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Wednesday 16 December 2020

And this week’s new word is ... Exudate!

An exudate is a fluid that filters from the circulatory system into lesions (such as surgical wounds) or areas of inflammation. In my case, it is an almost clear fluid.

Exudate supports the healing process by facilitating the diffusion of vital healing factors (e.g. growth and immune factors) as well as the migration of cells across the wound. It also promotes cell proliferation, provides nutrients for cell metabolism, and aids autolysis of necrotic or damaged tissue.

In my case, my wound is producing a high volume of exudate, and this is saturating my wound dressing. The latter keep leaking and having to be replaced. I’m being prescribed antibiotics to help ensure that the risk of secondary infection is reduced and to assist in reducing the flow of exudate.

Until this problem is solved, I’m unable to do many of the things I’d like to be doing, and both Sue and I are becoming increasingly frustrated. There is only so much sitting and reading/watching TV one can do before boredom begins to kick in ... and we are fast approaching our personal limits.

That said, I’m eating and drinking normally, I’m learning to cope with my stoma bag, and I’ve had lots of time to think about wargaming ... and I’ll be writing more about this in due course.

24 comments:

  1. Glad to read that you're in recovery mode Bob!

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      At least I’m at last beginning to feel up to relying to comments!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Good news in way in that you are better informed compared to last week. Best if you can improve your patience quotient as these things never hurry.

    I am currently withholding some medication to allow for a helicopter test next week.

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    1. Jim Duncan (Jim),

      I’m trying my best not to rush things, but it is difficult at times not to.

      I must admit to being a bit confused by the reference to a helicopter test ... but your second comment made me realise that autocorrect had kicked in!

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. PS. Helicobacter sounds as if it can be very unpleasant. I hope that your test proves that you haven’t got it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Hi Bob- sounds as though your going through a period of frustration- that your nearly there- but not so. Guess patience is needed. I was very uncomfortable after my Heart Operation with stitches in my Breast Bone and Left Leg- took weeks to feel comfortable just to sleep. I hope you continue to recover well and soon you'll be back to normal. Best Wishes. KEV.

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    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      I must admit that I am not a very patient patient ... but I’m having to learn to be!

      The wound leakage has been a real problem, but it looks as if the hospital has a solution, and I will be visiting their specialist clinic to have it dealt with in due course.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  4. Best wishes for a continued recovery.. as an alternative to watching television perhaps some computer based gaming to exercise the grey cells?? PS. Is your stoma bag a permanent thing or just while you are in recovery mode??

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    1. Steve-the-Wargamer,

      Cheers, old chap!

      I’ve never really got into computer-based wargaming, but I could certainly give it a go for a change. Thanks for the suggestion,

      The stoma is semi-permanent. I’ve certainly going to have if for at least three months. They hope to reverse it at some time in the future, but when will depend on a number of factors ... including how long the current pandemic lasts.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. There are so many things one didn't know about (or perhaps I am ignorant) and it is better to learn of them second hand as it were. Slow and frustrating as it may be, at least you are recovering and I join with those who wish for this to continue. Jim

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    1. Jim Walkley (Jim),

      Thanks for your best wishes.

      I must admit that I had never, ever heard of exudate before my operation. Now, it is making my life very uncomfortable.

      I am gradually getting better, but it is taking longer than I had hoped. I’ll get there in the end ... but not as soon as I would have liked.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. Well I'm glad you're making good progress Bob, albeit slowere than you had hoped. I know from personal experience how boring it can be whilst you have to allow the healing to take place. However you will get there in the end, but it can seem a long road for sure. All the best for you and your wife!

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    1. Steve J.,

      Cheers! Thanks for your best wishes.

      Besides the problem with the leaking dressing, I’ve been having trouble sleeping for more than a couple of hours a night, and being very bored. I should be able to overcome the latter once I can make it up the stairs to my office and toy/wargame room.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  7. I look forward to reading about your war gaming thinking.
    That was a new word to me too.
    Keep going, you’ll get there...
    Alan

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    1. Tradgardmastare (Alan),

      My thinking has mainly revolved around rationalising my range of interests and planning for future PW books.

      The word was completely new to me ... and I’m trying to find ways to use it in everyday conversation.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  8. Bob, glad to hear you are making progress even if it is a bit slow. Hang on in there. Really impressed with the PP&S wargame book. Well done. Paul

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    1. PDL (Paul),

      Cheers, old chap! I’m getting there ... but slower than I had hoped.

      I’m very pleased that you like the latest book. I have plans some more whirling round in my head.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  9. Exudative processes are a part of my professional life, but I hope they won't be a part of your personal life for much longer, Bob!

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    1. Gonsalvo,

      Learning to cope with the colonoscopy bag is one thing (and I seem to be getting that right after some practice), but having to constantly monitor the wound dressing to see if it is still intact is very draining on the spirits. I know that things will improve, but the sooner the better as far as I am concerned!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  10. Remember i asked you about the possibility of a Sci-Fi PWG? Well, I went ahead and started writing my own based on your work and that old 80s classic, OGRE.
    The original OGRE saw a single giant tank take on a larger force of smaller vehicles. A follow up game, Battlesuit, focused on infantry wearing exoskeleton "powered" armor. While OGRE was known for its simplicity and accessibility, Battlesuit was needlessly complicated. So I'm doing my best to bring the benefits of the PWG to the Battlesuit game.
    I'll share it with you when I'm done. I hope to finish it over the Christmas break so I can rope one of my boys into playing it with me.
    Hang in there, I hope I've given you something to look forward to.

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    1. Mr. Pavone,

      I look forward to reading more about your sci-fi version of the PW, and I do hope that you manage to try them out over Christmas.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  11. At least you are still circulating...even if not in the way you hoped. Hopefully its a sign that you are healing and I wish that it goes more smoothly from here.

    Remember, patience is a virtue!

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    1. Ross Mac,

      The exudate is both a sign of healing and an indicator that there might be a minor level of infection. The latter is being dealt with by a course of antibiotics and the former is (mostly) being contained with masses of absorbent dressings.

      I had hoped that by now I would be able to spend time in my office, but I suspect I’ll have to wait for a day or two until I can. I am trying to be patient ... but it is not something that I find easy to be!

      All the best,

      Bob

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