Packing wound that won’t heal

sasha_jax4
sasha_jax4 Member Posts: 43
in Kidney Cancer #1

3 weeks out from partial nephrectomy. Incisions  4 healing on right side, 1 healing right side middle. The one on left side is a hole shy of inch long and 3/4 inch spread apart. Was infected so just finished Keflex. Now they have me packing it and covering with bandaid. Adhesive allergy is causing a bit of a challenge. Since I started packing it is more tender. Has anyone had this? How long does it take to fix. I have a moderately physical job and school with clinicals that both start back next week. They are letting me take iburophen  moderation. But yikes! I know I can’t stitch it closed, but it seems it’s not closing at all.

Comments

  • Cindy T in Washington
    Cindy T in Washington Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2018 #2
    Have you tried using paper

    Have you tried using paper tape?  Not as sticky as most tape, but good if you have sensitivity to latex.   Discomfort propably due to pressure from dressing in wound.  Good luck!

  • sasha_jax4
    sasha_jax4 Member Posts: 43
    #3
    Thank you Cindy

    allergic to paper tape. I ordered some sensitive skin bandaids on amazon. Fingers crossed.

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    edited January 2018 #4
    UFFFFF! I had a terrible

    UFFFFF! I had a terrible reaction to the adhesive. Wish I could show you pics lol. I hope your new bandaids work and that you heal up nicely.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    edited January 2018 #5
    sorry for

    the problems. I hope others will see that complications can happen with robotics also.

  • Rockspin
    Rockspin Member Posts: 77
    #6
    I have one incision from my

    I have one incision from my total robotic in September was infected on my right side only about an inch it healed very funny finally. All my other incisions were fine except this one.

  • sasha_jax4
    sasha_jax4 Member Posts: 43
    #7
    Thanks guys!

    sorry to sound whiney! It’s comforting in a strange way to know someone else has been through it! Im ready to put jewelry on it and make it an extra bellybutton. Sorry, sick sense of humor.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #8
    Maybe it's the

    biker in me but scars are nothing to be ashamed of. Battle earned beauty marks are not offensive. They are another "right of passage" in our life line.

    I saw a girl with full length surgical scars on her spine. She tattoed a beautiful ribbon that laced her scars together. She embraced what she had endured and showed it off. I'm not into tatttoos but I liked what she did. It came wiith a "Don't like it, don't look" attitude.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    edited January 2018 #9
    Adhesive

    First surgery I did fine with the adhesive. Second surgery I had terrible allergic reaction. I guess allergies are often like this from what I've heard (first exposure, no reaction, follow-on exposures worse reactions with each exposure). Or maybe they used a different adhesive on my second surgery. I don't know. Both surgeries were robotic lap.

    The healing on my second surgery was very slow because of this. Sounds similar to your experience. I was very disappointed in the surgeons concern/care about what happened. I can't tell you how long it took to heal, but it was much, much slower because of the allergic reaction to the second surgery and the scars were worse on the wounds that opened up. I'm sorry I don't have advice for what to do. I think I started putting some antibiotic ointment on the openings and keeping them covered.

    During the healing, I had an MRI with contrast, and all the scars from the second surgery turned bright red and formed hives around them and itched like crazy from the MRI contrast. That was a very weird event. The head of radiology came out to look at my reaction. He hadn't seemed to have seen anything like that.

    I'd try to keep from disturbing the area as much as you can, maybe use antibiotic ointment (better ask on this) and keep them covered. They did eventually heal. You might want to consider not getting them wet if they are really open.

    Todd

  • sasha_jax4
    sasha_jax4 Member Posts: 43
    #10
    Thank you

    You guys always put it in perspective. Thank you! Todd sorry to hear you had the same thing. Fox I think I’m ok with my scars. I guess making jokes about them is my way to kind of lighten the load. They are our battle scars, so I guess we should wear them with honor. We are stronger because of them.

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