Terry had the MRI last night (at around 10:30 p.m.) and has been to his doctors appointment this morning.  The doctor reported that there are no new abscess pockets which is great news.  His infection count is down almost one-half since surgery but he still has a ways to go.  The doctor encouraged Terry to be patient as this is going to be a long and slow process.  The beads and material securing the bone that are in the leg now can come out anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on how Terry heals.  They did take the staples and sutures out today.  His spirits are good today but the swelling in the leg is significant because he walked on it too much yesterday.

We know it is hard to keep Terry down! He is trying so hard to get his strength back and being up and about is probably the best way but by late in the day his leg hurts and is swelling so bad.  I guess as it heals the swelling will stop.   With the plans for the Toy Run on Saturday, you know Lee is running full speed and Terry is doing more than he should so if you get a minute and want to help them, just call Lee.  It is good for them to have this to be working on but it sure will keep them busy this week.   Hope he won't over do it.

Got information on a new antibiotic today that is supposed to be better than Vancomycin  for treating staph- Anyone know much about Linezolid (zyvox)?

As we knew it would be, it was hard to keep Terry still at the TR Police Dept. Toy Run because he is so used to being right there handling things however I must say he did spend a good bit of time in his reclining chair.  Sunday he was able to spend alot of time resting and staying off of it and the swelling has gone back down a good bit. He is planning to relax again today just to get back to where he needs to be.
Physical therapy is coming to him this afternoon and he goes to the doctor in a few days.  More details as they come available...

New information!  Terry and Lee just got home from the doctor's office where they got an X-Ray on Terry's leg. The bone is broken in his leg again and that is what is causing the severe pain. He is now in a brace from his ankle to his thigh and that keeps the muscle from having to try to move his leg. His physical therapy has been cancelled for now and he is going to work hard on fighting the infection, dealing with the break later.  By that I mean it may have to be reset later but fighting the infection and getting it under control is the first priority. He will see the infectious disease doctor in the morning but the doctor today felt like the infection level could have been up some just due to the activities he does in the healing process.  Like a little more use of the leg and even the machine he used last week that was supposed to strengthen his leg. As you build strength you add more activity but the activity could stir up the infection. He sounded so much better tonight just knowing what was going on.  I will post more tomorrow after his appointment in the morning.

My heart is breaking here.  I've read most of the posts and am amazed by the strength Terry has shown.  Please pass mt regards to him and his loved ones and let them know that Atlanta is thinking kind thoughts for them.

October 29, 2007
Tomorrow morning Terry goes to the doctor to have his picc line flushed out. It had been taking way too long to get his meds in but seems to be clogged entirely now. Then he will be changing to a different antibiotic - Daptomycin. Over time your body can become immune to the antibiotics and he has been on the Vancomycin for quite a while. He will continue the risanpin also.   He is in more pain now with the new break in his leg so he is very limited in his mobility. Where he was beginning to get out some, he is home mostly now. More info. tomorrow after he goes to the doctor.