My "new" complications

Hi all, I don't mean to whine and complain...but.....I have a wound from the surgery that is hard to heal. I was given a home care nurse to help change my dressings, and do a weekly check on my blood thinning meds so my blood clot in my lung doesn't travel or make new friends. Anyways, I'm glad I have this nurse...I have been so weak lately, and she takes care of making sure everything is done and taken care of. I got admitted to a wound care center 3 weeks ago because this wound just is not healing. Last Friday they put a "wound VAC" on my belly. It continuously "sucks" the blood/infection through a 6 ft long tube back into the box that I have to tote around with me everywhere! the thing weighs about 8-10 pounds, and you can see the blood rush through those clear tubes 24/7. I just found out that I can actually take that puppy off of me for no more than 2 hrs at a time. That means that I could actually go to the store (driven by someone else of course) and not have to carry that thing with me ...along with the looks I get when I go in public with it. I was just wondering if anybody out there has gone through the same thing..and how long they had to wear this thing? Take care everybody..I'm still hanging in there at 35 days post-op..Yeah!!! Hugs and Smiles, Virginia aka Ginger

Virgina, Hang in there things will get better. I will be keeping you in my prayers. Lorraine

Ginger, We will take care of you! stay strong girl! willby

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Virginia))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) I'm walking right beside you sweetie! Huggs, Ruth

Virginia, I'm so sorry you're having to endure this ... and hope it will heal up soon. (((hugs))) Myra

Hi everybody, Thanks for all your support. I just get alittle depressed and tired of feeling like my life is a waiting room. Waiting for my blood thinning/clotting thing to resolve and Waiting for this abdominal wound to heal. There is truly nothing I can do to speed any of these things up..I just have to wait. I bet God is testing me. I thought he was done "testing" me when they released me from that hellhole they call a hospital (do I sound bitter?) Sorry, the pain meds I'm on tend to allow me to lay my feelings on the table.....not just verbally (ask my family) but also in writing..please chalk my vents up to someone who is very grateful to have had the surgery...just waiting to enjoy the fruits of my labors! Hugs, Virginia aka Ginger

Ginger, good heavens you are certainly having some complications girl. I am sorry to hear it too. I wish I could be there to help you or give you a word of wisdom, encouragment or maybe just a hug. My heart truely feels for you. So have you lost any weight? Are you noticing any difference in your clothing fit? Atleast that might be worth a smile or two! I try everyday to find something I can smile about... usually I find lots. As a disabled woman who left a very independant, successful, happy and active life in January 2002, I find my biggest help is patience. Change is hard (especailly bloodclots and unhealed wounds) and frustrating, even if the end result is a blessing... the trials are things some of us have to go through. I pray it makes me a stronger and a more ensightful person. Sending a big hug... whispering how much I care. Aunt Pam

Hi Pam and everybody, Thank you for your words of support. I really shouldn't complain. I've got an awsome family who have been so caring and helpful. I sent my hubby and two sons out of town to visit with his family for Christmas (4 hours away) (we opened presents together before they left) I stayed with my sister and she took care of me. (She lives about 45 min. away from me) I ended up getting sick and my wound VAC went crazy and lost it's mind....it just beeped like an alarm clock out of control. My sis called my home care nurse and she came down because if you go for more than 2 hours without the machine going, you could develop an even worst infection. The home nurse called the repair guy..who just happened to be a mile away! He came and replaced my unit with a new one..lickety split! I am so grateful that I stayed with my sis cause I truly would had ended up in ER or worse because of this. Again thank you...I hope I can help each of you when I get back to the land of the living....I found out yesterday that my blood is still too thick..they have to try other ways to lower it. I am actually getting used to tugging along my "blood sucker" machine. I decided to have a better attitude since it will probably be my companion for the next 3 to 4 weeks. I will have this thing on me for 1 week tomorrow, and I have been shown how my wound is actually getting smaller and healing from the bottom up! I am getting better everyday....can somebody take the yucky antibotics for me though???Again, I love you guys! Hugs, Ginger

Hi Ginger... Just had to say this does SUCK and it's awful that you're going thru this and you scream and holler and yell all you want cause we love you and we understand. I'd be bitter and angry and probably so miserable no one would even want to hear from me... You're doing great and it won't last forever... but for now it's just fine to say how badly it is and how much you hate every bit of it. Get some rest and feel better soon!!