Catheter is Out!
Aug 10, 2008I had, for a few minutes, actually considered taking the catheter out myself. I was glad the dr called me and was able to set up an appointment with the hospital (even though I am not happy with that hospital and I’m not exactly one of their favorite patients).. and she explained how we needed to have another CT Scan to ensure the abscess had drained and actually collapsed. If it hadn’t collapsed, the chance of recurrence was greater.. and well.. it’s not something I’d like to have to go through again, just because I was being my typical taurean self (i.e., bullheaded).
Well, at the hospital, they were quick and friendly, well, maybe “friendly” isn’t the right word.. they were professionally polite, answered my questions and otherwise, did their job.. they even offered pain medication, should I feel any discomfort [snort].
I had to drink fruit flavored contrast dye before the CT Scan.. the scan was quick, though I had to lay on my back. On a fairly hard table, with a tube (I don’t *care* how thin the tube was, it was NOT suppose to be there and it was NOT comfortable!) in my tush, laying on my back wasn’t a joy by any means.. but my grumpy self made it seem much worse than it was, really.
That was done and I was sent back to the lobby with my current read (Breaking Dawn, the 3rd in the Twilight Series) until the dr had a chance to review the scan.. which he did, and much to my relief told the abscess had drained completely (which I knew, since I was attached to the bulb, bleck) and had collapsed.. so he could take it out (had it not been drained/collapsed, I’d have had to go back early the next week and try again.. oh, I’m telling you.. relief!).
I asked if it would hurt and he explained how it would happen. When they insert the tube, it’s just a straight flexible piece of tubing… but they need it to “hook” or what he referred to as “pig tail”, so it stays inside the abscess. To do this, there is a string inside the tube, which, once inserted, the doctore pulls to tighted and the tip curls around. To take it out, the tube is cut and the “pig tail” releases it’s curl and then, easily slides out.
Now.. had I been bullheaded and impatient enough to remove the catheter on my own, I imagine it would have been much more painful than going to the doctor - I doubt that pig tail would have felt very pleasant.. (of course, now I know….. you know.. future reference and all that - cut the string!).. But, having the other CT Scan to ensure the abscess was closed was an essential part of the healing process too.
So it’s out, it didn’t hurt and I don’t even think I’ll get a dimple in my BUTT-ox from the whole thing. Talk about short changed on that one. I still have lower abdomen pain.. I guess I keep thinking they are going to do “something” and all the sudden I’m going to get better and feel normal again - whatever that is. On the upside, the pain is nothing like it was. My doctor is suppose to call me after she reads the CT Scan results herself and we’ll have a follow up. She said she wants to get me on something stronger. I suspect that will be remicade.. which I’m leary of.. so I better get my question sheet out and start making a list.
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Related Keywords: abdomen pain, abscess, catheter, CT Scan, remicade
