WLE open wound healing

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Having a WLE on the inside of my lower left leg on 17th July and  because dr said skin grafts not too successful in that area they have decided to leave it open to heal. He said I would have to go to hospital twice a week for dressing change and it would take a while to heal. I live on my own and thinking about how I will cope as am unable to find on forums many people who have had it done this way. They are doing 1cm margin. Will I be able to walk ok or will I have to totally rest it for a while. My sister has offered to come and stay with me but not sure if it’s necessary or maybe a good idea to have someone here for a couple of days at least. Hard to plan when I don’t know what I’ll be able to do.

  • Hi LadyBaba

     

    Thanks for reaching out to us here. My name is Gemma and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I am sorry to hear you are waiting for a wide excision, but pleased you are planning and thinking about how you will cope post-skin surgery.

    Your consultant will go through with you what to look out for after the procedure and give you information on post-operative care. This information leaflet from Sheffield NHS gives useful details on healing wounds with secondary intention.

    Here on the online forums, we are separate from the NHS and do not have access to your medical notes or NHS systems. So if you have any new, increasing, or worsening symptoms after surgery it is always important to report these to your hospital team or GP. This allows them to make a full assessment and decide if you require medication or further investigations to manage these symptoms. They would want to hear from you and know if you are struggling.

    I would also suggest speaking to your skin cancer nurse specialist, they are very experienced in skin surgery and will be able to advise you on aftercare and if you may need support at home.

    You can contact others on our online forum. It’s a great opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, or explore your emotions. 

    You may find it helpful to call our support line or contact us via Webchat. Our Macmillan Information Nurse Specialists are here to offer support and help with your questions on 0808 808 00 00 every day 8 am-8 pm. You can also email us back and we aim to reply within two working days.

    Best wishes

    Gemma Shaw, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    Ref/AP