Cyst Down and Listen!

This will no doubt be one of the more depressing posts of this blog's lifetime.  Just call me Debbie Downer.

DISCLAIMER: If you have a weak stomach, do not read this.

In the past two years, I have had recurring infection in a cyst located on my tailbone, a condition that was, at times, incredibly painful.  (And for some odd reason, only reared its ugly head on holidays - hmmph!)  I was told by the experts that given the reoccurrence of the problem, I should see a surgeon and get the cyst removed permanently.  On July 25th, I did just that.

The surgery entailed (no pun intended) making a long incision on my "back" (I'm trying to be tasteful...), and then the doctor removed the grape-sized cyst surrounding my tailbone.  Because nothing is ever easy with yours truly, that incision refused to heal.  After 1 1/2 weeks, the surgeon removed two of the stitches only to be greeted by a rich field of infection.  For the next two weeks, he instructed my dearest Mr. Wright to stuff the wound with medicated gauze nightly until it healed.  Again, because nothing is easy with me, it didn't heal one bit.

In mid-August, I underwent a second surgery in which the doctor opened and irrigated the wound and inserted a wound vac.  For those of you who don't know what a wound vac is, here's an overview:

1) A sponge is inserted into the wound (a process that feels something like childbirth)

2) The wound is vacuum sealed with this magical tape that acts a lot like Saran wrap

3) A suction cup and tube is applied to the wound

4) The device shown above constantly pumps moisture from the wound through the tube and into the clear plastic capsule.  

It's pretty amazing technology, but I had to carry this unit with me everywhere I went, wasn't allowed to drive because of the effects that the hard-core painkillers had on my consciousness, required home nurse care 3 times a week, and smelled like a rotting animal.  This went on for four weeks.  Luckily, my positively awesome employer allowed me to work from home for much of this time.

Four weeks ago, the wound vac was removed (at which time I did the victorious Rocky dance) and I went to Costa Rica.  (More on that trip later...)  It was an awesome time, but at some point during the trip, the freshly healed wound split open.  Last Tuesday, I went to see a new surgeon (that was located much closer to my home) about this.  I am now on antibiotic and we are back to square one - Kenny is stuffing it with gauze daily. (Which he loves, because it makes him feel really important.)  Late last week, a second hole appeared, so I have something like a 3 inch tunnel in my lower back oozing nastiness 24/7 and am battling an on-and-off fever (and all the symptoms that go with).  

It's looking like a third surgery may be necessary, which isn't exactly on my Top Ten list.  And I don't want that nasty-smelling wound vac again!  I feel positively defeated. I could use prayers.  And a lot of them!