10 days post op

Hi fellow RN's, Boy its tough being the patient! I was cleaning my lap incisions with hibiclens and applying betadine ointment. Got a nice little infection. The doc reminded me that my post op instructions were "wash staples with soap and water, dry well, apply dry dressing or leave open to air". Yeah, yeah, yeah... yuck. I have infected staples!!! I'm just humiliated! I wanted this to go perfectly! I wanted ZERO post op complications! It has already started. I'm quite a bit discouraged with myself today. Thanks for the vent. Karen

Karen, You poor thing....It's funny how we nurses feel we have to be perfect.... especially in our domain! I got a shock when I wanted to get a wash up and the nurse assistant brings me these "comfort cloth" things... they go in the microwave and they are like disposable wash cloths.... whatever happened to a basin of water??? I found myself having to apologize to the ICU nurses for being so out of control after surgery.... screaming, cussing, was totally out of control... the pain... the pain. My point being... you are not the only one who has tried to do the perfect thing.... I bet there are more stories to tell than we could ever imagine! B

Bet I wont be a great patient either...I hate being a patient. I want to tell them where to put my IV, second guess their advice, of course...I always know better. I am always treating my pts like I would treat my sister or mother if she were my patient. I am a nurse through and through...I don't know if everyone going into nursing today does it for the art of nursing. I think many do it for the job security, pay, and flexible shifts. Unfortunately, I judge people at my standards which are sometimes unreasonably high...I have to practice patience.... Best to all....19 days to go... Carolyn

LOL, Guess we need to think of our post-op instructions like nursing school. Do what they tell us NOT the way we do things in the real world.