Homecare

Last week when I was in the hospital I asked to have a homecare nurse come to my home twice a week after I'm discharged, in order to check on the incision line and make sure it's clean and not looking infected.

I'm heavy and have a large tummy and the incision is in the bikini area of my tummy fold and I can't see the incision.

Having worked in gyne-oncology I've seen my fair share of opened up wounds and nasty infections, especially on larger women. So that is a huge concern for me.

I was shocked when the homecare coordinator told me that they would not send a nurse to my home to check the wound.

I countered her with the fact that they will send a nurse out to someone's home twice a day, 7 days a week, in order to put one drop of non prescription, lubricating eye drops into someone's eyes, but they won't inspect a high risk for infection surgical wound twice a week for a few weeks?

I also added that it would be cheaper for them to have a nurse come to my home to check the incision, than it would be if I got an infection and ended up back in the hospital for 2 weeks in a $2,000.00 per day hospital bed, having dressing changes 3 times per day and IV antibiotics.

I got a call today from the homecare coordinator. They are sending a nurse to my home 2 or 3 times a week to check on the incision for the next 3 or 4 weeks, starting tomorrow.

GOOD JOB!!! It's hugely important to do this follow-up care. What are they thinking? I'm very glad you stood your ground and were assertive about it!! So many people aren't that way.

I am glad you put your foot down and got the follow up care u deserve. x

Good to hear you are going to get the care you need. I hope all goes well for you.

I'm so glad you said something and are getting someone to help. I'm so shocked that they wouldn't send someone? Glad you're getting the care you deserve!

I'm glad that you have got what you deserve hun and the help you need, is it so much to ask this day in age especially when you pay your taxes? It makes me mad. I hope your recovery is going well.xx

im so pleased you got that sorted hun, how dare they not send someone out to check and make sure your ok especially as you pay for it all

Linda, you GO girl! Being well-informed sure helps - that is great news!!!!! Well - not that they don't normally do it, but that you stated your case and they LISTENED.

I really hope you heal up quickly with no complications. How are things going? Are you able to use the scoop set up you made without too much trouble?

And I remember it was going to be a while - but how long for the pathology results? And the decision on radiation comes after that - any idea when you'll know what they decide even if the tests come back clean?

Just - lots of vibes, and this is great news!

I'm soo glad you stood your ground on this one and you're going to get the help you need!

Things are getting a little better each day. Still having lots of incisional pain, but I think that's mostly related to the staples pinching and tugging.

They wanted to remove the staples 5 days post op and I told them "NO!" I contacted the girl in the gyne clinic and told her that I'm concerned about the wound opening if the staples are removed too soon before the skin has had a chance to really knit itself together. I asked if they can stay in until the 20th, and she talked to the surgeon and he was in agreement with me. I made an appointment to go on the 22nd to have the staples out. Not looking forward to it, but it will be 15 days post op so the incision should be healing together nicely by that time. I'm willing to live with a few pinches and pulls to avoid a wound opening up.

The pathology will be back 3 or 4 weeks post op....hopefully by August 4th if not sooner. I'm not as nervous about that as I was about the fact that they might not have been able to complete the surgery because of my weight. Of all the things that was the one thing that I was most worried about. The rest I will take one step at a time.

The extended scooper works great! I tried it yesterday for the first time. Amazing what you can do with an old broom handle and duct tape!!

Originally Posted by LDG

Linda, you GO girl! Being well-informed sure helps - that is great news!!!!! Well - not that they don't normally do it, but that you stated your case and they LISTENED.

I really hope you heal up quickly with no complications. How are things going? Are you able to use the scoop set up you made without too much trouble?

And I remember it was going to be a while - but how long for the pathology results? And the decision on radiation comes after that - any idea when you'll know what they decide even if the tests come back clean?

Just - lots of vibes, and this is great news!

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I'm glad you put your foot down. That is a real health concern! I'm surprised they wouldn't do it automatically.

That is bad. My niece is what we call a "District Nurse" which is similar to the ones that you have. I know she said that theres minor things that the patient can do for themselves such as you've described with the eye drops, but she still has to go and do it. The thing is these people aren't all elderly that have her for the minor things either!.

Wow...I can't believe they tried that one you, but I'm glad you put your foot down. I've found nothing makes people back-peddle faster than making it clear to them that you actually do know what they're talking about.

I'm glad to hear you're starting to feel better. sending lots of quick recovery/no complications your way.

Glad that you are getting the help you wanted. The argument about the costs - priceless.

Good job on standing up for what you wanted. I had a home nurse for 2 weeks after my first c-section thankfully I chose my best friends moms work because she got my paperwork and came over to be my nurse...She was one of the big boss ladies and didnt have to do it but did it for me. Plus she got the bonus of coming over and cuddling her daughters goddaughter.

Good for you for standing firm. Here, they insist on post-op treatment being done at home _ I have a nurse coming in daily for 30 days to give me anti-phlebitis jabs and dress my incision following my knee replacement. And for the staples, mine don't come out till 20 days after the op, so I think you are right to delay it. Best wishes for a full recovery.

The nurse came today to check my incision. She said it looks clean and healthy. I also apparently have 19 staples. Not sure I wanted to know that! That means 19 "OMG!" screeches as they take them out!!!

They will be coming on Monday and Thursday. Next week they only come on Monday because I go for the staple removal on Thursday and the clinic nurse will check it then. I think they will be coming for 2 weeks after the staple removal.

I feel much better now knowing that the incision is looking good. I've been doing my best to keep the area clean and dry in order to prevent yeast growth.

Keep up the good work!

...and great to hear about the scooper.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

They wanted to remove the staples 5 days post op and I told them "NO!" I contacted the girl in the gyne clinic and told her that I'm concerned about the wound opening if the staples are removed too soon before the skin has had a chance to really knit itself together. I asked if they can stay in until the 20th, and she talked to the surgeon and he was in agreement with me. I made an appointment to go on the 22nd to have the staples out. Not looking forward to it, but it will be 15 days post op so the incision should be healing together nicely by that time. I'm willing to live with a few pinches and pulls to avoid a wound opening up.

The pathology will be back 3 or 4 weeks post op....hopefully by August 4th if not sooner. I'm not as nervous about that as I was about the fact that they might not have been able to complete the surgery because of my weight. Of all the things that was the one thing that I was most worried about. The rest I will take one step at a time.

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You really have done your homework about the staples. I've been reading about other types of surgery. It seems like larger women have problems with incisions after the staples are removed.

I would think that doctors would have seen the connection by now and leave them in a bit longer.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

The extended scooper works great! I tried it yesterday for the first time. Amazing what you can do with an old broom handle and duct tape!!

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That's exactly what I use! In my case it saves my back. I also have a toy garden rake that I use.

My sister in law gave me a child sized shovel and rake as a joke and it turned out to be the perfect gift. I took the handle off the shovel and attached it to my litter scoop with duct tape. The rake helps when looking for buried treasure and then smooths it out when I'm done.

I'm sooo glad you've got a nurse coming to check you!
I was a nurses' aide/home health aide for 7 years and I know what can go wrong in a home environment without the proper care.
Hope your incision continues to heal, and you're feeling great soon. ((HUGS)))