I wondered if anyone else has had this problem and if so what did you do?
I had my staples removed today as I had a mastectomy on tuesday 4th sept.
My partner and I noticed a small hole in the wound. Mentioned it to the district nurse who didnt show any concerns, said my wound has knitted together well.
I still have the deep stitches in that are being removed wedesday 19th.
Well, earlier this evening I felt wet under my bra and (sorry to sound crude) thought it was due to sweating. I touched the area and noticed my fingers were wet through.
I went to a mirror and pulled up my top and the whole cup of my bra was orange…the hole had leaked fluid (I had a saroma drained 2 days ago, doc drained off a pint in volume, she did say it would no doubt build back up and would need draining again).
Well, panic set in. I removed my bra and fluid was running down my belly.
I couldnt do anything other than lean over the sink and let it pour out of me.
Every time I moved it kept coming.
When it slowed down I rang the hospital for advise.
I had to ring the chemo ward as the breast care unit closes on a Friday for the weekend.
Was advised by nurse in charge to bob up to the hospital and she would give me some dressings.
I did as I was told and called up.
She had a look at the hole and said it should heal over and put some dressing on and gave me some to take home. She said the fluid must have needed to come out which yeah I can understand that.
My concerns are that air has got in through the hole and I can hear it sucking in and out when I move, also still leaking fluid and squelching when im moving.
Im worried that im going to get some form of an infection as it cant be doing me any good air being in the chest wall where my breast has been removed.
Also if I keep leaking fluid the hole is not going to dry up and heal is it?
Julie, I hope that you can get a satisfactory answer from someone soon. On a smaller note I had a WLE last Fri and I have got through lots of dressings- leaking loads. I had this done as day surgery with no drains. I have a hole - yet to heal, but the nurse from the ward said this is deliberately left like that to prevent a haematoma or saroma building up. Go back to the hospital to have the area checked if you are concerned. I hope you manage to get in touch with someone- weekends are hard I have been advised to go to the local minor injuries for dressings etc if it continues and my stash goes!
hi julie,
as a nurse, my thoughts are the hole is there to drain the mucky fluid chick, you still have the deep stiches in which will hold the wound, they generally like a wound to heal from the inside out
keep doing this till you go to have your stiches out if they are worried then but hopefully it will begin to heal
if you need more dressings ring the district nuse through your gp and let her come and do the dressings chick
I would suggest that you call our helpliners or your GP/district nursing team this morning for some more advice about your wound before treating it yourself. The helpline team include specialist breast care nurses who can offer you support and the information you need.
The number is 0808 800 6000 and it opens at 9am this morning until 2pm, then Monday to Fridays 9am-5pm.
Hi Julie, It’s quite q shock to find you are leaking all over the place, isn’t it! I had a lat. dors. reconstruction which sprung a leak in the scar on my back. Like you I had a seroma drained a couple of times (what a mighty amount of fluid can collect!). It was like carrying a hot water bottle under my arm and it certainly did slosh around. I found the fliud dripping on to the floor before I realised where it was coming from! My husband took me off to the bc ward, me clutching a sodden towel to my back. They just dressed the wee tiny hole and sent me home with some waterproof square absorbent thingies to protect my bed. It took a while to heal completely but I didn’t have to have it drained again since it was obviously doing that beautifully on it’s own. I hope you’ve managed to get yours sorted out! Best wishes. x
Just thought I would update you regarding the hole kerfuffel.
I slept on my back ALL night so that the hole didnt leak. Wow was I uncomfortable?!
As soon as I stood up the hole leaked the fluid out and my dressings were wet within seconds (I had put loads of dressings on including 2 absorbipads each folded up double so had plenty of thickness/protection). so, there was no improvement with the hole.
I rang the hospital and nurse in charge that saw me last night told me to go back in and she would see what she could do.
She ended up pulling the hole/skin together put some steri strips on to hold it closed and re-dressed it plus gave me some more dressings and steri strips to take home with me just in case…
That was about 6 hours ago and so far (touch wood) there has been literally no leakage (PHEW!) (I wished she had done that yesterday?!)
As long as it holds out until monday when the breast unit is open I will be relieved, or even better still until I see my surgeon/consultant on weds 19th for my histology results and removal of the stitches.