Drainage Problems after Mastectomy

reach4thesky
reach4thesky Member Posts: 12
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Thank you Carolyn and Humingbyrd for your responses. Caroyln, that was helpful. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I did have flu like symptoms, drainage, ect...and was given a wound culture and blood test. My General Surgeon said the results came back that I did have an infection with some "staff" in it. I was given antibiotics for 20 days. It seemed to help and the drainage stopped. Then around July 4th weekend the drainage started again. It has been draining steadily. The area near the pea size openning is red and tender. I have also been getting my expander filled with saline, both my General Surgeon and Plastic surgeon said that getting saline inputed should not affect it either way. And they both are very respected Surgeons, however, they are both unsure if it is infected or just taking a while to heal. Getting another option does seem logical, however, my insurance does not cover any more consultations to another physician and my financial situation will not support me to do this on my own. Overall, I am very lucky because I did not have to do Chemo or Radiation at this point, my problems are few compared to some. I just want to know where I stand with my drainage, Infected or not? I did ask my General Surgeon last week, at my last visit, can you take the dressing and send it for testing? His reply was that he could cleary see there was bacteria in it, the question is, is that harboring inside me? I feel fine otherwise, except for up and down energy levels and soreness & pain in the area. I was also denied antibiotics from both my General and Plastic Surgeon, they both said that won't help me at this point, just wait another month. Either I am just impatient or something is not right.

Comments

  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
    That definately needs a repeat culture, ask them to repeat the C&S, culture and sensitivity, on the discharge itself and my suggestion is no more expansion until this stuff is clear for at least 10-14 days. Otherwise they are just aggravating an already sensitive area. This is just a problem waiting to develop. If it was "staph" (staphalococcus A or B) it could be VERY serious especially if it develops a resistance to antibiotics. Keep a log at home of your phone calls to the doc, what he does and record any changes in drainage, appearance (red,hot,swollen,tender,etc.) and temperature. You do not want a penicillin or methacillin resistant staph infection.
    Hope this helps.
    hummingbyrd
  • reach4thesky
    reach4thesky Member Posts: 12
    #3
    hummingbyrd said:

    That definately needs a repeat culture, ask them to repeat the C&S, culture and sensitivity, on the discharge itself and my suggestion is no more expansion until this stuff is clear for at least 10-14 days. Otherwise they are just aggravating an already sensitive area. This is just a problem waiting to develop. If it was "staph" (staphalococcus A or B) it could be VERY serious especially if it develops a resistance to antibiotics. Keep a log at home of your phone calls to the doc, what he does and record any changes in drainage, appearance (red,hot,swollen,tender,etc.) and temperature. You do not want a penicillin or methacillin resistant staph infection.
    Hope this helps.
    hummingbyrd

    I called my plastic surgeon, he is going to see me tomorrow. I agree with waiting on the saline until all this stuff is done. Thank you for your advice....I hope the doctor does something tomorrow.!
  • jake10
    jake10 Member Posts: 202
    #4
    reach4thesky said:

    I called my plastic surgeon, he is going to see me tomorrow. I agree with waiting on the saline until all this stuff is done. Thank you for your advice....I hope the doctor does something tomorrow.!

    So what did he do?
    I had a similar situation with my reconstruction site. Turns out (after a year) it was know as a seroma.
    Beth

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