Lymphondema, Seroma and blood clot

Mods please feel free to move this into the appropriate area, I looked for a similar subject but can’t find one:smileyhappy:

 

A quick recap. I was diagnosed last September with invasive hormone sensitive cancer in my breast and lymphnodes, I was given a choice of lumpectomy or a mastectomy. After talking to the breast care nurses I opted for the lumpectomy because as they said you can always take more away but you can’t put it back and I wouldn’t be able to have reconstructive surgery.

The op went fine, the tumor was removed plus all the lymphnodes, they did more tests on the tumor because I was border line for chemo however it was decided to go with radiotherapy. Unfortunately the RT was delayed because I developed an infection in the breast and was put on Co-Amoxiclav. Before the 3rd week of RT I developed another internal infection and my skin split where the RT was being directed. All told I’ve had 5 infections in the breast, a lyphodema which was drained, a seroma which was drained and last week had to see the consultant again due to infection and hard lumps in my breast.

I was in a lot of pain, I sleep on my left side and each morning when I sat up in bed I had to stay still and could feel the fluid drain down into the bottom of my breast it really hurt. I couldn’t bear any contact with anything and the lumps were getting bigger. He decided to send me for an ultrasound to see what’s is occurring and to see if they need to operate again. More antibiotics, I’ve been on them now for almost 5 weeks straight.

 

I had the ultrasound this morning, he was concerned with the hard lumps, there was a lot of fluid which he has drained off and there was a blood clot in the breast which he drained also. They have sent samples of both the blood clot and the fluid to be checked, I will get the results next Tuesday when I see the consultant again. They did use a local anesthetic but now it’s worn off its really painful but I know it will settle in time. 

 

I wondered if anyone could put my mind at rest is a blood clot normal in this situation, when will things get back to normal, it’s 6mths since my op, am I expecting to much. The dr who did the scan this morning said the seroma will probably come back again. I have another week of antibiotics. I often wonder would I have been better off having the mastectomy, I have had other health problems for a long time but this is something else, I’ve never felt so exhausted along with feeling queezy and dizzy, one minute fine then it’s as if I hit a brick wall.

 

I must say here though that through all my journey the hospital staff both at my local and Weston Park  have been great I can’t fault them. Also just to lighten the mood a little so you see I haven’t totally lost my sense of humour, I have always hated anyone apart from hubby seeing me without clothes but since day one I have flashed my boobs at more people than I have in the previous 65yrs! It just doesn’t phase me at all now lol. Not a great sight for page 3 though.

I apologise for the long post.

 

xx

Hello Mumtothree

I moved your post to the surgery section as I thought more people would see it there but I’m sorry to see you haven’t had any replies yet.  I’m sorry you have had so many problems and pain since your surgery.

It might help to have a chat to one of our Helpliners. They’ll be able to offer you practical information and emotional support.  The opening times are 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays.  The number is 0808 800 6000.

Take care

Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

Well, I can kind of answer my own post, I went back to the hospital on Tuesday of this week for my results, my daughter was with me. We went into the room, a nurse followed by a man we thought was another dr, I thought my daughter really rude when she asked ‘aren’t we seeing Mr ****today?’ No was the reply he was busy in another clinic but 5 drs were covering this clinic, ok fair enough.
The ‘dr’ asked what can we do for you today, I think my look must have been vacant because he said, what can we do for you today?
I patiently explained about the scan and drain 4 days before and I’d come at their request for the results and to see where we go from here. He didn’t know so asked for the results. Then he asked could he examine me, his advice was it may improve after radiotherapy, err I’ve had RT, right I think we’ll scan you again and re drain it! We’ll see you in 2 wks.
Then he was gone, my daughter wasn’t happy tbh I was confused the outcome was he was actually a staff nurse so they asked. Mr **** registrar if she would see me, she’s really nice, asked questions and examined me. The outcome was I should be improving more than I am by now but unfortunately my whole breast is inflamed and abnormally swollen. I am on another antibiotic for 2wks, and I have a referral to my local hospice to see the specialist nurses who work there. She explained it is a condition called Lymphoedema, these nurses take on patients with it, she said not to do the scan, I have another appointment for a few wks time with her but if I get worse I’m to go back straight away.
The breast has refilled, is extremely painful but because of the pain meds I take for arthritis and fibromyalgia they’re reluctant to give me stronger painkillers which I can fully understand. I’m hoping that we can get some relief soon that lasts more than a couple of days.
Thanks for reading.