Perhaps you will be better informed than I was when I left the hospital the 1st, 2nd and 3rd time. Follow-up instructions were minimal. I knew I'd wear an acti-VAC from KCI. The person delivering this device to the hospital showed me how to turn it on and off, showed me the instruction books and assured me that there was nothing much I had to do - it would work beautifully. If not, there was a service number to call. We did call several times and on occasion the person who answered the phone was helpful. Here's what we (my husband and I) learned so far that might help others:
- Don't touch the machine itself unless you need to reset it.
- Always keep it in the special pouch they give you (it's very attractive, black does go with everything).
- When you pick it up use the straps and be sure not to use the tubing to pick it up
- Wear the vac around your neck when walking or sitting - if possible. If you want to take it off your neck, put it on the floor or another hard surface. Don't put it on your bed, sofa or chair. Usually I put it on the floor if I'm sitting anywhere for a long time.
Most of the above was learned only after using the vac for 2 weeks and experiencing numerous malfunctions.
DRESSING CHANGES
Soon I'll know more about this but for the time being I'll tell you what I'm sure of. I learned all of this the hard way and hope I save at least one person some pain.
- Turn off your vac 2 hours prior to the appointment for the dressing change. Your visiting nurse should let you know when she's arriving.
- Take a shower!!!! You are allowed to get the dressing wet before it's changed and you can even wash your hair. Make sure you sit in the shower as you are not as strong as you were.
- Get an order for lydocaine. The nurse injects the lydocaine into the old dressing and it helps numb your wound. Also the nurse kept pouring saline solution on the wound as she was changing the dressing. The saline solution felt very comforting.
- I learned the hard way - ask for a nurse who is experience in changing dressings for an acti-vac. Twice I had to have my dressing changed a second time because the first nurse didn't get it right. This is very painful so be insistent on experience.
My Life (?)
Personally, my bad news is that the hematoma that was removed on Tuesday increased my pain as my dressings were changed today. In addition to screaming I managed to use some unladylike language. My day has been ugly since then. I've barely eaten, can't do much and am feeling down in the dumps. Especially since the nurse told me she that if I were her Mom she would have me see a vascular specialist. Yes, my reaction is to feel terrified.
Personally, my bad news is that the hematoma that was removed on Tuesday increased my pain as my dressings were changed today. In addition to screaming I managed to use some unladylike language. My day has been ugly since then. I've barely eaten, can't do much and am feeling down in the dumps. Especially since the nurse told me she that if I were her Mom she would have me see a vascular specialist. Yes, my reaction is to feel terrified.
Time to take some pictures, pills and then watch tv until I'm off to sleep - my most favorite location.
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