It Sucks!

So I haven't had a chance to give you a little update about my wound care.  I went in last Thursday for my appointment with the wound vac and had then hook me up.  Bill met me there so that he could learn how to change the dressing.

The machine is about 2.5 pounds and it fits into a little messenger style bag.  It has a hose that connects to the wound dressing.   The dressing itself is an odd type of foam that goes directly over the wound.   The hose then connects to a cannister that is connected to the vacuum.  You then create a seal with Tegaderm and when the machine is on, it sucks all the air out and then pulls all the drainage into the cannister.  It also pulls the edges of the wound together to help it heal more quickly.  We just change the dressing every 2 days and then see the doctor once per week.

It did hurt when they first put it on, but it doesn't really bother me now.  It's mostly annoying trying to maneuver with a large tube coming out of your side 24/7.  Sleeping has been the most difficult.  I am a side sleeper.  Carrying the case all the time with the booklet and machine and tubing adds about 3 to 4 pounds to lug around, too.  It's exhausting.  Healing is exhausting.

I am taking it on vacation.  Talk about fun!  Oh boy!  I feel like a freak.  It gurgles occasionally and makes me feel super self conscious.  It sounds like I have some major gastrointestinal issues.  But at least I am mobile for the most part.  I do have to sit plugged into an outlet for at least 8 hours.  I try to do that mostly during my sleeping, but have to plug in after long days out like the days I work.

Mostly it's just super inconvenient.  But being sick and having injuries or wounds isn't exactly awesome.  And had I lived 100 years ago, I would have died.  So I suppose I should be happy to have it.  It just really sucks! (literally)