Crazy port infection. Lymphedema related?

surfdreams

I'm back to hopefully gain from the extensive knowledge of the swell girls here. I posted a month or so ago about being a newbie to the Lymphedema world. In August, my arm and hand became very swollen, and with no reduction in sight, I finally started treatment with a Lymphedema specialist about 4 weeks ago. I'm still in the mummy wrappings and there has been good reduction thus far. Last week, I had to stop my weekly chemo and lymphatic massage because I had contracted what appeared to be a wicked infection in my port - same side as my lumpectomy, radiation treatment, and lymphedema. Everything happens on the right side it seems. This infection displayed as a very large, hard and painful lump from my port up to my collarbone. Red skin. Fever. I had to have an IV antibiotic and then I've been on oral antibiotics since then. I've still got about 5 days to go. The fever is resolved as is most of the red skin discoloration. The lump is much smaller. I don't know when I'll be able to resume chemo. Has anyone else had something like this come up? Do you think it's a result of the lymphedema decongesting therapy - all the sludge moving from my right arm toward my non-existant lymph nodes, and then getting caught up in the scar tissue on the right side, infecting the area around my port? Am I grasping at straws here? I'd love to hear other's thoughts.....

 

Binney4

Surfdreams, I'm so sorry you've had to deal with infection--very nasty, and it sounds like it's been tough getting on top of it.

I'd guess there is a relationship between your lymphedema and the infection, but not quite the one you're thinking of. Stagnant lymph fluid is warm and protein-rich, a breeding ground for bacteria. Lymphedema therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of infection, so keeping at it should help avoid future problems.

It's possible you have some truncal lymphedema on that side as well, and if so your therapist can work specifically on moving that fluid out. If your surgery was bilateral, the fluid will be moved downward below the scars to the nodes in the groin, and above the scars it will be moved to the neck nodes. That way you're avoiding that troublesome area of "non-existent lymph nodes."

Those of us with LE (especially if we've already experienced an infection) should have a filled prescription of oral antibiotics on hand to carry with us so we can start them without delay at the earliest sign of infection. Some of us with a history of infection also get a referral to an infectious disease doctor, but if you do that be sure s/he is knowledgeable about LE and its special considerations.

Hope your home is filled with the rich aromas of Thanksgiving today, and that one of the things you'll have to be thankful for is the END of this rotten infection!

Gentle hugs,
Binney