Debridement - 7/1/05

 
Last week, Robin visited her surgeon, Dr. Mason, and he discussed debridement of her wounds to help speed the healing. On Friday, July 1st, Robin had the surgical procedure performed as an outpatient at St. John's Hospital.

"Debridement" is defined as "the surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue." Dr. Mason surgically removed the scabs and cut away any dead tissue, until he got to bleeding tissue. Robin was able to come home a few hours after the procedure. The dressings on her wounds must be replaced about two or three times a day. A home healthcare nurse came twice a day during the long weekend. We went back to Dr. Mason on Tuesday because the wound packing was coming out green. We were not sure if she was a frog, a Martian, or if there was something bad afoot. Dr. Mason did not seem overly concerned. He said the green stuff was fatty tissue and, although it might be infected, it was not serious. He was much more concerned about Robin's respiratory infection, thinking that it might be dragging down her immune system. Dr. Mason trimmed some of the green stuff and repacked the wounds. He also ordered a chest Xray to see if Robin had pneumonia (she does not). I have taken over the packing and dressing of Robin's wounds since Tuesday.

On Wednesday, July 6th, Robin saw her GP doctor and she prescribed medications for her respiratory infection. On Thursday, Robin returned to work, and one of the nurses at TLC dressed her wounds there. She seems to be doing much better today.

I'll let you know if anything major changes.

Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Keep it up, please.

Love and thanks,

Larry & Robin

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