Adenocarcinoma late diagnosis

I had a drainage tube inserted in my abdomen 10 days ago for multiple abscesses and although it hasn't been doing anything since the 3rd or 4th day I am having to wait till this coming monday for removal or relocation.  Keeping my hopes up that it will be just a simple removal.  I am so worn down that I'm finding it hard to climb my stairs.  I just keep reminding myself I will be done with this before long and am one of the lucky ones not facing the challenges of further treatment once the infection is eliminated.  It was staph aureus btw and thankfully not a resistant variety.  I had reported in my last post that the white count was 18,000 in the ER and it was actually 28,000.  By the next day it was down around 10,000.  Astonishing how fast the IV antibiotics worked!  I was in the hospital for 5 days.  While I understand that a certain percentage of patients develop an infection from surgery I am overall disturbed that the nurses and PA that I spoke to on the phone or saw at follow up visits did not realize or even consider I was infected.  I was telling them that I had repeating bouts of chills and sweats along with dry heaves.  My last call to the surgeon's office to once again report this I was simply told to check the temp and follow up with my primary.  The day I was scheduled with him I ended up in the ER.  Very scary... they said another couple of days and it may have been too late!  So anyone else dealt with post surgical abscess?  

Gildedrose said:

Yes, tho not from hysterectomy...

I wanted to reply to your post just so you know you aren’t alone.  I have had three adominal abcesss, each went into sepsis.  1st and 3rd time were caught early enough a 3 wk and a 3 day hosp respectively resolved them.  The 3rd was from surgery (bowel resection) but did not occur for weeks later.  The 2nd one almost killed me, w/ 6 weeks in hosp including time in icu and a lengthy recovery including therapy to walk again.  I agree medical staff should have caught the symptoms, as they are standard for infection and sepsis. The reason 3rd time was caught so fast is i knew the symptoms by then.

 

Drains are no fun, but necessary.  Removal is much easier than insertion ... essentially a long slow pull and itks out ..snip of stitches first if you have them holding it in place. I even ended up with a drain after my hysterectomy 2 weeks ago - i suspect as a cautionary measure due to previous infection history, but it was removed on day 9.

 

hope you heal quickly, and congrats on the good dx.

You have really been through it and I'm so sorry for all your pain and suffering.  You've spent a lot of time in the hospital!  You and many others on here are amazing role models in courage and determination.  I hope things are going well for you now and I appreciate your response.  Prayers for you Lady!