Further to my incision horror

[Guest guest]

,

Well, went back to the doctor's..part of my incision giving off a

putrid odour, and starting to ooze. My oncologist said he was very

concerned and didn't know what he would be facing when he saw me.

Thank goodness, it isn't as bad as he and I thought..well I thought

mainly..I've been in a bit of a mental state about it...

He said.. " we can work with this and get it back to normal " ..music to

my ears. He said that because he had sewn each layer individually

after my surgery, my abdominal cavity was pretty safe from any

infection getting in there. It was superficial so he cut away some

of the yukky parts, and his intern packed the quarter sized hole

with gauze and sterile solution..I have a home health nurse coming

twice a day to dress it for me which is also good.

So, I get to come home..(I had packed my bag imagining that I'd

probably be admitted for a few days)..and the only movements I made

were to the bathroom and then back to the couch. Well, on my last

bathroom stop, the pain had gotten worse, stinging and couldn't work

out why..hubby said something must be wrong, I thought was just from

cutting back my pain meds and having the staples taken out...a piece

of gauze fell to the floor, covered in blood..stood in front of the

mirror, and the top 3 inches of my incision had just split straight

open..thank goodness I don't have a week stomach.

Called the doctor who told me to pack it with more gauze and it

should scab over, then the nurse can dress it properly tomorrow

morning..Problem is, I didn't have enough gauze to look after it

myself, so rang the home nurse and they were wonderful enough to

come out this afternoon. She cleaned it up and used those steri

strips to put it back together..has helped ease the pain also thank

goodness.

So now I shall just sit and wonder what else can possibly happen to

me if I just sit or lay and not move a muscle *LOL*

[Guest guest]

,

I am so sorry you have been having a hard time lately. I am so glad the nurse

came today! If the infection doesn't start to look better in a day or so ask

the home health nurse about cleaning the wound with a sterile water and bleach

solution. I know it sounds harsh but I had to have this done a few years ago

for a wound on my foot that was infected. I can't remember what it is called,

but they basically use sterile water with bleach to get the superficial

infection under control and ten rinse it with sterile water after. When I had

the infection in the foot it stunk to high heaven so I know what you mean. The

bleach solution will sting just a little, about the same as peroxide and it

really gets the infection out fast! But as far as I know only a home health

nurse can do this. I do not think it is regular household bleach they either,

so don't try to do it yourself. Feel better sweetie and thank godnees your

hubby was home when the stitches popped!

Simi Valley, CA