Abdominal seroma

[lavendersblue]

My journey started in 2008 , I had just come back from my hols and felt great ....then got recall from routine mammo !!! Was just starting to put it all behind me , when I got my latest diagnosis on Christmas Eve 2014 ...great Christmas pressie !!! In between I also managed to have thyroid cancer in 2012 ....bummer . Often wonder what next ??
Hugs,
Jill x

[jillybee]

I know what you mean....I get very fed up,but have had to he most marvellous care,and I know when I do get to the end,shall feel emotional,tired,elated.....it will have been 2 years.Remember sitting at home watching the news about the royal baby ,I just had a biopsy....and here we are,no.2 due,and still not quite here!!!
Day at a time.......😏😏

[lavendersblue]

Glad the drains are out and things are improving Jillybee . I have a horrid feeling that my haemotoma is filling up again !! It seems fuller now than yesterday , and seems firmer . It went soft after the draining ....all seems more painful too . Think I am fed up with this BC journey of ours ...lol .
Will see what the Onco Man says on Mon .
Take care ,
Jill xx

[jillybee]

No,delay did not make it worse,just one of those things.drains out,TEDS off and binder on for 3 months.Take care,gentle hugs.....x💗💗

[jillybee]

Had drains changed,so I think fluid had built up causing some pain.Much better now.I hope I can get drains out tomorrow......Feeling much better.....as I hope you are as well....I now wonder if the delay in getting CT scan and then ultra sound made it worse.I shall ask tomorrow......

[lavendersblue]

So sorry to hear that the pain is so bad Jillybee , that is awful . Can you go back to the hospital and see them about the pain ?

Jimmys in Leeds has this dedicated new department , where they have the breast ward , imaging suite , clinic rooms and operating theatres all on the same floor and all in the one area . So brilliant , can be seen by consultant then sent across the waiting room to imaging suite straight away . Results done very quickly on the whole . Have to say I was impressed how well it ran ...apart from the small blip over the mammogram . lol.
Am a bit sore and bruised today , but nothing compared to you , you poor thing .
Sending healing thoughts .
Hugs,
Jill xx

[jillybee]

That's good,having the ultra sound so quickly,I was told,and had to wait,ages weeks for a guided ultrasound ..this was at the regional hospital ,where I had my DIEP ....then I asked to be referred back to my local hospital ,and was done there and then.
Now I am thinking if I didn't have all this delay,I would not have had the encapsulation ....
Drains draining ,had new ones this morning,and tummy really hurting.....despite paracetomol and oramorph..
They did the same with me once,push the fluid to one side to get maximum in the syringe.
I just would love to know of someone else who has had this.......
Glad yours was Seroma,never occurred to be it couid be another cancer!
Continue to look after yourself ....I spent most of night in settee as too painful to move.
Shall get the violins out in a minute!!!!!

[lavendersblue]

Hi Jillybee , hope all is going well and you are draining away merrily !!

Have just got back from hospital in Leeds , where the surgeon prodded and poked my swelling saying was most unusual to be so big and hard and was a tad concerned that the sarcoma might have reappeared ( he and me both ) So he drew all over me in biro , then he sent me for an ultra sound .
Next thing I knew the radiographer was leading me into the imaging suite , saying I am here to do your mammogram , what problems have you got with your breast ? So I explained that Iwas really there for an ultrasound , and had no probs with my breast ...just a swelling on my chest !! LOL . So she went off to see her boss ..... came back ...oops slight error , notes in wrong section ...so clothes back on and out to waiting room again .
Right radiographer called me then , and did an ultra sound , said good news ...no sarcoma ( Phew ) was a seroma . Then they drained it using the ultra sound pix as a guide ....pushing the lower section up as the top half drained ....wonder why they didn't let gravity do the work ??? Then said not a seroma , but a haemotoma ...as fluid was all blood .....350 ml in all . Some was sent off for a biopsy just in case , but she thought it all looked clear on the screen . So fingers crossed .
What a relief to have rid of it all I must say .... so glad I went now ......just relaxing with a cup of tea and some paracetamols !!
Hugs,
Jill xx

[jillybee]

hey.....Do not feel guilty.At worst,you will be taking all of a few minutes of his time.Gentle hugs.loving the drains,nice to see all the rubbish finally going.

[lavendersblue]

Great to hear that you are home safe and sound Jillybee , albeit with drains again !! Pain that they could not remove it all , but hope what they have done continues to go well , and keep you more comfortable .

I rang the sarcoma nurse and told her that my swelling /seroma was a problem , so she has brilliantly arranged for me to see the surgeon again on Friday 17th . He may just say there is nothing to be done , but at least I will feel reassured , although part of me feels guilty for wasting his time . Why do I feel like that ????
Hugs, Jillxxx

[jillybee]

Awwwww,Thankyou for messages....now home,with 2 drains.They are due out next week.They could only remove half as seroma and membrane has attatched itself to the bowel....so not all totally successful ....but feeling a lot easier already.Healing thoughts and gentle hugs to you Lavenderblue and all on here.What a fabulous lot we are.So supportive and non judgemental and basically a happy lot.😀😀😀😀

[lavendersblue]

Good luck with your op today Jillybee , hope it sorts everything out for you . Bit of a pain having to wear your binder for 6 weeks , but worth it if it does the trick .

healing thoughts and hugs ,
Jill xx

[jillybee]

Oh,Lavendersblue,at a complete pain.Let us know how you get on at next appointment..Had my pre op assessment yesterday.Discovered I need my binder on for 6 weeks post op....Deep joy.

[lavendersblue]

Well the French Air Traffic Controllers got the better of us , got to Liverpool airport , but flight cancelled and no chance of another flight until Tuesday so came home again . Bummer !!

Feeling rather let down and deflated now ..... as we have decided to abandon the trip altogether as I have to be back for Oncology appointment on 27th . Ho hum !!

Hope everyone else is keeping well and coping .
Hugs,
Jill x

[lavendersblue]

Thanks Jillybee , will let you know what happens when I get back . I am just a bit concerned that if they have to operate again , it will result in yet another seroma !!! Talk about Catch 22 .

Have been doing manual lymph drainage routine on it all that was shown to me by the lymphoedema clinic when I had lymphoedema in the boob that has been removed , it does seem to help , but maybe it's just wishful thinking . I am also wearing a compression bra they gave me then too . I fact I have just found some wide elasticated bandages they used to strap me up in ...they might help if I wear them like a cumberband LOL !! At this rate I shall be trust up like a mummy , hope it isn't too warm in France or I shall have heat stroke !!
Good luck with the Fec Molliana . I had Epirubicin and Capecitebine . It was 'do-able ' . Will be thinking of you and sending healing thoughts your way .
Hugs ,
Jill xx

[Orchard]

Hi Molliana
Mine felt more uncomfortable when it was drained!! I think you're right about the cushion effect! Take care. Xx

[Molliana]

Hi. Thank you. I had it drained on Thursday and did ask about compression. The surgeon just dismissed it and said it would just fill up again. Anyway I am happy to say it hasn't! ok maybe a little but nothing like it was so i am hoping I am over the worst of the fluid now. Tho ironically it has all been quite painful this weekend and i was wondering whether the fluid had been cushioning it! But I am sure once it settles down it will be much much better x
I hope everyone else isn't too uncomfortable x

[GMT]

I had abdominal seroma in Nov 14 following a hernia repair from my tram flap recon in Aug 13. I had it drained weekly for a month. I wore compression pants in line with surgeons advice, even wearing them in bed, which was particularly uncomfortable! They also gave me a bodysize piece of tubigrip to wear after the first draining. I was just wondering Molliana if something like that would help to compress your seroma as its on your back and even my big hernia pants don't stretch that far!! You could ask hospital if something like that would help. Hoping you don't have to go back again, but if you do, it does settle in time. I'm still having to wear compression pants but that's due to preventing hernia recurrence. They are becoming a way of life however as been wearing since August 13. Think my innards will fall out if I wear an ordinary pair of pants!! Xx

[Orchard]

I hope you manage to enjoy your holiday Lavendersblue and let us know how you are feeling when you return. Sending hugs. Xxx

[jillybee]

This has happened to me...my Seroma had capsulated and now in little pockets inside.This all happened last September,and now due for surgery on 14th of this month....So uncomfortable....they may suggest a CT scan,before going any further.Keep us posted.

[lavendersblue]

I had a very uncomfortable night on Thursday , so rang the ward on Good Friday to see if they could see me . They said come in at 3.00 pm and I saw a lovely ward sister , who examined me and said that sadly it was too hard to drain , so not sure where that leaves me !! She said she could try and get me an earlier appointment , but as it was Easter Weekend it wouldn't be before I go away to France on Thursday .
So have decided to just go anyway , and see how things go whilst I am away , and see what they say when I get back . I can't see things happening in a rush anyway , even if they decide to do anything , as it took three weeks from being diagnosed to having my mastectomy .
At least I won't spend my hols wishing I had gone to have it drained !!
Happy Easter everyone .
Hugs Jill xxx

[Molliana]

I start Fec x 6 on Wednesday. thank you for you offer of answering questions. I am sure there will be some x

[Orchard]

Hi Molliana I don't think it matters how much it is, it's very very uncomfortable! I went along to a group physio session at my hospital today which was really useful and with a lovely friendly group. New exercise regime starts in the morning!
When's your chemo start? Do you know how many cycles you're having? My surgery was risk reducing as I'm BRCA1 and I've had chemo and radiotherapy so feel free to ask anything and I'll do my best to answer! Xxx

[Molliana]

Oh my goodness!! Now I feel like I have made a fuss. They only drained 100mil! But even tho it is a relief I do seem to have just a generally uncomfortable back without all the fluid there. Perhaps I should take some painkiller and stop thinking it can be easily resolved.
They did say it is likely to fill up again. Nothing about infection. I just need to ring if I want to see them again otherwise it's onwards on the conveyer belt to chemo x

[jillybee]

I bet you felt great.I had 600mls then 400mls,then another 400mls...very satisfying.....I hope this is it for you.

[Orchard]

So pleased Molliana! Did they tell you how much was drained? Mine was 150mls on Monday and they made me another appointment for 2 weeks time.

[lavendersblue]

That sounds like a big relief Molliana . Did they say anything about it re-filling or infection ? Hope you go on OK .

[Molliana]

Ahhh I just had it drained 🙂

[jillybee]

Moliana, I would definitely get it checked,I had to have CT SCAN as they thought it may have been a hernia...😃

[Molliana]

Jillybee what happens with it now? Mine is starting to go hard but only a little and it's still expanding. I wonder if I should request draining before it gets any harder.

[Orchard]

That sounds VERY uncomfortable jillbee! I bet you can't wait for it to be sorted. I slept ok last night, a bit less sore this morning so am happy with that. Xxxx

[jillybee]

My Seroma has capsulated,and locculated....in other words,a membrane has formed round it,and inside it has formed little pockets and I believe there are blood clots....hence unable to drain.
Now on countdown .....be great to be comfortable after all this time.DIEP July last year.Love this thread,great support.

[Orchard]

Ha ha ha!!!!!!!

[Molliana]

I haven't been offered physio?? I turfed out the depths of my underwear drawer and found a reasonably sexy basque! I am now wearing that under my pjs! I don't think I had this in mind when I bought it!

[Orchard]

Yes Lavendersblue, I think different hospitals have different methods so hope you have a lovely holiday and manage to get through security without too much trouble!!!!
Oh dear Molliana, that's sounding really uncomfortable now! As you say, how big can it get??? Having have my back drained yesterday it's been quite sore today which I wasn't expecting. Am looking forward to my first visit to the physio on Thursday. It's a group session, anyone attended one of those before? Xxx

[Molliana]

Maybe I should try something that compresses? Take action into my own hands. Could have disastrous consequences tho!

[Molliana]

Mine is on the increase! Apart from it being very uncomfortable I am not wondering how big it could actually get! I already feel like I am carrying something around on my back and it can be seen through my clothes! It's getting freaky!

[lavendersblue]

So glad to hear you didn't blow up Jilybee , and I bet the security folks were surprised by your corset !! Did you have to explain all your problems to them ?

My compression bra that I wear for comfort too , has loads of hooks and eyes ....so perhaps I will take your warning and just wear a normal bra for the flight instead . I have just bought a new prosthesis , hopefully that will sail through the scanner too ...lol .
My hospital team seem to be of the ' no drain ' train of thought Orchard . I have decided I don't want to risk infection on my hols in France , so won't bother before I go . Am off next week ....will wait now until I get back .
Jilybee you will be going in to have it sorted , before I get back , so hope it all goes well ....will be thinking off you and might be able to catch up , if I can get the old tinterweb there.

Lots of healing thoughts to all ...
Hugs ,
Jill xxx

[Orchard]

Ooooh, it sounds uncomfortable. Why are they reluctant to drain? I know there's a risk of introducing infection but surely that has to be weighed against discomfort. I feel for you. Xx

[Orchard]

So pleased you didn't blow up!!! That would have been a little embarrassing!!! It sounds like flying is ok, just uncomfortable as you say., and I bet the customs officers were surprised!!
Hope the next two weeks go quickly for you! Take care. Xx

[jillybee]

I flew to France with abdominal Seroma,no problems.Just uncomfortable sitting in the aircraft....not much room to wriggle round in.Thought I may sort of blow up.....but didnt😃
Because of the waist corset I was wearing,for comfort I was taken behind a curtain with 2 customs officers,female,as it was picked up in the X-ray machine .
Take care all on this site.....14 days till I get my Seroma sorted.....YAY....☺️☺️☺️

[lavendersblue]

Mine runs vertically Orchard , from my mastectomy scar all the way down to my drain scar , which is about level with my navel . It has also started to spread into my arm pit . I had an old axillary clearance scar , which my mastectomy has now pulled down ...distorting my armpit all over the place . They are very reluctant to drain it .
Hugs,
Jill xx

[Orchard]

I would be interested in any responses to that too! We're flying at the end of May which seems ages away but having had mine (on my back due to LD) drained for second time today and given an appointment for two weeks time, I guess it's not going away any time soon!

[lavendersblue]

Does anyone know what effect flying might have on a seroma ? We are supposed to be going to France for a couple of weeks after Easter , and I am a bit concerned what the cabin pressure will have on my seroma ?

It wasn't a concern when we booked !! Now I don't know what to do . My next appointment is on the 27th April and my OH hoped to get a bit of R&R in before then . Should I ring the ward and ask their opinion do you think ? Would be grateful for any opinions .
hugs ,
Jill xx

[jillybee]

I think you will find the walk in centre may not do anything.....your BCN. Or surgeon are the best to advice ...it is more uncomfortable than anything.I likened it to a hot water tank,that fills up as soon as it is emptied....It will resolve. I guess I am just unlucky.

[Duffer56]

When I went back to the hospital it was at the weekend and to be honest they didn't know what they were doing - they just erred on the side of caution and have me antibiotics. I didn't get properly assessed until the Monday

[Molliana]

They offered me paracetamol and Ibuprofen. That's it. I haven't really had any pain tho. Just discomfort. But this seroma is getting biggest. I am going to drive over to my mums and see what she thinks but am toying with going to the walk in centre.

[Orchard]

Morning everyone! I didn't need to ask for pain relief on discharge as it was forthcoming but after a bad experience after a hysterectomy last September wouldn't have left without it! This is major surgery, over the counter pain killers are not sufficient, particularly in the early days. Xx

[jillybee]

Did you ask for pain relief?Can not believe you didn't have any pain killers!.I needed them,to allow me to get moving.Morning to every one this morning ......loving this thread,ad I need you all.....😊

[Molliana]

You obviously have a nice hospital. Mine didn't give me any pain killers! Lucky I haven't had any pain really. Until today!