My 5th and 6th thread change and suggested items of use

December 20, 2022

I had my 5th thread change three days ago and the 6th thread change today. Both were easy peasy enough! Minimal pain. Doc is having a week off and I too will be going on a mini break so I asked doc to be super gentle and he kindly obliged...good man. I had a lie down after it as it was a bit sore but that didn't last too long. Not sure if I've mentioned it, but there are multiple places to lie down in the clinic should a patient need it (pics below).

I've spent so much time there that it has become very familiar and comfortable. I've come to know the staff and have a lot of laughs with them (they will always remember me as the girl who ends every appointment by saying 'my poor ass'). I've become familiar with the streets on the drive to and from the clinic, familiar with the surrounding streets from my meanderings, have befriended people in the hood...the gorgeous little 3 year old and her family who sell fabrics nearby, the smiley guy at the supermarket who I give a lolly to every time I see him, the lady across the road who takes care of the doggo that lives on the street...it will be sad to say bye when the time comes. This really isn't just a journey for medical reasons. It's so much more than that.

Prior to coming here, in my endless research, I discovered a list of suggested items for use while here....below are some of those and my personal go-to items:

Peri bottle/portable bidet - (pic below) without a doubt the best thing I bought with me. You cannot use toilet paper and this has been a godsend. I also fill it with warm water and a small amount of baby shampoo to clean the wound/area before rinsing again.

Sitz bath - a must!

Donut to sit on - another must. I carry mine around in a tote bag and call it my 'handbag'.

Charcoal tablets - great to have as a back up cause the last thing you want is to get sick with a wounded butt.

Empty spray bottle - I use it to mix water and dettol for cleaning the sitz bath and the peri bottle (or you can buy any cleaning product, I just use dettol as it's safer for skin in case of residue)

Prescription painkillers of choice - paracetamol is available at the clinic, but I definitely used stronger ones in the first week while healing from surgery (I also obtained a letter from my doctor back home outlining my medications in case). Be aware to avoid constipation of course -

Fibre (if you struggle with bowel movements) - I use a metamucil type of product purchased here. Bowel movements can be quite painful and I can't stress enough how much this item has helped me! No pain at all since using this.

Sheewee/Go girl (for the ladies) - not a must have item, but it helped me a few times, mainly just after surgery when the gauze was placed on the wound in my butt and sitting on the toilet was a bit hard/painful (as well as requiring the gauze to be changed every time I went). Also can be used when out and about in case of squat toilets.

Mini spray bottle - doc will prescribe an Ayurvedic oil to place on the gauze when you replace your own dressing. It's common for patients to use too much of it as only a small amount goes a long way. I use the mini bottle (pic below) to spray the gauze with. The oil can solidify a bit but I just put that spray bottle in a jug of hot water for a minute and it sorts it out. (I also use said jug to fill the sitz bath with - less mess and more control over water temperature).

That's all I can think of at the moment...

(You can purchase most of these items when in India from Amazon or the supermarket as well).

That's it for now!

Beds to rest on (with a fabulous space themed rug lol)