Log Book
July 2009
July 2009
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| July 2009 (and 1st week of August) |
San Diego
Repairs were made to the exhaust system and some attempt was made to clean up the inside of
the cabin – curtains, cushion covers, throw pillows, blankets, sheets were washed; stuff in
cabinets and drawers were washed; head liner and fans were wiped. More thorough cleaning
will have to wait until we get the boat back up to San Francisco and Susie feels better; there we
will be able to take things off and do the job right.
We enjoyed San Diego by seeing old friends, dining out on occasion, renting movies at
Blockbuster Video. The cooler weather was great. But it became more apparent that Susie’s
right knee (the one replaced in La Paz in July 2008) was getting worse and much more painful.
She consulted an orthopedic surgeon in San Diego. While we awaited the test results, we
continued to enjoy San Diego. On July 29 – Susie’s 57th birthday – Sam got tickets to see
“Wicked - The Musical.” Susie enjoyed the show, Sam liked it too although it was difficult for
him to hear. Last year on her birthday Susie was in the hospital in La Paz, so this year was
much better. And then the next day – July 30 - we received test results from the doctor about
Susie’s knee, so our plans changed abruptly.
The blood tests indicate that Susie has an internal infection. The xrays and physical
examination indicate the right knee prosthesis is loose. Further testing will be required to
determine if the source of the infection is indeed the right knee prosthesis. Because the
possibility of infection is very serious - it can spread to the left - Susie’s medical condition
became priority. We put Catch The Wind in Chula Vista Marina. We bought a 2007 Chrysler
Sebring 4-door sedan (we planned to purchase a car when we arrived in San Francisco
anyway). We contacted the surgeon in Hermosillo who did her left knee and started making
arrangements to return there via car and do what must be done.
What Now?
August 4 we drove to Phoenix, Arizona. It is about 8 hours from here to Hermosillo. As soon as
the doctor says “go” we will. The first step will be arthroscopic surgery to remove a tissue
sample and have a culture. Then a gamma bone scan will be done. Based upon the results of
these tests, there are then two possible scenarios.
If there is infection in the right knee prosthesis, it must be removed. A temporary joint will be
implanted with antibiotic interface until all traces of infection are gone. Then another
permanent prosthesis will be implanted. Add it up – this means at least two more surgeries,
after the arthroscopic surgery mentioned above for tissue sampling.
If there is no infection in the right knee, it will have to be removed because it is loose. A
revision surgery with permanent prosthesis will be required. This is only one surgery.
Last month our friends John and Bridgette of “Sailsoon” (who are presently living on land) told
us it was a good thing we are FLEXIBLE. That was in reference to Sam and John Paul bashing
up from Cabo to San Diego with Catch The Wind, while Susie joined her family in Phoenix on
the occasion of her father’s death. This month we need to be FLEXIBLE again, to take care of
Susie’s knee. That’s the mantra of a cruising couple.
Repairs were made to the exhaust system and some attempt was made to clean up the inside of
the cabin – curtains, cushion covers, throw pillows, blankets, sheets were washed; stuff in
cabinets and drawers were washed; head liner and fans were wiped. More thorough cleaning
will have to wait until we get the boat back up to San Francisco and Susie feels better; there we
will be able to take things off and do the job right.
We enjoyed San Diego by seeing old friends, dining out on occasion, renting movies at
Blockbuster Video. The cooler weather was great. But it became more apparent that Susie’s
right knee (the one replaced in La Paz in July 2008) was getting worse and much more painful.
She consulted an orthopedic surgeon in San Diego. While we awaited the test results, we
continued to enjoy San Diego. On July 29 – Susie’s 57th birthday – Sam got tickets to see
“Wicked - The Musical.” Susie enjoyed the show, Sam liked it too although it was difficult for
him to hear. Last year on her birthday Susie was in the hospital in La Paz, so this year was
much better. And then the next day – July 30 - we received test results from the doctor about
Susie’s knee, so our plans changed abruptly.
The blood tests indicate that Susie has an internal infection. The xrays and physical
examination indicate the right knee prosthesis is loose. Further testing will be required to
determine if the source of the infection is indeed the right knee prosthesis. Because the
possibility of infection is very serious - it can spread to the left - Susie’s medical condition
became priority. We put Catch The Wind in Chula Vista Marina. We bought a 2007 Chrysler
Sebring 4-door sedan (we planned to purchase a car when we arrived in San Francisco
anyway). We contacted the surgeon in Hermosillo who did her left knee and started making
arrangements to return there via car and do what must be done.
What Now?
August 4 we drove to Phoenix, Arizona. It is about 8 hours from here to Hermosillo. As soon as
the doctor says “go” we will. The first step will be arthroscopic surgery to remove a tissue
sample and have a culture. Then a gamma bone scan will be done. Based upon the results of
these tests, there are then two possible scenarios.
If there is infection in the right knee prosthesis, it must be removed. A temporary joint will be
implanted with antibiotic interface until all traces of infection are gone. Then another
permanent prosthesis will be implanted. Add it up – this means at least two more surgeries,
after the arthroscopic surgery mentioned above for tissue sampling.
If there is no infection in the right knee, it will have to be removed because it is loose. A
revision surgery with permanent prosthesis will be required. This is only one surgery.
Last month our friends John and Bridgette of “Sailsoon” (who are presently living on land) told
us it was a good thing we are FLEXIBLE. That was in reference to Sam and John Paul bashing
up from Cabo to San Diego with Catch The Wind, while Susie joined her family in Phoenix on
the occasion of her father’s death. This month we need to be FLEXIBLE again, to take care of
Susie’s knee. That’s the mantra of a cruising couple.
| PHOTOS July 2009 |