Medical Update

September 15, 2023, The Isles Nursing & Rehab Center, Boynton Beach, Florida: Hello. I just wanted to give you a medical update. I was admitted to Delray Medical Center in Delray Beach, Florida, on September 1, 2023, with severe lower back pain. I had a CT scan and an MRI done of my lower back. On September 2, 2023, I had surgery to remove an infection (an abscess) in a disk in my lower spine. I also have osteomyelitis (bone infection) in the surrounding spinal bone. I was already on a six-week-long regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic for a blood infection and possible osteomyelitis within a fracture in my right Tibia. My right Fibula is also fractured. Both fractures are from two falls in April 2023. I am more than halfway through my regimen. My current antibiotic regimen hasn't changed because it is now also removing the infection in my spine; my infectious-disease doctor may add an extra two weeks to my regimen. In August 2023, I spent two weeks at Delray Medical Center for the back pain. I left after two weeks with the same back pain, but luckily with the diagnosis of the blood infection. After prior imaging, my podiatrist found fluid in my right Tibia fracture. He wanted to do surgery to take a biopsy, but decided against it. So he recommended the six-week-long antibiotic regimen. Several days ago, I was transferred from the hospital to The Isles Nursing & Rehab Center in nearby Boynton Beach, Florida, for physical therapy and occupational therapy. I am still in much pain from the incision. I also still have some pain in my lower back and also pain in my hips. My legs are very weak because prior to entering the hospital, I was not able to walk without a frame walker and without extreme pain for about two months. I basically remained in bed in pain. After my spinal surgery, my left leg was completely numb from my hip to my ankle. Much of the feeling has returned. My right thigh was also partially numb, but much feeling has also returned. I now engage in therapy to strengthen my body: physical therapy for my lower body and occupational therapy for my upper body. I still can't even stand with a walker without severe pain and without my legs trembling under the weight of my body. However, I do feel stronger than I did before my several days of therapy. I have no idea how long I will remain here at the rehab center. Thank you for reading my update.