Nanny, I suffered with seromas from a week or so after my masectomy and was advised that draining led to risk of infection but it built up so much I was being aspirated every day for a couple of weeks.My mum accidently leaned on my drains and pulled them out too early!
Unfortunately the downside is that 12 weeks later I have been fighting infections every 3 weeks between chemo and it's never really gone away, which resulted in an emergency operation last Friday. The surgeon can only relate it back to the repeated draining having discussed with colleagues.
So go with what is advised by the specialists, but avoid too much drainage. I was told the body will adventually absorb the fluid, but my stitches burst because of the build up so you have to weigh it up.
Don't want to be pessimistic, but feel you have to have both sides of the story.
Hope all turns out well for you x
I had a mastectomy on 19 Nov. and have had trouble ever since. First I had a heamotoma for which I had to go back into theatre to have it rmoved. Since then I have a recurring serotoma for which I have to keep going back to the hospital to have it drained. It must have been done around 6/7 times so far and I may need it again at my appt. tomorrow. I have also been back to hospital for a 5 day stay to be given IV antibiotics as I have an affection. I came home on Tuesday and now taking oral antibiotics. I hope this might help to realise we are not on our own but I am new to this site and feel I need to find someone who has also experienced this and can tell me when I might see the scar beginning to heal. (Sorry but my serotoma is underneath my mastectomy scar, not lymph nodes). I am hoping there is someone who can tell me of their experiences.
2nannynoo97
Thanks Ladies
It seems a little less red this morning and I still have no temperature so I have called the hospital and spoken with the nurse. She asked the doctor and they checked which anti-biotics I am on and said that if I feel unwell or develop a temperature to call them and go straight there - any time day or night. It is only 10 mins from my home and I have family here who can give me a lift.
I have an appt with the consultant tomorrow eve and I think they will be reluctant to do anything without his knowledge but at least I am reassured that help is there quickly should I need it.
Meanwhile keep taking the antibiotics and I have a new 'best friend' which is with me at all times - the Thermometer!!!!
I even sent husband out to get a new one because ours was in F and everyone talks in C now. It dated back to the year dot when the boys were young!
Maggie
Maggie
I should think it's critical to make sure there is no infection at all before you start chemo.... starting in Jan won't make any difference to efficacy of chemo, but your body's been through a lot. A nice break and recouperation from all the stress can only be a good thing to my mind. They wanted me to start the week between Christmas and New Year but i said no until the first week of January... absolutely fine with them. They thought it would actually be a very good thing for me to have a couple of weeks without stressing about tests, apppointments etc etc, and I'd be in a better mental state after it. And anyway, the Jan Chemo thread is going to ROCK!
big hug my friend, and look after yourself
jane xx
I have an infection in my breast and under the arm and down the side of the breast is red and swollen.
I went to see the surgeon and he aspriated over 50ml of fluid from under the node scar which has eased the discomfort substantially. I am still on the antibiotics.
Has anyone experienced this and if so did it come back and have to be repeated? I am 4 weeks post op.
Cant start chemo etc until it is sorted out.
Thanks
Maggie x