Life Issues

Life's been good. Taking it one day at a time. The only downside is my spinal stimulator implant, The top portion broke through the skin causing an infection. I was hospitalized for three days being pumped full of antibiotics. Blood draws every four hours. It was not a pleasant experience.

Obviously, the device had to be removed. It's been suggested that it was incorrectly implanted. I am filing a complaint with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. I'm also in touch with an attorney. One thing is clear, this should've never happened. And quite frankly, I'm pissed!

As for having another device implanted, my surgeon stated that due to scar tissue, it would be next to impossible. Therefore, I'm back to square one. Since the device was removed, I've been experiencing a high level of pain. My pain management physician and I have a plan in place to address my pain. I know that it won't be long before I will have to give in to undergoing surgery.

 

 

Penn Medicine

(Above)

I was hospitalized in the new addition for two weeks.

The care was excellent. As a matter of fact, superior.

Day or night every room has a great view.

As for the accommodations, all rooms are private.

All rooms are designed like a small efficiency apartment.

Philadelphia Skyline

This is the view I had from my room.

The view at night ... beautiful!

Above - With Staples 

Below - Without Staples

Both surgeries went "smoothly".

First surgery, both AAAs were repaired.

Second surgery, a leak had sprung that required repairing

thus the surgeon had to go back in through

the original incision to fix the issue.

I was on the operating table for a total of 8 hours.

I was home from Penn Medicine for about five days.

On the fifth day, I ended up in the ER at Cape Regional Medical Center

unable to breathe. It was found that I had pneumonia. Again, I was hospitalized for two weeks.

Recovery has been rocky.

I lost 20lbs. because I've had no appetite. I've been extremely exhausted.

And it was difficult for me to walk.

However, I'm on the mend, feeling stronger,

thanks to PT (physical therapy) I'm able to walk with a cane, and I'm slowly

adding activities to my daily schedule.

It's going to take a while to where I'll fully feel like myself again.

Till such a time I'll have to take it easy.

This medical journey has been one hell of a trip that I don't ever want to repeat.