Posted by Becky
Leif is out of surgery. I haven't seen him yet, but I spoke to the surgeon. Once he got a good look at what was going on, the plan changed. The possible fissure was not a fissure after all. Instead, the surgeon found a small "zit" type gland/opening, with a fistula (tunnel) going to the former abscess incision site. Rather than put in a Seton drain, he decided to cut the fistula to the outside of Leif's skin, and make a small cut in the muscle that was creating the tighness. He spoke with Dr. Meehan from the operating roomm, and feels that this is a better solution to get Leif ready for the bone marrow transplant. This is a "definitinve" treatment, not a stop-gap measure. Once it has healed, it should not need any further treatment.
This surgery will need at least a week to heal before Leif can get chemo; we'll see this doctor again Monday morning (he's coming in from vacation to see Leif) and again the Monday afterwards. In the meantime, lots of antibiotics and sitz baths to keep the incision clean and healing. The incision did not bleed excessively; Leif didn't need any platelets during the procedure. His platelets are low, but I guess the ones he has are champs.
Leif is out of surgery. I haven't seen him yet, but I spoke to the surgeon. Once he got a good look at what was going on, the plan changed. The possible fissure was not a fissure after all. Instead, the surgeon found a small "zit" type gland/opening, with a fistula (tunnel) going to the former abscess incision site. Rather than put in a Seton drain, he decided to cut the fistula to the outside of Leif's skin, and make a small cut in the muscle that was creating the tighness. He spoke with Dr. Meehan from the operating roomm, and feels that this is a better solution to get Leif ready for the bone marrow transplant. This is a "definitinve" treatment, not a stop-gap measure. Once it has healed, it should not need any further treatment.
This surgery will need at least a week to heal before Leif can get chemo; we'll see this doctor again Monday morning (he's coming in from vacation to see Leif) and again the Monday afterwards. In the meantime, lots of antibiotics and sitz baths to keep the incision clean and healing. The incision did not bleed excessively; Leif didn't need any platelets during the procedure. His platelets are low, but I guess the ones he has are champs.
Glad to hear all went well. Sounds like you have an amazing doctor. Keep up the great healing Leif!
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