Graft Problems

[Bajanne]

I should have posted concerning this a long time ago.  It was only today that I said to myself that one of the strong advantages of this site is that as people share it can help us when we come to face the same situation. So forgive my not telling you of this before. [I did share it with the admins and mods]
About three or so weeks, the area between where I am usually needled (arterial and venous) became hard, painful and warm.  The doctor filling in for our nephrologist put me on a course of oral antibiotics which I took faithfully (very proud of myself).  Nothing happened, except that it became less painful, but was still hard and warm.
He sent me to have a doppler done, and it showed that the blood was flowing properly through the graft.
Now last week, I see a little pimple-like thing on the same area.  I showed the nurses.  Every day it got a little bigger and soon you could see that it had inflammation in it and it was a bit painful.  They put iodine and a sure-seal on it.  Another set of antibiotics.  Again I was compliant, but nothing changed.
When I went to dialysis on Friday, they called in a doctor to look at it.  She put me on intravenous antibiotics and gave me a prescription for antibiotic cream.  On Friday night, i was on my way to Independence celebrations by the Barbadian society here.  Just as I left the apartment, it burst.  Thankfully the hospital is near to the hotel to which I was going.  I stopped in at  Emergency and a doctor fixed it and bandaged it for me.
I went to  the unit on Saturday morning.  It was only then that a nurse told me that another patient also had that problem.  I now have to have a bandage on all the time.
Thankfully, it seems to be outside of the tube, but i am wondering why it should happen at all.
Has anyone had anything like this occur with a graft?

[willieandwinnie]

Hi bajanne2000,

Sorry your having graph problems. Do you happen to know what type material your graft is made out of. My husband has one of the newer, self sealing types. The vascular surgeon told me that some of the older graphs will get air pockets between skin and graft itself and blood can pool there and keep leaking from sticks until it does erupt. I sure hope that can get it fixed for you. Take care and please keep us posted.

[Bajanne]

Thanks so much. That was a real eye-opener.  The professionals didn't explain anything whatsoever to me!  That is why I thank God for IHD!!
   

[2_DallasCowboys]

Hi,

Just wanted to say I hope all is well with
your graft, and so sorry you had this problem.
Please let us know how everything is going,
access problems are so troubling.

Anne

[goofynina]

Hello my dear friend Aurora   Just wanted to let you know i am thinking of you and i am hoping that things are going good for you in your part of the world.  I love ya friend 

[angellady07]

Bajanne, how are you? Are your graft issues being resolved? Please keep us posted. 

[okarol]

I had never heard of that before bajanne. Hopefully the worst is over and it's healing. 

[Bajanne]

Well I am getting daily bandages.  They clean the area and then bandage it.  I think it is getting better (at least, I really hope)

[angellady07]

Bajanne, I'm glad to hear it's getting better. 

[Rerun]

Bananajane,  I'm glad you are okay.  I just have to ask this....what would have happened if this would have happened in your sleep?  Was it fluid or blood?

[Bajanne]

It was slightly bloody, no real blood and since that first time, whenever they change the bandage it is just pus.

[Black]

It was slightly bloody, no real blood and since that first time, whenever they change the bandage it is just pus.

Have they done a culture to determine what the infective agent is?

[Bajanne]

Nope, but I will certainly ask about it today.  Thanks! Knowledge is Power!

[cris]

My Dear Bajanne,
how are you with your graft problem? I pray it's gone or is not giving you much trouble. When goofynina adrressed you as Aurora, it gives me back the feeling of hearing the late Epoman during his interview, when he mentioned your name "Aurora". Back then, I sensed right away that you are something special to Epoman. Everyone loves you.

cris

[Bajanne]

My Dear Bajanne,
how are you with your graft problem? I pray it's gone or is not giving you much trouble. When goofynina adrressed you as Aurora, it gives me back the feeling of hearing the late Epoman during his interview, when he mentioned your name "Aurora". Back then, I sensed right away that you are something special to Epoman. Everyone loves you.

cris

Awwwwwwwww...  that touched me so much, here at 1:40 a.m. with the only light that of the monitor in my face and the rain beating outside.  Thank you.

Update:
Well the pustule kept breaking open and then it would close back up and grow a little.  We get periodic visits from a vascular surgeon.  He is a native of this country but works in Washington DC.  He comes home every now and then to help in this area.  When I was finishing dialysis on Wednesday, a nurse told me I had an appointment with him Thursday morning at 8.
When I reached there was another patient from  my shift to see him as well.  He had said he would operate on him.  Here is what happened.  He told the other person that he had been thinking it over and would not bother with operating.  Then he turned to me and said he felt he needed to operate on my graft.  He would do a 'revision and excision' - re-routing my graft and cutting away the problem area.  I asked him about the new kind of graft material and he was impressed that I knew about it.  He said he has used it, but could not use it here because of some other 'tunnelling' that had to go with it.  Don't know if this is a machine or instrument or what.  But he told the nurses there 'This is great.  We have an informed patient'.  I told him about IHD and he was really impressed and said he must check it out. 
The operation went well.  For me, that means I was sedated all through and knew nothing of what was going on.
I spent the whole day at the hospital and then went home.  He told the nurses that they can only use a small section - the venous section - for both needles, for two weeks.  I was given a prescription for pain, but the pain is not great at all, just a dull pain, so I am bearing it.  I just have to keep my arm elevated and not hold it down too much.
Thanks for all your caring thoughts.
[not only my graft was down, but so was my computer for the last two days.  Refused to boot.  Would only beep, and do nothing.  But I am rolling again]

[charee]

Hope that fixes your problem Bajanne, lets hope the pain stays dull.Take Care

[Joe Paul]

I'm hoping this operation is a success too 

[2_DallasCowboys]

Best Wishes and prayers, that you
mend quickly and with no pain.

Anne

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Love and best wishes Bajanne

[MyssAnne]

Oh Bajanne! I am so happy you were able to get it fixed, and recovery is going well for you!!  That is so cool that the surgeon was impressed with your knowledge! I like that! 

[okarol]

  Glad to hear you're not too uncomfortable. I guess your computer decided you needed a break!
Yes you are very knowlegable - nice that the doctor actually heard you!

[goofynina]

So glad you are back in action my friend, hopefully either problem wont re-occur (arm or pc)    I love ya girlfriend 

[Bajanne]

Thanks for all your caring thoughts.  The surgeon made me laugh when I was on the operating table.  As they were setting up, he asked me to turn  my face away.  He said "I don't want you spying on what I am doing and then you go and set up shop and tell people not to worry with Stevens (his name)!"  He is such a pleasant person.
I am doing well.  The only problem was that at dialysis they have a very small area on my arm to work with and they had to needle a totally fresh area.  That is always PAINFUL!!  But it doesn't last long, and my session went quite good.  I am all bandaged up and my arm between my shoulder and elbow is quite swollen, but there isn't much pain, thank God.

This seems to be a bit of testing time for the IHD family, but we will get through it all!!!

[Black]

The inconvenience and the pain stink, but, oh, how wonderful it is to have a surgeon with a sense of humor and an appreciation for an educated and informed patient.    Glad you're getting better.

[kitkatz]

Hurray for Bajanne!