I'm snarling at the world at present. Over the weekend a small lump in my thigh blew up into a major blood-filled abscess, which is slowly draining. This morning it took me 3 hours to see a PA for 5 minutes to confirm the diagnosis. She's put me on an antibiotic to stop the infection, after which the abscess will have to be opened, packed and sutured to let it heal from the inside. Meanwhile, I must help it drain with hot compresses and gentle squeezes. Joy.
(The PA was annoyed with me because I said I could drain it every day with a needle and syringe. "Don't DO that! You'll make the infection worse!" "Not if I disinfect everything first. I did that in the military often enough." "Well... just remember, I told you not to!" She stomped off down the corridor muttering something about veterans. It didn't sound polite.)
Anyway, prayers for healing will be appreciated, as always. Please and thank you!
Peter
20 comments:
At least nothing slipped and got stuck in a rectum. Hope it's not too painful and gets fixed fast!
I had on about the size of a pecan on the back of my neck. After lancing and packing, the relief was almost instant. They removed the packing the next day, and it healed without any problems. I still think walking through an orb spider web a few nights before led to a bite, which became infected.
Hope you have a very speedy and safe recovery. Nothing wrong with "expedient" medical care. I suspect self care to increase, especially among the veterans who have some self aid/buddy care training.
"For every bullet wound I probe, I expect to lance three glistening boils." - Surgeon Reynolds, Rorke's Drift
Ouch! Praying for you, Peter!
Prayers for quick healing.
If it helps, lancing and draining was my first thought too.
As a physician I don't understand why they recommended to wait to drain an access. Immediate I & D will give you relief and start the healing process. Sounds like you need a different care provider.
May God heal you quickly.
Perhaps self-treatment of abscesses is related to the privations of military life? I was rather pleased with my aseptic technique; my doctor was not. Probably miffed at the loss of income. :-)
It's germ warfare,..and the germs are winning. Getting abscess to drain and keep it from reforming is half the battle.
A lot of these "medical professionals" have had all of their common sense educated out of them. Quite a few also have the massive arrogance of being part of the entitled class.
The only doctors worth anything at the office where I have gone for years are the two older ones. One of them (my doctor of many years) was forced to retire from practice for unknown medical reasons. The other old one is semi-retired and not taking new patients. The other four are worthless excuses for doctors. My wife uses one of them and I've dealt with the others by phone at different times.
I have to find a new doctor so I can get my prescriptions, but it won't be anyone from this practice.
Good thoughts and prayers on the way. And yeah, telling the doctor “I changed my socks and drank water after I cleaned the cut out with rubbing alcohol. . What more could I do?” will sometimes get you rather peevish retorts.
Praying for you!
Peter, remember that to the young (probably MUCH younger) medico you are a visiting old fart with significantly less medical education and experience than she. Your life's experience, training, and resulting knowledge count for nothing when you cross her threshold.
No matter what, I hope you will do well in the recovery; I've had three similar occasions with my diabetic legs. On the bright side, it's a good excuse to not don compression socks!
Been there. Done that.
https://mikeaustin.org/wounded_knee.htm
Had it drained two days later. The doctor just sliced at it with a scalpel and it pretty much drained itself.
Nowadays I never go into the bush whether on bikes or on foot without a supply of Bactrim.
@DaddyBear,
Rubbing alcohol is for masochists and people we don't like. Its only use as a disinfectant is for medical instruments and such.
Bactine™ is for self-use, and people we like. Or at least, don't wish to torture gratuitously.
After Bactine, your two best friends are betadine, and Neosporin, AKA the Magic Spackle.
Yikes. Get well soon, Peter.
Field expedient medical practices are generally frowned on by the AMA.
Saying that it, I would have done the same thing.
Heal up, Get better!
"needle and syringe" Too fancy. Sharp knife. I'd bet $5 every commenter here has at least one sharp knife on their person during the majority of their waking hours.
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