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Dori,

Given you all I know... now I'm just sending good thoughts in yours and your special guy''s direction!

DoriC wrote:It would mean living somewhere else, probably NYC, for a month or more. Don't know if that's even possible.

I think the best plan there would be that we all move in with Jeff. We can take "The Tube To The Tube" (AKA "5T"):

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

DoriC wrote:

NotMuffy wrote:OK, just a couple comments about HBO Chambers if you decide to go that route.

A treatment course is typically a 2-hour "dive", 5 days a week for a month (a total of 20 treatments).

My son just called me and explained that exact treatment plan to me. He will speak to Mike's Internist and Cardiologist who've been treating him for many years to get their assessment of the idea.

If the decision is made to try HBO by those guys, and Mike is willing to go that route, there's at least 2 more steps. The Wound Care/HBO physician at the selected center will, of course, have to do an assessment as to the potential benefit of a course of dives, and you have to make sure it will be covered by insurance. The list of indications for HBO is very specific, but it sounds like he may qualify under refractory osteo(myelitis).

Is he diabetic (although the wound would need to be much lower for that indication)?

Update, my son made contact with a doctor buddy of his who recommended a wound care center in our area that I could easily drive to. He spoke to the head doctor there himself who happens to be a top rated plastic surgeon but specializes in hard to treat deep wounds and restoration and my son was encouraged by their discussion. It's fully staffed with all kinds of wound specialists. He looked up his credentials on a For Doctors Only site and liked what he read. I called today for an appt and was told I'd need a referral from the treating Dr, so when we see our surgeon tomorrow I will ask for it and hope there's no "drama", I'm too worn out for that right now.At least Mike seems to be going along with this plan and agrees it's time for a fresh start. He's tired of this too. I hope he'll back me up tomorrow when we're actually face to face with his "God".

NM, if we all move in with Jeff, I'm not doing the cooking!

DoriC wrote:Update, my son made contact with a doctor buddy of his who recommended a wound care center in our area that I could easily drive to. He spoke to the head doctor there himself who happens to be a top rated plastic surgeon but specializes in hard to treat deep wounds and restoration and my son was encouraged by their discussion. It's fully staffed with all kinds of wound specialists. He looked up his credentials on a For Doctors Only site and liked what he read. I called today for an appt and was told I'd need a referral from the treating Dr, so when we see our surgeon tomorrow I will ask for it and hope there's no "drama", I'm too worn out for that right now.At least Mike seems to be going along with this plan and agrees it's time for a fresh start. He's tired of this too. I hope he'll back me up tomorrow when we're actually face to face with his "God".

That's great news, Dori! This could be just the thing for Mike (and convenient for you). Fingers crossed that the referral process goes smoothly and you get an appointment soon.

NM, if we all move in with Jeff, I'm not doing the cooking!

But your chicken soup is legendary around here, Dori! Maybe just one big pot?

DoriC wrote:NM, if we all move in with Jeff, I'm not doing the cooking!

Since you're staying down there, I guess we'll all have to move in with you!

We'll stick with Window Food, but you'll still have to do all the laundry.

Better get the "giant" bottle of Shout.

My "Special Needs" list is here, except for bait. Get some mackerel and live eels instead of shrimp please.

Dori,
As long as we're moving in, some of us take turns with making the chicken soup...
Take care.
O.

Oh yay!

o. is coming!

Bring your fishing pole, we're going to get some "blues"!

BTW, Dori, do you think you can introduce me to Snooki?

If we can keep NM out of house fishing all day, it's a "good thing"! But I "definitely" don't clean fish so don't even think about it! And yes, I will make a big pot of chicken soup for my buddies but it's up to you to save a bowl for NM.

I'll do the laundry! Anything for a bowl of Dori's soup.

NotMuffy wrote:BTW, Dori, do you think you can introduce me to Snooki?

I think she's too old for you but I'll check with The Situation and let you know!

Seriously, this is the most fun and silliness I've had in a long time, it's like medicine for me! Thanks!

DoriC wrote:Update, my son made contact with a doctor buddy of his who recommended a wound care center in our area that I could easily drive to. He spoke to the head doctor there himself who happens to be a top rated plastic surgeon but specializes in hard to treat deep wounds and restoration and my son was encouraged by their discussion. It's fully staffed with all kinds of wound specialists. He looked up his credentials on a For Doctors Only site and liked what he read. I called today for an appt and was told I'd need a referral from the treating Dr, so when we see our surgeon tomorrow I will ask for it and hope there's no "drama", I'm too worn out for that right now.At least Mike seems to be going along with this plan and agrees it's time for a fresh start. He's tired of this too. I hope he'll back me up tomorrow when we're actually face to face with his "God".

Update, we went to see the surgeon today and and asked for a referral to the Wound Center for an evaluation. He wasn't very enthusiastic at all, said they wouldn't understand the complexity of the wound and said we should ask our Primary for the RX if that's what we want to do. We left a message with the nurse and hopefully our Primary will agree and fax it over to the center tomorrow. The surgeon did say he'd still like to see Mike on Friday to check the wound so we will certainly do that. He didn't kick us out yet! I'm not holding out much hope but maybe the wound people can help us heal it for now and buy a little time to catch our breath while we think of the next step before the next abscess. I don't think Mike will be interested in anything but some simple measures to keep him comfortable and functioning as best he can and most of all, not being a burden to me. Time will tell what the next step will be.

DoriC wrote:And yes, I will make a big pot of chicken soup...

It's about time someone taught me how to make chicken soup. People have been asking for proof that I really am Jewish.

Dori. Have not been on much as of late. Other health issues have cropped up and sleep apnea has been corrected to AHI 0.00 every day. I just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you and yours. We have been there and done that and have that T shirt - DON'T GIVE UP! This is a unrelenting problem and it takes unrelenting and aggressive attention. Our cousin in NJ battled a similar issue and we now have a friend in Fort Erie, Ontario who we are sending thoughts and prayers to as well as he is fighting a similar issue and although packed and repacked twice a day he feels nothing; he is quadraplegic.

My only comment would be to ensure that you are dealing with a facility and doctors/nurses who are the very best in deep wound care. It is of the utmost importance that they know what they are doing, have experience and are not teaching interns or residents on the job. You want the expert and not the underling.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as goes without saying. Just as everything was falling into place they did a CT scan with radioactive dye here... low and behold amongst all sorts of other minor issues it shows that I am yet fighting something with enlarged lymph nodes and upper GI erosions, etc. Always keep that bright light at the end of the tunnel, fight for what you need and be advocates for one another. All will turn out well in the end.

The Great Architect of the Universe watches over you and yours most assuredly. Oh, and a bowl of home-made chicken soup (and a few properly made matzoh balls) might not help but it WOULD NOT hurt. Our freezer is stocked at all times and you are welcome to share.