Staples

Earlier this week, Tuesday, the District Nurse took out the staples that were holding the skin of Pauline's left leg following the operation.   Jokingly I asked, "Did you remove those at the bottom?"   She replied that she had.   There were two areas where the skin was stapled, a long one at the top of the femur and a small one close to the knee.   The dressings were left on for a day or so.   The top dressing was removed a couple of days ago but the lower one was left.   This dressing came loose overnight, so, this morning, I checked all was well.   Imagine my surprise to see the clips still there!

Carys, the nurse who called today, told me she had no clip removers and that it would be Monday before any could be acquired.   As there was an element of doubt she suggested that I could, by pre-arrangement, collect a pack from the hospital in Bangor.   So I took Pauline with me for a break and called in at Conwy Ward to collect the sterile pack.   I was happy to do this because there was always the outside possibility that the staples could infect the wound by Monday.   Carys is coming back later today to get the staples out.   She is a lovely person who works hard to give the best possible treatment for her patients.

Of course, this meant Pauline would have to use her crutches (not the walking frame) to get to the car.   I felt this was important practice for her as well as using the doorstep.   It was slow but sure and she was eventually comfortable settled in the car.   She had the usual paperback to read whilst I did the trip into Ysbyty Gwynedd for the removers, Next for some socks and then Waitrose for a few extra items.   It was a lovely drive with lots of sun shine after Thursday's constant rain.   Every day she makes better progress.