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wound care?
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wound care?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › wound care?

  • Post
    • October 26, 2010 at 10:53 pm
    bluepeople
    Participant

       So my husband had a SNB more than a month ago, and it has become infected.  He had a fever all weekend and the area was really red.  He FINALLY went to a doctor today and they opened it up, cleaned it out, and now we have to "pack the wound" until it heals inside??  Luckily I'm not too squeamish with this kind of stuff, but hopefully they send good directions home with him.  He didn't even call to tell me he went in for surgery until after it was done!  Has anyone had to do this, and if so, do you have any tips?  I've read that it ca

       So my husband had a SNB more than a month ago, and it has become infected.  He had a fever all weekend and the area was really red.  He FINALLY went to a doctor today and they opened it up, cleaned it out, and now we have to "pack the wound" until it heals inside??  Luckily I'm not too squeamish with this kind of stuff, but hopefully they send good directions home with him.  He didn't even call to tell me he went in for surgery until after it was done!  Has anyone had to do this, and if so, do you have any tips?  I've read that it can be pretty painful. 

      Thanks so much!

      Akilyn

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 27, 2010 at 12:42 am
        ChrisB
        Participant

          I was pretty freaked when I first learned I'd have to pack an open wound after basically the same scenario – infection, opened and cleaned out.  Turned out not to be to difficult or problematic.  The biggest hurdle for me was the timing involved since I was unable to pack the wound myself and needed one of my sisters to make the trip over every day for a couple weeks.

          My experience with this was about 7 years ago so tips are as limited as my memory….

          I believe I needed saline solution, something to squirt the saline into the open area for cleansing, sterile pads and tape or something else to hold the packing in place – since I'm allergic to adhesives and my wound was on my back I chose a tube shaped netting (don't recall the name) that could be cut to size and slipped over my head and around the area.

           

          Not much to it really, once I got over the initial shock of what needed to be done and completed it a time or two.

           

          Best wishes to you and your husband,

          Chris

            • October 27, 2010 at 12:46 am
            ChrisB
            Participant

              Forgot to mention that they had a nurse come out and teach my sister how to do it for the first time.

              • October 27, 2010 at 12:46 am
              ChrisB
              Participant

                Forgot to mention that they had a nurse come out and teach my sister how to do it for the first time.

                • October 27, 2010 at 4:18 pm
                bluepeople
                Participant

                  Thanks for your info.  I did look online to read about it, and I was talking to our sitter about it and she had to do it once for her husband so she was telling me a little about it.  It doesn't sound too bad, she just said it was really stinky 🙁  Everything I read said it is good to squirt it with saline solution to loosen up the gauze, but they didn't give him any of that, can you just buy it at the store??  They also didn't give him any directions so I guess the first time I take it off, I'll just have to pay attention to how they did it, anyways, thank you for your tips! 

                  • October 27, 2010 at 4:18 pm
                  bluepeople
                  Participant

                    Thanks for your info.  I did look online to read about it, and I was talking to our sitter about it and she had to do it once for her husband so she was telling me a little about it.  It doesn't sound too bad, she just said it was really stinky 🙁  Everything I read said it is good to squirt it with saline solution to loosen up the gauze, but they didn't give him any of that, can you just buy it at the store??  They also didn't give him any directions so I guess the first time I take it off, I'll just have to pay attention to how they did it, anyways, thank you for your tips! 

                  • October 27, 2010 at 12:42 am
                  ChrisB
                  Participant

                    I was pretty freaked when I first learned I'd have to pack an open wound after basically the same scenario – infection, opened and cleaned out.  Turned out not to be to difficult or problematic.  The biggest hurdle for me was the timing involved since I was unable to pack the wound myself and needed one of my sisters to make the trip over every day for a couple weeks.

                    My experience with this was about 7 years ago so tips are as limited as my memory….

                    I believe I needed saline solution, something to squirt the saline into the open area for cleansing, sterile pads and tape or something else to hold the packing in place – since I'm allergic to adhesives and my wound was on my back I chose a tube shaped netting (don't recall the name) that could be cut to size and slipped over my head and around the area.

                     

                    Not much to it really, once I got over the initial shock of what needed to be done and completed it a time or two.

                     

                    Best wishes to you and your husband,

                    Chris

                    • October 27, 2010 at 1:12 am
                    MichaelFL
                    Participant

                      You may wish to go online and read about something called a wound vac. (also called negative pressure wound therapy) Depending on the location, perhaps it can be of assistance to his healing. It creates a vaccum, and antibiotics (or other drugs) may even be applied to assist with healing.

                      Michael stage 1b

                        • October 27, 2010 at 4:19 pm
                        bluepeople
                        Participant

                           Thanks, I will check it out. 

                          • October 27, 2010 at 4:19 pm
                          bluepeople
                          Participant

                             Thanks, I will check it out. 

                          • October 27, 2010 at 1:12 am
                          MichaelFL
                          Participant

                            You may wish to go online and read about something called a wound vac. (also called negative pressure wound therapy) Depending on the location, perhaps it can be of assistance to his healing. It creates a vaccum, and antibiotics (or other drugs) may even be applied to assist with healing.

                            Michael stage 1b

                            • October 27, 2010 at 5:37 pm
                            EmilyandMike
                            Participant

                              Hi Akilyn

                              I am sorry you are dealing with this!  My husband had no infection even after he had the full lymph node dissection and I thankful for that because unlike you, I am squeemish.  But my husband's father has had to have wounds packed and it is not that big of a deal. 

                              I am sorry you didnt get my email from earlier in October – something must not be working on the profile area of the board.  Send me an email when you have a moment – I wanted to invite you to an event that we are going to host in Millbrae in December.  [email protected]

                              Take care,

                              Emily

                                • October 27, 2010 at 7:28 pm
                                bluepeople
                                Participant

                                  Hi,

                                  Yeah, hopefully it won't be a big deal.  He's the kind of guy you need to drag to the doctor, so he probably should have gone to the doctor much sooner because I think it had been infected for a little while, but at least he went and he's getting it taken care of. 

                                  I just sent you a note.  Thanks

                                  Akilyn

                                  • October 27, 2010 at 7:28 pm
                                  bluepeople
                                  Participant

                                    Hi,

                                    Yeah, hopefully it won't be a big deal.  He's the kind of guy you need to drag to the doctor, so he probably should have gone to the doctor much sooner because I think it had been infected for a little while, but at least he went and he's getting it taken care of. 

                                    I just sent you a note.  Thanks

                                    Akilyn

                                  • October 27, 2010 at 5:37 pm
                                  EmilyandMike
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Akilyn

                                    I am sorry you are dealing with this!  My husband had no infection even after he had the full lymph node dissection and I thankful for that because unlike you, I am squeemish.  But my husband's father has had to have wounds packed and it is not that big of a deal. 

                                    I am sorry you didnt get my email from earlier in October – something must not be working on the profile area of the board.  Send me an email when you have a moment – I wanted to invite you to an event that we are going to host in Millbrae in December.  [email protected]

                                    Take care,

                                    Emily

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