Forum Discussion

LisaS's avatar
LisaS
Member
10 years ago

Mild Cellulitis

I've read a lot of drastic stories about cellulitis but I thought it is worth sharing my story of mild cellulitis, and how it might delay my chemo this week.

i'm on weekly Paclitaxel. Every Thursday. This week i had mild neutropenia (1.4). I have mild Lymphoedema.

My thumb felt "bursty", but nothing out of the ordinary. I hadn't even noticed the pink patch of skin, or the mild heat. The Lymphoedema therapist pointed it out to me. Told me to get antibiotics "if it got worse". 

So. The old me was very healthy. I avoided antibiotics. I never get, sorry got, sick. So I held off all weekend. The redness came and went. On Monday I gave in and started oral antibiotics.

However there is talk now of delaying chemo If the infection doesn't get better in the next day or so.

In hindsight. Don't delay starting antibiotics while on chemo. Don't ignore mild cellulitis. Look for pink skin or skin feeling hot. See your GP for oral antibiotics if you suspect you have it. Don't delay.

Learn from my mistakes!

4 Replies

  • LisaS's avatar
    LisaS
    Member
    10 years ago

    Mine is so mild compared to what you've been through. How terrifying!

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    10 years ago

    Well said Lisa, I developed cellulitis around my mastectomy wound after my first chemo, and ended up in hospital on a drip in solitary confinement due to severe neutropenia. I continued on 2 lots of oral antibiotics for about 4 weeks after that. Don't ignore any infection or any inflammation while on chemo. Look after yourself, Trace ??????