Wound vac and jelly

[steiconi]

I've had a wound vac for about a month. My surgical wound is producing a lot of gelatinous stuff (I hope you weren't expecting an anecdote about edibles ), which is too thick for the wound vac to suck up.
The jelly seems to be preventing the wound from closing, plus it dislodges the dressing.

Anyone had this problem? How did you solve it?

[To Dream a Dream]

Hi Lee, good to see you posting. Unfortunately, my only experience with a wound vac (Hema Vac) was back in 1977 post-op in ICU & the staff took care of it. I did attempt a Search of the UOAA Website & hopefully, this link will connect you to some more pertinent information: https://www.ostomy.org/search_gcse/
My best thoughts for you to keep improving day by day.

[steiconi]

Thanks! I searched before posting, I guess nobody else has posted about a similar issue.

[To Dream a Dream]

Have you spoken to a surgical NP or a WOCN? They may have experience with this condition. It must be very annoying for you. Hang in there.

[steiconi]

I've emailed my surgeon, talked to home health nurse (she does wound care), and will see my PCP tomorrow. Hopefully someone will have a solution, or give me a referral to somebody who can help.

[To Dream a Dream]

Sounds like a plan to me. You are always so resilient, Lee. Despite your challenges. Good luck with your PCP appt.

[steiconi]

Follow-up:
It's "normal", but surgeon offered to aspirate it, to see if that helps. I agreed, but he hasn't put the order in yet.

plan B: visit a wound care center

[To Dream a Dream]

Hoping an aspiration will literally clear things up for you soon.

[steiconi]

Thanks, Dream, your support is much appreciated!

[To Dream a Dream]

As is yours. In this cyber-age of questionable social media, our Discussion Board is a welcome oasis of sharing unique knowledge & experience in an empathetic atmosphere. Despite all of the negative things & pain we have undergone, individually we hold the key for many out there to redefine & construct a new life.

[steiconi]

Surgeon didn't get back to me, I followed up...crickets.

Going to Plan B, have an appointment at a wound care center. Asked a different doc for the referral, didn't want to wait forever.

[steiconi]

Another month has gone by, still have the wound vac. And an open wound. I had radiation 17 years ago, and apparently that is preventing healing.

The wound care center says they can't make it any better, but referred me to the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) folks.

HBO can help heal damage from radiation, including the medical kind, and apparently even if it was done years ago.
I'm leaning toward this, though it is a huge commitment for no guaranteed outcome:
They start with forty 2-hour sessions, five days a week for eight weeks. The facility is about 45 minutes from my house, so I'm looking at 3-1/2 hours a day for two months. Plus gas money!

I'll keep updating this now and then, in case somebody someday can benefit from the info.

[To Dream a Dream]

Hoping & praying this finds you doing better, Lee. And thanks for thinking of others who will benefit from your new experiences. As for the practical, is there anyone to accompany you to your treatments? Their moral support would be a help. ACS used to have volunteers willing to provide rides for their patients on treatments. If your medical facility has a Social Services Dept., they may have suggestions. In the meanwhile, please know you are in my prayers.

[steiconi]

Thanks, my husband has been great. But I'll probably do the HBO treatments solo; it's just going to be tedious, not scary.

IF they ever get back to me! I swear scheduling every appointment or procedure takes at least three phone calls.

[To Dream a Dream]

It does seem that way for me, also. I've been blaming my advanced years that have eroded my patience. But other people have expressed similar experiences. In the meanwhile, try to take this as downtime in which to take care of yourself. Better days ahead.