October 17th, 2024

The second night was much calmer than the first. With my leg no longer immobilised, I was able to turn more easily in bed. I’m still on antibiotics via an IV drip, and at 3:30 in the morning, someone came to change the infusion, which woke me up, although the nurse was very gentle.

This morning, my surgeon’s assistant came for the daily round. After getting a new cast yesterday, I had an X-ray, and the results were explained to me today. In addition to removing the plate and screws, they took away some dead bone tissue. Unfortunately, they also found bacterial residues under the plate. So, I’ll need to start another course of antibiotics, this time for at least ten days.

Other tests are ongoing, including analyses of the metal they removed and biopsies taken during the operation. Staphylococcus bacteria, known for being particularly stubborn, can “sleep” for years without spreading or causing damage. For now, I’m on several broad-spectrum antibiotics. This afternoon, they’ll insert a central venous catheter (CVC) near my collarbone because the catheter in my arm isn’t ideal. Antibiotics tend to irritate and close off veins, so this central catheter close to my heart will help the medication circulate better.

Deniz stopped by with a bag full of goodies, as if I wasn’t already getting enough to eat! That was really kind of him! He even brought a kilo of Mövenpick Caramel ice cream, which I absolutely love.

Around 2 pm, I was transferred to the intensive care unit, where they have the equipment to insert central venous catheters. A charming female surgeon placed the catheter in my neck. It’s much more comfortable than having all those IV lines in my hand. The procedure was done under local anaesthetic and with some pain relief (the infamous Fentanyl!).

Afterwards, I was taken to radiology to have more X-rays of my foot from different angles. Tomorrow, I should get the surgeon’s feedback.

As a reminder, my kitchen and bathroom are being renovated while I’m in hospital. The work started yesterday with the removal of the furniture. I can’t wait to move back into my freshly renovated flat at the end of November.