If you missed me, here is why.

JatMat

JatMat

Joined
Aug 26, 2006
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Some of you know through FaceBook about my wife, but I just wanted to update the others. She has had major health problems since July of 2009. First it was several pinched nerves in her neck that required replacement of two disks with cadaver bones and a titanium plate to secure three disks together. Just after healing from surgery she got a bad case of shingles and still has post neurological pain. Then during a routine Mammogram a year ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, two surgeries to get it all out, then massive radiation via a golf ball balloon for five days, twice a day, inserted in here breast and then filled with radioactive material. It took months for her to begin to recover her strength. Just as she was feeling like getting out a month ago, her breast started hurting and causing lots of pain. We consulted her surgeon and she started her on antibiotics since the breast had fever in it. Three days passed and then appointment with surgeon produced THREE horse size syringes of pus drawn from her breast. More antibiotics added to the 1st one. Waited a week for improvement and had none, now another visit to surgeon and she opened the breast open with a number 10 scalpel inserted 4'' inside. Out comes more pus, the surgeon said she must operate, remove infected tissue and install a open wound vacuum system. And leave the wound open. As it heals from inside out, it is suppose to be the cure. Meanwhile she has an open wound filled with sponges and must have those changed three times a week by home health, VERY Painful to have sponges pulled out and repacked. I would ask for prayers from all of my faithful friends. It is hard for me to see my bride of 46 years suffer so much pain. She is tethered to a vacuum pump 24/7 and we can not go anywhere for 6 to 10 weeks. She is a diabetic and healing is much more difficult for her.

If you missed me, thanks, if you did not know I was gone, I am sorry to not have been a friend to you. Again, please pray for her.
Thanks,
Jim Todd
Gadsden, AL
 
Jim,so sorry to hear about your wifes latest trials,will keep you in our prayers.
Stan
 
i hope your wife gets better quick jatmat. i hope they find a cure for cancer soon so there will be less people going through what your wife is going through.
 
Prayers sent.

After things stabilize a bit, ask the care provider about a Potra-vac unit. It is a shoulder pack like a purse, that has a battery operated wound-vac system. I am very familiar with wound-vac treatment, having been certified to deal with open abdominal wounds.
As hard as it is to look at an open and seeping wound 24/7, it is the best way for these deep abscess wounds to heal.
 
bladsmth said:
Prayers sent.

After things stabilize a bit, ask the care provider about a Potra-vac unit. It is a shoulder pack like a purse, that has a battery operated wound-vac system. I am very familiar with wound-vac treatment, having been certified to deal with open abdominal wounds.
As hard as it is to look at an open and seeping wound 24/7, it is the best way for these deep abscess wounds to heal.
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That is what she has, but she is too weak right now to even think about getting out. But, she also made the comment she would never think of letting anyone see the ooze running thru the tubing nor hear it when it gets a lot in the line to clear the line out. She said, "Can you imagine anyone wanting to sit by me in a restaurant hearing or seeing this thing operate." I think ours is made by KC ??.

A question for you, with an open incision of about 3 inches long and 5 inches deep and a diabetic, in your experience, what is the time of healing? We were told 6 to 8 weeks.
 
richard j said:
i hope your wife gets better quick jatmat. i hope they find a cure for cancer soon so there will be less people going through what your wife is going through.
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Thanks Richard, I will have to call you soon, been thinking about you, wondering about your health.
Jim Todd
 
Jim,
Without any background info, anything would be a guess. I would assume a deep wound that was already tissue damaged by infection would take 10 weeks of longer. With diabetes added to the parameters, it could be more.

The drainage will greatly lessen as the infection is stopped by the antibiotics. In a few weeks the drainage will decrease a lot. There will still be plasma drainage that will be tinted anywhere from green to yellow to pink.

Have the care providers show you how to apply the wound-vac cover, patch leaks, and do all the necessary clearing of tubes and the vac-pack. If there is a problem ( and there will be some) , taking care of it immediately will greatly reduce the chances of subsequent complications. It can take hours to a day for the nurse to come after an emergency call ,and that is just too long to wait. If something isn't right, and you aren't sure what to do, go to the ER.

Prophylaxis is key to healing and infection control, so wash your hands constantly, wash around the wound-vac regularly, and keep up her diet and liquid intake so she has good resistance. Wash the sheets and change them every other day.
 
Thank You Stacy! The color of the tissue around the wound has already changed from a deep maroon shade to normal pink tissue, she was on IV antibiotics for two days and now is on Bactrium (sp) . I think the infection is gone after the debrading done by surgeon and the IV's. I am hopeful that it will not take that long, but we will make it one way or another. It just kills me to see her in so much pain, Tomorrow will be the first change by the home health nurse since the hospital. That is suppose to be the worst one, (the first). Thanks Again, Jim
 
Removing the wound-vac seal, pulling out all the packing, probing around, and then repacking it again and putting on a new seal is not fun. It does get better with time, but tomorrow isn't going to be a picnic for either one of you. Hold her hand, tell her you love her....and don't look if you are the least bit squeamish. The nurse may not want you there at all.
However, that choice is up to your wife and her doctor.

As I said, the healing rate depends on lots of factors.
Judy and I prayed for you and your wife tonight, and will keep you two in our prayers.
 
Jim
I am sorry to hear of your Wifes unfortunate string of events. I was wondering what happened to you and your posts.
Prayers sent your way and I will pray for her quick recovery.
Chris
 
Wow. Very sorry to hear of all these problems. Lots of prayers coming your way. I pray your wife recovers quickly from all that ails her and that the road ahead is smooth for both of you.

When I was working at the VA, we used vacs quite a bit with wound care. They're good machines, and they'll do a great job helping close up that void and helping the infection clear up if there's any left. If she is on pain medications, make sure you coordinate the pain meds with your dressing change visit so that they'll have time to take maximum effect.

God bless the both of you!

--nathan
 
Jim - prayers up for you guys tonight. That's really all I can say, but I sure wish I could do more. Keep us posted.

~Chris
 
Ah, Jim, I am so sorry she is in such bad condition. A good attitude counts for a lot under these circumstances. You two can't give up. Amazingly, once healed, these wounds can practically be forgotten.

I had a bad infection in my left foot, a few years after I lost the right one. Same kind of pus-filled wound. It took 3 weeks in the hospital, with regular cleaning and antibiotics. But a few months later, circulation was back in force, and I even recovered feeling down to the toes.
 
Take care of your Wife, give her all the love you can and with time this will be but a memory! Others have given you great advice, all I can offer are words of encouragement and prayers, I am happy to offer both! Steven
 
The wound is healing, closed up nearly 1/2'' in a week, even the nurse was surprised when she measured the depth, said the tissue granulation was good. (whatever that means) other than it is good. Keep up the prayers Guys, somebodies is getting through or maybe a lot of them are.
Thanks Again,
Jim
 
Done and continuing Jim for both of you.
 
Terrible to hear Jim. But she sounds like a fighter which is the best thing in any situation like this one. Thoughts and smoke sent your way.
 
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