Infected wound ***WARNING*** gross picture

[fudgesmummy]

Hi all,
I had major abdominal surgery 11 days ago and I have got an infection in my wound. I saw a dector yesterday and got prescribed antibiotics and the staples are due to be removed on Tuesday
Do you think I should go and have it looked at again tomorrow?
I feel ok in myself, no temperature or anything just miserable and in pain 😭

[MrsMozartMkII]

Oh no! That sounds like just what you don't need on any level lass.

Everything crossed it really does bog off soonest.

[lljkk]

So... are you still in hospital?

My mind is boggling at 50 lb cyst. You did say 50 pounds in weight, right??

[fudgesmummy]

@BareKneesDeCourcy
The food is the only bearable thing!
I’m now on 3 different antibiotics but not seen the wound specialists yet ☹️
All 41 staples came out this morning. The first dozen were uncomfortable but bearable. The rest in the infected bit were very painful, especially the ones they had to dig for 😭😭😭😭
During the day things are bearable but it’s hell at night as so hot.

[fudgesmummy]

@lljkk
Yes 50 lb in weight
I came out of the operating theatre 3 stone lighter.......
And 8 weeks ago I had absolutely no idea I had a cyst

Pictures before and after

[JustOneLastThing]

Oh my goodness, the whole thing must have been very shocking. I hope you are feeling a little better as the iv anti-b's do their thing.

[ThePawtriarchy]

Oh gosh, as my Nana would say ‘you’ve been through the wars’. I really hope you start feeling better soon

[fudgesmummy]

@JustOneLastThing
Yes, especially as it was only discovered when I had an MRI scan for something else (which I had to pay for as the doctor refused to refer me) 😮😡

[lljkk]

omfg. Ok, you win Sporners Corner.

[flossletsfloss]

Wishing you a speedy recovery OP, you sound so very brave.

[BareKneesDeCourcy]

Bloody hell!!! Staple removal sounds ‘orrid.

Did they find owt of interest in the cyst, like a full set of teeth with hair?

How much does an MRI cost these days?

I’m glad the food is reasonable. I like hospital food! No cooking or washing up!

[fudgesmummy]

@flossletsfloss
Not at all I can assure you. I had a little cry this afternoon when the lady in the next bed had her family visiting her and I was on my own.
Hopefully the cyst was just full of fluid.
@ BareKneesDeCourcey my dd had a cyst like that when she was 17 (a dermoid cyst) the size
of a mango
The MRI cost £450. A closed scanner was only £350 but they couldn’t squash my belly in. That was when we started to realise that there might be something wrong

[BareKneesDeCourcy]

Aw, have a hug.

Hey that’s quite reasonable for an MRI, I thought it would be thousands.

How are you feeling today?

[fudgesmummy]

The specialist wound nurse has been to see me. She was VERY critical of the surgeon for taking the dressing off after 4 days and sending me home with instructions to leave the wound open. She thinks this could have all been avoided 😡😡😡
I had the surgery at another hospital but within the same trust. We got sent to this one on Monday, and this hospital is where I had the original appointment and diagnosis from the consultant Gynaecologist.
Apparently they don’t have access to my notes or surgery report and the team at the other hospital don’t get informed that I’m here.
I’m feeling very fed up and frustrated about the whole situation.
Now waiting to have an ultrasound scan to see what is going on inside, so I’m nil by mouth so can’t even eat anything to cheat myself up 😭

[Nogodsnomasters]

You really have been through the wars, I hope chatting to all us is keeping you some company. I really feel for you - sending hugs and a hand hold.

[MrsMozartMkII]

Oh bobberation with bells on!

I hope they can get this all fixed very soon lass.

[hellsbells99]

I hope you are starting to feel better fudgesmummy
That is a huge operation to go through

[IShitGlitter]

I have just read through the thread. You really have been through a rough time. Being nil by mouth and top of everything is just cruelty, have you brought a tablet or have any access to tv to maybe get lost in a good box set failing that get some well ask for some GOOD painkillers and try get some rest

[BareKneesDeCourcy]

What the hell! That’s so shit!

Arse and elbow springs to mind. Sounds like a cost-cutting exercise chucking you out after four days.

It’s baffling, what is the point of having our medical notes on a computer system if all areas of the NHS can’t see it? Aargh!

Nil by mouth is miserable. I hope the scan is worth it and you can pig out afterwards.

Can you get hold of books and magazines?

A good book, my iPod and my knitting stopped me going mad.

[BareKneesDeCourcy]

How are you today?

How did the ultrasound scan go?

[MrsMozartMkII]

Been thinking about you.

[Slightaggrandising]

Holy moly. That's a big op.

[Bobbiepin]

Well that's one way to lose weight!

Seriously though, I hope you're getting some rest & you'll be home soon

[Whatsacill]

Just wanted to say get well soon and send you these OP

[fudgesmummy]

Thanks for all your messages 🙂
I’m back home again, discharged to be under the care of a wound specialists at our doctors surgery.
Spoke to them on the phone this morning and got appointments organised.
The specialists at the hospital cleaned and dressed the wound and I have now got a stoma bag fitted over the open wound to collect the liquid.
The ultrasound scan couldn’t see any pockets of liquid. The doctor said the scar tissue was in the way.
I’m glad to be home, But a bit traumatised by the whole thing. I don’t know if it’s worth making an official complaint to the hospital where the surgery was carried out?

[Soontobe60]

Bloody hell Fudge, you've really been through the wringer!
I'm assuming they've given you shit loads of pain killers! After such major surgery, I wouldn't risk anything. If in the morning it seems worse at all, contact the GP. Don't wait and feel you're bothering them. I had a really small procedure in March where I had a cancerous mole removed from my side. I had a 4 inch incision and six stitches. It steadily got more painful and when I went to have the stitches removed after 5 days the nurse was shocked at how infected it had become. She contacted my gp, who prescribed a general antibiotic to collect immediately and I had to go back to the walk in at hospital daily for the next 4 days to have it cleaned and dressed.
Compared to your wound it was very minor, but because of the infection took ages to heal, and they were concerned that I may have had to go back to have the wound made bigger to get rid of the necrotic tissue!
Do not suffer in silence! I wish you all the best and hope you feel better soon xx