Finally Some Good News

I used hydrocortisone  1% for the plastic rash. ..I'm  allergic to all kinds of sticky stuff...the only one no issues is hyperfix. Anyway...the cream can be bought over the counter at the chemist. You need to avoid scar areas though. Use sparingly and just on the bad bits and I knagine moisturise in between.

Oh Paula I do hope it clears quickly... 

Drives me nuts how those who need to care for us during this ignore us when being told we know it is infected and we have to keep on going back to the GP.  I mean I love my GP as he is great but hate going there this time of the year as I know waiting room will be full off bugs and viruses which we are supposed to be avoiding.

Will be keeping fingers crossed it clears for you quikcly....

BTW do nit panic if the skin where the plastic rash is does not look normal straight away. The area plastic was on me post biopsy which was over 2 months ago still looks weird - kind of bumpy and darker in colour. I notice improvemwnt every week just that is is slow to heal completely. Post op plastic area look better but the biopsy one is stunborn so some of those plastics take a very long time to heal :(

Hugs

Jel

Fingers and toes crossed for you. Kath x

They've actually changed their mind about my lung. Had a biopsy this morning.

Paula

Good news that it hasn't spread to your lung. It's quite normal to be tired and short of breath with rads.

Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ????????

Ouch.... Paula that wound sounds terrible. I am sorry you are having to deal with such an infection and with nurses that are bejaving like that.

I hope you get the nearest medical centre or emergency today and get antibiotics...

My GP had told me that BC post op infections need to be treated asap (ideally in under 12.hours from when they initially appear) as apparently makes a massive difference how easily they resolve as to how soon the 1st dose of antibiotics is administered.

Do you have a breast care nurse in the hospital you go to by any chance? If you do might be worthwhile making contact as I have found those ladies really helpfull when dealing with post op issues. They do know their stuff and have been really attentative when I was dealing with signs of post op infection when my surgeon was away and helped me get care real fast even though another medico brushed it off as "that does not look like an infection - give it a day or so before panicking". The breast care nurse did listen to me and my reasons why I was certain it was in fact an infection and  helped me get it taken care off before it became too serious. Luckily thanks to her examining me as well and listening to me I based on her advice went to the local GP who pit me on EES and we stopped it.

I do hope you get help for it quickly and does not get too unpleasant :(

Not sure if this is OK for that type of wound - might be worthwhile running it past a GP or a pharmacist but with pussy infections I have always found hydrogen peroxide to work a treat. I use a suringe (no needle offcourse) so I can place only as much as needed directly onto the wound. As soon as it gets in contact with dirt or puss it foams and expels it out of the wound. You just keep on adding more for as long as it will foam and it will clean amd dry up the affected site beautifully. Being thin and water like it gets inside easily and will get to every bit of puss and give you immediate relief

Do it in a bathroom over an old rug or old towels as being peroxide it will bleach anything it runs off on unless washed immediately and considering the placement of the wound you may have trouble stopping some of it drip.

It does not hurt by the way - may sting a tiny bit when used on a completely open wounds but is trully negligable and the fastest way to fully get the puss out - just keep on applying for as long as it foams.

And thank you for clarifying the 'plastic bit' too. I know what dressing you are referring to as I had something like that put on me during surgery and was removed a week later. Mind you that stuck like crazy and a week later surgeon barely managed to peel it off me - took a lot of effort and left me with a nasty rash that would not clear for weeks.

The plastic which is a dressing but once its on its like glad wrap stuck to you is so that your clothes & bras don't rub. Having said that its falling off after 3 treatments & the way its affecting ME, Im thinking about not having it on but will talk to the nurses on Mon. I also told them that the wound where I had lymph nodes taken from is infected but because they didn't see it white the night before (it burst during the night) they wouldn't listen to me. I know my body grrr 

Do you mind if I ask what the plastic is for? I am yet to start Chemo in 2 weeks so radiation is way away but wondering as I am allergic to plastic so thinking this is going to be an issue and wondering how to get arround it....

As far as itchiness goes any antihistamine you can get at the chemist (like telfast, claratine and such will help). Over the counter creams for insect bits help a great deal but you need to be able to to the spot in question....

Sometjing you can use even if you cannot get to the skin is ice. I suffer from severe allergies and get skin breakouts (those horrid white blisters all the time) and the fastest way to get relief is ice. If the area is small just an ice vube or if karge a bag of frizen veg like peas or corn is fabulous as it will mould to your shape. Relief is instant and helps it not spread. 

If you find it too hard to bear the cold place a kitchen towel arround the frozen item. Or wet a kitchen towel leave in freezer 5 to 10 min as then it is very cold but not as cold as ice and use that on the affected area to get relief....