Driving

[Poppylicious]

So, Blokey was supposed to be going into hospital on Monday to have his fistula surgery and his tenckhoff (PD) catheter removed.  Both were going to be done under local, rather than general anesthetic.  This morning the pre-op lady phoned him and informed him that he won't be allowed to drive for between one and two weeks. 

Eh?!

He's convinced that she said it was because of the tenckhoff catheter removal (I think he's wrong; he's already had one removed and another put in on the other side of his belly once before, and he was able to drive the next day).  I think it's because of the fistula surgery.  Assuming that I'm right, how long will it be before he's allowed to drive?  We live in a rural town in the middle of nowhere with a very ridiculous bus service and I don't drive.  Two weeks off work and having to rely on hospital transport for six sessions of dialysis (we live thirty miles from the hospital) is probably going to kill him.  I think I mean that literally ...

I know that you all have a wealth of experience in these matters ... how soon after fistula surgery were you driving again? 

Cheers, dears.

 

[KICKSTART]

I cant really answer that for you, but it sounds like he is having the straight forward , nice 2" little cut type of fistula? I would expect the stitches will be in for around 10 days (but have been told its only 2 stitches. I would say drive when he feels he can. I have to have that big armpit to elbow cut fistula (yikes) but i need my car (no one else to rely on!) so i dont know what im going to do ? By the way if he is having a fistula made and the PD cath out ..how is he going to do dialysis ? Hes not having a tunnel line put in on top of all that is he ? If he is ..now that will stop him driving for a while , they are sore till the stitches come out!

[Poppylicious]

Thanks for your reply KS.  He still has his chest thingy for haemoD.

It transpires that he spoke to the surgeon on the phone this afternoon and I was wrong, he was right.  There's no issue with driving after just having the fistula surgery; it IS the tenckhoff which is the issue.  They're providing him with a taxi on Monday, his immediate boss has agreed that he can have Mon-Tues-Weds off (under my feet, pah!) and he'll start driving again on the Weds to get to dialysis.  Apparently if he has an accident within two weeks of having the tenckhoff removed the insurance may not pay out because the hospital advised him not to drive.  So, *fingers crossed* ...

 

I didn't realise there are different types of fistula ... I ought to do my homework!

[KICKSTART]

Poor guy being hit with all 3 ! He will probably be ok to drive after a few days ,but he will be a bit tender ! It also depends if they stitch the hole or pack it (with this like super new seaweed stuff ! i cant remember its name) Thats is what my surgeon did and do you know it took weeks to heal , a lot longer than stitches , i also dont like the way it healed , it looks like i have a bellybutton on my side! At least with stitches you get it healed together !

[Rerun]

I would ask the surgeon.  The nurse was probably trying to CHA (cover her ass) by telling him that.  I don't see why he couldn't drive the next day or 24 hours after the sleepy time stuff they give him during the procedure.

             

[wrenchturningredneck10]

I agree, it seems to be a CYA (Cover Your A**) for the nurse.  Had I not been hospitalized, I could have driven the next day after my fistula surgery...