As it is-A report with pics.

December.
I've been into hospital again, for the forth time.  This visit was another 'debridement of the wound to the left thigh'.  A short stay. Two nights. Light general anesthetic. 


The wound would not heal.  Radiation has made it difficult for the natural healing process to complete.  A centimeter long section of the original incision would not bind leaving an opening, leading to a tunnel of necrotic fatty tissue under the path of the wound to the drain site where a yellow fluid oozed.  I changed the dressing twice a day. 

With stiches,

and without

We, the surgeon, my carer and partner Jo and I decided to fix the problem surgically.  I was wheeled in on November 24th to the same operating theatre as the first, on September 29th. I was dispatched to the place where memory does not keep records and two thirds of the wound was superficially cut open.

The cleaned superficial incision. A shot taken of the theatre screen monitor.

A saline solution blasted the 'non-viable' tissue away and the wound was prepared and then stapled with 20 stainless steel staples spaced at about 8mm along the length of the cut.

Taking care of the wound.

 I stayed in the same ward, at the same hospital blessed with same crew of nurses in a different room. I was comfortable and tender and on a steady does of analgesic, (Endone). I am now at home on a course of antibiotics too treat two bugs which showed up on the culture which they grow from a swab taken routinely at the time of surgery. The body reacts to bacteria by inflaming the site with fluid and white blood cells.  The penecillin will kill the bugs, the inflamation with settle and the wound will dry and heal. Bedrest and a positive attitude will give the best opportunity for all of this to happen.  Bedrest is not as easy as you might think but its worth the effort. I know you know I am right.   

Another thousand words.