Advice on APR bottom wound

Hi BradleyJ 

My name is Steph, I'm part of the team who look after the Online Community. I hope that you're finding the forums to be helpful and supportive.

I am sorry to read that your husband is struggling with the wound on his bottom.  I just wanted to check if he's been assessed, especially if it's not healing as expected? Macmillan have some information about support when you come home from hospital which might be helpful to have a read through.

Please do speak to your husband's healthcare team if you have concerns. 

If you've already been in contact with the professionals and it's just personal experience that you're looking for, other members are more likely to see your post now I have bumped it. It might be that there's no one around who has that exact experience, but we're all here to support you.

If you have questions for a nurse, or just want to talk things through, I’d encourage you to contact the Macmillan Support Line. Our Support Line teams are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat.

We have some information here to help support you when your loved one has cancer.

I hope you find the support you’re looking for. Please do let us know if you have any questions or need further support with anything at all. I hope the Community helps to show you that you don’t have to go through this alone.

Thank you Steph,

took my husband to Surgical same day care unit yesterday. What a day for him bless.

one on call surgeon was wonderful and spent some time with us as the issue I had as his carer was mixed Advice. 
they’ve not put the plan in his electric records so the treatment room nurses know some blood/fluid loss from the wound is normal. 

I’ve now the knowledge and skills to be able to pack and dress at home with wound reviews from the nurses. 

my husband is fortunate I’ve some Nursing knowledge being a HCA for 33 years but it’s completely different when a loved one. 

thanks for your time to reply 

kindest regards x 

Hi BradleyJ, I'm sorry to hear about your husbands wound problem. I had APR surgery almost year ago and was informed beforehand that breakdown of the bottom wound is a potential complication, particularly if, as in my case, the area has previously been treated with radiation.  I had drainage from the bottom wound for many weeks. A small sinus hole developed at the wound edge and this was where the fluid drained out from.  To be honest, it was a blessing initally as once the drainage started it gave me some relief from uncomfortable pressure I was feeling low in my pelvis.  It took just over six months and three treatments with silver nitrate before the sinus healed over but I got there in the end. If I could offer any advice it would be to encourage a high protein diet if your husband is able to tolerate this, I know its difficult in the early weeks but it really helps with strength and tissue healing.  As you will know, healing following wound breakdown and packing takes time and patience but you and your husband will get there in the end.  

Thank you fir this x

yes treatment room nurses were packing with sliver rope however my husband has since seen his surgeon who has advised no packing … all confusing.

i have some knowledge so im keeping a close eye on it and its granulating well.

i feel fir him though as constantly in pull ups and he wont go anywhere just yet due to the loss of fluid.

thanks for advice we are trying as much protein as possible