The day after surgery.
This is after the nurse unpacked the wound.
The dark spots were from "bleeds" that I had during surgery.
He had to cauterise the bleed.
Cauterise means to burn or sear.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The first day after surgery, after wound was unpacked
The day after surgery.
This is after the nurse unpacked the wound.
The dark spots were from "bleeds" that I had during surgery.
He had to cauterise the bleed.
Cauterise means to burn or sear.
The day after surgery before unpacked.
This is a picture of my left arm before the nurse unpacked it.
Now you can see why I have been afraid all along!
Finally surgery was done.
My surgery was rescheduled for September 1st, 2010. Again I mentally prepared myself.
We packed a bag and off to the hospital to check in at 6 a.m. again after fasting for another 24 hours. I found myself again in a gown on a gurney with I.V.'s of gatoraid (or close to that) and antibiotics flowing through my veins. I spoke with the anesthesiologist and all set to go. After my third hour I was informed that my surgeon had an emergency and my surgery will be late. After my fourth hour waiting I was informed that the surgery will be rescheduled due to my doctors emergencies that came up that day. I was there for six hours. They took the I.V.'s out. I got dressed and now had another week of dread for yet another scheduled surgery.
I almost chickened out. Remember the pictures and experiences that I had read of testimonials before me. I could not believe that I had CHOSEN to go through the pain and risks that I would endure for this surgery and still be brave enough to decide to carry on.
I could only recall the days when my disease made my life unbearable and no one could understand. I just want an end to the suffering even though I knew it meant a lot of pain to endure for what I was told in the beginning.... near 15 days.
Finally, I went to Samaritan North on September 8th, 2010 surgery that was finally performed!
The surgeon said that he is opting to do only my left arm due to the amount of pain and risks of infection. I will have to come back for surgery on the right arm after healing.
Although I was looking forward to getting it all done and over at once, I am now VERY happy about his decision. The pain is nearly intolerable!
I have Home health care nurses now that will come daily. They will take off my bandaging( painful) Unpack the open wound (more painful!) and repack the open wound ( I thought I may pass out each time!) Then they would be back again tomorrow to do the same thing.
I now realize that there are several types of pain.
There is a constant burning pain as if it is on fire. There is surging pain that pierces through the wound only occasionally. There is a dulling (my favorite) pain that lets you feel the pain but feels also numb. AND THEN..... there is the pain that I feel when the nurse unpacks and repacks the wound!
I have no words to describe that pain. I can only say that I get hot,things turn dark and hazy and my mind wants to erase what is happening.
The nurse is a home health care nurse and I already know that these woman are wonderful angel's sent to me by amazing fate!
As usual I find Lori very tolerant, understanding and comforting through this whole process.
Here are some gory details and pictures.
Warning! The images and descriptions of what you are about to see are "graphic" and not for intended for viewing by young children and the squeamish!
It is funny now that I feel like I should come with a warning label!
The open wound measures 13 centimeters wide, 6.5 centimeters long, and 3 centimeters deep.
The measurements and pictures are very important to evaluate the healing process.
We packed a bag and off to the hospital to check in at 6 a.m. again after fasting for another 24 hours. I found myself again in a gown on a gurney with I.V.'s of gatoraid (or close to that) and antibiotics flowing through my veins. I spoke with the anesthesiologist and all set to go. After my third hour I was informed that my surgeon had an emergency and my surgery will be late. After my fourth hour waiting I was informed that the surgery will be rescheduled due to my doctors emergencies that came up that day. I was there for six hours. They took the I.V.'s out. I got dressed and now had another week of dread for yet another scheduled surgery.
I almost chickened out. Remember the pictures and experiences that I had read of testimonials before me. I could not believe that I had CHOSEN to go through the pain and risks that I would endure for this surgery and still be brave enough to decide to carry on.
I could only recall the days when my disease made my life unbearable and no one could understand. I just want an end to the suffering even though I knew it meant a lot of pain to endure for what I was told in the beginning.... near 15 days.
Finally, I went to Samaritan North on September 8th, 2010 surgery that was finally performed!
The surgeon said that he is opting to do only my left arm due to the amount of pain and risks of infection. I will have to come back for surgery on the right arm after healing.
Although I was looking forward to getting it all done and over at once, I am now VERY happy about his decision. The pain is nearly intolerable!
I have Home health care nurses now that will come daily. They will take off my bandaging( painful) Unpack the open wound (more painful!) and repack the open wound ( I thought I may pass out each time!) Then they would be back again tomorrow to do the same thing.
I now realize that there are several types of pain.
There is a constant burning pain as if it is on fire. There is surging pain that pierces through the wound only occasionally. There is a dulling (my favorite) pain that lets you feel the pain but feels also numb. AND THEN..... there is the pain that I feel when the nurse unpacks and repacks the wound!
I have no words to describe that pain. I can only say that I get hot,things turn dark and hazy and my mind wants to erase what is happening.
The nurse is a home health care nurse and I already know that these woman are wonderful angel's sent to me by amazing fate!
As usual I find Lori very tolerant, understanding and comforting through this whole process.
Here are some gory details and pictures.
Warning! The images and descriptions of what you are about to see are "graphic" and not for intended for viewing by young children and the squeamish!
It is funny now that I feel like I should come with a warning label!
The open wound measures 13 centimeters wide, 6.5 centimeters long, and 3 centimeters deep.
The measurements and pictures are very important to evaluate the healing process.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The worst is yet to come......
Since I expected the complete surgery to be done on 8/23/2010 I was extremely upset that now I will have to endure a second surgery in 7 to 10 days. I had mentally prepared myself for this surgery for at least a month. I also worked with my boss to make sure this could be done in a manner where I could miss minimal time from work without pay.
My surgeon decided at the time of my original surgery that since I had a "flare up" of infection and boils still, that it would only be dangerous to have the original surgery done due to the infection already set in. It could in fact cause more infection post op. Since I now have a resistance to antibiotics. ( Since I have been taking so many antibiotics due to the disease) She has informed me that she will be leaving the country and now I will be introduced to one of her fellow associates to perform the surgery instead. The surgical group office has informed me that they will be calling me to see how I recuperated from the first procedure and updating on the infection that I already have before they can make further arrangements.
I will keep you posted.
My surgeon decided at the time of my original surgery that since I had a "flare up" of infection and boils still, that it would only be dangerous to have the original surgery done due to the infection already set in. It could in fact cause more infection post op. Since I now have a resistance to antibiotics. ( Since I have been taking so many antibiotics due to the disease) She has informed me that she will be leaving the country and now I will be introduced to one of her fellow associates to perform the surgery instead. The surgical group office has informed me that they will be calling me to see how I recuperated from the first procedure and updating on the infection that I already have before they can make further arrangements.
I will keep you posted.
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