Profile
Photos
Comments
Drains are made of either latex or plastic tubing. Normally, drainage flows from around the tube not though it. Home care consists of rest and relaxation in a clean location. Clean means on the floor inside the house, on a deck, or porch. Laying down outside on the ground, in a shed, or garage with dirty floors is not allowed. Should dirt contact the open wounds were the drains exit horrific infections can result.
Exercise is limited to walking on a leash just long enough to eliminate.
Most fluids that escape from wounds are quite sticky. You can expect the fluid when dried to glue the the drain tube to the skin preventing any outflow at all. This defeats the purpose. This is prevented by cleaning by cleaning the drain area(s) at least twice daily with hydrogen peroxide soaked gauze.
To help unstick the drain, pick up the tube in your finger and wiggle it. Most patients are not bothered by this maneuver. It is also important to remove discharge from the skin around the drain. Leaving this material there can cause the skin to become very inflammed. After drain removal (usually five days after surgery), try to keep the drain holes open as long as possible.
it sounds nasty and high maintenance, doesn't it? *sigh*
Alas, life will go on, and HOPEFULLY after this step we will be through the worst of it... I feel like I keep saying that! Oh yeah, because I have! But anyways. Now I have to see about the NC trip. Will we go? I am hoping so...
I know there was stuff I wanted to blog about but I can't remember anymore. I guess I will be back later! :0)
One for you
