in hospital. again. 10 weeks after recon, wounds only a few days from finally closing and then everything went scarlett and my temp rocketed. i have spent all week in here being pumped full of drugs while the docs try and work out whatsbup. after deciding implant removal was likely they now think it couldd be lymphangitis (which i should NOT have googled) either way i feel so let down by my own body. im 29 and was told id bounce back very qquick. not have every complication going.
. my partner is close to cracking and im not strong enouggh to help him.
Im sorry that you are back in hospital. I hope that they can sort out your problems and you will soon feel better and not so frightened. Im afraid I’ve no practical advice to offer you but send you all my good wishes.
It sounds like you’re having a pretty tough time at the moment. If you feel you would like to talk things through with someone please give the BCC helpline a call. Here you will be able to talk to one of our trained members of staff who can offer you a ‘listening ear’ as well as support and information. The number to call is free phone 0808 800 6000 and the line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 2pm.
So sorry to hear about your wound! I have been wondering how you have been doing. You must be sooo fed up and frustrated. We had surgery a week apart with the same surgeon didn’t we? Do you know if your wound was stitched or glued? Not that it matters now but as you know my wound opened after my first FEC (5 weeks after surgery) and is still a 2 inch wide hole in my back 5 weeks later) and I do wonder as there were no stitches in my wound that my nurse friend could see if it was the gluing that let me down). Reading your post I felt so sorry for you and also selfishly hugely apprehensive for myself. I think I would go insane if it all went pants again so close to being healed.
Although I don’t know what lymphangitis is (and given our similar cirs I am madly resisting the urge to Google it) but I am truly hoping for you that the resolution won’t be the worst (removal and further wound problems etc) and that you will soon be out and home and back close to full healing and recovery.
Sending you massive hugs and love, (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
See, I knew I would, I just googled it. Extra love and hugs to you and prayers too that it is not lymphangitis and that, if it is, it was caught early and you will make a full recovery. Off now to stress over the fact that the skin around my back wound has been hurting all weekend and is rather red and angry looking. Eek. Silly me. Take care of yourself Lou, xxx
my temp has stabilised so i feel more normal. docs ropened back wound to investigate, drained off fluid and changed drugs. redness is fading but still cant find the bug (all tests negative) so maybe implant out tomorrow.
Glad to hear your temperature has stabilised and you are feeling better but sorry to hear that they can’t find a bug to blame it on. Do they think then that you are having a reaction to the implant as they can’t find a bug to explain it? I take it its NOT lymphangitis too?
Sending you love and hugs (((((((((((((()))))))))))))))) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yes,maybe it’s an allergic reaction- I’ve had some pretty nasty reactions in my time- although I have’nt had an implant! Glad to hear you’re feeling better, Lots of love from Josie xx
Well i’m finally back home. Still on antiniotics as redness is reduced but not gone. I didnt have to have implant out in th end, but i think i’ll continue to feel anxious until all the inflammation is gone. The docs think it was some kind of bacterial infection picked up through the back wound. Poss not shown up on tests as all samples taken once they’d started drugs which can inhibit results (apparently!)
On a positive note the wounds on my front have FINAALLY fully closed. After the necrosis etc i was expecting hideous results, but am actually pleasantly suprised. Its not pretty…but once the scars have gone white it wont be hideous either.
fingers crossed the drugs will work and all will be back to normal soon. Thanks for your comments, they helped when i was at my lowest.
Are you stitched now at the back? Really hope for you this is the end of your wound saga and it’ll heal quickly and be behind you (pardon the pun!). Really pleased for you that you didn’t have to have your implant removed. I have been thinking about you and wondering if you were okay! I didn’t realise your front wounds were still open! Poor you!!! You must have had some determined little bugs in there to keep you like that for so long! My front healed up after about 4 weeks. I’m glad too that the scars aren’t too bad. Try bio oil twice a day as its good for scars and uneven skin tone.
I finally found out from my GP (5 weeks after my wound opened up) what the swab results were - a bug I can’t remember but one apparently that lives on skin and doesn’t need a specific antibiotic so the ones they gave me then should have worked). That said my nurse friend (tissue viability specialist nurse - how lucky am I?) said its starting to smell a bit so I’m going to ask them to swab it again tomorrow. My GP has prescribed medical grade honey for my back as an aid to getting it healed faster and before we look at maggot therapy (yes I AM considering it to eat up the dead tissue that remains so that it can heal faster and without enclosing any dead tissue and setting up for later problems!) It is healing but very slowly due to the chemo but at least each dose isn’t knocking out the healing in between its just that the chemo causes a massive fluid loss from the wound 24 hours after the chemo which is a bit scary (hopefully not so much now that I know its likely to happen for the third time on Weds)!
Oh my god i was terrified someone would offer me the maggot therapy! Thankfully they didnt (i have a phobic thing about wrigglies) My back wound was reopened, but has sealed REALLY quickly. Fingers crossed on weds when i see dr r i will be fully sealed hurrah!
I am still a bit red and sore on my side, but it is SLOWLY going. That means a long bath ans a swim are within grabbing distance, i cant wait!
The wound smelling thing happened when my wound was wettest. Do you have any necrosis there? Apparently wet necrosis is the stinkiest thing out there. add an infection on top of that and …its not nice. I just wore lots of layers so that people couldnt smell it!
cant believe that surgery was 3 months ago today. I do think i’m on the last leg of the healing journey so fingers crossed i’ve had my last set back!
I have my honey and as I have been taking manuka honey for the last week and its improving they say I am hopeful that it will get things moving. Bit worried as its smelling worse each time I have the wound dressed in the last week but they have taken a second swab and I am going to chase the results this week as I dread it developing into something I can’t fight with the chemo due this week. My skin around the wound and also extending under the arm is red and unhappy so am going to keep fingers crossed too!
I hate the idea of maggots too, big stylie, ugh, eek, puke, argh!!! But this far down the line (and swimming and lovely looonnnng baths being a distant memory for me too) I am getting to the stage where I am willing to consider anything (the wound is still about 2 inches across by 1 inch wide) and as chemo makes me feel so ick I am hoping if i do have to have it they can coincide it with that so I won’t care!!
I am not sure if what i have is necrosis. The skin is red but ok its inside the wound where the dead yellow tissue is that wont shift but there is also granulation and bleeding which are signs of healing. Every time I move on I get zapped with chemo every 3 weeks so its an uphill struggle!
I know what you mean re smell, the wound combined with night sweats and inability to wash properly means I am afraid I constantly humm (pardon the bee pun!).
I really really hope for you that you will be fully sealed by weds. Bath night nearly there! I will be thinking of you!!!