Big gaping hole!

[Gnusgal]

Okay, so it's really a little gaping hole, but still...

The hole from my chest tube is not closing at all. I think my body has given up on closing itself because it knows it's just going to get opened up again. Nathan says he thinks I'll probably have to visit a plastic surgeon again to get this one to close (had to 3.5 years ago when the scar from my infected ICD never closed). Just what I need!

 

[Freddie]

Niki, can you not use a butterfly band aid? Would they help/work?

 

[surfsparky]

Oh Nikki...that sounds so unfair...you have been through so much already.

Praying for you...and for Nathan and your gorgeous twins. Praying for a smooth road ahead and so that you can prepare for the arrival of your beauiful babes!

Hugs,
Yolanda

 

[Gnusgal]

Niki, can you not use a butterfly band aid? Would they help/work?

My mom suggested that as well... I may pick some up today while I'm out.

I've decided to completely overdo it today (lots of errands to run before heading back to work Monday) so that I have all day tomorrow to recover. Plus, I want to attempt driving so that I know if I need to call in assistance for getting to work.

(don't worry, I won't really overdo it... much. But I'm sure I'll still need tomorrow as recovery.)

 

[Gnusgal]

Oh Nikki...that sounds so unfair...you have been through so much already.

Praying for you...and for Nathan and your gorgeous twins. Praying for a smooth road ahead and so that you can prepare for the arrival of your beauiful babes!

Hugs,
Yolanda

Thanks! We take all the prayers we can get!

 

[Mary]

What about steri-strips?

 

[catwoman]

Niki:

I would definitely try the butterflies or steri-strips. Can't remember of steri-strips are available OTC. Seems my sister or niece -- both RNs -- gave me some once.

The opening isn't getting infected is it?

 

[Ross]

Nah, it's just the beauty of you trying to get out!

Seriously though, do what you must do. No sense actively seeking infection.

 

[Bina]

I would keep the hole lightly covered with a strip. Mine closed fine, but the top of my incision stayed open and fragile for several months.

 

[Gnusgal]

I've had a bandage over it the whole time (replace it every day). It's still oozing slightly. I tried to go without the bandage one day when I thought it was scabbed over, but then got blood on my shirt, so I went back to covering it with gauze. The only time it's exposed to air is when I'm showering and right after.

I seem to recall having one stitch close the one from my OHS 6.5 years ago (they used the one that was already there to hold the tube in place and just tightened it once the tube was out). But this one they just yanked and covered with gauze.

This morning I noticed what I hope is just granulation tissue. I showed it to my RN hubby and he said he's pretty sure that's what it is too. I would feel so much better if the darn thing would just stop oozing.

I think I'll pick up some butterfly bandages or steri strips (whichever I can find). If things don't look like they're improving by Monday I'll call my surgeon's office. I REALLY don't want to mess with infection (been there, done that).

The funny thing is, two of the 4 incisions they made this go round look completely healed already and you can barely tell they were cut into recently. Of course, those are the ones that were on top of old scars, so that may have something to do with it...

 

[Nancy]

Maybe this will make you feel better. I had a hysterectomy many years ago and then an infection developed. It made the whole incision area break open and spew out lots of nasty stuff. I went to the surgeon and he told me that it should heal from the inside. So he cleaned it and packed it and I had instructions to take care of it with peroxide (which you probably don't need). Anyway, that hole stayed open for quite a while.

But the body is amazing and wants to cover all defects with tissue, so it eventually closed up.

Yours will too. But it will take some time. Just a thought, and maybe others will chime in here, but if you keep the hole covered with a butterfly dressing so the sides of it are touching, wouldn't nature like the touching aspect better and be inspired to grow new tissue sooner?

 

[Gnusgal]

Maybe this will make you feel better. I had a hysterectomy many years ago and then an infection developed. It made the whole incision area break open and spew out lots of nasty stuff. I went to the surgeon and he told me that it should heal from the inside. So he cleaned it and packed it and I had instructions to take care of it with peroxide (which you probably don't need). Anyway, that hole stayed open for quite a while.

But the body is amazing and wants to cover all defects with tissue, so it eventually closed up.

Yours will too. But it will take some time. Just a thought, and maybe others will chime in here, but if you keep the hole covered with a butterfly dressing so the sides of it are touching, wouldn't nature like the touching aspect better and be inspired to grow new tissue sooner?

Yes, Nancy, when I got the infection from my first ICD the wound was left open to "heal from the inside" It closed MOST of the way, but after 4 months I finally had to go to a plastic surgeon to cut out the scar tissue and close it back up. I don't THINK this one will come to that. At least, I hope not.

I did pick up some butterfly closures at the store. When Nathan gets home I'll have him help me put one on (I'm pretty sure it would only need one). It's just not easy to get to on my own.

 

[Gnusgal]

I've decided to completely overdo it today (lots of errands to run before heading back to work Monday) so that I have all day tomorrow to recover. Plus, I want to attempt driving so that I know if I need to call in assistance for getting to work.

(don't worry, I won't really overdo it... much. But I'm sure I'll still need tomorrow as recovery.)

I survived... barely. Driving wasn't too bad. A little tender on the sharp turns, but to get to/from work there really aren't many (nice being a straight shot, even if it is a 30 minute drive). However, shopping WORE ME OUT! I started at Target because I needed some new camisoles (bras just aren't comfortable just yet). I then went to the grocery store. About halfway through my list I started moving much slower. I couldn't very well just stop (okay, I guess I could have. I just didn't want to), so I pushed through and finished the list (won't have to go back again for several days!). I was half tempted to take up the sacker on her offer of help, but since she seemed to offer it grudgingly, I chose to go it alone. Mistake. Even though I used my better side (the less sore one) picking up the bags of groceries to get them into the trunk of my car was less than comfortable. I wound up calling Nathan (he was out and about too) and told him I would not be able to get the groceries into the house and I needed him to come home. He's on his way now. The groceries are still sitting in the trunk. At first I thought I'd try to at least get the cold stuff in, but after bringing in the milk and eggs I decided I'd just wait for Nathan.

If this is how I feel after a 1 hour outing, how in the world am I going to survive Monday?! Yikes!

 

[Bina]

Niki, I was like that before my OHS.
I would do the food shopping, come home and rest....leaving the food in the car trunk for my hubby to bring in.
It's a helpless feeling, but will get better!

 

[zipper2]

Nikki,good avise even from your mom......use a strip

it never ends for you either,and do spend day recovering

tomorrow and i'll continue some extra prayers for all of you.

Those twins are .......GROWING....Beautiful. Take care of self.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[njean]

Aye ya yay Nikki! That looks so painful & I feel for you!

As Nancy says though, the body can so some miraculous healing things on it's own so I'm sure your tube holes will eventually heal right up! Put some butterfly bandages as advised by others & please avoid doing things like lifting, pushing, tugging, etc., that will keep them from closing.

Good luck to you dear & Happy New Year to you & your family!

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Niki,

Hope you heal up soon. Thank goodness you have a nurse in the house! He will keep a watchful eye out for infection.

Take care

 

[Lynlw]

OH Niki I hope it heals soon, I like the idea of the butterfly strips, and of course you have my prayers, Lyn

 

[Gnusgal]

I've applied a butterfly bandage... I also put gauze over it, just so my shirts stay clean. I'll let you know how it goes...

Thanks, all!

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I think you can apply Betadine or neo directly to that bandage. Ask the hubby that he thinks Ahhh the perks of having a nurse in the house.
Happy healing.