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