My incision is bleeding

[saralynn143]

Hi Wendy, I'm glad the bleeding has stopped, and I think you are right to keep your surgeon informed. I hope I didn't come across as a know-it-all and I apologize if I did. My neurosurgeon told me to be on the lookout for a CSF leak and when I asked him how I would know, he said Phil (my husband) would know because a watery fluid would be leaking from my incision site. About the ten-day mark I woke up and touched the back of my head, and felt a watery fluid. It was mostly clear, with what looked like little blood clots in it (orangey-red). I e-mailed my neurosurgeon right away, but also went in to see my family doctor because I was due to have the sutures removed anyway. She put my mind at ease, but decided to leave the stitches in for a few extra days. So I e-mailed Dr. Casey again and told him it was a false alarm. Of course if he had told me about serous fluid to begin with, I would not have been so alarmed but, oh well.

Sara

[wendysig]

Hi all,
Thanks for the vote of confidence and support.  Sometimes I feel like things have been going so well for me and some of you have such major problems I feel like a wimp for complaining about anything.  Thankfully, no more bleeding altough I am leaking serous fluid again, but not much.  Physical  therapy went well today -- although my PT seems to enjoy his ability to make me nervous he is not the  physical terrorist I feared he might be so all is well or as well as it can be.

Sara - I didn't think you were being a know-it-all.  We are all here to help and support each other and when I read your message, regarding serous fluid I felt it was meant to be helpful, not know-it-all in any way.

Thanks again,
Wendy

[sgerrard]

The road to recovery apparently cannot help winding around a few bends for everyone, but I can handle that.

It just wouldn't be a real AN if it was any other way. At least you won't feel left out. 

Steve

[wendysig]

Hi Steve -
You quoted me!  I guess you're right about what you said though, it just wouldn't seem like an AN without some kind of post-op challenge.  Since I've had so few complications, this leaky head/bleeding thing being the biggest, it took me by surpirse.  My incision seemed to leak quite a bit overnight but was dry by this morning.  I guess this mihgt be a sporadic problem for while.

Hi Debbi-
I remember when you were having problems with your incision before and after it was actually infected and the e-mails and you sending pictures to the doctor.   That was really a good idea since you are so far from NYC.  I am hoping I don't actually have to see Dr. Choe, but of course, if I have to I will.   Probably like anyone one else would, I'm hoping this will stop on its own.  I am keeping a close eye on it though.

Wendy

[MAlegant]

Hi Wendy,
Don't feel guilty, it's a waste of energy.  We all have some issues to deal with, and even if you do come through this unscathed, brain surgery is no picnic!  You do get to complain here (haven't I done my share?) and whine (again, haven't I?). In the end it helps those who are watching so that they understand the range of post-op issues.
Hope you stay high and dry. 
M