Today was supposed to be the day I started treatment with a wound vac.
It was shipped overnight to me and arrived this morning by FEDX  in a
very huge box. The machine itself is not that big but it came with all
kinds of materials for the home healthcare nurse to use when she comes
3 times a week to change the bandage. I was supposed to take one of
each thing they sent me and the machine to the wound care dr and the
nurses were supposed to get it all set up.

So I could not even get into the box!  Thank goodness for a wonderful
lady delivery person with FEDX. She brought the box into the house for
me and opened it up. She even helped me get some of the things out of
it and then gave my dog a biscuit!  What a nice person!

So I got it all figured out and went to the dr right on time at 1pm.
The dr is happy with how my leg is healing but still thinks the wound
vac is going to help even more and I'll be healed in about two weeks
instead of 5 months.  I'm all about that.

Apparently its a vacuum system to help the wound heal. Here's a quote
from the manufacture:

"The Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) device is used to facilitate wound
healing by converting an open wound to a closed wound. VAC consists of
an evacuation tube embedded in a polyurethane foam dressing. After the
foam dressing is placed in the wound bed and sealed by an occlusive
dressing, the tube is attached to a vacuum unit. The application of
negative pressure causes the foam to collapse resulting in removal of
excess fluids; increased blood flow and decreased bacterial
colonization; granulation tissue formation; and wound closure."

So the nurses come in and finally they decide which one is going to put
the dressing in place. That took a bit of time and talking. Finally one
is picked and the dressing is begun (I feel like a turkey!  LOL)
Anyway...that took a hour!  A full hour!  Ok so they another nurse
comes in and they get the machine and me hooked up and turn it on and
oh my gosh it's making a horrible racket. Gee they've never heard one
sound like that before. Ut Oh.

So a hour later...it's decided that the machine doesn't work right and
they are going to have the company send me another one and oh by the
way. I have to have the dressing taken off until I get a working
machine.

I left about 5 pm with no wound vac.  :(

I sure hope after this is all said and done that I can actually
tolerate the wound vac and such. I still have no idea of how it feels
or if it hurts or anything. Just that I have to wear it 24/7. It's not
a real light machine but I guess I can use my walker basket and carry
it around that way.

Life just gets more and more interesting doesn't it???  Oh -- And Mom
is finally out of the hospital and back at the nursing home.  She's
hanging in there. Kidney's still about 19% and the coumadin is still
causing her PT to bounce around. Her lungs have settled down as well.

Thanks for listening!  I'm on a three day high from my IVIG treatment
(and Starbucks which seems to be the only thing that ends the
accompanying nausea) waiting for the crash.  Maybe I'll sleep tonight.
Till then...sure can get a lot done around here.  LOL
Cyberhugs....DianeW