A few steps FORWARD... for a change :-)

Yes, after what seems like umpteen steps backwards in our quest to get Husband recovered from all the surgeries and the bed sore, we have finally taken a few steps forward.

The plastic surgeon came in early this morning (well, 9.15am counts as early for plastic surgeons, right?) with one of the nurses in the ward. First order of the day - get Husband face down on his bed, so that the entire dressing at the back, which basically covered him from left to right side, from the waist to half-way down his bum, could be removed. That took some time actually, as the pressure dressing adhered as if it had been stuck on with super glue. While in SG, I had acquired an amazing little item called "REMOVE" (Smith & Nephew) which are little squares of material, soaked in something that smells a bit like ether, and we used this stuff to get the dressing of Husband, and remove most of the sticky residue from his skin.

I was really apprehensive about seeing the surgical wound, so I asked the nurse to remove the dressing for that... BUT, I have to say, when the dressing all came off, I was really impressed with how NEAT, CLEAN, and HEALTHY the whole thing looked. The scar curves over the top of the left bum, and was not only sutured (VERY VERY neatly) but also stapled - for extra strength to prevent the wound from re-opening every time Husband stood or sat or walked. Even the small part which had skin grafted on it looked very healthy - though the doc says it will be another 2 weeks before the skin under the graft is completely restored.

All the tubes were removed, the skin cleaned, gauze placed over the surgical scar, a dressing called BACTIGRAS laid over the skin graft, and then gauze over that. A pressure dressing was then applied in sections, over the gauze, followed by a double layer of a special gauze pad (something called a gum-gee!) over the graft area, and then that was also secured firmly. And that was it.

The doctor left, the nurses took away all the old dressings and other rubbish, and Husband is lying down, ON HIS BACK!!!, and sleeping now, trying to catch up on some of his missed sleep. He says the dressing, because of how tight it is pulled, is a little uncomfortable, but he is not in any pain, and that is such a huge relief! Whatever else, I have asked him NOT to sleep on his right side, as there is a red area on his right hip, right above the bone, which, if any further pressure is placed on it, has the potential to be another bed sore - and that is the LAST thing we need!

We go home tomorrow, and then there is a follow up visit with the plastic surgeon, at his clinic, on Wed.. and that is also the day we are going to be celebrating TWO birthdays - my sister (S) and my sister-in-law (P). So, it is a day to look forward to - we will be home, Husband will be better, S and P birthdays.. It is gonna be great.

A sober note to end on - we have not forgotten that Husband still has to start chemo for his cancer, and we still have to find out if the cancer is at Stage 3 or Stage 4, but it is good to know that we are on the final leg of THIS part of his recovery and, as he himself said, after all the pain and suffering he has gone through already, chemotherapy will probably be a 'piece of cake'. I tell you what though, if he starts complaining about chemo, I shall make him read my entire blog from Feb 19th onwards, to remind him of what he has already gone through, so he can thank God that chemo is nothing in comparison!

Finally, a HUGE THANK YOU, to all of you, for your prayers, for your kindnesses, your well-wishes, your thoughts of us. I know that all of this has contributed to his recovery at this time. Please continue to keep Husband in your thoughts and prayers, as we finish this part of this long journey, and start on the next part.

Till next time, stay safe, stay HEALTHY.