My Journey Towards Better Health

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maggiedemi

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Can you call the urgent care clinic, emergency room, or the Primary Care place and ask them? It may just be discharge but it could be an infection that turns into a flaming peritonitis so I think you should get a professional opinion.
I could. But they really don't want to see me anymore. They want me to see my primary care doctor on Oct. 10th. This sucks.
 

susanm9006

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You gut will definitely not fall out. Sometimes an incision can separate a tiny bit as it heals and scabs come off. Provided it isn’t bright pink, smells bad/rotten or is extremely painful it is just normal healing. But check to see if your new clinic has a nurse line, most do. You can call them, describe what you see and they will tell you if you need to be seen
 

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What color is the ooze? Is the area that is oozing warm to the touch or angry bright red? Is there a lump where the oozing is coming from? I am a human that has a medical condition that causes abscesses. The reason I am asking you these questions is because I have been told by both my primary care doctor and my dermatologist to come and see them if my abscess is draining yellow fluid along with being warm to the touch or bright red. These are signs of an infection and would need antibiotics based on my personal experience. I am not a doctor but this is something I have been dealing with for years. If you are just experiencing oozing try putting a very warm wet compress or a heating pad alternating low to medium over the area to force it to drain faster. If the compress or the heating pad is making the area more painful then that is another reason to see the doctor. I would keep the wound covered so it does not rub on anything. Please at least call and ask to speak to a nurse at either your primary doctor's office or urgent care. They really do need to be made aware of what is going on right now. You could also try calling a nurse that works with the doctor that did the stitches too.

If I were dealing with what you have mentioned since this is an area that had stitches I would honestly be more cautious and go to an urgent care if you have one near you that does walk-in care. If this wound is starting to get infected the sooner you start treatment the better.
 
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Jcatbird

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Make a call to anyone you can get to check. A nurse line, urgent care, the hospital emergency room, anybody you can get just to check. It’s always best to check. If it were Maggie or Demi, you would make that call just to ease your mind if nothing else.

As for walking. You have a mall nearby? That is a great place to walk. You are out of the weather and it’s great exercise. The malls here even open early for seniors who want to walk for exercise. When it rains or gets cold, that’s a great alternative. Any store will do though.
 
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maggiedemi

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As for walking. You have a mall nearby? That is a great place to walk.
The mall and stores are all 30 minutes from here.

I just got back from the hospital. First I went to the walk-in clinic side at 3pm, but all the nurse practitioner did was wash the wound and put a bandage on it. She looked worried so I asked her if she just wanted me to go to the ER on the other side. She said yes. I was there until 9pm. They made us wait so long. But the ER doc numbed my stomach and stitched me up. He didn't use dissolvable stitches though, so I have to go back to my surgeon and have them removed in 7-10 days. My surgeon keeps trying to get rid of me, but I'm like a boomerang, I always come back. :lol: I hope this is the end of it though. I'm tired...
 

Jcatbird

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You did the right thing. It’s always a long wait in the ER. They always want to get us out too! The ER is usually swamped, especially on Friday nights. I have slept in the waiting room here before. The one in the city really gets a lot of patients. The doctors do want to help you but there are just others needing help too do they try to manage care other ways.

I guessing the outer skin is a little slow reconnecting. Not uncommon in an area that is constantly moving. Make sure you don’t pick up over ten pounds or do anything like vacuuming, sweeping or mopping. The stitches should keep the skin in place just fine but you still don’t need to go against doctors orders.

Boomerang! :yess: That’s exactly as you needed to do. Now that you are eating better, healing should go much better. Go rest. :vibes::heartshape:
 

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My surgeon keeps trying to get rid of me, but I'm like a boomerang, I always come back. :lol: I hope this is the end of it though. I'm tired...
I'm glad you have a sense of humour about this, but seriously no wonder you're tired. I guess it's more rest and healing for another week or so. :alright: :hugs: :catrub:
 

artiemom

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I am so glad you go this taken care of!

It is so important, not to let anything go with regards to your health. If you see anything wrong, please have it checked out.

Now, you need rest and extra nutrition, to get healthy.

For a splurge, can you order a pizza to be delivered? That would be an easy supper for you. Adding a fresh salad would allow you to have a couple meals out of it.

If anything is left over, you can freeze the pizza slices, individually, for a later time.

Separate them into slices, double wrapping in tin foil, and then place in a freezer zip-lock bag.

To re-heat, take out a couple of slices, peel off the outer wrapping, I either take the inner foil off, and place on a new piece of foil. I put in in a 400 degree oven for about 5-10 minutes, I check in on it. It come out really good, for leftover pizza! I take it out when it is warm enough to me, or when the cheese stretches!!!

I do this all the time.

Now, rest, sit outside for some fresh air, read, play with your kitties, go for a short walk.. in other words, allow yourself to heal..

When are your brothers coming over?

You really do need a clean environment..

I will end by saying, I am so proud of you!
You are jumping leaps and bounds in your fight for independence! Do not let your spirit stop soaring.. not for anyone or thing..

((Hugs))
 
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maggiedemi

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I guessing the outer skin is a little slow reconnecting. Not uncommon in an area that is constantly moving.
I think I took a shower a week too early. At the time, my surgeon was disgusted with my mom's antics and wouldn't call us back. So I had no guidance on my wound care.

I'm glad you have a sense of humour about this, but seriously no wonder you're tired.
It hurts my feelings every time my surgeon says goodbye forever. Then I'm right back in his office again. It's so stressful not being wanted! But what can I do? I am his patient after all.

For a splurge, can you order a pizza to be delivered?
The restaurants are all 30 minute away in the town where my hospital is. I want to move there. That's the town my dad grew up in. I have no idea why he moved us way out in the boondocks.

When are your brothers coming over?
I guess they are waiting on me to stay out of the hospital for 5 minutes. It's been never-ending.

You really do need a clean environment..
I can wash my blankets & sheets the next time my mom is shopping or at church. I can probably only do 2 loads before running the well dry though. Dad will have to do the vacuuming since my vacuum is over 10 pounds.
 
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maggiedemi

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My mom just told me that my caseworker came to the house yesterday while I was gone to the hospital. My mom didn't hear the door, so the caseworker left her card. I don't really like people coming over without calling. I bet she was trying to see the house.
 

neely

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My mom just told me that my caseworker came to the house yesterday while I was gone to the hospital. My mom didn't hear the door, so the caseworker left her card. I don't really like people coming over without calling. I bet she was trying to see the house.
Your mom didn't hear the door or she didn't want to let the caseworker in? ;)
It's too bad you weren't there so she could get a better perspective of your living conditions but you can't be in two places at once and you needed to be at the hospital. I agree, she could have texted or called to let you know she was planning to come but maybe she wanted to be spontaneous for a reason, e.g. get a better idea of the living conditions without giving your mom a chance to tidy up. :dunno:
 
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maggiedemi

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Your mom didn't hear the door or she didn't want to let the caseworker in?
She said she didn't hear the door. I believe it because they are both going deaf. They never hear me at night.

It's too bad you weren't there so she could get a better perspective on your living conditions
My mom doesn't want her coming in. To tell you the truth, I don't want her coming in either, until my brothers and I clean the place up. I will call her later.
 

Jem

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My mom doesn't want her coming in. To tell you the truth, I don't want her coming in either, until my brothers and I clean the place up. I will call her later.
As much as you don't want her to come in, keep in mind that she is there to help you. She is on your side. And her having "the complete picture" of your living situations will only HELP YOU. It will provide her with the necessary information and proof to better get you the things, accommodations, funding, help, etc..., you need to get you to be the independent and thriving person you so deserve to be. It ensures that your mom can't try to manipulate the situation or you to suit HER needs.
Think of it this way....When a child is in the care of bad parents, children's aid workers will sometimes do surprise visits to make sure that the parents are providing the care they are supposed to. If those parents get a "heads up" that the case worker is coming, they will "hide evidence" as to the poor living conditions they are exposing their children to. And where does that leave the poor kid?
You may want to clean the place up because you are embarrassed, but this is NOT YOUR doing, so there is nothing to be ashamed of. And you are well on your way to leading a better life and protecting your mother is not something you should be concerning yourself about.
It's time to be selfish, even if it's not in your nature.:)
Now I'm not saying that you should continue to live in an unhealthy environment, but don't keep your caseworker away "until you can clean up first". You are healing and you need a clean environment but the case worker may even provide your family a professional cleaning agency to get things rolling.
 
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maggiedemi

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That wasn't my caseworker that stopped by the house. I read the card and it was Adult Protective Services. :( I wonder who called? This is going to cause major problems for me. What will they do?
 

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That's excellent. It could be any of your doctors or case worker. They want to check to see if you are in a safe, clean environment. If they think you are neglected or abused (what your mother does is abuse), then they will take you out of the house and place you in a safe home. Frankly, this is a good thing.
 

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Nah, that's good. They're the ones who can help you get more independence and maybe get help for your parents' house. They likely were contacted because your mom gave you supplements without your consent and tried to interfere with the doctors' recommendations. Medical abuse is probably their most common situation. They just want to make sure everybody is OK.

Since you are an adult, they can't do anything without your consent, unless there are health code violations or something illegal going on. But if you want help, you have to be honest with them.

Make sure there are no bodily excretions anywhere in the house (urine, feces, or blood, soiled diapers, bandages, or pads, etc.)---do the cats use the litterbox reliably? Make sure the litterbox is clean and their food and water dishes have been washed, and they have a decent place to sleep. The humans need to have a reasonably clean bed to sleep in and working plumbing. And no rotted food lying around. That's a health code violation too. They'll also look out for fire hazards. They want to help, not harm.
 

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If you still have the card, call the woman on the card and set up a time for her to come when you will all be at home. It's important for her to see all of you and for you to let her know what is going on. As Willowy said, they want to help you, so you need to let them know how they can.
 
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maggiedemi

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So they are definitely coming back? I'm not ready. This is terrible. I wish I had never told anyone anything.
 
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