In the past couple of weeks since coming home things have been a bit of a roller coaster emotionally for me with this. I have visited an infectious disease specialist, an orthopedic surgeon, and my regular doctor as part of my fallow up from the hospital stay. Currently I am still on Vancomycin until Sept 13th and I am facing 3 possible outcomes to this as of today's visit to the orthopedic surgeon.
The first is the one I am in hopes for, the antibiotics work and the infection goes away. However the picture being painted by the orthopedic surgeon is not as rosey as that. He paints the picture of the other two possiblities, both which suck.
The second, the antibiotic works but the knee joint has been affected by the infection. This would result in my knee joint replacement needing to be removed and my knee being fused. This would also be the case if there is still any lingering infection in the knee joint area but not severe enough to spread. As a result of having to have a knee joint fusion, I would be permenantly unable to bend my left leg. This would make simple task like sitting or walking difficult. And I would not be able to drive since my leg would not fit under a steering wheel or bend to get out of the way where I could press the pedals with my right leg.
The third is still the amputation possiblity. This could still happen. It would be if the infection is still not going away after Septemeber 13th, if lingering infection still exist in the joint to a severe degree, and/or if there is a high risk of the infection being spread beyond the area effected by it now when any surgery is attempted in the area.
So all in all, I am remaining hopeful but things still don't look so good.

In the name of galactic peace I give you the gift of gas from my ass.