Thanks. They're not going to bad, but now the nurse is concerned the top may be healing too fast, as they don't want the top layer closing up while there is still a cavity inside.
Appendix has been removed
- Thread starter Bob The Skutter
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Have you ever read the novel Friday?Not sure anyone will want to see this, so I'm spoilering it, but i got a pic of the wound a few days ago if any morbidly curious types want a look... not for squeemish types.
Nope, so you've probably just wasted a good reference on me...Have you ever read the novel Friday?Not sure anyone will want to see this, so I'm spoilering it, but i got a pic of the wound a few days ago if any morbidly curious types want a look... not for squeemish types.
Oh, well. 
Let's just say that you have potential as a "secret courier."
Let's just say that you have potential as a "secret courier."
Latest update. The nurse has been this morning and has measured the cavity under the lower portion of the incision. She said in the last 4 or 5 days since she first messured it it's gone from around 4cm deep to just over 2cm. Which I'm happy to hear, at least i know there's some healing going on in there.
They took a swab a few days ago to see if there's anything nasty growing, she said she'll see if she can get the results today and inform us of anything later today.
~edit~
So the results are back, and I have some mild bacterial growth in the wound bed, but it's resistant to the anti-biotics that I'm taking. The doctor prescribed something else, but apparently it's on my notes that I'm allergic, when I'm not. There was some confusion as to it being contraindicated with the pulmonary hyptertension medication I'm on. I've called the specialist nurse in Sheffield and we've cleared that up, so hopefully it can now be nipped in the bud before it turns in to a full on infection.
They took a swab a few days ago to see if there's anything nasty growing, she said she'll see if she can get the results today and inform us of anything later today.
~edit~
So the results are back, and I have some mild bacterial growth in the wound bed, but it's resistant to the anti-biotics that I'm taking. The doctor prescribed something else, but apparently it's on my notes that I'm allergic, when I'm not. There was some confusion as to it being contraindicated with the pulmonary hyptertension medication I'm on. I've called the specialist nurse in Sheffield and we've cleared that up, so hopefully it can now be nipped in the bud before it turns in to a full on infection.
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From what I gather the opening is in the skin and fat layer, so round the edges it's fat at the bottom it's the muscle.
Yep, probably is.... Bob, you've finally got yourself that six-pack gut.
(assuming that wound punches right down thorough the various fascial planes to the rectus abdominus muscles.)
Yep, probably is.... Bob, you've finally got yourself that six-pack gut.
(assuming that wound punches right down thorough the various fascial planes to the rectus abdominus muscles.)
Woot, lost 10kg and a six pack with no working out! Maybe I can write a book?
Well the surgeon did say he was concerned it was the muscle that had opened up because of how deep it was, so that's why I'm assuming it's open down to the muscle.
Yep, probably is.... Bob, you've finally got yourself that six-pack gut.
(assuming that wound punches right down thorough the various fascial planes to the rectus abdominus muscles.)
Woot, lost 10kg and a six pack with no working out! Maybe I can write a book?
Two words: Exercise Video.
It's covered and packed 99% of the time, the other 1% the nurse is cleaning/changing the packing and redressing it, but the nurse does have her fingers in there (only with sterile gloves on) while doing all that.
I did nearly drop my phone in there taking that picture though.
It's not really painful at all, it is a little sore and achy after I've been up and around, but that is getting a little easier now.
I've got an update on the picture if anyone's interested in seeing how it's going?
They took measurements the other day and smaller 4.5cm x 6cm but they've realised the cavities around the hole are bigger than they thought, big enough they've been inserting whole fingers to pack it... nice image for you there. But in the last week it's gone from index fingers to little fingers so there's an improvement. They're planning on re-re-evaluating the vac pack on monday, after they have some blood test results on my platelet count, red blood cell count and haemoglobin levels, which I can tell them will be low, high, high. But I'm thinking unless there's a compelling reason to use vac therapy I'm gonna stick with just normal packing, as itseems to be going well right now.
They took measurements the other day and smaller 4.5cm x 6cm but they've realised the cavities around the hole are bigger than they thought, big enough they've been inserting whole fingers to pack it... nice image for you there. But in the last week it's gone from index fingers to little fingers so there's an improvement. They're planning on re-re-evaluating the vac pack on monday, after they have some blood test results on my platelet count, red blood cell count and haemoglobin levels, which I can tell them will be low, high, high.
But I'm thinking unless there's a compelling reason to use vac therapy I'm gonna stick with just normal packing, as itseems to be going well right now.
Still too squeamish to click on the link - I for one will be very pleased when no-one's sticking their fingers inside you any more! 
Glad things are still improving
Glad things are still improving
Well I'm feeling well in myself, I'm getting up and about easier and if I need to go anywhere I'm well enough that I can get out for a while, so long as I don't push myself too hard, oh and most importantly I am able to roll on to my side and sleep properly again . So beyond having to wait for the nurses to come every day, and the proding and poking they have to do it's not so bad really. But I'd probably say otherwise on a day when it's getting me down a bit.
. So beyond having to wait for the nurses to come every day, and the proding and poking they have to do it's not so bad really. But I'd probably say otherwise on a day when it's getting me down a bit. 
True enough. I don't think I've ever heard of an appendectomy with so many complications before.Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.
You must be getting mightily fed up with it all, mind you!
I'm glad it's getting better for you though Bob. Here's hoping things continue to improve.
Thanks (and to trampledamage)... I think the reason is probably down to my existing heart/lung condition. They were worried about operating in the first place, and when they tried to do keyhole surgery they thought it had become too dangerous, putting more pressure on my lungs, and had to go in for open surgery. Which probably complicated it.True enough. I don't think I've ever heard of an appendectomy with so many complications before.Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.
You must be getting mightily fed up with it all, mind you!
I'm glad it's getting better for you though Bob. Here's hoping things continue to improve.
I've got a check up with the consultant on Monday. Hopefully they'll be happy with how it's going, it seems to be from my point of view. But I'm starting to get a little fed up with not knowing what happens next. The actual open wound seems to be healing well enough, it's now less than 3.5 x 5cm but there's a couple of cavities (one the length of the nurses index finger) under the scarred lower section that's not healing as fast as the open wound, and no one really seems to be saying what they do if the open wound closes while there's still cavities in there.
The tissue viability nurse says the vac therapy may be the thing to do, other nurses have just avoided the question, one said they may have to reopen the scar to get to the cavity.
I guess the consultant will be the best person to ask, but you know it's just starting to play on my mind now.
The tissue viability nurse says the vac therapy may be the thing to do, other nurses have just avoided the question, one said they may have to reopen the scar to get to the cavity.
I guess the consultant will be the best person to ask, but you know it's just starting to play on my mind now.
The alien's due to emerge in about a week or so.
(seriously, ask the doc's when you go in, but you may just get a "play it by ear" type answer.)
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