Surgery surprises

Following on from here, I was referred to a specialist since not only was there no improvement, the infection seem have gotten a little worse - slightly larger, slightly redder and definitely more painful.

Specialist:  Yes, it's infected.
Me:  (Errr yes, I can tell). Yes.
Specialist:  I would prefer to get the infection cured by medication first and then remove the cyst once the infection is gone, as it would be less messy (i.e. less risk of infection complication).
Me:  Ah yes but I've taken antibiotic (for 4.5 days) and yet there's no improvement. In fact, it has gotten worse a little.
Specialist:  (Took a look at the medication written in my GP's referral letter). Hmmm yes, this is good medication.

Then he right away called to book the operating theatre and scheduled the earliest time slot for the surgery.

A few nasty things happened later:
  • I was given a few jabs of local anaesthesia. Each jab was very painful to me because the infection itself was painful.
  • Towards the end of the surgery, from the moment they were about to remove the cyst till the sticthing and cleaning up was done, it was the most painful period of my life. I whimpered and went "arghhh" and clenched. Goodness, I would never want to experience that again.
  • Soon after moving from the operating table, I nearly fainted. They were quick enough to get me to a wheelchair and subsequently to a bed, with my oxygen level and bp monitored. In total, I drank 2 cups of milo, 1 cup of glucose solution, 1 cup of water and 3 pieces of biscuits. Rested for over an hour before I felt ready to be discharged, after my bp was measured a few times.
But the most nasty shock I had was during a conversation with the specialist (who was the operating surgeon too) when I was in bed:

Specialist:  It's going to be alright. But there's a good chance you may get infection (which explains why I'm prescribed antibiotics along with paracetamol for the pain - thank goodness!). This is why I prefer to have the infection cured first.
Me:  Yes, I know. But the medication wasn't working.
Specialist:  You gotta give it time and be patient.
Me:  (What?? You're telling me this option only now???)
Specialist:  But you seem insistent on the surgery.
Me:  (Since when??)

I'm now in pain. Walked very slowly. Sit leaning on my left side. I sure hope I can sleep well.

Info for the medical geeks:
Diagosis - infected sebaceous cyst over right gluteal region
Procedure - skin and subcutaneous tissue, tumor/cyst/ulcer/scar excision

Comments

William said…
Hopefully you will have a speedy recovery! Show me your scar next week. ;)
Little Dove said…
It has already happen. Eat well, make sure your wound dressing is clean and not soaked. Hope you recover quickly. There's always other options for stronger pain relief. In my humble opinion, paracetamol is not a very strong painkiller. Don't bear the pain, ask for something stronger if the pain disturbs you.
Jaded Jeremy said…
William,
Thanks! I hope so too. You just want to see my butt, is it? :P

Little Dove,
Thanks. Yah, I also think paracetamol is weak but according to the specialist, I can't take some painkillers as deduced from the fact that I'm allergic to Fastum gel.
Cheryl said…
Those jabs are memang painful than usual Jab la
Jaded Jeremy said…
Cheryl,
You seems to indicate it's the difference in the nature of the jabs rather than where they are inserted that determine the pain...is it? I thought in my case it's because in the first place, the infected area was already painful
Anonymous said…
I believe doctors are quite often pressured by patients in Msia and Spore (stories from doctor friends) so perhaps that is why your surgeon thought you were insistent on immediate solution! *grin*

I had to take 2 course of antibiotics before my cyst infection was properly gone.

-Sis
Jaded Jeremy said…
Sis,
A friend, who's a doctor, pointed out that the impression could have been given by my GP in his referral letter...which, as usual, was written in a secret code that is only shared among doctors ;)
Pike-chan said…
Hope u get well soon...
kenni said…
a butt pic?! Rest Well.
Cheryl said…
yeah.. there are diff type of jabs which will determine whether it is pain, more pain or so.
Jaded Jeremy said…
pikey,
Thanks

kenni,
Lol no no.

Cheryl,
Oic.
Jaded Jeremy said…
Ban,
And you're here :)
Anonymous said…
Sebaceous cyst, I know what that is, my Mom had that on her back. I agree with "Sis", dr's in M'ysia do give in to patients eg, despite colds are viral, I have friends who would still insist on getting antibiotics (bacterial) and the dr's would give in. Here too, patients can be insistent. Patients' insistence coupled with dr's fear of law suits, ins companies are complaining that patients are subjected to unnecessary tests. SR

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