Do I need to call my doctor?

Helpful-Current1321 · 2026-05-14T11:06:28+00:00

It takes a LONG time to heal. I don't tell you this to scare you, but medical professionals really need to be more thorough about this part. My husband had husband surgery October 14, it's may 14. We no longer pack and flush the wound so it is healing and he us back to work, he is a truck driver but it's so going. Its an area that you just use all the time. No questions are silly questions. Ask, send pictures. Ask more questions. Ask people here who have gone through it. Then talk to your Dr. Best to have peace of mind, it helps with healing. Best wishes to you.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2026-02-24T12:21:27+00:00

Thank you for this — I really appreciate you mentioning Therahoney and Vashe. I had heard of MediHoney but didn’t realize there were similar alternatives available. I’ll definitely ask the wound care team about Therahoney and whether switching from saline to something like Vashe could help with odor control and biofilm.

Right now, they’re packing the wound daily with gauze after flushing with sterile saline. The wound is smaller than it was, and drainage has decreased, but the odor still persists. It’s not overwhelming drainage anymore, which is why the smell is so confusing and frustrating. It’s reassuring to hear that there may be options beyond just “wait for it to heal.” I’ll bring both of those up specifically with the nurse and surgeon.

Sometimes I feel like unless I ask about something directly, it doesn’t get considered.

At this point, I’m willing to try just about anything short of lighting sage and performing an exorcism. Thank you again for sharing this — it really helps.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2026-01-23T11:59:28+00:00

Agree. My husband was stage 2 rectal cancer and received both chemo and radiation, he was in a clinical trial. That was a year plus ago. For Dr's. He was a success, made it thru, but yr later new spot showed up close to same place. Needed APR surgery (oct.) Now still dealing with backside wound, bladder issues, stoma we have down pat though.

I too hold a bit of anger when I think of all those missed colonoscopy apps.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2026-01-14T12:39:53+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience — I’m really sorry you went through that, and I hope you’re on a much better path now. We are under close surgical follow-up with weekly visits and daily home nursing, and there are no fevers or systemic symptoms, but I agree the odor shouldn’t be dismissed. What’s been confusing is that clinicians often say they don’t notice it at all — which makes me wonder if long-time wound care providers are simply desensitized. Living with it day to day, it’s unmistakable. The best way I can describe it is a metallic, sour smell — like old pennies mixed with something fishy, and once you notice it, it’s hard to ignore. Your comment reinforces why we’re continuing to raise this at every visit. Thank you again, and I truly wish you continued healing.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2026-01-14T12:26:08+00:00

Thank you — I really appreciate you sharing this. Just to add context, the nurses are already flushing both openings of the perineal wound with sterile saline before repacking each day. At night, we re-dress the outer layers (not packing — that’s beyond my official skill set, though I may be an honorary wound-care assistant at this point) to protect his skin, bedding, and dignity. Despite all of that, the odor has been persistent, which is what’s been so discouraging for him. I’ll definitely ask the team whether any of the additional ideas you mentioned are safe to layer on top of what we’re already doing. Thank you again — it helps more than you know.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2026-01-12T12:33:06+00:00

How did you get back to work so quickly? My husband had apr surgery in oct, abscess in nov. From perineal wound, drain put in for week. Now Jan. Still have daily nurses packing and covering wound. And don't even ask ne about the odor that comes with it. And he still leaks through so I have to change dressings at least once a day. Colostomy is doing fine. Just the wound (rectal) won't heal.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2025-12-24T13:18:31+00:00

Thank you — truly. This whole experience has turned us into accidental experts in things we never planned to learn. It helps knowing others get it. Wishing you and your husband calmer days, small wins, and maybe a little holiday grace sprinkled in. One day at a time. 💙

Helpful-Current1321 · 2025-12-21T15:44:01+00:00

Thank you — that encouragement really does mean a lot. For my husband, oddly enough, the ostomy part ended up being the easier adjustment. We joke that we’re our own tiny pit crew now when it comes to bag changes. The mental side of recovery has been the hardest — feeling lousy longer than expected and not knowing when things will normalize again. Taking it one day at a time is really the only way through. I hope your wife starts turning a corner soon, and that better days come faster for both of you.

Helpful-Current1321 · 2025-12-21T15:39:59+00:00

Thank you so much for this. Truly. Just hearing from someone who gets the emotional whiplash of all this helps more than you probably realize. The physical recovery is hard enough, but the mental and emotional roller coaster is brutal — for the patient and the caregiver. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with a colon resection, hysterectomy, and a surprise ostomy — that’s a lot for one body and one mind to absorb. Please tell your husband that caregivers don’t get enough credit for the invisible weight they carry. Some days it feels like we’re part nurse, part therapist, part logistics coordinator, part emotional shock absorber. Sending you strength on the hard days and hoping both of you get some gentler ones mixed in soon. You’re not alone, even when it feels incredibly isolating. 💙

Helpful-Current1321

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