Well, what a week. After the first couple responses to my post about the drainage, I read them to my husband who began to inspect the incision. He said that after a gentle prod, what appeared to be infection began to come out. So, he calmly called the hospital in Cinci and they told me to get to ER right away. So, at 11:00 Saturday night, we were off to Cincinnati - a 2 hour 15 minute drive. They admitted me, started me on a wide array of antibiotics, cleaned up the incision (thank God for morphine), and took some cultures.
I ended up staying 4 days in the hospital. Here's the scoop -
The cultures showed a staff infection. The neurosurgeon wasn't pleased with the way the skin was healing (or not healing) either, so a plastic surgeon examined it, removed some of the dead skin, (wasn't too painful since I'm still very numb back there), and said he felt once the infection was gone, it should heal nicely. The installed a PICC line (not sure what it stands for, but essentially, it's a permanent (or as long as ya need it) IV that can be maintained 24/7 while at home and allow for strong antibiotics over time.
I'm on Nafcillin for maybe 4 weeks. I am so grouchy, irritable, and worried sick. We were assigned a home health nurse who doesn't seem to know much about the pump we have so I'm very uneasy with all of this at home. My husband is terrific and he has changed the IV bag, but I have so many questions about this device (the pump is a CADD Prism) - they set it up with a fanny pack and the bag lasts 24 hours - every 4 hours it dispenses the appropriate dose of the antibiotic. How do I shower? Can we disconnect it while I take a shower and then hook it back up? Will it know to pick up the timer where it left off? Our home health nurse said I had to always leave it connected and that I could shower but hang it on the shower curtain rod so it doesn't get wet. That's not possible because there isn't enough tubing. I've been wrapping my arm around the catheter with a ziploc bag and Steve seals it with tape. that's worked ok so far, but that's before I got this pump (that was how I was showering at the hospital when I had a regular IV bag and pole. The nurses just disconnected it until I got back to bed.) I'm so frustrated! You can't tell when the pump is dispensing the regular dose of medicine so how do you know it is working properly after we put on a new bag. The green light is blinking (which is good), but do we just hope for the best? I want to KNOW it's working right. When I call the home health care agency and ask questions, no one can say anything definitive ("well, it should be fine" or I've not seen that type of pump before but most of them work this way....") None of their wonderful help inspires confidence.
Is it too much to ask that someone tell me with confidence that the pump is working exactly as it should? This infection has really scared me! Have any of you had this experience?
The Dr. said I'd be on the IV for 4 weeks, with regular blood cultures done each week to see if the infection is going away. I see the Dr. on Wednesday.
On a positive, less whiny note - I haven't had any headaches since I went to the ER!!!
What a ride. As always, I'd love to hear from you!!!!! You all have been a lifeline to me.
Kathy
