Spent the morning in the ER!

Well, I have posted before about the infection I got when they removed my drain, well since Monday it has gotten worse and I called the Dr. this morning and he said go right to the ER! Reluctantly, I went. 3 hours later I was finally seen my the surgical resident and he cleaned it out and dressed it and set up for a nurse to come and clean it every day. Oh well, hope everyone else has a GREAT weekend! Mike

Yikes Mike! That sounds painful and scary! Sorry you are having to deal with this, but I'm glad they are sending you a nurse to come help you with it. Feel better soon!! ~Sue

You know there are a few people here who've gone through the same thing. You went to the ER and that is important that they cleaned it all out. Packing it will get annoying, maybe even gross you out. Be thankful they are sending a nurse to your house to do it. There is another lady in here whose Dr. made her do it herself. I hate ER's though, they take forever to get to you and by the time they do your so tired you just want to go home. I hope your feeling better soon and before you know it you will be all healed up and on the road to a happier recovery. Shannon

Hey Mike, Sorry for your troubles buddy... that sucks. Hope all goes well. Pay attention to your body. check your temp every afternoon (around dinner) if you get over 100 degrees ... call your doc. Also, make sure the nurses are paying attention to the skin around the drain site... watch for red, hot, firm tissue... could be signs of cellulitis (infection in the skin) also pay attention to the odor when they pull the packing out. You can expect some funky stuff at first but it should get better over time. If it gets better and then starts getting foul call your doc. Stay on your nurses to communicate with your doc and with you!!! You might want to set up an area in your home where the dressing changes will be performed. Keep the area clean, and keep pets away from the area. You want to be very proactive in wound management at this time. Hope this helps.... stay healthy... Wanda

Does this happen to alot of us? Is it the feeding tube?

No, it is the JP drain that the dr. uses in the lower abdomen to drain the liquid from the surgical site. Some doc's use them, some don't. I had no problems with mine, some people do. It is a pain in the rear end when it gets infected. Kell

Hi Mike. I am sorry about your wound. I think I replied to an earlier post from you about this and told you that I did not have an infection but my incision has opened in 3 places and I have to pack all three holes 2 times a day and it HURTS LIKE HE@#. I am so discouraged form this so I know how you feel. Anyway I am glad that they fixed it up for you! Have a great day! Love AMybee