Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Surgery...part of the healing process

Alex made an emergency trip into Dr. Graham's office (KC surgeon) yesterday after severe pain in his bottom throughout the weekend (much like the pain he was experiencing before surgery). He had an abscess that needed to be drained and gave us the option of doing an in-office procedure under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia in the hospital the next day. Alex opted to be knocked out (who can blame him?) and we decided that would give the doctor a chance to take a more thorough look. Here's what we found out...
1. The painful place was a large horseshoe shaped abscess that went deep in his pelvis and back around to his tailbone. Dr. made two incisions to drain infection and placed drains. It was a very good thing Alex followed his gut to go into the hospital for the procedure as Dr. Graham said that what we saw in the office yesterday was "just the tip of the iceberg" to a much more extensive area of infection.
2. The small holes that we were packing on his incision line were all connected much deeper than Dr. Graham expected. He opened up two large places on his midline incision from the previous surgery so it could heal better from the inside out. He said it would likely have never healed if it was not re-opened.

Alex's bottom already feels much, much better...less pressure and much more comfortable to sit/lay on. The abscess is from his previous disease that is not connected any longer. The infection is trying to find its way out. We will probably be in the hospital until tomorrow or the day after, just to make sure everything is okay before we go home.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hang in there you two! One day at a time!
Love you both..and Lydia too!
Mom/Donita

KYLIE said...

Just want you know know that I'm thinking about the two of you and sending lots and LOTS of love your way...

Max & Carrie said...

Echoing Kylie's statement about our prayers... hang in there!

Unknown said...

Great job of "listening" to your body! It will tell you when something's not right.

Thinking of the "3" of you!

:) said...

Hope this does the trick!! Hang in! :)