Guest guest Posted September 21, 2003 Report Share Posted September 21, 2003 I had some draining and the surgeon and my regular Dr had the visiting nurse come two or three times a week. Actually she made 16 visits. She would pack the holes where it was draining and put a dressing on. The days she did not come my daughter did it. I healed very nicely finely even though I was in the hospital and had a staph infection in my incision and urinary tract. I had my surgery on 7/1. Almost two weeks ago my incision broke open and is draining in places more then it did before,. The surgeon now says just to put a piece of gauze over it daily. He did culture it and it is staph again. I plan to go to a infectious disease Dr as soon as I can get a appointment. I don't feel staph will just go away and I sure don't like the looks of this drainage. I wish I had some advice to give you but so far I don't know the answers. I do know if it heals on the outside and not the inside they will cut it open so it will drain and heal from inside out. I guess draining is the best thing but not when it is a staph infection. I also found nibbling on some crackers helps the indigestion. I was fortunate not to need chemo so I don't know how it affects getting that. Hildreth post surgery problems Hi: I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised that I used the search function just now and did not get the info I need). My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a series of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to come apart and that slowed the wound healing. Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his wound had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two weeks. I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better for the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had a similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? THanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2003 Report Share Posted September 22, 2003 Your situation sounds just like what I went through. The wound will close up...I know it seems hard to believe, it being so frickin' big and all, but it does. Mike B. > Hi: > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised that > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I need). > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a series > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his wound > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two weeks. > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better for > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had a > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > THanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2003 Report Share Posted September 23, 2003 We went through a similar experience with my sis. She's 24. She had two surgeries, a week apart (at first, doc's weren't sure what they were up against). Her abdominal incision got infected. She had a drain implanted and then had to have the incision " repacked " twice daily. Home health care came to her house and did it for her. Then her husband, an EMT, learned to do it as well. She had the packing daily for many weeks. But, it did finally heal up alright. She's got a pretty ugly scar - but shows it proudly. It's a joke of her's that she's got a crack in front as well as in the back (sorry - I couldn't resist). It took so much longer to heal than I though it would - but she started chemo about 3 weeks after the second surgery, and I imagine that slowed the healing a bit. Her doc thought it fine to start chemo, even with the infection. Best wishes- Stacey > Hi: > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised that > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I need). > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a series > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his wound > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two weeks. > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better for > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had a > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > THanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2003 Report Share Posted September 23, 2003 > > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > > than he can't begin treatment? You definitely want him well from any infections since the chemo will supress his immune system and make him less likely to be able to fight off infections. I didn't feel the nurses were doing a good enough job keeping my husband's incision clean (it smelled horrible)(they weren't doing anything to clean it) So I brought some antiseptic wipes to the hospital and cleaned it up myself - they thought that was a cool idea. Don't know if that helped but he didn't get an infection. His mother died a couple of years ago from an infection to an iv in a hospital. I don't think cleanliness is up to standard in some places. Nash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2003 Report Share Posted September 24, 2003 : Thank you for this reply, it is very helpful. Only 24? it is so hard to understand this disease affecting people so young! I wish your sister the very best. My husband went to the dr. today and the dr. said that the drainage from the wound is normal and that the fact the fluid is coming out, even though it is through the wound, it is a good thing. My husband is scheduled to start his chemo on Friday, please pray for him; we both have no idea what to expect. Best wishes and thank you for taking the time to reply to my querry. Sincerely, ka N. > > Hi: > > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised > that > > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I > need). > > > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a > series > > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they > > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his > wound > > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two > weeks. > > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better > for > > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had > a > > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with > > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him > > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > > THanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2003 Report Share Posted September 24, 2003 : Thank you for replying to my message. We had a visiting nurse that taught me to dress my husband's wound. The nurse suggested that we use a product called 'Silvasorb' silver antimicrobial dressing, sussained release of silver ions which promote wound healing. THese dressings had to be approved by my husband's doctor and are supposedly expensive, yet our insurance approved them and they are supposed to heal wounds at an accelerated rate. We've been encouraged by my husband's surgical team to begin treatment ASAP " or else there is no hope " as the dr. put it today. A cat scan last week revealed no more infections yet the heavy drainage through his wound was troubling to us. We see the oncologist on Friday and he will make a final determination as to wether or not my husband can begin treatment on Friday. Please pray that all goes well. Thanks again and have a good evening. SIncerely, ka N. > > > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > > > than he can't begin treatment? > > You definitely want him well from any infections since the chemo will > supress his immune system and make him less likely to be able to > fight off infections. > > I didn't feel the nurses were doing a good enough job keeping my > husband's incision clean (it smelled horrible)(they weren't doing > anything to clean it) So I brought some antiseptic wipes to the > hospital and cleaned it up myself - they thought that was a cool > idea. Don't know if that helped but he didn't get an infection. His > mother died a couple of years ago from an infection to an iv in a > hospital. I don't think cleanliness is up to standard in some places. > > Nash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2003 Report Share Posted September 24, 2003 Hildreth: THank you for your reply. I'm very sorry to hear that so long after your surgery your wound is still draining. I made several frantic calls this weekend to the dr. and he assured me that the fact that the fluid is draining through the wound is actually a good thing because it is better to drain out than to remain inside. I agree with you, is an unsettling thing this drainage through an open wound, but apparently it is not out of the ordinary. In a previous reply, I mentioned that our visiting nurse recommended somthing called Silvasorb antimicrobial dressings. These contain a microbicide which although increases drainage, it promotes healing. The nurse and drs also confirmed that a moist wound heals much more quickly and much better than with a dry dressing. Good luck and I hope these staff infections clear up soon. Sincerely, ka N. ---------- My husband was on the antibiotics Flagyl and Cipro for two weeks after he came home. > I had some draining and the surgeon and my regular Dr had the visiting nurse come two or three times a week. Actually she made 16 visits. She would pack the holes where it was draining and put a dressing on. The days she did not come my daughter did it. I healed very nicely finely even though I was in the hospital and had a staph infection in my incision and urinary tract. I had my surgery on 7/1. Almost two weeks ago my incision broke open and is draining in places more then it did before,. The surgeon now says just to put a piece of gauze over it daily. He did culture it and it is staph again. I plan to go to a infectious disease Dr as soon as I can get a appointment. I don't feel staph will just go away and I sure don't like the looks of this drainage. I wish I had some advice to give you but so far I don't know the answers. I do know if it heals on the outside and not the inside they will cut it open so it will drain and heal from inside out. I guess draining is the best thing but not when it is a staph infection. I also found nibbling on some crackers helps the indigestion. > I was fortunate not to need chemo so I don't know how it affects getting that. > > Hildreth > post surgery problems > > > Hi: > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised that > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I need). > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a series > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his wound > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two weeks. > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better for > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had a > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > THanks. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 > > > > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining > mean > > > > than he can't begin treatment? > > > > You definitely want him well from any infections since the chemo > will > > supress his immune system and make him less likely to be able to > > fight off infections. > > > > I didn't feel the nurses were doing a good enough job keeping my > > husband's incision clean (it smelled horrible)(they weren't doing > > anything to clean it) So I brought some antiseptic wipes to the > > hospital and cleaned it up myself - they thought that was a cool > > idea. Don't know if that helped but he didn't get an infection. > His > > mother died a couple of years ago from an infection to an iv in a > > hospital. I don't think cleanliness is up to standard in some > places. > > > > Nash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 Hi! I was diagnosed with stage iv cc on May 20 and had surgery two days later to remove half my colon and the primary tumor, repair a hernia, install a porta cath and install a permanent colostomy. I have some node involvement and mets to my liver. The original plan was to start chemo two weeks after my surgery. But my incision broke open with staph drainage on June 7th and I am still waiting for it to finally heal. First one large spot, then tunneling up to two smaller openings. These have since healed and the larger one almost healed, then about a month ago it tunneled again to 9.8 cm and it is now back at 2 cm. I have been told all along that I cannot start chemo until it is totally healed. It has been over 4 months now since diagnosis and surgery. Still no chemo. I went today to the wound center and it still looks good but hasnt changed much from last week. Plus the wound doctor told me he wants me to wait two weeks or so when it finally heals to start chemo so I am looking at at least another month before starting chemo. I have no idea what the cancer is doing inside, how far it has travelled, etc, and how my chances of the 2 to 5 years of lifetime I have left have diminished. Needless to say I am a bit discouraged, but nothing I can do. Charlene > post surgery problems > > > Hi: > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised that > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I need). > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a series > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his wound > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two weeks. > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better for > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had a > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > THanks. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 Please ask your Oncologist to retest you. I understand why he may not want to start chemo yet, but he/she should be keeping track of your progress. Also what has your blood counts been like. Red White count and platelets as well as the cancer marker or CEA numbers. Ask to see and have these explained to you. What options do you have while you are waiting? Hang in there God Bless Narice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 Are they giving you any medications for the staph infection? Are they packing the openings or just letting them drain? I am having the same problem but thankfully don't have to have chemo. I was stage 2 and had surgery on 7/1. My problems since have been the incision and know I should not complain about that as I consider it a miracle I was stage 2 and all the tumor was removed even though it had just about blocked my colon and had gone through the colon wall. Hildreth post surgery problems > > > Hi: > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised that > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I need). > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a series > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that they > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his wound > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two weeks. > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better for > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone had a > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems with > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps him > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > THanks. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 -Hello Charlene- My Mom had a 4 month " off " period due to her operation but the chemo (5fu) still had a great effect. All 3 liver mets shrunk and remained stable for over a year. She's now on Camptosar and that has kept her close to stable for over 7 months. I'll be thinking of you and please email me if I can help in any way. Best of Luck Kat -- In colon_cancer_support , " Charlene Bond " <feminarising@y...> wrote: > Hi! > > I was diagnosed with stage iv cc on May 20 and had surgery two days later to > remove half my colon and the primary tumor, repair a hernia, install a porta > cath and install a permanent colostomy. I have some node involvement and > mets to my liver. The original plan was to start chemo two weeks after my > surgery. But my incision broke open with staph drainage on June 7th and I > am still waiting for it to finally heal. First one large spot, then > tunneling up to two smaller openings. These have since healed and the > larger one almost healed, then about a month ago it tunneled again to 9.8 cm > and it is now back at 2 cm. I have been told all along that I cannot start > chemo until it is totally healed. It has been over 4 months now since > diagnosis and surgery. Still no chemo. I went today to the wound center and > it still looks good but hasnt changed much from last week. Plus the wound > doctor told me he wants me to wait two weeks or so when it finally heals to > start chemo so I am looking at at least another month before starting chemo. > I have no idea what the cancer is doing inside, how far it has travelled, > etc, and how my chances of the 2 to 5 years of lifetime I have left have > diminished. Needless to say I am a bit discouraged, but nothing I can do. > > Charlene > > > > post surgery problems > > > > > > Hi: > > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised > that > > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I > need). > > > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a > series > > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that > they > > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his > wound > > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two > weeks. > > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better > for > > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone > had a > > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems > with > > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps > him > > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > > THanks. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 Charlene: My husband had his surgery on 8/5. approximately 2 weeks later his stiches or staples broke open due to infection in his abdomen and drainage build up, this was while he was in the hospital. I could not beleive how this looked and worse, I could not beleive that in a matter of two weeks, I'd be dressing this wound myself. My husband was put on antibiotics-cipro and flagyl which he took orally after he came home and he had drains, three of them at one point, to remove the excell fluid build up, he's still got on in him. He starts chemo tomorrow and his wound is not fully 'closed', yet this does not concern his oncologist or surgeons. For your situation I don't understand why drains cannot be inserted to remove your fluid build-up so that the wound won't break open. Are you on antibiotics? and can you inquire as to whether having them intraveinously (sorry for any spelling errors, I can't spell!) would be more effective? My biggest concern all along has been that my husband's chemo was being delayed. Good luck and let us know how this goes for you. It is impossible to not feel discouraged and anxious, however, there is also no way to predict how this situation will unfold. I cannot deal with thinking of my husband's life in two to five years, despite what doctors have told us; we are buying time and we want quality of life. Be persistant about getting those drains to get rid of the fluid build up. Sincerely,ka N. > Hi! > > I was diagnosed with stage iv cc on May 20 and had surgery two days later to > remove half my colon and the primary tumor, repair a hernia, install a porta > cath and install a permanent colostomy. I have some node involvement and > mets to my liver. The original plan was to start chemo two weeks after my > surgery. But my incision broke open with staph drainage on June 7th and I > am still waiting for it to finally heal. First one large spot, then > tunneling up to two smaller openings. These have since healed and the > larger one almost healed, then about a month ago it tunneled again to 9.8 cm > and it is now back at 2 cm. I have been told all along that I cannot start > chemo until it is totally healed. It has been over 4 months now since > diagnosis and surgery. Still no chemo. I went today to the wound center and > it still looks good but hasnt changed much from last week. Plus the wound > doctor told me he wants me to wait two weeks or so when it finally heals to > start chemo so I am looking at at least another month before starting chemo. > I have no idea what the cancer is doing inside, how far it has travelled, > etc, and how my chances of the 2 to 5 years of lifetime I have left have > diminished. Needless to say I am a bit discouraged, but nothing I can do. > > Charlene > > > > post surgery problems > > > > > > Hi: > > I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice (please be advised > that > > I used the search function just now and did not get the info I > need). > > > > My husband had surgery to remove his colon on 8/5. He has been > > diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer--he's only 43. He had > > abdominal infections about a week after the surgery and had a > series > > of drains inserted into his abd. The doctors have said that > they > > think the infections are gone, CAT scans don't show anthing more > > than a bit of residual fluid. He still has an open wound from > > surgery because the infections caused his staples and stiches to > > come apart and that slowed the wound healing. > > > > Tonight, upon checking his abd before bed, I realized that his > wound > > had been draining profusely, much more than in previsous two > weeks. > > I called the doc and he assured me that all was ok, it is better > for > > the fluid to drain than stay inside unabsorbed. I'm concerned > > because the plan was to start his chemo on Friday. Has anyone > had a > > similar problem following surgery? Will this fluid draining mean > > than he can't begin treatment? Also, he has terrible problems > with > > indigestion. Even though he's hungary, this indigestion keeps > him > > from wanting to put anything in his tummy. Any suggestions? > > THanks. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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