My Wound Vac
After the Wake doctors decided to open my wound and probe around, they opted to treat the healing in a very special method. They used a wound vac which was invented right here at Wake Forest University in 1990. It covers the wound with a special foam, is then sealed over the whole area, and then plugged with a hose to a vacuum pump. Turned on, the foam is sucked down to the wound. The bad drainage from the wound is then pulled through the foam into an entrapment case along the pump. The good cells are held at the wound to assist healing. Thus prompting healing more from the bottom of the wound to the surface. And all quicker than normal.
The wound vac has been very successfully used in many applications of healing. It is even very popular with the military with bullet wounds. The Winston-Salem Journal even happened to have highlighted the use of the invention in a unique application for an endangered Komodo dragon in Singapore this week. You can check the article by
clicking here.
The device is marketed by KCI. Some of their marketing information can be accessed by
clicking here. Wake Forest has profited well from the patents for the invention of the device in 1990. Some of the information from Wake can be found by
clicking here.
Labels: kidney, kidney transplant
Saturday, July 24 - I'm HOME!!!!!
I’m HOME!! YES! Slept in my bed last night! Of course, I had to constrain myself to sleep on my back with a hose for a device to my wound (I’ll explain that in another post soon}. But at least I was in my bed!
It took most of Friday to get out of the hospital. I got home around 5 PM. There were a lot of last minute processes, including a stress test on the new kidney. That constituted driving 2 bags of IV solution fast. My bladder had its own test with this. It hadn’t worked so much in a long time. But the new kidney continued to work admirably!! That’s the great news.
I did have to come home with a new IV. Because of the infection, they want to treat me with more aggressive antibiotics through IV. I’ve already been trained in how to administer daily. It will take about 3 hours. Just when I thought I was getting away from hours and hours of dialysis, I now get to do antibiotic IVs. Oh well, it should only be about 3 weeks. Getting to good healthy body is worth it.
As a new kidney recipient, I get to also take some aggressive drugs. One of the keys is immunosuppressant drugs to keep the new kidney from rejecting. Remember, it is in a foreign body, and has to adapt. And we have to take these drugs to assure it gets every chance to adapt without rejection.
And during this time, I am more susceptible to infections, particularly viruses, etc. The infectious disease doctors recommended I not even attend any public settings for 2-6 months. That unfortunately includes church, ballgames, etc. And anyone visiting should only visit if not sick with any type flu, or having been exposed to any possible infection from someone else, such as around kids in a daycare center. So forgive me, but I must insist on use of antibacterial soap in any visit, and only if the points above are met. I want to see everyone, but I must really take care of this kidney for now.
Part of it, is that I am also more susceptible than every to viruses, etc. And if I get any, it will be worse for me than with any normal healthy human. So I guess I’m going to become like Monk or any other germ phobic. Forgive me if I am not quick to shake hands or hug. I know that’s a big change for me, but I must insist right now. I want to see many of you, but only by minimizing the risks.
Thanks,
Labels: kidney, kidney transplant
New Kidney Update
Thursday, July 22, 2010I’m still in the hospital! Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. But hopefully, if all goes well, I finally get out tomorrow! What a stay!
The kidney has been great! But I had a second surgery last week to remove my dialysis catheter, and I seem to always have problems with my digestive system after the anesthesia. And then I got an infection at the incision for the kidney. It puzzled doctors a while, but they finally opted to go in and open the wound. … Yeah, I said open. That was a lot of fun!
To top it off, the doctors decided to dig into it yesterday. Only the doctor had only told me he was going to “look at it”. First thing I knew he had all kinds of devices and was pulling one way and another. I was looking for a bullet to bite between my teeth! I hadn’t had pain medicine!!! Finally, someone suggested some, and soon I was feeling much happier!
They then applied a new device to vacuum the bad cells from the wound, while allowing the good cells to help heal the cut. It was actually invented at Wake. I’ll have a small “man purse” type bag for the pump for a few weeks, and have to take regular antibiotics.
Long and short, I should be out tomorrow. It will require regular social nurse care. I’ll be home soon and can’t wait. Hopefully, I’ll see many of you soon. Come by if you can, but please call first. Remember, most of you must call to get entry into the community. I’ll do my best to accommodate.
And I’ve opened for Visitors Okay today. Please call in advance though. I never know when a doctor wants to come by to “take a look”!!
Labels: kidney, kidney transplant
Update
Wed night everyone. I've had a couple of tough days, but kidney is reacting well. It's been more post-operative issues, that seem to be a little better (although I hesistate to jinx it again). I may get home soon, for more slow recovery. But I really thank everyone for the prayers and amazing comments of support!
Labels: kidney, kidney transplant
A New Kidney for Bryson
I received a kidney transplant Sunday, July 11!! Out of ICU & in Wake Baptist Hospital 4 days recovery. On cell now. More when get laptop later.
Thanks for all the support & prayers!
Labels: kidney, kidney transplant
Two Local Favorites Combined!!
We North Carolinians are awfully proud of our roots. We grew up on a few local traditions: Moon Pie and RC Cola, BBQ and Sweet Tea, Cheerwine and a Krispy Kreme doughnut.
Well, leave it to the Krispy Kreme folks to pull a coup and combine those latter two in a limited edition doughnut!Yes, effective today, I can walk into a nearby grocery store and buy a Cheerwine filled Krispy Kreme doughnut! It will not be offered except in grocery stores in North and South Carolina this month. Sorry my Hong Kong friends! You will have to come over here for this great combination!
I'm off to the grocery store!!
Labels: Cheerwine, Krispy Kreme, North Carolina
Rain and Labor Strife
It's July, and that means rain, heat, and high humidity in China! I don't miss that!
Rains have caused havoc across the nation. Economic losses are estimated at over $13 billion, but far worse, is the fact that over 500 people have been killed, many in the Guangdong province.
The wildcat strike is over at Honda, but the results there and with the Foxconn news, have had a ripple effect through industries in China. After workers received a substantial increase in pay at Honda and Foxconn,
other factories have had wildcat strikes by workers expecting the same wage increases! Workers are becoming more knowledgeable and expectations are increasing. A general wage increase is being enacted, but with over 360 million internet users in the nation, word is spreading more rapidly about the increases and more workers are expecting the same. One friend informed me he had factories that had suffered absences of 50 percent of workers, because they hadn't received the same increases.
Even with the increasing wages and labor strife, China is still considered a prime industrial location.
China Law Blog put together
an interesting comparison of countries and their advantages, even considering current increases. Labels: Dongguan, Guangdong
