Two weeks later

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Barbara Stewart

Sorry I haven't been on lately but I've been a bit wiithdrawn. While things seemed to be going splendidly now the incision in my groin,left side, (where they put the heart/lung tube?) has been sore since before I left the hospital, but everyone kept saying don't worry, the staples still have to stay in 7 days!.
Now, it is extremely painful, and my left leg is very swollen and I'm beginning to feel pain around the site. It certainly doesn't help that my surgeon is 200 miles away! I am really discouraged, scared and frustrated.:(
The heart seems to be doing well, it's just the rest of the body. I'm feeling pretty much out there alone. Those of you who have strong advocates are so fortunate.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should proceed? Shhould I go back to Houston or stay here and use the docs here?
Thanks for being here.
Barbara
 
You need to see a Doctor now. This cannot wait. Sounds like you may have a clot there and it needs to be dealt with immediately. Don't want to scare you but if it is a clot, do not waste time.
 
Barbara,
I'm sure you've contacted someone by now. I'm hoping you called the surgeon in Houston, and he told you to go to the emergency room. Please let us know when you're back home.
Mary
 
my leg

my leg

I had an ultrasound this AM of my leg and was told that it was just fluid and should resolve itself.
After reading all your posts I called my surgeon in Houston and had his nurse paged. She was the one who was there when they removed the staples. Should I get more aggressive?
I'm really scared now.
Barbara
:eek:
 
Can you put a tape measure around each leg so that when the nurse calls back you can tell her just how swollen you're talkin'? "Just Fluid???" Did anyone say to expect this? (The veterans on this website who have responded don't seem to think this fluid is "just" anything.) If you don't hear from the surgical nurse within the hour call back and say it's an emergency.
 
My question would be "Why is there a fluid build up?" Fluid build up, to me, says something is not working. Either your lymphatic system in the groin isn't working, or there's a blockage or something. There isn't just fluid build up without a cause.
 
I would be curious as to who ordered the ultrasound. Was it the surgeon's nurse? Does the surgeon know about the fluid buildup diagnosis?

I had a rather large lump (about the size of an orange) at the site of the groin cut down after my last OHS. I was not even happy with being told that was normal. A swollen leg would have had me really in someone's face.

I agree with Karlynn - something is blocked which is not normal. Maybe there is nothing that can be done except to wait but you don't seem happy with that answer. If you are not happy - they need to know it.
 
I am glad that you had an ultrasound and that you listened to the advice on those on the site earlier. Is there any heat in the area? Is it hard or soft?
Could be several things. Did you actually see a doctor? Are you taking Plavix, Coumadin or aspirin?
 
If the doctors are satisfied that it is not an infection or blood clot, and it is just a buildup of fluid, then the best thing would be to get the affected areas moving, if you can. Walking would be good, if you can do so reasonably.

Swelling and other fluid buildups are generally made up of lymph. The lymphatic system moves lymphatic fluid through your body similarly to the blood's circulatory system - but without a heart to pump it, or veins and arteries to keep it in. The movement of your muscles is what circulates the lymphatic fluids through your body. Movement helps to reduce the swelling by helping the fluid move on and spread out.

Best wishes,
 
Two weeks later, cont.

Two weeks later, cont.

Thank you all for your input. Gosh, when I read your posts I realize how little I know.
I am very impatient and anxious, but this evening I took a walk and lo and behold later in the evening, the swelling in my leg had diminished. It is 2:50 AM and I couldn't sleep and I found my leg has changed. It is very sore, but the swelling in my ankles has not come back.
I am taking coumadin and lasix so I guess it just has taken awhile to work, but I still feel like I got hit by a MAC truck.
Thanks for your support. I'll keep you all posted.
Jcat, how is Tim?
Barbara:)
 
Barbara, recovery from this surgery takes a long time. This is not gallbladder or appendix - it's a huge insult to the body and takes a lot to recover. If you're feeling down/blue/depressed, please contact your cardiologist - depression is so common after ohs that many many people need some chemical help.

Walking is the very best thing for recovery (besides breathing). It seems to cure a lot of ills. I'm really glad it helped your leg.

We're all here pulling for you; hang in there.
 
Happy to see you!

Happy to see you!

:) Hi there Barbara! I've just seen all the threads you 've started after your surgery and I'm delighted it all went well. I was beginning to wonder why there hadn't been any posts on your recovery so, I didn't even know whether you'd had the surgery. The last time you E-mailed me was the day before you went to Houston. Have you seen the photos I sent you? Anyway, welcome back and let's keep in touch!!
Débora:)
 
Update

Update

hi Debora!
I'd been wondering where you'd gone.
I have some more questions to ask Y'all. I'm running a bit of a temp. THe highest it's been is 99.7 and sometimes it's normal. Should I be concerned? I went to the cardiologist on Friday and saw two nurse practiciioners who seemed quite perplexed by the wound. I also had a CBC just to see if I have any infection.
The practicioners I saw Friday suggested it was where they put a really large tube and it just taking a bit longer to heal. I must sound terribly neurotic, but after my previous surgery and infection, I feel I have reason to be a bit anxious.
In other areas I seem to be doing fine. I had a small stroke with my first surgery and had difficulties with finding words and getting them out and that seems to be clearing up. All in all, I think if this thing on my leg cleared up, I'd be feeling OK, still feeling like a truck hit me, but a smaller one.
Has anyone heard from jcat?
 
If you run an occasional temp. spike up to 99.7, I woul not worry about it. If it becomes continuos, I would have it checked. Your body is still trying to regulate itself and you will see some of these wacky things happen.

If the swelling in your leg continues to go down (even slowly) it is more than likely lymph fluid that just has to work its way out. If it starts swelling again and hurting more, you need to be in the doctor's face to find out what's happening.

You have the right to worry and would even if this was your first surgery. If we don't look after ourselves, no one else will.

Good luck and take care.
 
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