GO FIGURE!!! Dr. Carrie was WRONG!!!

Well, I had hernia repair surgery 3 weeks ago, and I had just diagnosed myself with another hernia, and was a little annoyed at surgeon for not using mesh. The new "hernia" was about the size of a canteloupe and much harder than the original hernia. So, I went to the surgeon today for a second opinion. It was not a hernia, but a sermona (a huge, nasty, deepy buried wound infection). So, he numbed up my belly and opened me up in the office, about 6" long and 6" deep and cleaned it out. I was horrified. So, now I have a huge gaping hole in my belly, and need a visiting nurse to come out twice a day to change the dressings. Apparently, it takes WEEKS to heal. I am completely grossed out and disgusted. I looked at it when the nurse was here, and can't get the image out of my head. Yuck. This is the worst thing EVER!!!! Pain does not bother me, but this is just disgusting!!! I can't imaging having a hole in me I can put my giant fist into for at least 6 weeks (and the nurse says 12 is more likely). Also, how am I supposed to pick up strange men on the street with this thing? I feel like a complete freak of nature. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel...........as long as it is healing, I get to stay home and enjoy Judge Judy and Little House on the Prairie. The doctor says that as soon as I go to work, the visiting nurses stop coming, so I need to stay home until it is completely healed. Thanks for listening to my disgusting story Carrie

Carrie I am so glad to hear that it isnt another hernia. Now I know that you thinking to yourself yea right. But let me tell you story and maybe you will feel better about your hole. Approx 10 yrs ago I had my galbladder removed. Didnt have to have the drain they cut me clear across the under side of my breast. Well anyhow my surgery was on a Thursday and that Friday my Doctor left for the weekend. Well I kept telling the nurses all weekend long that at time my incesion would burn. I mean HOT SHOOTING burning sensations. Well the on call Doctor looked at my incesion and told me there was nothing wrong with me it was all in my mind. (Needless to say I wanted to grab a part of his body and twist it and tell him it was all in his mind) But I didnt!! Well on Monday my Doctor came back (okay now mind you I still have my staples in) when I told him what was going on. He looked and told the nurse to bring in a sterile bandage cart. He then (NO LIE) took those funny looking scissors. I believe they are called Lister bandage scissors. He cut me open in four differnet spots with them washed them out with saline and packed the holes with sterile gauze. Then put a dressing over the whole incesion again. I was never numbed and it hurt like you know what. I went home that way. And like you said home health had to come out to change my dressings, wash me out and repack me. They told me I was healing from the inside out. My mother and sister took over in keeping my dressing clean. The nurses aide told me that I could use sanatary napkins over the whole incesion because they were sterile and alot cheaper. As time went on I was healing start getting around alot better. Went to the store with my mother and was walking down the isle and I felt something hit my foot. As I turned around there laid on the ground one of my sanatary napkins on the floor with tape on it sticking to the side of my shoe. I was so freaked out I couldnt move. And my mother (god bless her heart) said to me " Oh for crying out Loud Melissa cant you keep yourself together" And she bend down grabbed the pad off of my shoe and shoved it in her purse. We Laugh our butts off about it now. But I didnt at that time. I hope my little misfortune helps you feel better. Melissa

Carrie I guess it's kinda bittersweet huh? I LOVE Little House On The Prairie. I cant imagine looking at the wound though, you are WAYYY stronger than I am. My thought is if I look it will hurt worse...lol. Take care of yourself and keep us updated. Hugs, Jamie

Carrie HEY!!!! You young pretty girls have to stick with the "normal" guys. Please leave the "perverts" who like gross things for us old women You should talk to Ginger............she just got over having the same kind of probelm( the hole in your belly............NOT the men thing) Anyways..........get your Laura and Mary dolls out and have a helluva good time!!! !!!! willby

Carrie, this also happened to me when i had a hernia repair operation 2 years ago, although they only opened up about two inches. it did take a while to heal, but i had to stay in the hospital for almost 2 weeks to get IV antibiotics, then had a home nurse for two weeks while continuing meds at home. Did your dr. give you any? I would think that would help the healing process go a little quicker. However, I now have 2 belly buttons, one right above the other. Karyn

Hi Carrie, Wow! I think I would have rather had the hernia Dr. Carrie. The same type of thing happened to me. What freaked me out also was how my doctor just got out his "exacto knife" and opened me up..right there in the doctor's office!! No pain killers..just whip out the knife and go at it! It's good that you'll have the visiting nurse come and change your dressing for you. At first I didn't want her to come..but trying to change your own bandage while you are laying on your back..is a total pain!! Also your nurse will take your vitals each visit. That doesn't sound like that much untill you realize that your fever went up higher than your norm and that means an infection is brewing!!! It's a pain but you gotta pay attention to stuff like that when you have a gapping hole in your belly. Stay in bed and enjoy watching your classic TV!!! Hugs, Ginger

OH Carrie... I am so sorry to hear you're going thru this. Sounds like another hernia would have been better to deal with eh??? But we don't get to make those choices... I hope you feel better soon and this is all a bad memory.... When I had my filter put in through my neck.. I had to change the band aids and I would do it in the dark because seeing the "wound" would have me gagging so badly... I can't even imagine what you're looking at.... Enjoy your shows and maybe check out The Waltons too...(I still love John Boy)