Jeff's RC

15 years 9 months ago #17655 by Jeff F
Replied by Jeff F on topic Jeff's RC
The home health nurses are telling me the wounds are almost closed and I should be vac-free pretty soon. It's a pretty slow process and being type 2 diabetic probably is contributing to the slow mending. However, it's looking ok at this point. My strength is coming back, and should be 100 percent up and at my new life in no time!
Thanks everyone for your comments and concerns.

BC diagnosed 01/2007
Cystoscopes and Miomyacin in 2007
R/C ilial conduit 04/27/2008

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15 years 9 months ago #17416 by Gene Beane
Replied by Gene Beane on topic Jeff's RC
Jeff,
Sorry this happened, recovery is hard enough without this type of infection going on. Take care, rest and walk when you can!!!! Keep us up on how your doing!
Ginger

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15 years 9 months ago #17415 by Jeff F
Replied by Jeff F on topic Jeff's RC
Thanks Gene and Ginger. Your support is appreciated. I guess I had a smallish infection which wasn't the problem it was more like a problem with the incision site mending, which required the wound vac. This became evident about 3 days after the op and when I stood up I gushed everything out from my wounds. Anyway, that was unforseen and pretty freaky. Once they got the wound vac on that stopped. Now I am very close to closure and release from this machine! Thanks for the tips. Right..OJT at Yuma Regional...you don't make history often!

BC diagnosed 01/2007
Cystoscopes and Miomyacin in 2007
R/C ilial conduit 04/27/2008

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15 years 10 months ago #17073 by Gene Beane
Replied by Gene Beane on topic Jeff's RC
Jeff,
So glad to hear from you, finally. I was worried as its been awhile since your r/c. This is the first of hearing of a staph infection in the wounds after an r/c, you are right to feel the way you do as on top of the surgery you didn't need this. Gene had his bladder out laproscopically, 4 small incisions, then the bag. Do you have stoma nurses coming, they should be there twice a week to find the right bag for you, they should allow 6-8 weeks of visits, its wonderful as they keep an eye on everything. The area is usually bumpy after surgery therefore hard to get the bag to adhere flat and stick properly. The stoma nurses help with that too. Did you say its there first r/c at that hospital???? If you were the first you certainly were brave to agree and not go elswhere say where they do it all day long.
For instance the Cleveland Clinic does about 30 a month...Glad to hear about the path report. We are so experienced with the bag...if you would like to talk to Gene just holler out and I will give you his cell. Wow thats some infection!!!Sorry it happened,,our Doctor kicked us out after 6 days for that reason, he said I don't want you to stick around any longer than necessary, to get an infection...about the grandchildren, we have 5, ages 16 12, 3, 6 and 2,,,,they have all seen papa's boo boo, in fact the 2 year old wears a bandaid, superman, where Gene has his boo boo to be like him... the 16 and 12 year old wanted to watch him change it, this was a few months after surgery, they marvel at the medical advances for this surgery...the strength will return, but walk and rest walk and rest, and get rid of that infection, patience, they did alot and you need much time to recover....the fact you can smile is a good sign....
Please keep us up on things and any bag issues call us..
Ginger and Gene

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15 years 10 months ago #17072 by Jeff F
Jeff's RC was created by Jeff F
I had my RC on 04/30/2008. All I remember about the event was being wheeled down the hall and awakening in ICU. My surgery lasted 11 hours. My URO only offered ilial conduit and I figured for my age and dispostion it might be the best for me. I was in ICU for 2 days. My biggest problem is my incisional wounds dehissed (sic), and leaked for days. eventually, after 12 days, they installed a wound vac. I was released after 14 days. I went home with the vac. It is redressed every 2 days by home health care. A wound vac is basically a wound packed with sponges, a tube on a cup placed over it and hooked up via a tube to a Vac machine. The machine is portable. Yesterday, the tech said great progress has been made and the 2 areas are only 3 centimeters deep now. There was infection involved, staph, possibly a form of MRSA, but that seems to be over.

I am still weak after 21 days. Odd feeling for me. But a lot was done, and it would have to take a great deal out you.

My wife is an angel, has been by my side 100 percent.

This was, I heard, the first RC, for my local hospital and one of the longest surgeries!! The care given was remarkable.

We are having problems with the bag system. Unpredictable results, but getting better at it as we try new techniques.

My grandkids "don't get it"...and how do you explain all this to them? You don't. But i just try to keep a happy face around them.

Thanks Gene and Ginger for the messages, and anyone else that messaged I may have skipped over, I am still "in and out" and have to catch up with the forum.

All my paths were negative for any spread at this time.

BC diagnosed 01/2007
Cystoscopes and Miomyacin in 2007
R/C ilial conduit 04/27/2008

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