7 weeks post-op

[HGD24]

I went for my 2 month post op visit yesterday and things are progressing well. I was told that I need to be out of bed much longer than I currently am though. My doc said that I could rest in the recliner while wearing my brace...obviously, he's never worn one of these things!

One piece of not so good news is that the spot where I had a dissolving stitch at the top of my back incision, may be infected. (WARNING...GRAPHIC) It had been scabbed over since I was in the hospital and then late last week, the scab came off and the area was leaking some fluid. My doc removed the dissolving stitch and then he stitched the area with regular stitches. He said that if the area did not close up in the next week, I would have to go back to the operating room and they would open the top few inches of the incision to be sure that the infection has not gotten down to the hardware. This was really hard for me to hear since I am so terrified of anything having to do with surgeries and the last thing I want to do at this point is go through another one! Please pray for me that all goes well and this spot heals on it's own within the next week......

[LindaRacine]

Hi Heidi...

I'm glad to hear that things are going well. I'm sure it's scary, but as far as complications go, a small infection is a pretty easy one. I've had several incisions in the past that were closed with dissolving stitches. In almost every case, my body rejected one or two of them, and the problem resolved as soon as the stitches came out. I hope that's the case with yours.

Regards,
Linda

[HGD24]

Thanks for your note Linda. I don't know what I would do without you and this board!!! I'm sure this is just a surface infection and that the doctor was giving us worse case scenario, but it's still a scary thought to have in the back of my mind until we go back next week and find out for sure. My husband later told me that the doctor pushed on the areas around the opening and that no fluid came out and that that is a good sign, so here's to hoping...(keeping my fingers crossed) for good news next Wednesday!

[Heathmoose]

Hi Heidi. I remember a few weeks after my surgery I noticed a really tiny hard lump right next to my scar (in the front near my stomach) and called my doctor. He said it was a bit of the dissolving stitch that did not yet dissolve. I was all paranoid about it, but it eventually went away. It seems that your infection is a small one and I am sure will heal. Hang in there!

[HGD24]

Thanks for the encouragement Heather! I had my mother-in-law look at the area yesterday (she's a nurse) and she said that it looks like it's healing beautifully, so that has made me feel sooo much better about the whole situation. It's just so scary to think that the infection could spread to the hardware and then into the bone matter and cause all kinds of problems. Hopefully, I'll know for sure Wednesday that all is well....

[HGD24]

Visited my doctor yesterday and he said that the area looks great! I'm going back on Monday to have the stitches removed!!! He said that I'm not totally out of the woods because an infection can happen at any time, but he was really pretty optimistic!

Also, just wanted to share that within the past week, I have begun to get around alot more, stay out of bed a lot longer and feel a lot better in general. I'm not really feeling any pain at this point, just stiffness, but mostly at night. I'm feeling much more like myself again and should be going back to work within the next few weeks! It's weird how it seems like you just wake up one day and feel incredible!

[Nanalulu]

Heidi,

Glad to hear about the difference. It makes me a little less nervous about having the surgery done.

Lynn

[lrmb]

Heidi, I am so glad to hear you are feeling like you turned a corner!! Let us know how it goes and also when you go back to work. Take care ~Laura