I need some support

Hi Everyone, I really need some support. I had plastic surgery on 5/4/06 in MX and became septic and developed three abseces (sp) on my butt. I a 2nd surgery done here in the US on 5/16/06 to have the abseces drained and was left with a large hole and three tunnels that were being packed daily at first the pain was unbareable and the amount of gauze used to pack each tunnel was about the size of a baseball. The dr estimated it would take 2mos for the wound/tunnels to close completly. My pain had become very tolerable and then I tried using a wound vac, I took it off on the 5th day because it was causing me so much pain (this was about a mo ago) since then the pain has never really subsided again, I am back on the wound vac as the healing is not progressing and dr wanted to give it another shot, he said this week we are looking at another 6-8wks . I have tried to remain positive but am getting so frusterated, I am sick of being in pain. I work in a call center and the sitting all day is so hard but I cant miss anymore work, I was off for two months as of result of this already. Anyway I guess I am having a bad day and really needed to vent. Thanks for the support! Melissa

Melissa, I am so sorry that this has happened to you. Hopefully it will get better soon. I will keep you in my prayers. Lynn

Hi Lynn, Thanks so much for the support and prayers. Take care, Melissa

Melissa, I am sorry you are going through this. Thank God you were able to get to the doctor before it got worse although I doubt that is much consolation at this point. I hope you start healing soon and the pain subsides. Hugs, Bridget

Hi Bridget, It is a huge consolation, I was told had I waited another day I would been in ICU and possibly dead so I am so happy I am alive. I keep trying to focus on that but some days like today I am just frusterated with the long process involved. Thanks for the support! Melissa

I had a friend go through the same thing but she let it go too long. She ended up at a wound clinic- a specific place for people with wounds that won't heal. She was given great treatment and after a year, she finally healed with their procedures and medications. It's part of the hospital where whe got her surgery done so it was covered by insurance. Her plastic surgeon kept putting it off and saying so many more weeks. She finally went to the wound Clinic and was helped in just a few weeks and healed up finally after treatment there. See if there isn't some place like that in your area. They only do wounds and are better equipped to handle problem areas.

Hi Myrtle, I am going to a wound care center twice a week, so I feel comfortable that I am being monitored on a regular basis. Thanks so much for the suggestion an support. Melissa

Melissa, I'm so sorry you're going thru this. You've been thru so much recently. I'll keep you in my prayers. Hugs, Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Hi Tracy, Thanks so much for the kind words and prayers! Take care, Melissa

Boy, I could have written your story myself. I had a panniculectomy last Oct. I got infection in the wound site that was really awful. I ended up back in the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics and had to have a blood transfusion. I had 2 tunnels that had to be packed twice a day........this went on until March when they finally closed up. I was a regular at our wound clinic. I also wore that loud nasty wound vac, but only briefly. It will get better from here for you. It's easy for me to say now, because when I was in the time frame you are right now, I was ever so bummed out and miserable. Take it from me, someone who's been there, it DOES get better. I felt like I would never be able to go without bandages and "stuffing", but when I was all done I felt like a free woman!!! It will happen to you too.!! Take Care Patti