Just wondered if anyone else had experienced an infection around the wound after a lymph node clearance operation. (my Op was the 20.11). My wound site was a bit swollen by the first dressings were removed but they thought it was a reaction the dressing, but on Thursday last week I went to my GP because the swelling was hard and red around the edges, I was given antibiotics - Flucloxacillin 500mg 4 times a day, I have been taking these but the swelling doesnt seem to be going down at all -its not painful just uncomfortable feels like an orange under my arm. I dont know how long it should take for the swelling to start and go down etc.
As anyone else been in the same position? Just feel as though its stopping my recovery now.
Hi, can’t help with infection, but sure someone else will come along to help. Could it be a seroma? After my mastectomy and ANC I was warned that a seroma is a very common side effect. I didn’t get one but I know a lot of the ladies here have had one. It is build up of fluid, the body’s natural reaction is to fill the void with seroma fluid (a bit like what happens when you get a blister but on a much bigger scale). My hospital runs seroma clinics 2 days a week where you just go in without appointment, they will check wound and drain any build up of fluid if necessary. My advice to you is to speak to your BCN, she will be able to help and probably will ask you to go in so they can take a look. The only thing I had was a slight redness around the drain site, it looked more like an allergic reaction than an infection so took piriton which seemed to do the trick, so didn’t need to go to the GP. Hope this has helped a little and that you get it sorted.
A x
It sounds more like a Seroma to me too. I had one under my arm too, size of an orange and although not painful was very uncomfortable. I ended up stuffing a sponge in the side of my bra just to prevent my arm from touching it as it felt so weird.