Help with wound care

I am a pre-nursing student. My husband had a perirectal abscess and 3 days ago had a perirectal I&D. He is to have daily dressing changes and Sitz baths for 3 weeks. The home health nurse is coming today to show me how to do the dressing changes. I don't know if I'm scared or nervous, but, how do I "suck it up" and just do it? I think I'm nervous because he's my husband and I've never done anything like this before. I feel as though if it were someone else I wouldn't be as nervous. KWIM?

Kendra

It's different taking care of your own family member. When the nurse gets there talk to him/her about your fears.

she's here! Wish me luck!!

Luck!

That really wasn't so bad!! The easiest part was pulling the gauze out. The hardest was putting it back in because his abscess was in a BAD spot. It was next to the rectum, so I have to pull the cheeks apart hold the q-tip with the gauze and pull the incision part slightly. But I did it!!! Woohoo for me!! I feel like if I can do that, I can do just about anything!

Kendra

Well done, Kendra!

That really wasn't so bad!! The easiest part was pulling the gauze out. The hardest was putting it back in because his abscess was in a BAD spot. It was next to the rectum, so I have to pull the cheeks apart hold the q-tip with the gauze and pull the incision part slightly. But I did it!!! Woohoo for me!! I feel like if I can do that, I can do just about anything!

Kendra

Kendra,

You CAN do anything. Think of this as REAL practice for future nursing!

Good job! I did wound care on my sister-in-law when I was a student once and really felt like I had accomplished something. Relatives make good guinea pigs as long as they are willing and cooperative.