Sept. 17, 2007 - 20:58 MDT

EASED A BIT

Information provided today by Doug�s doctor. When they drained our son�s knee, Psuedo Gout was discovered. Same pain � different crystals (calcium type rather than uric acid). They drained it again today. He was given a shot of something like cortisone which has given him relief and doctor is prescribing oral medication for him to use too.

Googling around on Psuedo Gout, a lot is explained.

Due to the fact that he has been on Coumadin (warfarin) for years due to blod clot problems and he was taken off all such things prior to surgery, problems developed and the medics tried to bring his INR to the proper level with heparin � which hasn�t been working. They are talking about letting him use Coumadin again. In the meantime his release from hospital depends on his INR level being within range, his temperature near normal and being able to bear weight on his knees.

The thought advanced is that the hip surgery and the necessary rotation of the femur possibly caused the Pseudo Gout problem to come into being.

The doctor without consulting his medical information made the asinine remark on the order of, �You are aware that you need surgery on your knee ?� Sheesh Doug has been bone on bone with both knees, white knuckling it �til he could get the hip surgery done.

This evening when we visited him he was feeling much better, had eaten decently and rested well during the night.

So for the time being he is in a holding pattern, waiting for INR level to come into the normal range (blood clotting which is helped by Coumadin), temperature to get in the prescibed range so that they will let him come home. Then comes the months of physical therapy . . . . . . . .

It was wonderful to see him in good spirits and feeling better tonight. Hope that continues ad infinitum and his Dad and Mom�s minds are tonight, EASED A BIT . . . . . . . . . .

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