Well...

Just got back from the doctor, and I am glad I recently stocked up all the first aid supplies. Guess what Santa brought the fat man for Christmas.

I began getting this "bug bite" size sore on my side about a week ago. In the last few days it has taken on a life of its own. Little lidocaine and one heck of a large scalpel incision later and I am the proud new owner of a wound I had to have packed and will be dealing with until a recheck on Friday.

First Aid at a MVA... sure, GSW... ok? Open hole in MY side draining like the dam burst is NASTY. Any tips on wound treatment? (Other than common sense.) The best I got from them was limited to non-existent.

Also, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, and have a safe holiday.

Dude, tough break. Take care.

Wow, Merry Christmas, huh? Sorry to hear 'bout that. Re wound treatment, I always went for the "cover it up so no one can see it" kind of bandaging...

I guess I can no longer say I refuse to trust anything that can bleed for a week and not die.

Evidently Ms. Clause heard my last comment. Now that I have been asked (told) by the medico's "No Camping Trip" my wireless router just went on strike. Down to iPhone for Internet.

I assume your physician has you on some sort of antibiotic coverage?

Keep it clean and dry. Rest. Avoid excessive activity and sweating. Eat adequate protein. Wear clean, lightweight, loose-fitting shirts. If you develop an elevated temperature, if the red, swollen and tender area around the wound begins to expand or develop red streaks leading away from it, or if you develop swollen lymph glands, particularly in your armpit on the affected side, seek a re-check without delay. Of course, follow all of your doctor's instructions to the letter.

Let us know how you are doing with it. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Jeff

Jeff,

It has already done most all of that. That is why I went in. I tend to be the one that takes family for med treatment asap, but I wait on me.

Believe it or not I am out doing emergency shopping. See the Merry Christmas thread.

Kerlix - it's your friend

MRSA - NASTY stuff, had it 2x now - if confirmed, there are basically 2 choices - you get to spend a couple of weeks in the body and fender shop, taking Vacomycin (sp) or you get to take a 2 week course of Zyvox - either oral, or IV (again, a 2 week visit to the hospital)

I finished my last zyvox tonight, so the eating restrictions come off in 72 hours (there are interesting dietary restrictions when you are on zyvox, althought theey have recently losened then somewhat)

Did they say anything about "wet to dry" bandages? You soak a bandage in saline, ring it out, cover the wound, put a dry bandage over it, and let the inner bandage dry out (takes a few hours) - you then change the bandage - if it's stuck to the wound, it's OK to wet it with saline to get it off - in fact, you should) - this helps pull the bacteria out of the wound

There are all sorts of silver bearing bandages, but the MD has to prescribe them, and you may not be at that point

Good luck, heal well

Right now they have what looks like a hockey skate lace shoved inside the wound refilling the cavity left behind by the fluid removed. Said "hockey lace" is to wick the bad stuff out like an oil lamp wick. Oral med's already started. Dry 4x4 over top. Not to remove the first two 4x4's until Friday at the recheck. Have seriously filled a multitude of 4x4's since around 1600 cst. Thinking seriously of going to feminine sanitary napkins for in bed. I certainly have used them before for worse than this.

Thanks for the info. If confirmed I will have more questions.

OK, I didn't have a deep pocket to pack, so you are on your own with that

sanitary napkins do work wonders - "abdominal pads" are about the same thing, at more $$