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Arteriogram incision healing: concerned about wound care
I am my wife’s caregiver. She has a blood clot in her heart and is being treated with thinners. About a month ago, my wife had an arteriogram. The access to the femoral artery is in the left groin and was closed with a Star Closer. The Closer fell off about four days later. She is obese so belly fat laps over the incision when she stands or sits. We clean the incision with soap and water, as directed by our physician. Here’s the issue. She is immuno-compromised due to high dosage prednisone so we were advised that the incision healing would be slow and should heal from the inside to the surface. We leave it open to air while she lays down and as directed, we put a bandage on when sitting or standing. The incision opening looks to be about a quarter inch deep. It doesn’t look infected but there is pus inside. Oozing stopped about two weeks ago. Our surgeon looked at it a week ago and noted “a little infection”, told us to keep cleaning it with soap and water and avoid antibiotic salve. While the incision surface is not red or hard, the open hole and pus is worrisome. Our surgeon said it could take another month to heal. So, does this sound normal under the immune deficiency and does the belly fat lapping over impede healing? Thank you.
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@ernpick1 sounds like you have done a good job with the incision! Congratulations. Usually these wounds can heal from the inside out, so they appear to be open. You say that you have a tri-level home and your wife’s room is at the top. Does she have to maneuver theses stairs frequently? And you are having to go up and down a lot, too. Is there any way to make a temporary bedroom on the main floor?
Thank you, we have only maneuvered the stairs twice just to go to appts. Today we rented a hospital bed and commode on the ground level floor.
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2 Reactions@ernpick1 You are certainly on the ball! Getting a hospital bed and moving your wife to the ground floor! You think of everything! You are doing such a beautiful job of caring for your wife—i know she really feels your love.
And, how is the incision coming along?
It looks to be healing and not as deep. Drs will look at it on the 9th.
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2 Reactions@ernpick1 Crossing my fingers and toes that tomorrow’s meeting with the doctor goes well. Will you tell us what he/she says and what the next steps are?
Thank you and I sure will.
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1 ReactionAn artery gram is a major thing. My husband had one in early September, and they put a bandage on it for secure. He did heal nicely and it went well. The IR surgeon we had a Hopkins was the head of the department and we think the world of him and his entire staff..caring, and full of attention. We followed by celiac plexus block same doctor and then Y90 left lobe and two weeks ago Y90 right lobe. So far so good. I am a nudge with everyone involved and now we have colorectal surgeon meeting next week, followed by gastroenterologist meeting as he had a fecal positive test and has lost a lot of weight and muscle mass and then end of month mri and labs to monitor his progress. Finally with a liver surgeon to assess his situation Also he is on lonsurf..
It is not easy and we have to watch diet as somethings cause nausea and diarrhoea
One thing I have learned as caregiver is you must be the choir director and get all in the choir to sing together which mean that you have to get all departments wherever you are to communicate with you.
All of the departments so far have been great, however oncology is I think overloaded and I keep giving the. Information and ask a lot of questions which sometimes they think are too much. But who really cares I want the best.
Today we have a meeting with oncology nurse practitioner and I will state something that I told our family doctor 40 years ago…
If you don’t know what is wrong I expect the top medical doctors to address the issue, don’t think that the laying on of hands is going to heal…too medical advice and faith go a long way.
You have HOPE and the treatments working for you.
Be blest and keep in touch
Yiannis
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2 ReactionsThank you and good luck with your situation.
You Go, Choir Director! I am not trying to make light of your situation, but I admire your determination. I was told once that the only stupid question is the one you Don’t ask. I feel sure your team considers you your husband’s best advocate. He is a lucky man! Please take a moment to breathe, for yourself. Very best wishes.
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2 ReactionsThanks for the encouragement I keep moving on like the energizer bunny God bless all and the doctors to find the cancer cures
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