4 weeks Postop & a possible problem

[Nick'sMom]

Hi Everyone,

My son Nicholas is 4 weeks postop and has been doing pretty well. They put him on the heart lung machine through an incision in the groin/leg area. He is now complaining that area hurts. He hasn't really complained about it too much until recently. The bottom portion of the scar area looks pinkish/red and is warm to the touch and feels like there is a knot or lump in it, but he actually says that the top part hurts more. I plan to call the Dr when they open, but I was just wondering if anyone had any other advice or ideas as to what could be going on.

Thanks!

 

[Phyllis]

Glad to hear that Nicholas is doing well. Definitely call the doctor first thing this morning. Always best to check it out in case of infection, etc. No question is ever too trivial!

 

[Mary]

I would definitely call the doctor; it sounds like he might have some infection starting at the incision spot.
Good luck and keep us informed as to what is said.

 

[WayneGM]

Ditto on the above advice. Best to get it checked out. Best wishes.

 

[Nick'sMom]

I just called the Cardiology office and they want his surgeon to see him this morning. So we are off. I will post as soon as we return.

 

[Susan BAV]

Debster913, a member here several months out from a mitral repair, recently posted an experience that sounds similar to Nick's with a post-op problem in her femoral artery. She had angioplasty just last week or maybe the week before to correct the problem. Hope all goes well for Nick.

 

[Nick'sMom]

Well we are back from the cardiologist's office. The surgeon could hardly get a look at his leg since Nicholas pitched such a fit about no one touching him. He was kicking his legs and the surgeon told me that his leg can't hurt too bad if he's acting like that....which is probably true. That was the most he had moved it for the past couple of days. They did say to keep an eye on it, but they think it's just possibily a stitch or some scar tissue bothering him.

On the bright side we just got our home monitoring system on Tuesday and we used the opportunity at the Dr's today to get a blood draw sent to their lab and for me to use his machine for the first time and compare results. It was fairly easy to use, except for Nicholas not wanting his finger stuck. His INR was 3.8 (first time it's been below 4.0).

Thanks for all the well wishes and concern about my boy!!

 

[Susan BAV]

I remembered something else about Debster913's experience: her foot in her bad leg got cold. Can you keep an eye on whether his legs or feet feel different in temps?

 

[Phyllis]

Thanks for the update, Holly- I hope things calm down and he feels better soon.

 

[Nick'sMom]

I remembered something else about Debster913's experience: her foot in her bad leg got cold. Can you keep an eye on whether his legs or feet feel different in temps?

Yep, I can do that. Thanks for the tip.

I would have felt better if the Dr could have at least gotten close enough to touch the area in his leg that is warm, since it feels like there is a knot there, but I understand that he was worried about upsetting Nicholas more then he already was. I tried to make him lay down, but his surgeon said no since his chest is still healing and he was fighting that too. I will keep an eye on his legs and feet and see if there is any temp difference.

 

[debster913]

Hi,
I know you've gotten a lot of good feedback on your post, but my complication was very similar. I had surgery in June, and in late January I was having a cold right foot off and on. At first I thought it was the weather, but the coldness persisted, and my leg began to ache. Turned out that scar tissue was impeding the blood flow in my femoral artery, and I had a balloon angioplasty to open it up.

I hope everything turns out well with your son. Keep us posted, and be on the lookout for anything that doesn't seem "right." My cardio had advised me to call him if I had any funny symptoms, and thankfully I realized the cold foot thing wasn't right.

Take care,
Debi (debster913)