Hi All
I had a mastectomy and silicone implant in June, total axilla lymph node clearance in July and 15 sessions of radiotherapy in October. By mid November I had started to feel really, really well and was looking forward to my month long trip away to our second home on 2 December. The week before disaster struck! I went for cording massage with the therapy nurse at the oncology unit. My bra stayed on as she was only in my under arm/armpit area and no where near my breast. Within 15 minutes of getting home after treatment I came down with flu like shivers and when I got undressed that night was shocked to see my breast was, hot, red and swollen.
I phoned the nurse the next morning and whilst she thought it should settle within 5 days sent me to the GP given that I had a trip planned.
I had a temperature and the GP put me on a course of antibiotics. Her criteria for travelling was that my temperature had to be gone the day before my flight but was also concerned about cabin pressure given my breast was so swollen.
My temperature did come down but I too was concerned about cabin pressure so we moved the trip from flying on Monday to Thursday. On Tuesday I went back to the GP and she sent me straight to hospital where I spent 6 days on an IV antibiotics treatment with tiny improvement. The surgeon was stumped as my bloods were good, I had no temperature and my blood pressure was good too. The ultrasound showed lots of infected tissue but the implant was fine - same ultrasound results a few days later too.
I wonder if the therapy nurse triggered some radiotherapy that was lurking but the surgeon said it could be anything.
I’m home and still taking antibiotics with an appointment to see the surgeon tomorrow and a decision on when I can fly.
Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this and what happened if so.
