LGX Total replacement finally done

[chandlerman4649]

Hello guys,
I have been sharing my LGX problem under LGX problem and I'm getting quite concerned and indicated that my doctor felt it might be necessary to remove and replace the implant.

I saw my urologist this past Monday morning and after examining me, he sent me directly over to the hospital as a “direct admit”. Hospital personnel were waiting for me when I arrived. They began treating me with IV antibiotics and fluids immediately. Then Tuesday afternoon they took me into surgery and removed the complete implant. In all the blood tests and lab cultures there was absolutely no bacteria present and when they removed the pump they sent it to the lab also to try to grow bacteria and there was nothing! It was very clear that there was no infection present; however, the entire pump was encased in old blood that had apparently gelled around the pump. After flushing me out with five different chemicals to sterilize my scrotum, penis cavernosa and the reservoir area, they implanted a completely new LGX system.
Besides having my urologist working with me, at the hospital they added an infectious disease specialist to treat me in order to make sure there will be no infection problems with my new implant. They put in a PICC line in my right arm just above the elbow and inserted it all the way to my heart. I use one antibiotic twice a day and one antibiotic once a day plus I need to keep flushing the tubing with saline solution and adding heparin after each infusion. Then someone from home health care will come over every few days to draw blood to monitor the level of antibiotics in my system. This will continue for the next 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the decision of the infection specialist.

This is certainly not the way I wanted my implant experience to go but I’m glad things were caught in time before even more damage was done. As one of the specialists said when I asked him why this was happening to me, his response was “because you’re a nice guy, Bob.” There simply is no other explanation! I still stand FULLY BEHIND my urologist/surgeon. Since there was no infection, there apparently was nothing that could have been done differently to change the outcome. The only thing my surgeon changed was to put a wick drain into my scrotum and had it draining out about belt line on my waist for a few days. It was amazing how much fluid was drawn out of my scrotum.

The one strange thing that happened to me in the operating room is just as soon as they pushed my bed through the door, they asked me if I would allow them to remove all the blankets and my gown and then they transferred me completely naked over to the table. Since they didn’t have all the blood cultures back they didn’t want to take any risk by transferring any bacteria that I might have on my gown or blankets. And since the operating team was the same as the first surgery, I felt very comfortable with them handling me like that.

Anything to try to protect me! Now the healing begins again. Hope the result is going to be better.

Bob

[proactive]

Great news Bob. Even if you surgeon does every thing right it does not grantee a perfect outcome. Nice that they did the right thing and took care of you when something went wrong. You just gave your surgeon a little more experience.

[rschweiger]

Hey Bob,
Was wondering how your situation was going.
Glad to hear they took care of you,
I will keep you in my thoughts that this time will be uneventful.
Best wishes.
Rich

[chandlerman4649]

Thanks Rich. Right now the pain is pretty significant and the swelling is huge (two grapefruits and a coke can!) Only time will tell about how things turn out but I am optimistic about a successful recovery. It's just going to take a bit longer than normal. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.
Bob

[Dave92014]

Bob,
The one big thing I have learned from reading posts on FT the last few months is that bodies react differently to the surgery. It seems that yours had a very unusual reaction. That is unfortunate in the short term but it also seems you had a very good surgery team handling the problem. You are having a much more difficult road to travel than most of us, but most likely in the end you will get to the same place and be able to fully enjoy your bionic capability.

Dave

[chandlerman4649]

Thanks Dave. I do look forward to becoming an active bionic man! But it looks like a bit longer road than I expected or desired. At my urologist's appointment this morning, I was told that my Infectious Disease Specialist has been trying to grow bacteria on the prosthesis that was removed and the only thing that has shown up is that on the right cylinder and right cavernosa sample there are "multiple unknown organisms" which will require more testing in the lab to identify. My uro is excited because if we can identify a specific form of bacteria that has caused the problem, then the Infectious Disease Specialist will know exactly which antibiotic I need to make sure it doesn't return.

We (impatiently) wait,

Bob

[thephenix]

"Multiple unknown organisms"....... maybe they will name the unknowns "Bob's bacteria."

Glad you are recovering with such a good team looking after you. When the doc removes the drain it will be the perfect place for an air hose.....just sayin' .......

Speedy recovery Bob.....

Pete