Morning all,
I'm 4 weeks on from pelvic extenteration so still very early days. There's a 4cm open wound which is not healing and leaks a substantial amount of fluid on a weekly basis, almost like there's a build up of fluid but after it's come out it's fine again for a few days. I have district nurses that come out 3 times a week but each one seems to have a different opinion! The one coming today seems to think I should be seen by Southampton but I really don't fancy the hour drive there and back lying on the backseat as I can't sit down, surely the Dr's and nurses here can do something before I'm due in clinic in 2 weeks?! I am on antibiotics.
I'm also still completely numb on my pelvic floor so am incontinent, I'm hoping the nerve endings will regenerate in time.
Any fellow PE's on here (SarahH21)? Has this happened to anyone?
Thanks in advance
Michelle xx
Hi Michell
Sorry to read you are struggling, this sounds horrible for you. I only had an abdominal wound, so my situation was different to yours, and I only had a tiny issue with an infection there and some leaking fluid where I was given antibiotics and had the district nurse out to change dressings.
I do have some friends in my private PE Facebook group who have had the same issue as you, so I’ll ask them what happened. I seem to remember talk of some vacuum thing to get the wound to heal? They also had similar incontinence issues. Let me ask them and I’ll get back to you if I can get any advice, it’s a secret and private group and I’ll just ask a general question there for the ladies who’ve had the same cancer and same op,
Sarah xx
Hi Michelle
My reply is awaiting moderation so hopefully will appear soon!
Sarah xx
Oh my response has appeared! I have asked the question in my group-a number of my ladies have had anal/colon cancer and if they have advice I’ll get right back to you. I think I had it easy only having an abdominal wound to deal with! Getting the staples out was far easier than anticipated though. It was difficult for me to sit initially while my rectal stump healed but I appreciate it’s so much harder for you.
Sarah xx
Hi Michelle
I’ve had a couple of responses in my group from ladies with the same issue. One has a small open wound there 12 weeks after surgery but not leaking. She is just going to have it monitored every 2-3 weeks for the next few months, and was told it may take months to fully close. She was advised to keep her protein levels high to help with healing.
The other lady had her op about 5 months ago. She had some other issues which caused her wound to break down, so she has been having the wound packed and dressed by the district nurses, first daily, then every other day, and now once a week. She’s in a lot of pain but has been told it is actually healing well. She’s still having a lot of difficulty sitting. I’ll let you know if my ladies on the other side of the globe have anything to add, but it seems it is a matter of time to heal fully.
Sarah xx
