As is.
The end of a long day; heck, a long week.
Very strange happenings around MHC this past week, most of them to do with Don’s ankle/leg. We took two trail walks last weekend and at the beginning of each of them, Don had to loosen the ties on his sneakers because his inner ankle was tender. He thought it strange, but really didn’t think about it all that much.
By late Sunday night, after I had gone to bed, Don’s ankle was swollen and an area of skin above the joint and on the leg was very red. He couldn’t put any weight on his foot.
On Monday morning, Don told me what was happening and we assumed it must be some sort of sprain, so we started keeping it elevated and icing it off and on. But Don was sort of bewildered by the whole thing, as he had no memory of anything happening to that ankle.
By Wednesday, it was even redder and there was some bruising under the ankle and it hurt a lot, so we went to our local urgent care facility as Don’s doctor was out of town. The doctor at urgent care, not especially skilled in bedside manner, told Don he couldn’t say exactly what it was – it was either a sprain or a skin infection. They gave him a splint, ace bandages and crutches, as well as strong antibiotics and prescription strength ibuprofen. We got the prescriptions filled and went back to elevating, etc.
Later in the day, when Don was looking at the discharge papers, the doctor had entered ‘cellulitis’ in his notes as the diagnosis. This puzzled us, because cellulitis is very serious and the doctor had hedged about any sort of diagnosis during the appointment.
We were in strange and uncertain territory. At this point, we very much doubted it was a sprain, as the redness that extended about 5 inches up his leg was clearly some sort of inflammation and, as veterans of sprained ankles, we knew that if it had been a sprain, that area would have eventually become a bruise and it didn’t. On Mere’s advice, we started to mark how high the redness went on the leg with a permanent marker. Cellulitis, apparently, can lead to a blood infection if not monitored. Not good. A couple of people warned us about the seriousness of it all.
But was it cellulitis?
We tried to get hold of the doctor from the urgent care facility for some sort of clarification. No return call. Then we spent the next 24 hours or so wondering if we should go to Emergency, constantly monitoring the inflammation.
Side note: we have a large deductible on our health insurance, Don is about 3 months away from getting Medicare, and we knew that the cost of a visit to Emergency, as well as all the doctor’s visits, would come out of our pocket. So we were hesitant to go to ER if it wasn’t necessary.
Don called urgent care again yesterday morning and asked to have the doctor call us. When the doctor finally called us back yesterday afternoon, he was defensive about the diagnosis he gave in the examining room vs. the diagnosis on the discharge papers and was basically a jerk (my words, not Don’s) but he did two good things: he prescribed that antibiotic on Wednesday and he gave us the name of a local podiatrist, who, bless him, squeezed us in late yesterday afternoon.
This doctor was great, so helpful and reassuring. He took his time and listened to both of us. He asked questions. And in the end he said, yes, it’s cellulitis. No, we don’t need the splint or the crutches or the ace bandages. Yes, Don will be okay, it just might take a few more days. If it gets worse, go to Emergency. But, the antibiotics should take care of it. His advice to Don: relax, elevate your leg and come back next Tuesday.
Here’s the thing; it was the not knowing that stressed us out. Were the antibiotics the right choice for whatever unknown ailment he had? Were we doing the right thing? Should we have immediately gone to ER? Would it worsen? What the heck was it?
By the time we got home yesterday, we were relieved and exhausted. I’ve been taking care of Don ever since this happened. Don’s been worried and in pain. Now, at least, we know.
We have no idea what caused it. Maybe a bite? But we can’t see any sign of a bite. That part remains a mystery.
So the above photo shows the status of the den after we got home. My socks are on the table (it was unseasonably warm and humid yesterday,) there’s an empty cereal bowl because I had to have some Raisin Bran which is comfort food, there’s a guide from our Health Care provider that I was studying when we were trying to determine our options, and the laptop is open for some mindless blog reading, which was about the only thing I could do at the end of the day.
Whew. Now I have to get back to my research, which had to be put on the back burner while all this was going on.
I didn’t even do any coloring for the past two days.
This morning, Don’s leg looks a bit better. We can finally see an improvement. Thank goodness.
Now, we’re headed into more bizarre weather. It was over 70 degrees yesterday. The high tomorrow will be 38 with rain/snow and, you guessed it, high winds. (I am so sick of wind.) Monday? 1-3 inches of snow. It won’t last, but the very thought of it makes me want to scream. Rain and snow showers off and on throughout the week, including the day I drive to Hartford for a rehearsal.
Oy.
Now I’m going to celebrate Don’s improvement by making some French Toast. His request.
Happy Saturday.
Be careful with cellulitis. My husband had it and had to go to his doctor’s office for five days straight to get a shot of penicillin. It was a huge needle and he had to lie down on the table to get the injection. The doctor said he came very close to having to go into the hospital. Thank goodness the shots took care of it. but it was a close call. His just came on like Don’s, no apparent reason. Good luck to Don. Please keep us posted.
He’s been on antibiotics for four days – he’s going to be fine. Thanks, Sharon.
Things like that drive me crazy. I know how you both feel about the huge deductible. I am so glad that I am finally on Medicare, and I was counting down like Don last year (I’m also a June baby). So glad you have a diagnosis and the antibiotics are helping. My throat is healing and my vocal cords are better but still resting resting resting!
hugs,
Linda
And keep resting, Linda!
After such a stressful time ,I hope you have a second portion of French toast and enjoy every bite. Take care.
We just finished it. It was really good, if I do say so myself!
I have absolutely no desire to be alarmist, and I do wish Don all of the very best, but please do keep a close eye on this now and in the future. Cellulitis is, as you have said, very serious as I know to my families cost. I know you will take care of Don, but please make sure that the doctors do too and don’t hesitate to seek care even if it is expensive because it needs to be dealt with. Hopefully he will be all OK again very soon, I really do hope for that! Hope that your next week is calmer! Enjoy your colouring in, it is good fun isn’t it. xx
He’s already much better this morning, Amy. It took a while for the antibiotics to really kick in. We’ll be watchful, I promise.
I’m making French toast this morning, too:-)
I’m so glad Don’s leg is improving. What a scare:(
We went through the wet, cold, snowy stuff a couple days ago. It’s beautiful today, and the grass is sooo green. So, there will be that to look forward to!
Enjoy your weekend, Claudia.
Thank you, Karen. I’m NOT looking forward to the snow and wind. I’ll have to color and lose myself in another world!
What a week you both have had. Hope Don gets well quickly. My husband will be eligible for Medicare in a few months too. Here in central Florida we are expecting storms today. It’s almost 11 a.m. and very dark looking. Hope you’re able to relax some today.
Stay safe, Janie. We had this very dark skies yesterday. It was what I call a real ‘weather day’ – full of dark clouds, then sun, then dark, rolling clouds, then rain.
Cellulitis is so scary! Brian had it a couple of years ago from a shaving cut. Glad you caught it in time and got him started on antibiotics.
Same weather as you guys…high winds, cold, sn**.
The dreaded snow. It’s like an April slap-in-the-face!
What a scare! So glad this episode with Don’s leg has a happy ending in the very near future! I fully realize the hesitancy to mount medical bills, but sometimes there is no other choice. I awoke this morning to a mini snowstorm! And that’s all I’m going to say about that! Enjoy your French toast! ;)
We will awake to the same thing tomorrow. Today: rain.
Happy you both now know what you are dealing with in relation to Don’s leg. It adds such strain when you are not sure. Hope all goes well and the antibiotics continue to do their job.
Enjoy getting back to your work!
I will, thanks Sue!
What a relief that Don is on the mend! Even if it isn’t good news, I always get more stressed about the not knowing. (Can’t make a game plan if you don’t know what you’re up against. ) I know it’s different here and we don’t pay for healthcare out of pocket, but I don’t understand your comment about having to pay to visit the emergency room. Would the hospital not afford care for a person with a broken bone or is very ill but has no money?
On a more cheerful note, we’re looking forward to your posts about work in April. One of my daughter ‘s pastimes is reading Russian literature. When we fostered a stray cat fora few months, she said she would name him Turgenev if he wasn’t claimed. Thank goodness Mr. Fluffy was reunited with his owner!
We aren’t indigent at all, but money is tight, as it is for most people. They’d treat us, of course, but we would have to pay. Not right then, but eventually.
I’m still trying to figure out the pronunciation of certain Russian names and places. Syllabic stress is very important, but I’m finding they’re aren’t always consistent rules.
Sorry, I obviously didn’t phrase my question very well. I meant was that the hospital policy in general. It just seems as though anyone who is actually indigent would have a hard time getting medical help and that is very upsetting.
No, they’d get help, but as to payment options for them, I have no idea how that works. I’m sure there must be something in place. But this country, much to my almost daily anger, is all about profit and greed. And Affordable Health Care certainly helps those who are indigent and/or earning a low income obtain some sort of insurance. Thank goodness for that. That didn’t used to be the case. It also works well for those who are twenty to thirty somethings who need insurance. It doesn’t work so well for those of us who are older, not quite ready for Medicare, earning an okay (on paper) income, and in need of insurance. We get charged high rates and have to resort to a high deductible. It’s not so affordable for us. The government should provide health care to every citizen, just as every other civilized country in the world does.
Well said and thank you. I do wish some of the political hopefuls in America would read your blog!
I wish they would too!
Glad to hear Don is getting better. You both handled it with wisdom.
We were supposed to have a cold, rainy weekend, but the sun has been shining and temps are pleasant. My house has been neglected all week so I am ministering to it?. Giovanni is taking care of the flower beds and Miss Bella is helping, even with the ball in her mouth!
Hope you can relax the rest of the day.
Hugs,
Well, I have to work in my office for a while, but after that, I plan on reading and coloring! Thanks, Patricia!
Hi Claudia!
I’ve heard of cellulitis but haven’t dealt with it personally. I have however been in the situation where you see a doctor and aren’t confident with their diagnosis. Its so frustrating!!! A second opinion is always wise! I don’t blame you there. I’m glad that you trusted your instincts and went for the second opinion. I’m curious if the person you saw at the urgent care was an actual Doctor or a Physicians assistant (P.A.) sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re not. Glad that Don is improving and that you are there to care for each other. Ric and I are in the same situation (as most of us are)
Try and rest.
By the way- I had no idea when I messaged you about the McCoy all this was happening. So there is no rush in getting back to me- just whenever you think about it and have the time. Really… It’s not that big of a deal, I’ve researched and hit a wall- but the bottom line is, I like it either way! ?
He was a doctor.
I’ll check into the McCoy in the next couple of days. Just finished doing more research and now I have to go to the grocery store. With Don laid up, I have to do all the running around!
We have had an incredible weather morning. Woke up to sun and about an inch of snow on the ground, along with a High Wind Advisory (winds up to 45mph) for the day. The sun went in, and when I looked out the window, it was snowing and blowing so hard, we couldn’t see the house across the street. After about 20 mins, it stopped, and, due to the wind, the snow we had was blown about, and the green grass was back. Hubs took the dogs to the dog park, and we had another mini-blizzard. Since then we have had 4 more. It is crazy!!!! And the wind is beyond fierce! ugh. I’m afraid it IS blowing in your direction.
I am so glad you were able to get Don in to see a specialist so you could get a correct diagnosis. I know that isn’t something you want to guess about, and so happy the 1st Doc did (at least) put him on antibiotics right away. So crazy when you can’t even account for what was the cause. Hope he is feeling better and that the one course of meds does the trick. You will know what to watch for if it does ever occur again, so that is good!
Hope you can keep him resting. Coloring and reading sounds like a perfect day to me!!
Isn’t this strange? What a bizarre weather week for us, with more craziness to come tomorrow and Monday. I’m headed out to the store now so I don’t have to deal with it tomorrow.
I’ve been doing research and my head is too full to do any more today. Groceries, then rest.
Oh….SO glad Don’s leg is responding and healing. I hear you on the high deductible! I had two trips to ER with kidney stones late last year, and the bills were horrendous! My fabulous doctor has now given me a prescription of pain meds so if more little stones decide to exit, I can dose myself and only head to hospital if the pain is more than I can manage. Bless her, for otherwise, it’s a minimum of $1600 for CAT scan, intravenous pain meds, and ER bed. Sigh….. I hope the pending bad weather blows over quickly (no pun intended), and the sun quickly returns to shine on your sweet cottage! xo
The deductible is so high, and the monthly payments so steep, that one wonders why we have health insurance. Well, I know it’s because if something really expensive happened, we’d be covered. But sheesh!
Sheesh, indeed! We’ve lots of work to do on our insurance situation in this country, that is for sure! Enjoy your weekend, dear Claudia. : )
You too, Dori!
That is a scary diagnosis – but I’m so glad Don is improving. Sounds like you are a good ‘nurse’ Claudia – and I bet your French toast masked Don’s pain whilst he munched away!
I haven’t made any in ages – perhaps I’ll surprise my love with some tomorrow for his breakfast. He loves that particular meal – actually I do now because we always have it later and it’s really our lunch too, guess that makes it a daily ‘brunch’!!
Take care – hugs, Mary
It was definitely our brunch, Mary.
Hi Claudia, just a little note to say that I’m glad to hear that you could find out what was going on with Don’s leg, I hope that he recovers fully soon. I bet it’s not only the antibiotics that helped, but your French Toast as well!
I hope so, Susi!
All this bizarre weather – just another Springtime in the Northeast! My youngest sister says it every year – if she could eliminate one month from the calendar, there’s no question as to which one. Whacky March with all its wild fluctuations. Balmy 60s one day, raw and chilly 30s the next. Really makes you appreciate the “stable” months more, doesn’t it? Feel better soonest, Don – and enjoy the rest of the weekend both of you! ?
But April isn’t starting very promisingly, either!
Happy for both of you that things are improving! Its always hard on the caregiver as well. My husband had that last year and the visiting nurse found a tiny bite on his foot..possibly spider. It was almost impossible to see :)
That green flowered pottery piece next to your coloring books is beautifiul..is it McCoy or Roseville or ? You have me interested in pottery pieces now. First dollhouses then pottery. :) I love both. I find them both calming somehow.
You both take care
That’s Roseville, Sue. Apple Blossom pattern. It has a chip on the design so I got it for next to nothing.
As you can see, I am quite the pottery newbie…. I should be able to recognize pottery brand by its design but im too new so thanks for any direction
Just soak it all in. It takes time!
I’m glad that things are under control with Don’s ankle. It must be frightening for many Americans who feel they can’t get medical attention because of the cost.
Karen
It is. Especially for those who don’t have access to good health care. I just saw a segment on PBS about those who live in very rural areas in coal mining country – they don’t have the money for doctors, though there are good people who are trying to help them.
Hope Don is feeling better soon. Ice cream should help! Good comfort food.
Hugs
Nancy
We’re having comfort food this evening, Nancy.
I was first diagnosed with Cellulitis in the late 90s. Ended up being off work for 17 days that round. Went to dr. each and every day for an antibiotic shot, plus pills. I was told mine came from what I thought was a minor viral infection a few weeks before. Since then, I have a relapse about every 9 months, but NEVER as severe as the first time. I always elevate my leg first thing and have a standing antibiotic prescription at pharmacy. I always feel like I have the flu and cannot stay awake (drs say this is due to high fevers that I’ve had with each bout).
Several years ago they used the doppler to check circulation on my thighs to see if they could determine how to help fight before it returned, to no avail.
I know it’s coming from the first day, I feel my leg getting very warm and itchy. My legs are both “stained” from the high fever/infection from the knees down. It is not something to play with, Don should keep his leg(s) elevated and walk around as little as possible until the redness and fever in the leg start to recede.
Make sure he stays off of his legs as much as possible.. And, drinks plenty of fluids..
He always drinks plenty of fluids, Mimi. He’s much better at that than I am. He is keeping his leg elevated.
So very glad Don is better. My husband had it and he had to have surgery and stay in the hospital for a week. Glad the antibiotics are working. I know you both will breathe a sigh of relief when he gets on Medicare — I sure did! Hugs to you both.
Thank you, Dottie.
You two have been through an ordeal and, yes, it’s made so much worse when you can’t feel secure about the professional care. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Thank you, Vicki!
Oh, I feel bad for Don. Cellulitis is quite painful. I had a reaction to the shingles vaccine I got one to two years ago. I couldn’t even sleep on that one side because my upper arm hurt so badly – boy was it hot and painful! The doctor had me do the same thing your sister suggested – they had me draw a dotted line with a marker around the red area and told me that if the redness traveled outside of that marking I was to immediately go to the doctor’s or hospital. Luckily they also had me on antibiotics so the redness and pain started to diminish. I’m so glad Don is starting to feel better.
His redness is starting to diminish – looks much less angry. Still painful. I’m wondering if he should get the prescription for antibiotics renewed. We’ll ask the doctor on Tuesday.
Claudia,
From your description. I guessed cellulitis. My cousin got this ,in his 60’s and is now approaching his 80th birthday. I can find out what they did for him if you wish. I know he went to an herbalist after he was treated by the doctor with antibiotics., and the herbalist helped him a lot. I’m just so glad you got an answer. Hope Don gets to feeling better soon!
xo
Sheila
He’s feeling better each day, Sheila. Thank you!
Glad to hear this! xo
Cellulitis is nasty stuff…Years ago when we had a wood stove for heat my son and I both got bad cases of poison ivy from burning wood that had the plant on it…well he had it very bad on his arms and it turned into cellulitis…When I took him to the Dr his arm was weeping fluid and I mean it was literally running down his arm…and also painful…The Dr. gave him a shot of steroids and it stopped almost immediately…Thank goodness it stopped or he would have been in the hospital…That was the end of wood burning for me as we also had an oil furnace in the basement….Anyway I am glad to hear that Don is improving…We are having very high winds here too and as of this hour it is 34 degrees out with the wind it feels like 15 degrees and I must run to the grocery store as I am making chicken corn soup and I need potatoes for in it…
Terrible weather! The wind is relentless, Nancy!