Stage 4 Breast wound from Radiation

deb2001

Hi guys,
Many of you responded to my last post, but I realized that I didn't give enough info.

I rec'd about 31 rad. txs. then developed mastitis followed by an breast abcess.

The result being that I had to have and I and D to that breast which has left me with this wound that I have to pack everyday with iodform. Needless to say I have litterally been devastated.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm not really sure of my options at this time.
A wound vac in addition to 30+ dives in a hyperbaric chamber have been presented to me as options.

phoenixrising

Hi Deb, sounds like you've been through a real nasty time. Sorry I haven't experienced what you are going through and I'm not familiar with iodform, but I do know there are silver based dressings on the market that are excellent for abscesses. They are frequently used for diabetics that have abscesses on their feet and legs. You can ask your doc or pharmacist if it would improve your situation.

Sorry you're having such a lousy time at Christmas and hope the New Year brings you better news.
jan

deb2001

phoenixrising said:

Hi Deb, sounds like you've been through a real nasty time. Sorry I haven't experienced what you are going through and I'm not familiar with iodform, but I do know there are silver based dressings on the market that are excellent for abscesses. They are frequently used for diabetics that have abscesses on their feet and legs. You can ask your doc or pharmacist if it would improve your situation.

Sorry you're having such a lousy time at Christmas and hope the New Year brings you better news.
jan

You are such an angel to respond!
I have founs this site kinda useless for the info. I've been needing. It's so nice to know that there is someone out there listening!
My wound is no longer an abcess. They had to go in there and debride it and that is where the insanity started. Will mention your info to my idiot of a Dr. Wish me luck!

3cbrca

Hi Deb

I'm sorry you've had to go through this. It didn't happen to me, but it did happen to a friend of mine. As I understand it, it is not an uncommon occurance. My Rad Oncologist was constantly worried about it because I developed seromas and was constantly having them drained. It took a while, but my friend's eventually cleared and she is cancer and infection free today.
My best to you.
She

DEBY

Hi Deb,
I just got home from the hospital, 13 days. I have 3 small children. 4yrs. cancer free i decided to put the toppings on the cake. My {nipples} The radiation side did not take to this and I lost my implant due to infection. This was devastating to me as we all know how hard it is to build a new breast. So every couple of weeks I have been being drained from fluid no signs of infection until 2 weeks ago I almost died I was on fire 105.1 fever. This was worse than the cancer! I now have an open wound that probably wont heal on its own. I am packing it everyday. They told me that I probably will have to go for the Tran flap where they bring the muscle up from my belly with blood vessels to have blood supply so I could fight any infections that come my way. i have my hands full at home here and from what i understand this is a major operation that i never wanted from the start due to everyday life's demands. I go today to plastics to find out how Im healing. Im sick over this whole thing!! I was so surprised to hear about what you are going through at the same time. What do they plan to do with you? My prayers are with us both today and I wish you only the best! i live in NY, Long Island. Does anyone have any advice for me Im open and at this point clueless. Thanks to boot my name is Debbie also.

cabbott

DEBY said:

Hi Deb,
I just got home from the hospital, 13 days. I have 3 small children. 4yrs. cancer free i decided to put the toppings on the cake. My {nipples} The radiation side did not take to this and I lost my implant due to infection. This was devastating to me as we all know how hard it is to build a new breast. So every couple of weeks I have been being drained from fluid no signs of infection until 2 weeks ago I almost died I was on fire 105.1 fever. This was worse than the cancer! I now have an open wound that probably wont heal on its own. I am packing it everyday. They told me that I probably will have to go for the Tran flap where they bring the muscle up from my belly with blood vessels to have blood supply so I could fight any infections that come my way. i have my hands full at home here and from what i understand this is a major operation that i never wanted from the start due to everyday life's demands. I go today to plastics to find out how Im healing. Im sick over this whole thing!! I was so surprised to hear about what you are going through at the same time. What do they plan to do with you? My prayers are with us both today and I wish you only the best! i live in NY, Long Island. Does anyone have any advice for me Im open and at this point clueless. Thanks to boot my name is Debbie also.

Yipes! I'm sorry you are going through this mess. I have not faced your problem (I have a mastectomy without reconstruction and wear a prosthesis), but I have met a lady in my town who did. She had problem after problem with infections that wouldn't heal. She tried the transflap, but that didn't take either. (I'm not sure if the added blood vessels helped the healing though). She ended up with a mastectomy without reconstruction, but she had to go to a major university hospital to get the infection cleared up and the tissue that didn't take removed. If your hospital or doctor aren't able to give you satisfactory options, you might try a second opinion. Good luck!

Skybuf

DEBY said:

Hi Deb,
I just got home from the hospital, 13 days. I have 3 small children. 4yrs. cancer free i decided to put the toppings on the cake. My {nipples} The radiation side did not take to this and I lost my implant due to infection. This was devastating to me as we all know how hard it is to build a new breast. So every couple of weeks I have been being drained from fluid no signs of infection until 2 weeks ago I almost died I was on fire 105.1 fever. This was worse than the cancer! I now have an open wound that probably wont heal on its own. I am packing it everyday. They told me that I probably will have to go for the Tran flap where they bring the muscle up from my belly with blood vessels to have blood supply so I could fight any infections that come my way. i have my hands full at home here and from what i understand this is a major operation that i never wanted from the start due to everyday life's demands. I go today to plastics to find out how Im healing. Im sick over this whole thing!! I was so surprised to hear about what you are going through at the same time. What do they plan to do with you? My prayers are with us both today and I wish you only the best! i live in NY, Long Island. Does anyone have any advice for me Im open and at this point clueless. Thanks to boot my name is Debbie also.

Wow reading all this about reconstruction has just reinforced my decision to do it..thanks girls. I have no problem having a double mastectomy but seen too many go thru hell with reconstruction. I know if I was younger and had small children things might be different but I don't have that option as rads did a number on my lungs and heart as it is....but trusting God for the outcome. Thanks for sharing....and may your New Year be a great one!!!!!!!

deb2001

DEBY said:

Hi Deb,
I just got home from the hospital, 13 days. I have 3 small children. 4yrs. cancer free i decided to put the toppings on the cake. My {nipples} The radiation side did not take to this and I lost my implant due to infection. This was devastating to me as we all know how hard it is to build a new breast. So every couple of weeks I have been being drained from fluid no signs of infection until 2 weeks ago I almost died I was on fire 105.1 fever. This was worse than the cancer! I now have an open wound that probably wont heal on its own. I am packing it everyday. They told me that I probably will have to go for the Tran flap where they bring the muscle up from my belly with blood vessels to have blood supply so I could fight any infections that come my way. i have my hands full at home here and from what i understand this is a major operation that i never wanted from the start due to everyday life's demands. I go today to plastics to find out how Im healing. Im sick over this whole thing!! I was so surprised to hear about what you are going through at the same time. What do they plan to do with you? My prayers are with us both today and I wish you only the best! i live in NY, Long Island. Does anyone have any advice for me Im open and at this point clueless. Thanks to boot my name is Debbie also.

I'm in the process of trying a wound vac. I have been told that I may need a masectomy after ALL I have gont through!

I am also seeking the advice of an attorney!
God's speed and good luck!