cellulitis

ksfc
ksfc Member Posts: 251
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
IN Feb. of 2002, I had a lumpectomy followed by chemo and rads. After the original surgery, I had a nasty staph infection followed by the start of lymphadema. I've had therapy, have a sleeve, etc. and have been doing well despite a lot of edema from rads, but I now have cellulitis next to my lymph node incision - same place as original staph infection. I'm on Keflex hoping that takes care of it. Has anyone else dealt with cellulitis like this? TIA! Diane

Comments

  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398 Member
    #2
    I too had raging staff infection and thickening wall of scar during and after my infections. I had a mastectomy so so area of infection spread quickly. I am not sure of the problem you are talking about other than thickening of the scarred area. I was wondering if they found any positive nodes, in my case had 11 our of 21 positive nodes. I have had to work hard at regaining my physical movement since having the other breast removed as well. I have full movement back in both my arms and chest area something I didn't think was going to be possible with all the nerve damage and thickening of scars. The best thing I ever did was keep on moving and get involved in a very good exercise program. That is the only way I have been able to fight to get my life back after all that was done to fight this disease. It was a little hard to take at the time since being so young, 36 at the time.
    Nothing worth having is for free or easy and I am so fortunate to have my life since I have had to watch family and friends loose their fight along the way, all these 6 years. I find that the hardest to get through almost feeling guilty I was spared. Hang in there allot changes with time.
    Be good to yourself always,
    24242
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #3
    24242 said:

    I too had raging staff infection and thickening wall of scar during and after my infections. I had a mastectomy so so area of infection spread quickly. I am not sure of the problem you are talking about other than thickening of the scarred area. I was wondering if they found any positive nodes, in my case had 11 our of 21 positive nodes. I have had to work hard at regaining my physical movement since having the other breast removed as well. I have full movement back in both my arms and chest area something I didn't think was going to be possible with all the nerve damage and thickening of scars. The best thing I ever did was keep on moving and get involved in a very good exercise program. That is the only way I have been able to fight to get my life back after all that was done to fight this disease. It was a little hard to take at the time since being so young, 36 at the time.
    Nothing worth having is for free or easy and I am so fortunate to have my life since I have had to watch family and friends loose their fight along the way, all these 6 years. I find that the hardest to get through almost feeling guilty I was spared. Hang in there allot changes with time.
    Be good to yourself always,
    24242

    Thanks for your help! Aren't staph infections fun? The cellulitis is another infection, not just the scar thickening (although I'm familiar with that also). They're trying to stop the infection with oral antibiotics first so I'm hoping that works. I'm not anxious to go through what I did with the staph infection. Cellulitis can be staph or strep. I was just disappointed that it showed up after I was starting to feel so good. Like you I've been working hard at regaining my movement and have done pretty well despite the lymphadema problems. I'm not sure if movement at this point is good or bad as far as spreading the infection further so I'm just maintaining range of motion. I had one node positive. Take care - Diane
  • Tori
    Tori Member Posts: 6
    #4
    I share your experience with this thing called cellulitis. I have had it 3 times and have also taken the antibiotic. My lymphedema doctor has warned me that I would probably have them due to the fluid not moving in my arm. i developed this lovely thing after a nurse inserted a needele into my clearly marked arm after my reconstruction. If I could have killed her I think I would have. If you do not see a hand therapist that deals and treats lymphedema find one, your insurance should pay for it. Make sure they are really trained though and it will help you.
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #5
    Tori said:

    I share your experience with this thing called cellulitis. I have had it 3 times and have also taken the antibiotic. My lymphedema doctor has warned me that I would probably have them due to the fluid not moving in my arm. i developed this lovely thing after a nurse inserted a needele into my clearly marked arm after my reconstruction. If I could have killed her I think I would have. If you do not see a hand therapist that deals and treats lymphedema find one, your insurance should pay for it. Make sure they are really trained though and it will help you.

    Thanks! I do see a specially trained physical therapist. My week of antibiotics was up Friday with no improvement so we're trying 10 days of another med. Hopefully, it works. If not, my surgeon says we'll need to biopsy it. Diane
  • mci
    mci Member Posts: 7
    #6
    I have what you have. you sound like me talking.I have been on 5 or more medicines. Some
    were iv medicines and so far I still have cellulitis. They talked about removing my breast,
    but are still thinking...No positive l nodes.
    they removed a 2cm back in Dec. 01, then 24 l node
    then staph infection, chemo and radi. mary- mci

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