5 months post lumpectomy incision has re-opened

mom0300

had a lumpectomy in January finished rads in March. I had a hematoma and had to have blood drained twice. Last week my breast was so swollen and painful and all of a sudden my incision opened and has been draining a milky, bloody fluid since then. Surgeon doesn't seemed concerned but I guess I feel uneasy

Tmh0921

My lumpectomy site developed a hematoma and became painful and swollen. The incision opened back up weeks after my surgery. My surgeon ended up removing my stitches, draining the old blood and fluids and then leaving the incision open. I had to clean the incision daily by pouring hydrogen peroxide into the wound, and I visited my surgeon weekly for review and cleaning. The wound ended up closing up naturally with the regular cleaning, I was just left with a bit more scarring than I would have had with stitches and no hematoma. I had so many biopsy scars at that point, it really didn't bother me - my surgeon has offered to "touch up" the scar if I want it

I_Spy

I would get a second opinion. I do not think your incision should be draining ANYTHING at this point. I am concerned that your surgeon is not concerned. It doesn't say where you are located, but I would try to get in for an appointment at a large teaching hospital, like a university hospital. Just call on Tuesday morning and tell them what you're experiencing and that you are uncomfortable with your surgeon's cavalier attitude; they can probably get you in right away if you just say you are concerned you have an infection. you could even go to urgent care. But best would be an actual surgeon of some kind at a teaching hospital. Do you have a fever and is it red? If so I would honestly go to the emergency room. If not, wait until tuesday and call to get an appointment with a different surgeon at a different hospital. Let us know what you do because we worry (well I worry after I hear something like this I want to know what happened).

mom0300

it now opens up twice a day and actually squirts this fluid out for a good 5 minutes kind of like a balloon with a pin hole - sorry if tmi lol. No fever and I feel fine husband thinks of it is infection I would feel bad. Thinks it has something to do with healing from radiation.

BarredOwl

Hi mom0300:

I recall at least one other member here who had continued weeping, without fever or malaise, that turned out to be an infection (cleared by appropriate antibiotic treatment). I would definitely seek additional care from someone. You could proceed along the lines suggested by ispy. Another possible option would be to see your primary care physician/general practitioner on an urgent basis, and request that the fluid be cultured, along with a request for a referral to a "wound care specialist" which is indicated whether infection is present or not (because an open wound predisposes one to infection).

Please seek some sort of care and keep us posted.

BarredOwl

I_Spy

BarredOwl and I are in agreement, mom0300. I get a sense that maybe your husband is downplaying this. I feel the need to use capital letters. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. GO TO THE DOCTOR. A different doctor, clearly. It can be urgent care, your family doctor, or the emergency room. But you need to be seen by a doctor. I have had a lumpectomy. I have had a double mastectomy. I have had a hysterectomy, an appendectomy, an oopherectomy (removal of ovaries), and back surgery. This is not normal. go to the doctor. Please let us know what happens.

LAstar

I agree -- I don't think this should still be happening 5 months out.

mom0300

called Surgeon and he is not concerned since it has no odor. If it gets worse call. I am going to see my primary in the morning.

2ND20

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my incision would not close. Saw a great wound care specialist who helped. Does still weep at times.

I_Spy

I'm glad you're going to see your primary. It sounds like some other people have gotten help with a wound care specialist. Maybe your primary can refer you. This is so bizarre to me why on earth would a doctor "not be concerned" about this? OMG doctors.... believe me, if HE had a wound weeping at random times he would be doing something about it. The fact that it is happening to you he "isn't concerned". GEEEEEZ.

mom0300

Saw my primary today and at least he made me feel like I wasn't crazy like the surgeon does. He did a culture and different antibiotics until that comes back and sonogram in the morning. He seemed confused that the surgeon wasn't concerned and asked who it was and said hmmm he is usually really good. May be nothing or will resolve itself but at least he is looking into it. I love him and feel better already.

Also when did you have your first mammogram after treatment? When I called my ob/gyn they said December is fine which will be 9 months after treatment finished. I was thinking it was suppose to be at 6 months.

BarredOwl

Hi mom0300:

So glad to hear you are getting some real help with this.

BarredOwl

I_Spy

Finally! It is amazing how different doctors have different levels of concern. In my case, I feel like the doctor that makes the mistake sometimes wants to make less of it by acting like there is nothing wrong.

Follow up mammo is 6 months -- but with your bs, not with your ob/gyn. You should be seeing a breast oncological surgeon for your follow up at 6 months.