Update and questions!

[MontanaGirl]

I back in Montana now and was discharged from SLC last Tuesday. They removed my draining tube and sent me on my way with antibiotics. I just hope he didn't discharge me to early. My tube was still draining yucky yellow sludge when they discharged me. Granted it slowed down considerably and my CT scan showed my abscess was gone. (note: i hate when they remove draining tubes!!! the feeling is so yucky, i would rather be cute on then have the feeling of a draining tube being yanked out) Yes, that is graphic but truth!

After my discharge I have been feeling off and on. Sometimes ok and sometimes I feel like crap. I am not taking vits right now because my antibiotics will not allow me to take antacids, iron, vits and supplements. I have 5 more days of antibiotics and do plan on hitting the vits right away. Is this ok? Also I am having some seepage from my draining tube sight. It has gone down considerably but is still seeping. It worries me Should I wait till my antibiotics are done before I worry about the wound? I am really at a loss.

I feel ok for the most part, I am eating and drinking. I tried incorporating pretty solid meats so far and found out my tummy is just not ready for a steady diet of ham, steak, jerky, and venison. (no surprise i am only 6 weeks out) So I went back to more mushy like foods like yogurt, soup, bacon, beans and tuna w/miracle whip. It just seems that I can't get in the water if I eat the more solid stuff yet. I don't have much real estate. I am getting 52 ounces in and working on my 64! The antibiotics I think are making me a little nauseated but I did incorporate a pro biotic starting yesterday. We will see if that helps with the fluid BM's. I plan to go back to work on Monday.

Anyone maybe give me any advice on my situation? Give me your all-knowing-knowledge!

[Band to DS]

I don't have any advice to offer, but I'm sorry that you're having such a rough time. I hope that you feel better soon.

Shelli

[Girlrocker]

You poor thing, you've been through the ringer, it's totally normal to be a little fearful of being released. I know, those drains coming out...oh my god, I keep saying 15 seconds of the purest hell, couldn't believe it, I nearly passed out, saw stars! I can't speak to the vits/antibiotic question, I'll let more experienced folks weigh in on that one. With your drain site, as long as you're on antibotics, not spiking any fever, and the seepage keeps going down not up, you should be ok. It takes a little while for that to heal up. Any change - more seepage, change in color, fever, call doc immediately. You're also wise to stick to more liquids and soft food for your protein right now while you heal. I think 52 oz of water is good start, keep working on this! Are you doing any protein shakes/drinks go keep your protein level up? Are you ok with your food options right now, do you need any other soft/liquid ideas? Your attitude and spirit are great, hang in there.

[bigcoop]

Glad to hear from you. I have no knowledge to offer only words of support. I really would like to thank you for allowing us to follow your journey. I am awaiting my day and following you is giving me more courage and strenth to move forward. You are truely Determined Danni stay strong and I wish you the best

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2012 14:42:13 GMT -5 MontanaGirl said:

I back in Montana now and was discharged from SLC last Tuesday. They removed my draining tube and sent me on my way with antibiotics. I just hope he didn't discharge me to early. My tube was still draining yucky yellow sludge when they discharged me. Granted it slowed down considerably and my CT scan showed my abscess was gone. (note: i hate when they remove draining tubes!!! the feeling is so yucky, i would rather be cute on then have the feeling of a draining tube being yanked out) Yes, that is graphic but truth!

After my discharge I have been feeling off and on. Sometimes ok and sometimes I feel like crap. I am not taking vits right now because my antibiotics will not allow me to take antacids, iron, vits and supplements. I have 5 more days of antibiotics and do plan on hitting the vits right away. Is this ok? Also I am having some seepage from my draining tube sight. It has gone down considerably but is still seeping. It worries me Should I wait till my antibiotics are done before I worry about the wound? I am really at a loss.

I feel ok for the most part, I am eating and drinking. I tried incorporating pretty solid meats so far and found out my tummy is just not ready for a steady diet of ham, steak, jerky, and venison. (no surprise i am only 6 weeks out) So I went back to more mushy like foods like yogurt, soup, bacon, beans and tuna w/miracle whip. It just seems that I can't get in the water if I eat the more solid stuff yet. I don't have much real estate. I am getting 52 ounces in and working on my 64! The antibiotics I think are making me a little nauseated but I did incorporate a pro biotic starting yesterday. We will see if that helps with the fluid BM's. I plan to go back to work on Monday.

Anyone maybe give me any advice on my situation? Give me your all-knowing-knowledge!

YAY that you made it home okay!

Advice: You have been violently ill. So knock off the efforts to progress your diet to heavier proteins. Pay attention to your body's signals. The mushy stuff is fine. Whatever protein you can stomach is marvelous. Quit pushing yourself so damned hard.

Ditto vites. You need the antibiotics a LOT more than you need the vites. Think about priorities here. It's a little bit like being knocked back to freshly postop and having to start your progression over again.

Indeed, you need HYDRATION HYDRATION HYDRATION. Remember, this started out with you being so dehydrated you were practically a prune. Yes? Nag nag nag nag......

I dunno about the wound thing personally. The general advice is to wonder about what the seepage looks like. Serous fluid seepage would be normal. It would be basically clear with yellow, pink and/or reddish tint, and it would be quite thin. If it sits, though, it gets gooey. Others who have gone through this scenario will have much better input.

But: CALL YOUR SURGEON AND ASK HIM ABOUT DAMMIT!!!! Knock off this tough gal routine and be a wimp already.

Lest I was less than entirely clear:

[glow=red,2,300]HYDRATE. THAT IS AN ORDER.[/glow]

[kingy]

Very glad you're getting better but I have to say if you're worried about ANYTHING call your surgeon or doctor or go to the ER. Take care of yourself.

[Fade2Pink]

The drainage shouldn't be too much of a concern unless the color seems "off", browns, greens, etc. Yellowish and clear are, to my understanding, not as much of a concern. My mom had an open wound that would drain tons, and smelled to high heaven, but the surgeon considered it "normal". Egads!

Keep trying with the water/liquids. They are more important than food and vitamins. It's a chore, for sure. I had to use an egg timer to remind myself to sip. Like every 5 minutes. It's laborious, but sooo, sooo important.

Hang in there there. I understand that ProvoLisa was also having issues after her DS, but Dr. Simper didn't believe it was an abscess. Wishing you well! Hang in there hon.

edited because my cat added his own paragraph in another language...

[teachmid]

Fluids, fluids, fluids at this point needs to be your number one priority......dittoing EN. Hang in there, Danni.

[sandyv63]

Hi Danni,

I'm so glad to see you posting again! My seroma oozes that yellowish watery fluid so as long as it doesn't get thick or start to smell, this is normal. If my pizza preoccupied mind is remembering correctly, the discharge is plasma (the clear part of blood.) You may be draining for a while. I still am at 11 weeks but lately it has slowed down. I believe this happens whenever there is a gap between the tissues and I'd say your abcess created one.

[brybry76]

Hey girl! I bet you are glad to be home! I just had my drainage tube removed Wednesday- and I agree, it is a freaking nasty feeling! AND my tube was a FOOT long! I had no idea it was that long. Ugh. Just thinking about it is nauseating. Anyways, I was down to about 10 ccs of drainage per day when it was removed. Still taking antibiotics, which really upset my stomach.

My drain-hole site closed up within a day and half of removal, but then my abscess was really deep in my body. I'm not sure where your abscess was, but if it was closer to the surface, it might still be draining. I would get it checked out by your MD just in case.

I am also struggling to get enough food and water down... I have some probiotics, I should start taking them!!

I would just keep an eye out for fever or any other sign of infection. I chalked my fever to a cold for 3 days before I finally went in and I'm sure that made it worse :/

I have my final CT scan Monday to determine if the abscess is gone... So nervous because I don't want another drain!

Btw, did your doctor tell you what the cause of your abscess was? My doc isn't sure about mine, he says maybe there is/was a microscopic leak that didn't show up in the 3 CT scans and 1 swallow study I've had since this all began on 1/6.

Keep us posted and take care. Don't overwork yourself!

[supershae]

Keep drinking!! If you are anything like I was (and still am)...I had a hard time being able to take all of the vitamins everyday. I had to slowly work up to all of them.

[Sandra C.]

Warm drinks go down easier, like protein broth, protein chicken soup, protein hot chocolate. Protein shakes were easier than plain water. Nothing was appetizing for a long time. I felt better when I didn't eat solids. the easiest on my stomach was protein beef broth. Sweets didn't taste right for about 3 months. Hope you have a speedy recovery!!

Sandra ;-)

[MsVee]

I am so sorry you are hitting this rough patch. I am glad that you are feeling well enough to post. Hoping you are on the road to recovery.

MsVee

[happycatbert]

I've got nothing to add regarding the infections stuff, but I did want to say that I can't imagine eating jerky this early out. Honestly, I can't really stomach it now - too dry.

Take care of yourself, and follow the advice of others....HYDRATE.

Sharon

[Janis]

Hope you feel better soon,

Janis