So, some updates as the last couple weeks got a little crazy.
Things seemed to be moving along pretty well, and last Monday (the 10th) I finally got out on my new bike for our maiden voyage. That machine is absolutely amazing - my brain needs a LOT of reprogramming, and I'm realizing what a pile that 675 really was, but I think I'm in love.
The leg actually gave me fewer problems on track than I thought it would - I had to plan my downshifting out early, and it definitely fatigued quicker, but was holding up pretty good otherwise. My choice in suit/boot combo, however wasn't the best. My Axial boots were a bit small, so I opted for my Sidi which were easier to get in and out of. That meant, however, that I had to cram my suit leg into my boot. This irritated that skin/tibia plate especially, but I didn't think much of it at the time.
That Wednesday i go in for PT and my therapist comments on the inflammation over that plate, and it was pretty sensitive when she was touching it. This planted a little red flag in my mind, but I still wasn't think too much of it other than it was irritated.
Friday afternoon/evening things started to go downhill. The area where the fracture blister had been was stretching out with only a thin cover over the area and feeling very "fluidy" underneath. I put on a moist dressing to see what it would do - well, Saturday afternoon it opened up. A variety of thin fluids came out, enough to indicate there was a chance of infection going on. GREEEEEEAAATTT.
Well, I couldn't set up an appointment until Monday, and since there were no other signs of an infection, passed up on visiting the ER. So, Sunday, I headed out to Sonoma for a very wet trackday. Threw some rain tires on the bike, and went out for about 4 sessions. I was having fun (maxed out every pussy setting the bike has :laughing) and enjoying it, and decided to call it a day while that was still the case.
Monday morning called to make an appointment for the leg (which I had been treating externally pretty aggressively - after growing up on a farm, managing horse barns for years, and my own research this winter, I've got a pretty good idea how to proceed). Wednesday (yesterday) went in to meet with the ortho, and, much like me, he was disappointed to see this had happened, but there wasn't much to do about it other than move on (he had originally expected this, but since the blister had healed over he had hoped we had dodged that bullet - apparently not). He set up surgery for super early Thursday morning (today).
So, got up super early and went in for surgery. The plan was to flush and clean and debribe as needed, and for him to see what and where the infection may have taken hold. If it was under the plate, then he would have to pull the hardware out - which, while not the end of the world since the bones have set, would still end up delaying my recovery by quite a bit since they haven't had THAT long to heal yet. He'd also collect samples for labs so infectious disease can determine the best course of action in terms of antibiotics.
As it turns out, things must have mostly been on the surface, as he was able to leave the hardware in there (thank goodness). Now it's just waiting for labs and going on from there, just on a general antibiotic for now. At least I can remain weight bearing! Didn't get a chance to talk to him post-op at all as he had another appointment in Fairfield right after mine, so I don't have too many details other than the obvious.
Right now pain is pretty mild, mostly pretty specific to right where they worked - huge bulky bandage over the area so can't really see what he did, but weight on the leg doesn't seem to bother it at all so I'm mucking around with my cane and mostly just trying to let it rest today.
At least this way I can still make it to the races at the end of the month!