Enduring to the end ......

I decided that I would write a short post and update my life.  The title of this post sounds  a little depressing, but it is basically the goal of each day.  About the first of May I started having a new pain in my knee.  I thought it would pass, but it only got worse.  To make a long story short, after seeing 3 orthopedic doctors it was determined that I have a strep infection in my new artificial knee.  This infection is reported to only happen in 1 percent of patients....so guess who gets to be in the 1 percent.  The standard treatment for this is to remove the artificial knee, put in an artificial cement spacer that is infused with antibiotics (the spacer is to just hold the tissue in place).  You cannot put any weight  on the knee except for what they call a "toe touch".  So on July 17 I had the surgery.  They put in a picc line in my arm so I could receive 6 weeks of heavy duty antibiotics.  I am on day 25  of the medication and have developed side effects with my digestive system because it has wiped out all the good bacteria along with the bad.  Fun times... But I am trying to stay positive and keeping myself busy.  I mostly use the wheelchair to get around.  Everything takes a long time, but I am getting more self sufficient.   Next month they will do testing to determine if the infection is gone and then I will go back for another surgery to put in a new artificial knee and I will begin the rehab process again.  Until then, I appreciate all the support I have had from my family.  You guys are the best!!!!  And I have to give Paul a special shout out for all the help and caregiving he has given during all this.