Riley is Home

Riley is home which is the good news. Also good news is that they have found the reason for the horrendous infection. The not so good news is the diagnosis. Yesterday Dr. Smith showed me the x-ray she took and showed me the pin that was placed through Riley's bone. She pointed to where it had just barely started to come through the bone and it was just very slightly sticking out. She couldn't feel it through his skin. Today, she was able to feel it, meaning that it had moved further since yesterday causing more irritation. It my understanding that this wire is holding one bone to another I think they had to remove a piece of bone and attach it to a different spot . Normally the pin would stay in his knee for the rest of his life. Unfortunately for Riley, the pin is moving and is coming out of the bone. The pin is injuring the soft tissue around the knee joint, thus causing the swelling, infection and bleeding inside Riley's knee and leg. Dr. Smith discussed the situation with Dr. Ross and they decided on the following resolution.
In order to correct the problem, the pin must be removed. The problem now is that the pin cannot be removed for another 2 1/2 weeks as it needs more time to heal. If removed now the surgery would most likely fail. In order to prevent further movement of the pin, Riley is totally restricted from any unnecessary movement including walking. So for the next 17 days, I will have to carry him in and out to go to the bathroom. If he is not on my lap or laying quietly on the rug, then he must be in his crate. He still has the stitches in and they SHOULD come out later this week........ The pin is scheduled to be removed by Dr. Ross on Feb. 6th. And so it goes. We will work our way through this. I will probably have to go on "The Biggest Loser" after sitting home for 2 more weeks with little or no physical activity. I am going to try to get out and walk once it warms up a little. I miss our daily walks so much. I have alot of confidence that in the not too distant future, Riley and I will be out walking daily and playing fetch in the yard. Thanks for everyone's kind thoughts, phone calls and e-mails. Please keep 'em comin!!! See Ya Tomorrow!!