Staple Removal Time

                                                                                                                                                        Well the day came for staple removal. The district nurse had dropped the removal kit off before the weekend. Monday arrived and so did the district nurse. We found a comfortable place for me, and the nurse went about her task of taking out the 7 staples covering 2 keyhole surgery incisions. She went for the easiest one first. It stood well proud of the skin on the lower incision. In went the tool and I jumped a bit: then all hell broke loose for me. That tug took me through my pain barrier and off to orbit Pluto. The staple remained in place.
Memories of Stitches and staples removed in the past came flooding back. Apart from my sensory deprived spine, I can only remember 2 stitches coming out that didn't give me hell, and felt like the described quick tug. My glass injury to my arm as a teen, had me crying like a baby while the 8 stitches were removed. The 2 central ones were the only 2 that came out feeling as described. 
An appendectomy and ovarian cyst removal at 17. The nurse called me a baby as I screamed every time a stitch was removed.
Then I had 7 external stitches due to a 3rd degree tear in childbirth, and had to have gas and air for a nurse to get them out. On that occasion the pain was put down to me being a fast healer, and the stitches being in a day to long, so the skin has started to over grow.
My Urostomy had me zipped down the middle of my belly with stitches and staples, over 30 of them. Home removal failed here too, and deep meditation over  2 long sessions at the health centre, plus a sore squashed hand for my husband got them out.  Any other stitches I've had have been disolveable. 

Back to the staples from the current procedure. The nurse noticed there was also glue to save dressing the wound, so she spent a bit of time peeling some off. the top wound, and went to remove the first stitch from the other incision. Well the tool was barely in place before I was off to Pluto on the pain scale again and almost passed out, and was bathed in cold sweat. I felt so sick I thought I would throw any second. I refused point blank to allow her near me again. The nurse said they had to come out. I told her: "I have an appointment at the surgeons clinic in the morning. I'll discuss it there."
She left after checking I did have such an appointment, and would be back in 2 days to check on me.
Most of that day I couldn't eat due to high nausea levels UGH. I managed to sleep that night but upon waking, trepidation started to build. By the time we reached the hospital fear was seriously building. For ease of travel for my husband, we took the manual wheelchair, so I had to go where he pushed me. We entered the main foyer, and were headed for out patients: I said to my husband, "Can we leave now?" 
He laughed, thinking I was joking: I wasn't! He carried on the original path without any hesitation. The only other time I have felt like I did in that moment, was the funeral of my last husband, and I did try to run for it; but was stopped by my closest friend.
We got to the clinic and had a long wait. I shivered and shook, and tried not to dissolve into a blubbering mess.
I spent the time wondering why I could go through major surgery on little pain relief; but couldn't get through 7 staples being removed
My name was called, and I swear, had I been able I would have left; but my husband calmly pushed me into the treatment room. I broke into tears while my husband explained the situation. The nurse asked to try removing a stitch, and I tried to vanish into the back of my chair: "NO" was all I could say. A deep breath later I told her I'd sooner have the cats claw all the quicks on my fingernails than experience that pain again. I would happily have local anaesthesia stuck in around the wounds rather than have the staples pulled while I could feel it. The nurse said that was not an option; but she would go have a word with the doctor for me.

Sometime later the nurse returned with 2 options. One to be tried and if it failed the other was the only recourse left. 
Option 1. Freeze spray
Option 2. Emergency General Anaesthesia
I just couldn't cope with pain so happily agreed to try the freeze spray. I certainly didn't want to have to recover from another induced sleep. Everything was in place, and extra nurse was brought in to assist: my husband was the obligatory hand holder. and the process began.
First adhesive remover was used to remove as much of the remaining glue as possible. Then the nurses working in tandem started the spray and pull process. Turns out the spray has to be used sparingly in case of frost bite, and only lasts seconds before sensation can be felt again.
Most of the time the nurse had to use the staple tool and tweezers to get the staple onto the tool. For about half of the stitches I discovered what was meant by "You should only feel a bit of a tug". The rest caused enough pain that my working leg climbed the wall, and my husbands hand went numb. Those staples caused enough pain for me to need a break before more were removed. 25 minutes later the job was finally done.
During one of the breaks the nurse asked if I had always used adhesive remover on my urostomy bag. I answered "Yes as my skin get very red and sore without it." She gave me a knowing look and said: "If you ever have to have surgery again, make sure the surgeon is aware of this issue."
With much relief we made our way to a hospital restaurant to gather my senses, and my hubby's feeling back in his hand.
Without knowing until now, skin sensitivity has affected my entire life.

Double Baggin it

This last week I joined the double baggers.
4 years come January I had a urostomy done. Since then I have been taking in as much as possible, only simple unprocessed food. I have used, as far as possible only herbal remedies, and by that I mean stuff I can find mostly in my kitchen.
Turmeric tea, and Jamaican dogwood have been my principle pain relief for my spinal injury: MAGIC.
In those 4 years I have only had one urinary tract infection, and that was in the first couple of months.

Just Woke Up

In the summer the surgeon agreed all other avenues had been explored, the time had come for another diversion: this time the bowel.
On the morning of the operation the surgeon had trouble getting a working vein, so I was put to sleep via gas. 2 1/2hrs later I woke up feeling like a decorated Christmas tree. Instead of the usual white gauge patches on the failed needle sites I had 7 bright green ones. There was a blue cannula looking like baubles hanging off one arm and red allergy bands, and white identity bands on both wrists, looked like the tinsel. I even had stockings under the tree lol. I don't do Christmas someone was having a laugh.
As you can see my lifestyle paid off, concentrated doses of super foods in the run up to this had me bounce out of it within hours. I was fortunate in that it could be done by keyhole surgery. Little scarring on that side so no need for a gaping hole that would form another zip line down the front, Just a couple of extra punctures closed with the dreaded staples.
Again there was little pain relief after the first few hours, aside from paracetamol and my turmeric tea.
Stoma number 2 was named by the following morning. She had a cavernous mouth and knows how to blow, so it had to be Jonah the whale (I know it's a boys name; but I don't care).

Jonah

I had to stay in an extra day as the doctor came round so early I hadn't had chance to prove I could care for my new appendage. I got out in 3 days instead of 5: result!! Not bad going for an old bird who hits 60 next year.
Jonah is so cavernous the nurse had to bring some convex bags out to me today, as yesterday I couldn't get a seal. 3 bags in as many hours. I'll give them emptyable bags, emptied between the skin and the glue I was well fed up, and skin sore. The bloating can get uncomfortable, It makes you look and feel 6 months pregnant.
Now I just have to wait for the stomach wall to heal so I can fully get on with life again.
Anyone else out there double baggin it?

Dec2021 Not 1 infection since end stoma placed: just a little emergency surgery 1 year on. I healed to well and virtually closed the stoma, making it un useable. I was reopened in short order; but skin sensitivity on the left side meant using copious amounts of glue remover until the last 12 months when it has finally calmed down. I have a small but noticeable hernia from having to move just three weeks after the surgery.  The hernia can cause some explosive leaks, because it peels the back off at times. Drinking at ;east 4 litres a day has played a large part in keeping me infection free. Double bagging it has given me back a lot of independence; although I cannot claim to have a fine body shape any more. How can you have a flat tum when you have 2 holes straight through yours stomach wall. Life carries on today and I can still wear a smile

So, It Can Change Your Entire Life

As I start writing this I am in total amazement. I personally know the benefits of turmeric. I use it instead of Ibuprofen (I am allergic to NSAI's), for a chronic spinal problem. I have been telling everyone I meet with a pain issue to try it; but few have.

I'm going to tell you about 1 young woman, whom having tried everything thing else, was at her wits end, and did try it.

Her periods had never been regular, and always so painful, it meant she rarely worked at least the 1st day of any menstrual cycle. She had tried every feminine pain product on the market, even seen the doctor a few times. Nothing worked for her. I had suggested a warming turmeric and ginger tea as pain relief a few times and nothing much came of it, as life and scepticism got in the way of her following it up. She has been with her current partner for over 13yrs and married him 2 1/2yrs ago. Immediately, they started positively trying for a family; but nothing happened. She had never taken contraception, as her partner used condoms. Only once in all those years had she taken a morning after pill, after a known accident, and in full knowledge that a baby would not be good at that time. There had been a few other accidents but none ever bore fruit.
In the winter months of 2015 she called me from a supermarket in agony. "What was that stuff you said I should try? Right now I'll give anything a go." I could hear the sobs she was trying to suppress. I told her "Ginger for the warming effect, and turmeric for the pain. Just add honey if you want to sweeten it to make the tea more palatable."

She drank the tea 2 -3 times a day while the pain was bad, then just 2-3 times a week for the next few weeks. The "grumbles" as she calls them would start up to a week before her period was due to start, so it was back on twice daily cups of this tea. The period was a lot easier, if not perfect.
She stuck with the tea through the next month, just a few times a week as the previous month. The period came and went as uncomfortable; but not painful.
By the 3rd month her cycle had settled into a regular pattern, Then the periods stopped.

Just after her 2nd wedding anniversary she announced she was pregnant. She is expecting her precious delivery in early spring.
Apart from being delighted for her, as she had waited many years for this, I thought nothing of it until she called for a chat today, and she laid the blame for the expected arrival square at my door. Mystified I asked how I was to blame. Her answer was simple.

I have been with my partner many years and nothing has happened, and I have seriously looked back to see what changed that I got pregnant when I did. My diet has remained the same, as has my lifestyle. the only thing that seemed to change everything was your tea. I settled quickly into regular periods and no sooner had that happened than I was pregnant, so you have to be responsible.

The Recipe
She used
1/2 level teaspoon dried turmeric
A little grated fresh ginger
Boiling water
Small tea cup or espresso cup

Put turmeric and ginger in the cup, and pour on the boiling water. Add honey if required, and stir.
Give close to 10mins soaking. Drink liquid. Leave sediment in the cup

If you have experiences with turmeric tea or turmeric, I would love to hear from you