A Little Good News

I am a little behind on updates.

My first Apligraf did not "take" per se. These types of grafts don't really "take" but more so stimulate granulation. It didn't do anything and there was a good amount of slough underneath it. The doc said he would try one more time and if it didn't work then we may have to have a serious conversation with a plastic surgeon.

I have had my 2nd Apligraf and checkup and it looked GOOD this time! For the first time in a very long time the wound base had granulation buds of new fresh tissue at the bottom and some on the sides. The wound was also smaller in diameter and depth. For example the depth was 1.8 cm, and now it is 1.2cm. I am SO incredibly happy. This time the wound vac was removed, which in my opinion was disruptive to the graft and dries the wound out too much, and to getting and using the low-air-loss mattress overlay (which I should have been prescribed a long time ago.)

I only get the once a week reveals at the wound clinic. No changes in between. They don't want the graft TOUCHED for a week. The only downside to being on regular foam wound dressings is that I cannot shower. So I have had to resort to sponge baths and getting my hair washed at a little salon 2x a week. But I don't care! If it continues healing then I will do what I gotta do! I go back to check on the 3rd graft this coming Thursday.

The "plan" is to keep using the Apligraf two more times which is the maximum amount of applications. The moving on to Dermagraft which apparently will work better as a tissue "filler" and they allow 8 applications of that. Then hopefully we can get it to a closing point. I really appreciate the doc doing everything he can to keep me from having surgery.

Might I add that the low-air-loss mattress overlay is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! For the first time in a very long time I have been sleeping well and not feeling sore and beat up when I wake up. On my left side in the past I have only been able to lay for no more than an hour because my scoliosis--my ribs poke out and start hurting. On my right, now I think I am developing arthritis in my shoulder and it may in part be due to my right arm contractures. Then my back I was laying right on my wound. Couldn't win for losing. Now I can lay on my right or left side for HOURS at a time. Not to mention this is great for mom. If I sleep good, she does as well. She comes in sometimes to check on me when she hasn't heard me holler for her in a few hours.

I now have a new sleeping buddy that apparently loves the air mattress as well... OJ! The cat that we "rescued" per se... the attack rabies infested cat... anyone that reads my blog knows who I am talking about. Our old house cat Maggie hates it... it just freaks her out. She used to sleep on my bed all the time--without me in it--she doesn't like me. We put OJ up there a few nights ago and ever since he has slept with me the last 3 nights. He always starts off laying right behind my back and he will sleep on the bed for HOURS!! I joke by saying that apparently OJ didn't get the memo that I am not the biggest fan of cats! But, I suppose I will make an exception. He IS awfully sweet.

Over the weekend we went to our favorite mexican food restaurant. Garcia's Cafe downtown. I felt so bad for them because there was hardly anyone there through no fault of their own, but because construction has had the whole area around them so torn up its almost impossible to get there. It's been like that over a year. They are a small family owned and operated restaurant. So if you live in the Austin area, come on out to Round Rock and have some of the best mexican food anywhere! They all knew Nellie so well. One of the waitresses this time around said, "where is your dog?" I had to tell her the news. She was so sad and talked about what a great dog she was and they loved having her at their restaurant. I told her it's been almost 2 years. She couldn't believe it. It feels good to know people still think of her though. But, I was able to tell her my happy story about getting Intrepid. She asked so many questions and was genuinely interested. I also have bought all of his supplies needed to move in. That was a lot of fun! Got his crate, a Martha Stewart bed, a Kong (with some fun filler treats), a training bad (2 actually), The Furminator shedding tool, a food bin, a wrought iron elevated food holder with stainless steel bowls, his food (Nature's Select) and his name tag. I got just about everything. The countdown is on at only 27 days now (well at midnight it will be 27). Boy that Thanksgiving week will be NUTS... Thursday of course I will be off for Thanksgiving, then it will be Black Friday at work--ALL HANDS ON DECK... then the next morning will need to drive to Llano for our family Thankgiving. Then the next week is the training camp week for Intrepid.

Well guess thats all I have to share for now. I pray next Thursday there is MORE progress on the wound. *crossing fingers*