Posted on 03/11/2006 7:35:59 AM PST by Luke Skyfreeper
Oh Luke! Your family remains in my prayers.
As far as the open wound is concerned, I was amazed at how my son's body did in fact fill his in. Took time.
Continued prayers.
I got this response for you from my friend who is a RN.
Someone else suggested "Sounds like wound necrosis."
Well, not necessarily. It's probably just a healthy wound. But she is right about them leaving it open to allow it to heal from the inside out. Keeping a wet sterile dressing on it will allow it to do so. Sometimes when a surgical incision gets infected the microbes are anaerobic which means they thrive & grow where there is little or no oxygen. So leaving the wound open to air (or under a dressing where air can still circulate) reduces those pathogens. If an incision is taking a bit longer to heal they will sometimes open it back up and go this route. Now if it gets so infected that the tissue begins to die (necrosis) then it gets ugly. Sometimes they will debrid that area (literally trim away with a scapel that dead tissue to get to healthy tissue) to hopefully start the healing process again.
I'm sad about this obviously intelligent dad and his worries about his daughter receiving sub-standard care. Open wounds can be cared for at home, but should be followed up either by home health care or going in to let the doc check on it to make sure it is healing and that the child is not getting sicker or the infection becoming systemic. This dad sounds like he could pick up on those things before the situation would become serious. But can you imagine them sending someone home like this who is not as capable? It is done all the time. :(
Luke: I don't think you're being shortchanged because of your lack of insurance. Some things have to be worked out in time, and an infected wound is one of them. Keep the faith, God will heal your precious daughter, she might have a bit of a scar, but as young as she is, it will probably fade to next to nothing.
Prayers offered.
You got it Luke.
Your daughter and all of your family will be in my prayers, until Sara is fully recovered.
Okay Luke.
The little one is prayed for in the name of Jesus.
Your daughter and your entire family will be in my prayers. I have experienced a surgical infection over a large part of my abdomen as well. I will FReep mail you with advice.
Thanks for the update, Luke. Continuing prayers extended up for your daughter, you, your family and friends.
Dear Luke,
I had an accident diving off a diving board a long time ago where I hit the board with both shins 10 inch openings on both shins that the doctors didn't stitch closed, Bandage and clean twice a day and let heal naturally because it minimalized the scar tissue and heals stronger.
HOpe this is the case in your situation. Also you don't wish to close the opening so as to not have to go through the trauma again if they have to open it again.
Keep it clean as possible and the saline should help kill infection.
Don't fret about answering freeps or finances cause she needs your mind clear. Again if she sees you worried at all she will feel responsible and she needs her energy focused on recovery.
Thank GOD she is home and be confident.
Prayers.
Father, we thank You that Your Word declares that when attacks come, You make a complete end of it and that distress will not rise up the second time. We put our faith in You to watch over this word and perform it. We are so grateful that You are faithful and we bless You in Jesus' name. Amen.
In the area of natural advice, you are getting excellent help here on FR. My husband is a veterinarian and concurs with what you've been told--She's better at home, keep it clean, silver sulfadiazinene, etc. Also, he really likes epsom salt soaks and dilute bleach solution to clean out wounds. He deals with this all the time in our rural practice. We also love the advice that you should relax, love her up, keep the humor flowing and know that Jesus is Lord.
Prayers sent for your daughter and your family.
I am not a medical professional, but I seriously doubt that your doc's decision to send your daughter home is related to your insurance problem. Truth is a hospital is laden with possibilities for infection, and, with an open wound, your daughter would be at far greater risk there than at home.
Not to worry about her "hole" Luke. Hubby had bypass surgery in one of Houston's premier heart institute and the same thing happened to his incision (on his thigh).
All the doctors (internist, infectious disease) were scratching their heads, hinting he might need to have a second surgery to irrigate the infection.
The brilliant (his website is outstanding!) surgeon opened it up with three deep holes and instructed me how to clean it out every few hours. After 13 days locked in the hospital, he was allowed to finally come home. Doc poked three holes with some sterile scissors! I swabbed it deeply with Betadyne (sp) daily and he recovered just fine.
Keep the faith. You're probably getting sound medical advice.
You have indeed gotten valuable advise here, IMHO.
My HO comes from nursing my mother back from a staph infection in an incision following surgery. The tunneling you describe makes it sound like our situation. In addition to the saline dressings (put on wet, allowed to dry, then changed) and the silvadene, etc., remember
your eyes are the ones to see the wound regularly, so trust yourself.
What I'm saying is, if you feel it's not getting better, make certain someone hears you.
I had a hard time getting anyone to listen. She had months of antibiotic therapy IV.
It sounds as if you've got a good handle on it, Pop.
Prayer of the Order of St. Luke
"Almighty God, who inspired Your servant Luke the Physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of Your son: Graciously continue in Your Church the love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of Your Name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen."
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