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kazza4450's avatar
kazza4450
Member
10 years ago

Post op infection - How do I heal from this?

Hi to all

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend and are travelling well.

Would love some feedback on whether anyone got infections after lumpectomy or axillery Node Clearance.

Since the second op, 17 days after the lumpectomy and failed SNB, about 5 - 7 days after I think it was I started to feel I was going backwards, more pain, less movement in arm etc. After a while I had been checking the lumpectomy and axillery scar and drain wound to see if I could see any redness or infection. Eventually I found a massive red patch the size of a small apple from my nipple and underneath to the bottom of my breast.

This redness is nowhere near the surgery sites, it is not the usual mastitis redness, it is got ridges running down it and the nipple gets hard at times almost like rubber. I went on antibiotics for 10 days, little improvement. So went off them for a week. 

Saw my chemo doctor, told her I was still feeling crap, best word to use, lol and she sent me back to surgeons to get it looked at and cleared up before chemo on the 5th August due to start.

They saw me Friday and they put me on 2 different antibiotics to take combined etc, and said it was a guessing game with the bug involved causing redness, heat, unusual skin texture. I also have 2 seromas. One around top of my breast and one in axillery area. They tried to drain but with no success. 

So they basically said that I need to go back Tuesday and they will hospitalise me if it hasn't started to settle.

Well it's day 3 and no sign of it lessening. I feel sick and crappy as the day goes on every day, pretty much had the same level of sickness since this second op. I don't know if it's the seromas or the infection or both.

Thanks be to God, that I am not severely ill with the infection, but something is definately not right.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar.

Appreciate your comments..xxx

lumpectomy

3 Replies

  • nicole_h's avatar
    nicole_h
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi kazza,

    Same thing happened to me aftrt my 2nd surgery. They gave me the strongest antibiotics available and I persisted for weeks but in hindsight I should have been admitted and put on a drip.  You really should demand this to get on top of it.  Hugs Nicole

  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    10 years ago

    Oh Kazza, you're doing it tough. I don't have any advice that might be of help, but know that I'm thinking of you, Lyn

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    10 years ago

    OMG Kazza, I know how rotten it feels. Sometimes it needs a stint in hospital to get on top of it. I had a stint in hospital after my first chemo from an unresolved post op seroma, that turned into cellulitis.  I was in hospital for a week with a drip and 2 lots of Iv antibiotics, but it was worth it in the end. I know that it's frustrating for you, but sometimes they have to use the heavy artillery to get you right. My consequential care has been easier to cope with, as they are on to it now. I hope for you that you that the double antibiotics work for you. Sending you a BIG cuddle, Trace xxxx ??