Breast Cancer Now Forum

I`ve posted a few times before in the hope I`m not the only one with my problem. MX in March 2009 followed by chemo and rads, now on arimadex. Felt fine for about a year then found lump on scar in Sept.2010. Had biopsy which was fine but Breast surgeon decided to open the scar up and clear it out and glue back together. A week later I could feel fluid in the wound but was told it would absorb, unfortunately it burst open like a fountain. I had district nurses dressing and packing it for 5 months, then was refered to a Plastic surgeon who treated it with Manuka honey which showed some improvement, then it was treated with promogan which again showed some improvement, the fluid did slow down but the hole wouldn`t close. Last week I had surgery to debride and stitch the hole, unfortunately this has not worked as my skin was so fragile and the fluid is worse than ever and the skin is very sore with all the leakage and continual dressings. They are now hoping to fit me with a wound vac. Apparently its the size of a large handbag that I have to have attached 24/7 and carry round, might ask if its a Radley or a Gucci but don`t think I will get that on the NHs I`m at the end of my tether after 9 months, pleeeeese if you know of someone like me let me know the outcome. I know I shouldn`t be moaning, lots out there worse than me. I don`t know what I`d do without this site, so many inspiring stories and help. ... View more

I never thought I would be here again nearly 8 months after re-excison. I will briefly update in the hope there is someone out there like me. Mx,March 2009 followed be chemo, radio and hormone therapy (arimadex). In Sept.2010 found lump on scar and had a biopsy which was clear. Surgeon decided to open scar up and clear it out. The exision was glued after surgery in Oct.2010. I could feel a fluid build up within days but was told it would find its own path, 2 weeks later 3rd November the wound burst open, it was a fountain and never stopped. Since then I have had nearly 5 months with district nurse packing and dressing every day, it was a large hole with a tunnel inside 7cm. This gradually healed to only 4cm but still a large hole and the fluid still kept coming. Just over 2 months ago I started seeing a plastic surgeon who treated me with manuka honey which helped to reduce the hole but not the tunnel. I was then changed to promogran which again reduced the hole but not the tunnel or the amount of fluid. I see the plastic surgeon again on Wednesday and it would be lovely to hear from someone who has been in the same position as me before my appointment. I can`t get my head round the fact that the fluid just keeps coming and as long as this happens I will not heal. I had lots of problems with seroma after my mx, Could this be a pocket of fluid? I feel that after over 7 months I have been like the Trevi Fountain. Pam ... View more

I previously posted on the `surgery` link so hope I`m on the right section now. Briefly, I had my mx scar reopened in October 2010 as there was suspicion of recurrence. Unfortunately the wound reopened a couple of weeks later. I have been 5 months having the wound packed and dressed by the district nurse, with not a lot of healing. I was finally referred to a plastic surgeon who I saw last week. She decided to treat me with Manuka Honey dressings which I can do myself. One week down the line the healing is amazing,the Dr told me that with a bit of luck I will be healed before I go to Venice on the 2nd May. I have heard of Manuka Honey treating lots of things with success, but after 5 months of a large gaping hole on my mx scar the improvement is fantastic.Pam ... View more

Hi, has anyone out there had the scar reopened. 19 months after mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy, I felt a lump on the scar. I had a biopsy which was clear but the surgeon decided to operate and clear all the debris from inside. I had lots of problems with seroma after my mx and it was drained numerous times. 3 or 4 days after the re-excision I felt the fluid building up again, 10m days after surgery I went for a check up and was told the fluid would absorb. Unfortunately 3 days later the wound burst open and fluid was like a fountain coming out. This was 5 months ago, since then I have been having it packed and dressed every day and the fluid still keeps coming. I see my surgeon on the 5th April and he intends to stitch the large hole I have where my breast was. My worry is will the fluid burst the wound open again, it was glued at the surgery in October. Has anyone else been in this situation? Pam ... View more

Hi again, hoping someone out there can help me. I had mastectomy in March 2009, followed by chemo and radiotherapy, had lots of problems with seroma and drained 9 times. I was fine until September 2010 when I noticed a lump on my scar, had a biopsy which was negative, but the breast surgeon decided to open the scar to double check, luckily everything was ok. The incision was glued, but there was lots of fluid inside, (I could hear it sloshing about). 2 weeks later I saw another surgeon for a check up and told him about the fluid, he said it was nothing to worry about it would be absorbed. A week later the incision site burst open and it was like a fountain coming from the wound. Since 11th November I have been having it packed and dressed every day, with virtually no improvement, it still leaks fluid, I have a big hole and a cavity inside. 2 weeks ago another surgeon said to stop the packing and just keep a clean dressing on, it is very sore and no improvement. I see him again onn 5th April and he said if there is no improvement he will stitch the hole. What worries me is, if he stitches it I will still have the cavity and the fluid build up might open it again.I would appreciate anyone contacting me if they have had the same problem, 5 months of packing and dressing is getting me down. ... View more

I had a matectomy in March 09 followed by chemo and radiotherapy, and I`m now on arimadex. I had a lot of problems with seroma and had it drained 9 times until the Consultant said no more. After this the site was always puffy but I was fine. In fact the Consultant said on my check ups that it was fat. A few weeks ago I noticed a thickened part under the scar and contacted the BC nurse. I saw the Consultant within a few days who said it was scar tissue but would do a scan. This was done the next week, a week later I had a core biopsy as they were not happy with the scan.The results were rushed through and the Consultant told me it was benign and he would see me in 6 months. A week later the BC nurse phoned to say the Consultant wanted to see me as they had had an MDT meeting and were still uncertain about the scan. Last Wednesday I had surgery to remove the scar tissue so it could be examined, they also found pus which was not infected. I now have the seroma back again. I have to go for the results next Tuesday and I`m worried sick. After being told I was OK one week then having my mastectomy site opened again within 2 weeks I don`t know what what to think. Has anyone else been in this situation. ... View more