Is this normal?

MelanieBC

Mom had her UMX on Sept 11/15. She had one drain removed on Sept 24/15 and everything was good. She had the second drain removed on October 3/2015. Since she had the last drain removed her incision is swollen and today it looks quite red and puffy. Last week she noticed it was more swollen so she talked to her surgeon who said it was normal as the fluid needs somewhere to go now that the drains are gone. Why I am concerned is because not only is it swollen and red but lastnight she had a fever and seems to be really clammy today. Is this swelling and redness normal? Should she go back to the surgeon for him to check again?

Thanks!

BarredOwl

Hi Melanie:

The fever and clamminess are new symptoms and may be concerning for possible infection, so please call the surgeon's office to report the new symptoms. You should still be able to reach someone this evening, even though it is after hours (on-call surgeon).

BarredOwl

MelanieBC

Thank you! She has gone to see her surgeon now as home care came this morning and felt she needs to be seen for it as well. It was redder and more swollen this morning and she had a fever again. I felt it and it was warm to the touch.

MelanieBC

And.... it is infected. She will be on IV antibiotics for 7 days and then oral for 7 days

BarredOwl

Hi Melanie:

Thank you for the update. It is good that she is receiving treatment for it, and I send positive vibes for recovery.

BarredOwl

Julie-MN

Hi Melanie checking in to see how you and your mom are doing.

MelanieBC

Thanks for asking Julie! Things have been a little tough. Moms veins are very small and kept collapsing with the constant IV in them and also it kept slipping when they weren't collapsing. Yesterday she was in an insane amount of pain when the pump would go off giving her the meds. They ended up taking it out and she is doing oral meds. The swelling has gone down and it looks better, no fever, so that is good. She is supposed to start chemo on October 26 but I think she is going to delay it one week because she will still be on antibiotics then.

614

Dear MelanieBC:

Good luck to your mom.

614