Home Health Care Nurse Helps in Unexpected Ways

Yes, they do. I can ask discuss and ask questions that they usually can answer.  Not having to change the dressing myself is a real plus.

Dianne,

Just had a second opinion consultation on Friday.  One of the pre requisites for having the surgery at this hospital is a one week 24/7 full time "support" person to help get you through. They apparently agree with you that we need a good deal of help getting though the recovery process.

I attended a Joint & Spine Surgery Education Class at the hospital a couple of weeks before my surgery. My husband was there, too, as they encouraged the person who was going to be home with the patient to be there, too.

There was a contact person with title of Orthopedic Navigator who was a contact person for any questions prior to surgery. The class was required by my surgeon and definitely helpful.

The nurses definitely have different personalities, but all are RNs and know their stuff. I knew, too, that high protein diet is very important so I've upped my intake though I always pay attention to importance of protein. I'm a vegetarian (do eat fish and dairy) so do pay attention to what I eat.

I have one that my sister and I call the Duracell Bunny. She leaps in to the house and is full of life and is terribly enthusiastic. She is probably the worst from the point of view of nursing but she has an incredible personality. She shows me all the photos of her kitchen renovation. I think she is doing her sitting room next! 

So if nursing isn't so good you can get some renovation tips.

I've been fortunate that all the nurse who have been hear are very knowledgeable. Since I have the wound pump, I don't have any LPNs since the RNs are the ones to deal with the pump. All have been very professional and friendly.

 

In all fairness the Duracell Bunny is pretty knowledgable!!

As a Psychologist I had to carefully self disclose my life events with clients.  I was a pretty good judge when it was appropriate.  Turns out that humanism is therapeutic.

And he keeps going and going and going...

It's important for them to be relatable to their patients. Otherwise all they would be were technicians.

The Duracell Bunny is a she. Lots of blonde hair, in her fifties. Larger than life! She has been with me this morning talking about TV programmes I should watch. 

Every so often we find a caregiver that meets our needs.

I meant to write she. Too bad I can't edit after something posts here. Always great to have someone who has personality.

How is your wound. Is it improving fast? 

Thank you for asking.

It's amazing how the wound is improving so quickly. In less than a week, the depth was less. Only 10 days since began using the vac and width/length has decreased, too. So much better than the amount of time (weeks)  it would take for the wet/dry dressing. Nurse told me yesterday that I will experience more "discomfort" as it continues to  heal. Definitely right with the twinges but can manage that with occasional Tylenol. Not painful like hip prior to surgery.

 

I am so glad it is working so well. My district nurse, not the Duracell Bunny one, raves about it and cannot believe the difference it makes in healing. I have recommended it to someone who was in a car accident recently and has a chunk out of her lower leg which is not healing very fast. I assume it may not be for everyone of course.

Hospitals have used wound vac systems for many years but they are very large and not great for at home use. The one that I'm using is Avance Flex. It's available in many countries.

NPWT was first used in 1500BC when it was called cupping which is still used by acupuncturists.  As you say initially it was used for people in hospital and the machines were pretty massive. I understand from my district nurse that a lot of development was done because of bullet wounds. I had never heard of it when I had it offered. I had a large wound on my lower leg initially caused by a blister which became infected after my THR, it was 1.5 inches deep and 9 inches long. I did need a debridement operation to clean up the necrosis first. I have got a selection of rather lurid photos! 

I love your description of her!

She is definitely worth meeting!