Update - 2nd infection...

[Jim Scott]

Kathy ~ 

Because it's now almost 4 P.M. (EST), I'll assume your surgery has been successfully completed and you're home, recovering and looking forward to getting on with your life.  Please confirm. 

Jim

[Cheryl R]

One of Kathy's posts stated she would be in the hospital overnight so may not get news until tomorrow.
                                         Cheryl R

[Jwh]

I'm thinking of you!  I know you're going to be fine.  God bless.

Jen

[Kathy M]

HI Guys!

Well, who knew?  I'm home sitting in my recliner, shocked that they sent me home so soon!  Apparently, all went well.  Although I had all indications of a bone infection, they opened me up to find no signs.  They debrided the wound (really did a lot of clean up) , and gave us new instructions on caring for the wound.  It is now a combination of staples and sutures (the sutures are where the open part of the infected part was), and much less hair this time than after surgery the first time.  (how will I ever get back to work?) 

Steve has to cleanse with soap and water 2x per day, then apply some ointment that starts with a "b".  (I wonder why this was not our instructions after surgery, but then it doesn't do me much good to second guess.)

I am not in pain right now, due to great meds and the fact that my head is still surprisingly numb from the January surgery. 

But- my problem now is this - I am having a hard time urinating.   I can go, but only a small bit a time.  They did not use a catheter, so I should be going a little bit more than I am.   Have any of you had this problem ?  Should I flush by drinking lots of water? 

Any insight would be great!!!!

Kathy

[Kaybo]

Kathy~
I don't have any answers for you on the tinkle-time problems but I don't think too much water can ever hurt!!  Glad everything went well and you are home safe & sound!

K

[sgerrard]

Try drinking Gatorade or Powerade. It is easier to drink than water, and goes right through you.

I suspect it is a side effect of medication, either during surgery or after, and will go away soon. Great that you are home already!

Steve

[lori67]

Kathy -

good news!  I"m surprised they didn't have you use any ointment after your surgery either.  I used bacitracin, but another "B" one is bactroban, which is much stronger and prescription and pretty much wipes out everything you could possibly have.  Pretty much.

How long was the surgery?  I'm sure they had you not eating or drinking after midnight last night and if they didn't have fluid running in thru IV for very long, you might be a little dehydrated - hence the lack of "tinkling".  I'd just stay well hydrated and if it's not flowing better by tomorrow morning, I'd probably give the doc a call.

Welcome home!

Lori

[wendysig]

Hi Kathy -
What great news!  I'm glad to hear you're home and hope this will be the end of your problem.

Best wishes,
Wendy

[Jim Scott]

Kathy ~

Congratulations on a successful procedure!  I join many others in hoping (and praying) that the wound will now heal properly and your recovery can proceed at a normal pace. 

The 'B' ointment is very likely Bacitracin.  It is commonly used on incisions/cuts and usually quite effective.  I used it, on my doctors instructions, to treat my AN surgical incision.  It worked well.  Unfortunately, I have no useful suggestions on how to conquer the urinary issue but drinking copious amounts of water should have a beneficial effect, assuming there is no underlying problem, which seems unlikely at this point.   

Jim

[Kaybo]

Hey Kathy~
How are things today?  How are you feeling?  Tinkle time better?  Inquiring minds want to know...

K

[Kathy M]

I am happy to report that tinkle time is better - thanks for askin' Kaybo!  I think I'll check have things checked out while I'm home recouperating (finally) from this AN adventure to make sure things are working like they should.  i've had a few other symptoms (some have been years in the making) that I should probably chat about with my family doctor.  Since I've had plenty of time to reflect and read read read, I think that I need to be a better advocate for my own health and not ignore them.  Quality of life, turns out, is a really important thing - I've never appreciated that more than during the last 4 months!!!  This ordeal has taught me a good deal and I hope to be stronger because of it!!

[Captain Deb]

Jeez, Kathy, does this make you a "postie-postie?" What an ordeal!  I'm glad you are home and "cleaned out." After my surgery my buddy Marge who was taking care of me, put my head over the sink and poured hydrogen peroxide over my incision every night and then slathered it with neo-sporine.  Years of living in the tropics on boats really taught us about infections! I don't know why the docs don't tell their patients to do stuff like that. So sorry you had to go through all that but sounds like you can pass your title of "Queen of the Ickyheads" on to someone else now.

Hoping for smooth sailing for you from hereon out!

Capt Deb

[Kathy M]

Boy, I sure could use Marge about now!  I think I'm going to lose my mind!!!!  My daughter has wound care duty today and guess what?  There are two pea size dots of yellow-ish color on the part of the incision that was so bad before.  How much can one person take?  I guess I'll tell ya later.  She used the soapy solution and cleaned it out, then applied the antibacterial ointment on the incision, as we've been instructed.  I've got a call into my doc's office, but so far, they have obviously not found the magic solution to this ordeal, either. 

If I had the energy, I'd go running down the street to let out this frustration, but I think I'll just imagine me doing it for now.  WHAT THE HECK?

Kathy

[lori67]

Kathy,

Did they give you oral antibiotics too?  They should have - you have to attack from all angles with a stubborn infection.  I'd call and ask about it if they didn't prescribe any for you.  Maybe they have some reason for not using them, but it seems odd to me.  And if all they told you to use was the bacitracin, which is over the counter, ask about the prescription Bactroban too.  Bacitracin is great, but it has it's limits.  Bactroban will cover a wider range of "nasties".

Good luck!

Lori

[moe]

Kathy,
Sorry to hear about the drainage. Just now reading this post.
It's just draining a little. As long as it is not green and nasty smelling, you should be ok. Better to drain out than fester under the skin.
Lori is right- you need antibiotic.
I would also suggest feeling around the area. Does it hurt when you press on that area? If not that's a good sign. If it hurts, then there's stuff that wants to come out.Ymmm.
Hang in there...
And if you start running a temp >100.4, call AGAIN1
Nurse Maureen
(lori is a nurse too, can't you tell? )