Donor site complications

Lilac76

I was hoping that maybe someone could help me find the correct route I should be on for my situation. In May 2013, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and had two spots where they found DCIS in the same breast. I opted for bilateral skin sparring mastectomy, due to the large amount of tissue that would have to be removed and the higher risk for recurrence due to my age (I was 36). I could not keep my nipples and my plastic surgeon felt really good about the nipple reconstruction from a skin graft taken from my groin area. He is the top breast cancer reconstruction plastic surgeon in our area. I had all the faith in the world and I have to say, I believe he did a pretty good job. The main issue is that in 11/2013, I had my reconstruction surgery and seemed to heal ok. In February of 2014, just 3 months later...I began having boil like wounds on the scars and they would build and fill with blood, then rupture, leaving holes, sometimes the size of a quarter but not too deep. Then they would slowly close. This continued on for a year. They finally sent me to a wound care center, which then sent me to a surgeon for a wound debridment surgery. They cut out dead tissue so that new healthy tissue could close the wound and stay closed. I had that surgery in 3/2015. The wounds stayed closed for about 8 months and began doing the same thing. I went back to the wound care center and unfortunately, they are of no help! They are concerned with closing the wounds and don't seem to care WHY they are opening over and over again. I am seriously ready to have a nervous breakdown. I don't know where to turn for help at this point. It is extremely painful and I keep having to miss work and worry about losing my job. This has put tremendous stress on me along with lots of pain. Has anyone had this issue or know of someone that has had this happen to them as well? I just need answers and am praying that someone could point me in the right direction on how to get this issue resolved. Thank you for any help or advice. I'm not diabetic, I do not smoke, nor have I ever. I do have Crohns disease though. Thanks again for any help!

-K

Meadow

Lilac, welcome! I am glad you are here. I am so sorry to hear of your would troubles. I can only imagine how frustrated you are, and so painful. I am so sorry! I am bumping y our question to the top of the active threads so more people will see it, and hopefully respond. I do hope you get some answers soon. Hugs to you.

IllinoisNancy

Hi,

You are not alone. My donor site healed nicely the first month after surgery but completely broke away while sleeping one night. Since then I have had blisters resulting in open wounds daily. I've been back to my plastic surgeon, oncologist and breast surgeon numerous times. They tell me to keep it heavily covered with A & D ointment when covered with a bandage and to wear shorts as much as possible to prevent rubbing on wound. He said the skin is so thin and needs lots of TLC. I'm so frustrated with it and it really restricts my life and ability to do things. I had no idea this would be so hard to heal. Mine is 4" long by 3" wide on my upper thigh. Good luck to you and I pray we both heal soon.

Take care,

Nancy