Newest update about Terry - Previous details listed still under General Information but new posts will go in this November section.  Brief overview - Terry had a spiral fracture back in about May and MRSA, the drug-resistant staph infection (also known as the "superbug") jumped on the broken bone! The staph infection has been real hard to fight and finally (hopefully) seems to be getting a bit better. The infection levels had been extremely high but are now in the low 30's. Blood is taken every Monday so the infection levels can be checked along with other things the doctors are watching. He was a strong, healthy man and we have all seen what it has hard this has been for him. He still daily takes an antibiotic (Daptomycin) thru the Picc line in his arm. Over time your body can become immune to the antibiotics and he has been on the Vancomycin for quite a while so that has been changed to this new one. He is to continue the risanpin also. Last week his leg popped and started extreme pain - Having it X-Rayed showed it was broken again. This break seems to be much more painful but so far nothing new has been done except have him put it in an ankle to thigh brace. His pain level is still very high and he is on some real strong pain meds again. His Orthopaedic doctor has consulted with another doctor and he received a phone call today that he will be seeing a trauma doctor next week.
(I think that appointment is Wednesday or Thursday). It has been mentioned that his leg may need to have some plates put in to hold it is place but they don't know if that will bring the infection back again. We will see what the doctor says next week. Keep him and his family in your prayers. 

Just talked to Terry and Lee and what an amazing attitude they both continue to have.  He goes to a new doctor tomorrow, Dr. Goetz which is an orthopaedic trauma doc.  Terry feels like he will probably put him back in the hospital.  His leg has been broken for over two weeks now and Terry feels it's time to move forward.   Terry plans on coming to the HOG meeting tonight.  He says he's got to get out somewhere and since his leg is already broke he can't break it again.  Please continue to pray for he and Lee.  His friends and family mean a great deal to him and he said today that that is what is keeping him going.
Will update after Terry visits the doc.....

jJst got back in town and talked to Terry a few minutes ago. He will leave about 5:15 in the morning to go to the hospital. As mentioned in the previous update, the bone marrow graph will be done and it is not so much to strengthen the bone but to help fight infection. At this time the doctor hopes to only have one incision (on the back side) and it will be left open in order to us a "wound vac" to keep the infection cleaned out. It may require several other surgeries while he is in the hospital to keep it cleaned out.  It does appear that the new antibiotic (Daptomycin) thru the Picc line in his arm must be working. Last week the infection levels went from about 32 down to 16. He is still on the other antibiotic risanpin also. This is VERY difficult for them all and again as mentioned earlier, the doctor has given it to them strongly that this is trying to save his leg.  We can continue to offer support by prayer, phone calls, cards, personal messages, etc.  I will update tomorrow as soon as I hear from them.

Thanks for that update Cindy and you are so right - they have trouble asking for help but they do need it right now. I will be available to help any way I can.
Talked to Lee just a little while ago - Terry was still in recovery and had not been assigned a room at that time. Dr. Goetz - University Medical Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon worked on him today and started with his right leg. Bone marrow was removed from his femur and the machine they use was giving them some trouble so it took a little longer than expected. Then the left hip was cut to place a rod into the left leg again, two small incisions were made above the knee to bolt the rod in place. The doctor also manipulated his knee to bend like it should so it will most likely be pretty sore but should move better. NO Abscess areas or pockets were found. They did not fish out the antibiotic beads and they may never have to come out but they didn't want to stir up anything that wasn't necessary. The incision in the upper leg (hip area) has a vacuum of some type on it to help keep it cleaned out. They said he did not lose much blood this time either. Now is the waiting game. I will post the room number just as soon as I hear it.   
Check you schedules and get with Cindy about helping - also consider the tremendous financial burden this is placing on them. They have very high deductibles that have to be met for this year and then again starting in January.  Prayers are working, keep them coming.
Just found out Room Number - #2408 Memorial Hospital

I went by to see Terry this morning.  He is in good spirits despite being in considerable pain from the surgery.  Seems that the hospital can't get things straight as to which medicine he should be taking and when he should take it. That has Terry and Lee frustrated and unsure of what is going on. However, Terry is still in good spirits, as I mentioned earlier, and optimistic about his complete recovery.

Thur. Nov. 15   I just talked with Terry and he sounds real tired. I know he didn't sleep much last night and being in pain most all the time must be rough. He did get up (kind-of) earlier today but mobility is so limited because of the wound vac. He can move around his room a little but cannot put any weight on his leg so if he tries to use the walker, he hops. That bounces his whole body and makes his other leg and hip hurt. His pain medicine still does not take all of the pain away at any time and some times the pain is real bad. Maybe tonight they will both be so tired they might sleep good.  He does appreciate company but tires so easily so if you have time, drop by for a few minutes. His room number is 2408 at Memorial Hospital

Sunday - Nov. 18  Late this afternoon I went to see Terry and at the time Lee had run home to get a shower. He seemed to feel good and had been up for a good while today. In the past couple of days he had not been sleeping good enough and still having trouble with pain but finally they seem to be getting his medicine to him at the right times to help the pain. Last night they had given him something else to take and he went to sleep about 9:30. He said they woke him up several times through the night to get his pain medicine but he went right back to sleep. He and Lee slept until 9:30 this morning. The rest was real good for him but his body was so stiff after being in bed for so long. He got breakfast and a bath and then took a walk! He walked a pretty good bit so he rested some this afternoon. He ate a good supper while I was there and talked about the possiblity of coming home tomorrow. When the doctor comes in and they check his wound vac to see how well it is doing, leaving will be discussed. The wound vac was interesting - a piece of what looked like foam rubber was placed in his wound leaving a small place for a drain to come out. The "foam rubber stuff" is changed every other day but the drain keeps the wound cleaned out continuously. Terry gets around on crutches now but cannot put any weight at all on his left leg. His right leg is still pretty sore from the incision on it but he has to use it! As expected due to the surgery the infection levels have gone back up. They were at 97 on the report tonight. Hopefully the latest antibiotic he is on will pull it back down in a big hurry. So far it had been working real good for him. I will post just as soon as I find out tomorrow if he is coming home but am not sure what time he will know anything.

First day back home was nice to be home but brings about some new trials. The wound must be cleaned 3 times a day, the IV antibiotic is once a day and the timing on the medicine to get the best results has to be worked out. Getting around is still difficult due to the pain in the right leg which the one bone stuff was taken from and put in the left leg.  It is more sore than the left leg which has had the most trauma! 
But they are happy to be home - Keep them in your prayers and contact them when you can. They cannot always get the phone but do appreciate the contact.