Update on Roberta

Things with Roberta have stabilized. There are two weeks of IV anti-biotics left to take and then we will be able to get some fresh information for decision making. We will need to determine if and when the hip surgery should take place.

Roberta Update

I have spent the week in Florida with my mom assiting with the doctor visits and the battery of tests she is under from her hip surgery. For those of you keeping score at home, the original hip has been removed and she has a 'temporary' replacement in there. This one is packed with anti biotics and helping her fight the MRSA infection she is battling. Recently she is dealing with pain in the leg which may be associated with either phlebitis or cellulitis. Regardless we had an MRI today to rule out a clot and this has been the third such test we have done in that area. She is currently walking with a walker and has the option to use a wheelchair but does not. Her walking is improving and she notices she no longer has the pain the drove us down this path in the first place. The pain she has now is assocaited with the surgey and the various layers of tissue and muscle that had to be cut to insert the prosthesis. The prognosis is good. She has weeks of IV anti biotics still to take. We met with the surgeon yesterday who was up beat and optimistic about the weeks to come. Finally, the tempoarary hip that she has is one that can be used for 10-15 years so she may opt to just leave this one in and move on. With David and I based hundreds of miles away, she has been relying on a wonderful network of friends to help her get to and from her various medical appointments. These wonderful people help her everyday and for that we are very grateful.

Roberta Update

A little more of an update on Roberta for today. She came home this afternoon. The infectious disease doctor would not let her go to rehab in order to do the six weeks of antibiotics that she has in front of her. So instead, she is going to an infusion center every day for six weeks. She has a pic-line in her arm to allow for easy access. It took them three tries at installing it, so it better be worth it. David has the honor of doing the maiden voyage tomorrow with her. David is planning on leaving on Sunday. He has lined up several friends to fill in as transport to/from the infusion center and to look in on her. Beverly comes a week from Monday, so we know she will be in good hands. After Beverly leaves, I will be going down with the girls (Hannah and Abby). Once the six weeks is up (Sept 15th), it will probably be two more weeks of being infection free before they will want to put the hip back in (around Oct 1st). Then its several weeks of rehab from there. That's the plan right now. If you want to reach Roberta via email, LEC63@aol.com.

Roberta Update

Roberta has been discharged from the hospital today. David took her home and is helping her get things sorted out at home.

Roberta Update

Roberta's follow on surgery to have the prosthetic hip removed was
Tuesday afternoon. David was able to get to Florida in time to see her
shortly after she returned to her room. On Wednesday, she had a pic
line installed and had a series of adjustments made to it through the
day to ensure the proper placement. While she is in significant pain,
her spirits are up and she has her sense of humor. She is eating normal
food again and is making plans to leave the hospital.

Update on Roberta

There have been some complications on the hip surgery that need to be reported. About a week ago during a standar change of the wound dressing there was some concern about fluid build-up. Roberta underwent surgery to clean the wound and test the fluid. The fluid came back as MRSA positive. Yesterday Roberta underwent a third surgery that removed the titianium hip entirely. Basically, the plan is to keep a spacer in there, treat the infection and re-do this in 6 weeks. Post op she was alert and mostly comfortable for a person that has just been sliced open for a third time.
David dropped everything and is down there now looking after her.

Update 10 am

Roberta is doing well in Rehab and is accepting calls. Call her on her mobile phone.

Update 4 pm

I am pleased to report that Roberta's condition has improved significantly.
Today she was able to walk with the help of PT. Her blood work has come back with favourable results.
All of this has contributed to the fact that she will leave the hospital tonight by 6 pm en route to a Rehab facility.
Thank you all for your calls, e-mails and support.

Update at 2:00 pm

This has been a day of good progress. Physical Therapy was here earlier todaqy and Roberta walked with the walker back and forth and performed numerous exercises. Some of the doctors that have visited are keen to see her moved to a Rehab facility soon.
She is now more comfortable in a reclining chair than in the bed and she is resting there now.
She is eating a more normal diet as well.
Thank you for all of the calls and good wishes. She is not up to speaking on the phone right now.

Update 11:30 pm

There were a number of tests that were conducted today. Firstly an ultrasound was done of the left leg. This was done due to pain in the left calf. The ultrasound ruled out a clot.
Secondly, there was a upper endoscopy. This was due to frequent vomiting. This test ruled out an ulcer or any other GI issue.
Roberta is still mildly uncomfortable primarily because she wants to get up and walk around and today she was unable to.
She had a few pears for dinner and other liquids. They appear to be staying down.
Hopefully wednesday will start the PT regiment. We hope to see her using the walker.

Update 12:30 pm

Roberta is experiencing some complications. She is going for tests today to rule out pain in her lower leg and other items.

Roberta update at 12:55

Roberta has been moved to the floor and is resting. Main complaints are itch, pain and thirst.

Update 8:55 am

Roberta's surgery is almost done and the surgeon said she did a wonderful job. She will go to recovery shortly.

Update 7:35 am

Roberta has been taken to the OR.

Update 7:00 am Monday

Roberta arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am and was taken back for pre-op procedures at 6:15 am. The surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am today. Updates will be posted here through the day.