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Adriannenessel's avatar
12 years ago

Progress Update & Cording?

Hello my pink sisters, Thought I would post a progress update. Firstly, the MRSA infection that landed me in hospital on IV Antibiotics for a week has finally cleared. As part of clearing the infection the surgeons had to do another incision & drainage of a 7cm cyst, running from my left armpit to just below my left rib cage. This resulted in me going home with another drain, which is how the first infection got in to my body. I was not happy. After about 5 days the drain was removed, but the wound was very weepy & pussy looking. My skin was very red & sore as well. I did some research & found that Manuka Honey (Medihoney) kills MRSA Infections & aids in wound healing by drying out the wound. So I decided I could not feel worse by trying some, so I purchased some from the chemist & applied my first dressing. I left this on overnight & when I removed the dressing in the morning my wound looked amazing. It no longer smelled nor looked pussy. After the second treatment the wound had closed. Both my surgeon & oncologist saw me a week ago, with my weepy wound & said that chemo could not start until the would had healed. They both saw me yesterday & were amazed by how well my wound has healed. They asked what I did & I told them about the Medihoney containing Manuka Honey. So now my chemo will start next Friday 4th Oct. AC X 4, every three weeks, followed by Tax weekly for 12 weeks. Not looking forward to this, but happy to be getting on with treatment. Secondly, since my 2nd surgery I feel a tight band running under my left arm, from my elbow down to the middle of my left side. It is also very tight across my chest. Is this normal or could I have cording? Exercises given in the hospital are not helping much. I finally get to see the Physio at the hospital on Monday. Hopefully they can give me some answers & treatment to relieve the tightness. Take care all. Regards Adrianne

7 Replies

  • Hi Janey,  yes I totally agree, it is slowly slowly we go towards recovery.  I also have good days and days were I am fed up with the pain and just want to be at the end of this journey.   I do not think I am a very patient person.  The MRSA infection was actually picked up in the hospital.  I am now really worried about any future surgeries that I may have, as I will always worry about antibiotic resistant infections.  I keep repeating to myself  "one step at at time".  Take care of you.  Regards Adrianne

  • Thanks Anne & Mich, for your responses. It looks like I will need to keep doing my exercises & let time heal. I finally got to go swimming today & it felt great. I swam 3 times a week pre mastectomy & infection, so it felt like I had not been in the water for months & not weeks since my op. Arm is feeling not so tight since yesterday's exercises & today's swim, but left side of rib age & underarm still tight. The water definitely helps with the pain whilst you stretch. Will post an update after I see the Physio tomorrow. Take care, Regards Adrianne
  • Hey Adrianne

    Sorry you have been doin it tough lately you poor luv.

    This Manuka Honey sounds like a miracle cream, well done.

    I think if it is a good physio they will definitely be able to help with the cording if you should have that and yes as Adeane says continue your exercises and the physio may give you some more.

    I remember I had cording and I just managed to massage it (not too roughly) in the warm shower and it seemed to pop but I think I was lucky with that.  Unfortunately the chest tightness can be an aftermath of your surgery and will take a while to go away.  

    Continue your exercises but never do any exercise that cause you pain.

    Good luck with this latest lil drama for you and I hope it is all sorted out for you soon.

    Lots of luv always, Mich xoxoxoxo

  • Thanks Adean, yes I am finding the pain very wearing. It makes me tired & cranky by the early evening. Hopefully the Physio at the hospital can do something to relieve the pain. My chemo starts on Friday next week & I don't want to begin whilst still in pain. Take care of you. Regards Adrianne
  • Haven't you had a rough time. Manuka is amazing stuff I've seen it do some great things in the 25years lve worked in aged care, sometimes the old stuff is the best. Sounds like you have cording, I had it so bad I was not able to return to work when I wanted to ,do your exercises religiously I know they are a pain but do them, especially while in the shower, I also found heat packs beneficial, and my massage therapist did lots of work on me, radiation flared it up and it became very tight again, it's 15months later and I still have it above the underarm, it's a buger of thing and oh the pain when it improved I didn't realize how bad it had been, it's monthly massage for me now. Hope you can get some relief. Regards adean
  • Haven't you had a rough time. Manuka is amazing stuff I've seen it do some great things in the 25years lve worked in aged care, sometimes the old stuff is the best. Sounds like you have cording, I had it so bad I was not able to return to work when I wanted to ,do your exercises religiously I know they are a pain but do them, especially while in the shower, I also found heat packs beneficial, and my massage therapist did lots of work on me, radiation flared it up and it became very tight again, it's 15months later and I still have it above the underarm, it's a buger of thing and oh the pain when it improved I didn't realize how bad it had been, it's monthly massage for me now. Hope you can get some relief. Regards adean
  • Haven't you had a rough time. Manuka is amazing stuff I've seen it do some great things in the 25years lve worked in aged care, sometimes the old stuff is the best. Sounds like you have cording, I had it so bad I was not able to return to work when I wanted to ,do your exercises religiously I know they are a pain but do them, especially while in the shower, I also found heat packs beneficial, and my massage therapist did lots of work on me, radiation flared it up and it became very tight again, it's 15months later and I still have it above the underarm, it's a buger of thing and oh the pain when it improved I didn't realize how bad it had been, it's monthly massage for me now. Hope you can get some relief. Regards adean