June 23, 2024 up date.

Originally posted on social media June 23, 2024.

"UPDATE: June 24, the fistula scab fell off this morning, revealing what looks like a fully healed wound site. I am so excited, it's been something I have dreamed about for over 6 months

I will still go for the CT scan, as the incision site is deformed with a depression or "valley" where the fistula was.

ORIGINAL POST: I had a follow up last week with the surgeon, I was asking why it's taking so long for the fistula to heal. The fistula hasn't out put anything since Apr 2 (84 days to the date of this post), and the last CT scan was done on Apr 17. He showed on the CT scan what the fistula and pocket under it looked like over 2 months ago. I guess it explains some of the reason why it's taking so long to fully heal.

I have a follow up CT scan in 2 weeks and hope it shows the healing is progressing. I was given the okay to try fluids by mouth last week, that seemed to go well. Nervously I have moved on to some soft foods, basically, soup, yogurt and eggs, that too seems to be going good. It's hard to swallow too much with the tube in my throat, so sticking to liquids or soft foods for now.

Along with the nightly NJ tube feeding, which has been scaled back slightly, the increase in calories and protein should help the healing.

I still have some tenderness around the fistula / incision, and strange numbness that comes and goes. All in all things seem to be improving, and that's all I can hope for."

Screen shot from CT scan of Fistula on Apr 17, 2024.

Comments

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