Wow! What an amazing outpouring of support and lots of good info/suggestions. Thank You one and all! We are still amazed that the surgeon refused to even consider the obvious signs of infection. In hindsight I should have been more aggressive in pursuing alternative treatment.
By the beginning of March I had demanded and received a full set of X rays and my patient notes as we were planning on seeking an outside opinion. The VA doc said VA would pay for it but after a week with no appointment he called and said they would not but he would get me a second opinion here at the Tucson VA. It took another 3 weeks before I got in to see the second surgeon.
I have a lot of research to do today to prepare for next week, don't you just love the internet? We are lining up guests to come help and provide support to my bride. She is a strong woman but I must get awfully heavy sometimes. Guess I will just have to get my camping fix vicariously through you fine folks for a while which I look forward to. Thanks again everyone! :C
