6 weeks after my mastectomy I developed an infection in the wound site. After 10 days on antibiotics it was finally diagnosed as cellulitis and, as it was not much better, a further 7 day course of antibiotics was prescribed. I’ve just completed that course and, although there has been some improvement, the wound is still leaking and the skin is still quite red and sore.
Has anyone had this who can give some idea of how long it took them to get back on track?
As we’re going into a weekend and I’ve finished the antibiotics I’m very nervous of it getting worse again and dreading the thought of a trip to A&E.
I went back to hospital for a week and had IV antibiotics to get rid of my wound infection in 2003.
When that didn’t work, they drained out some fluid and packed it with gel made from seaweed or some such, and eventually it got better. Took ages though. I hope your experience is better.
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Hi, just come across your post through the search link. I’m 3 weeks post surgery and at the weekend was admitted to hospital with a suspected infection at my surgery site, it was very red and the wound had started leaking seroma fluid. After 24 hours on antibiotics, I was discharged with the surgeon comfortable that there was no infection and said that the fluid was normal and I should let it run its course, in her words “better out than in”
I’m so worried that as this wound is now open and leak and I’m going to get an infection, I’m on antibiotics and I don’t feel unwell, but I have this leaking It’s so frustrating/worrying. I just wanted to know how you’ve got on and whether you were still struggling, or whether you’ve started to heal, which I hope you have!
I think the draining does the trick. Even if you get a bit more leakage it’s not staying in there festering. I felt so much better without it. It throbbed for a week and once I had the fluid out it got better gradually although my scar wasn’t very good. After a few years it faded to silver. They did offer to improve it but they said that when I had my second surgery and as it made it much worse I decided not to tempt fate.
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Hi Fabien
I was on oral antibiotics for 3 weeks and the wound was open and leaking at the armpit end for about a week after the antibiotics finished. I had a small dressing that I changed every 2 days and cleaned the area with disposable swabs and water. As long as you keep it clean and don’t put anything scented on the skin it should heal eventually. My skin is still a bit red and I’m applying E45 cream morning and night, which is helping.
The only issue I have now is that the scar tissue across my chest and under my arm has tightened up as I wasn’t allowed to do the post op exercises until the wound stopped leaking and the hole healed over, which means my shoulder mobility is a bit restricted, possible frozen shoulder.
Thanks for letting me know how you got on… it is reassuring… as it’s been it’s worrying to have an open wound after we’ve already had such a tough surgery isn’t it? I have a check in with my surgeon today… hopefully it’s all as it should be… ???
Best wishes, hope it all goes well xx
I found swimming helped. I joined a club and i also got a programme of exercises on some machines which pulled my arm out of its socket. I was assessed beforehand by someone who knew I had had breast cancer so he adapted the exercises so they wouldn’t make me worse.
The swimming is probably best as you are supported in the water and so it’s a very kind form of exercise. It’s soothing if they have a jacuzzi like my club has which you can go to when you have done your ten or twenty lengths. I started with five lengths and built up.
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I also have had frozen shoulder day surgery two or three times at hospital. They used x ray guide and water one time, and an injection with something that eased it. Could be a steroid of some kind. Anyway it worked instantly.
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I have now been told jacuzzis should be avoided as there are risks of cross infection if they are not cleaned properly. Just when I thought it was safe to go in the water!
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