be thankful for, not a source of regret. Trying to be positive is a 24/7 exercise...but it helps my physical health. I sometimes slide back but scratch to go forward. OH , I have my days, before GCA I was on the go and traveling at 90 miles per hour. Good thing I crammed it all in!!💕

[cycli in reply to Grammy80]

We never thought we were storing memories, just living each day and having fun pushing ourselves. Looking back one can see how damaging that might have been, but what choice did we have? Just the way we are built. Wouldn't change one moment. Still hoping for a new start and a new future whatever it is. Too much to aim for and enjoy to lose hope.

[Grammy80 in reply to cycli]

That is so true!! We thought we were invincible and life stretched before us as far as our imaginations would carry us. Thankfully, we still have the gift of the present.....and have tomorrow. Life may not be easy, but it is worth it. We still have lots of working equipment and the desire to look ahead. Not always easy, but so!! worth the effort. 💞😉

[cycli in reply to Grammy80]

I haven't changed my ultimate goals yet Grammy. Admittedly this condition has put a very large spanner in the works and halted some projects. The physical weakness and general disability has curtailed progress and until I can get clear of the medications I'm unable to map any constructive path to improvement of significance. Frustrating but unavoidable. Having those hopes and appreciating what one can still do whilst hoping to gat back some of ones previous ability keeps one positive.

[Grammy80 in reply to cycli]

..... and we can develop new interests too. Have a good one! I started painting ,art is so subective~!! 💕

[SheffieldJane]

Brave, brave lady for stoically facing all of these physical challenges and then make the heartbreaking decision to postpone seeing your beloved family. Self care has to trump everything. Big cuddles wise one! 🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌻

[Grammy80 in reply to SheffieldJane]

💕🌼💕

[Telian]

You’ve done everything right for your wound - ouch. Shame about missing the family but something to look forward to! 🌺💕🌺

[Grammy80 in reply to Telian]

Between covid and this...since they live in Canada and I'm buried in the middle of the states...I've missed that transition from 'little kid' to 'young adult'...they are now 14 and 17. Thank heaven for Facetime.💕

[Telian in reply to Grammy80]

We moved to be near our eldest and family so only three minute walk to them. Two of our grandies left the UK for Oz when they were 2 and 4. They’re now 21 and 23. We’ve never got over them leaving and used to visit nearly every year. We won’t get to them anymore but they are planning a visit here next year now covid’s relaxing travel. As you say what would we do without FaceTime……🌺