Cellulitis

KerryMac
KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer
Cellulitis
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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    Well, the gift that keeps on giving....

    I started feeling fluey on Thursday, by Friday I was not feling well at all, and I noticed my Surgery arm was red and inflamed in places. Luckily I went to see my Family Dr, and she says I have Cellulitis. So, she has me on antibiotics 4 times a day, and I have instructions to get to the ER if I start feeling worse.

    I was not at all well last night, but am feeling a bit better this morning. My Chest Wall is still quite inflamed, but my arm isn't as sore, and I think my fever has gone. Hoping to avoid needing IV antibiotics.

    So, has anyone else had a problem with this? Any ideas for helping to prevent it happening again?

    Thanks. 

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  • Mamita49
    Mamita49 Member Posts: 538
    edited April 2010

    Well,

    Hmmmmm I am a bit shy to mention this, BUT ,,,I have this very, very, very strange feeling that it is VERY important to get rid of any inflammation in your body.

    Maybe,...just maybe, I dont know, thats why this comparison study with the Aspirin was done.

    You know what I do..... You might find this funny, but why not try this, 

    Every other day I mix tulmeric with olive oil and a bit pepper. I eat the 2 spoons raw.......Yaki...Its awful, the taste is bad......But. I know that on a long run, I will benefit from it.

    I dont buy those expensive supplements, just the cheap tulmeric, Voila,

    it would not harm you, and is surely a try worth....... 

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited April 2010

    kerry

    i had that problem under my arm and around the auxillary node surgical area....it was within about 6-9 months after my surgery.. it took two rounds of antibiodics to get rid of it.  i rested...drank a lot of fluids...water mostly...and it went away.  the antibiodic will help you and you will feel better soon. sorry you are feeling so icky....i haven't had a problem since so hopefully, once the drugs start working for you that will be the end of it.  ***

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2010

     Kerry, ugggh just what you need now.  You've been doing so good and now this.  Did your doc say what could have triggerd the cellulitis?  Is this a form of lymphedema?  I'm so uninformed about these after issues with our under arm area..  I think It's called denial.  I don't even want to think about the possibility of getting it.  But, yes, this too is another fear I have, since my armpit area and the chest wall around my reconstructed breast mound is always so sore and sensitive.  My doc calls it "phantom things going on in there"...... Please take care of your self Kerry girl. You are a bright star on our stage 3er board.  We love you.

    image

    Barb

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited April 2010

    So sorry to hear about your infection.I will stress also to listen to your Dr.if it gets worse do go to the Er,because infections can  travel very fast,I know because not me but my husband had cellulitis,and although he has rhumtiod arthritis,he had to be put on IV antibiotic.Take care,and let us know how you are doing...your such a sweetheart.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited April 2010

    I'm sorry, Kerry!  That stinks.  Talk to Everyminute, though.  She's had a few rounds with cellulitis.  I saw her a few days ago, though, and she looked great!

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    Thanks guys - I did talk to Mary about it, she's had it 4 times, poor thing. I had no idea how crappy it could make you feel. I felt worse than I ever felt on Chemo, if you can believe that!

    I am doing better this pm, think my fever has mostly gone, I am less achey, still have some redness though, so I hope that goes away soon.

    Thanks again for your good thoughts! 

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited April 2010

    feel better.....

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  • Alicia70598
    Alicia70598 Member Posts: 191
    edited April 2010

    I've had chronic, or indolent, cellulitis on my radiated side over the implant since November. Antibiotics are the first line of treatment, and then removing or replacing the implant or expander if the infection is in the breast. But yours is in the arm. It would make sense to make sure you don't overwork the affected arm if it's prone to lymphedema. I also think Mamita has a good point about avoiding systemic inflammation. I also take tumeric, but in capsules. Hopefully the cellulitis will be short-lived.

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited April 2010

    KerryMac!

    How are you doing? I was surprised about the cellulitis....Did you have a cut on your hand, for example gardening, etc? They told me to be careful always, avoid wounds, needlesticks, etc.

    Do you have a light lymphedema? In that case, you may want to see eg a physical therapist.

    I wonder if our immune systems are still down and we cannot fight various bugs as well anymore. For example, I have a bronchitis myself - normally, a few years ago, I would get rid of these colds within a day or 2. Take much more time now (plus antibiotics!).

    Take care!!

    -H.

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited April 2010

    Kerry, I hope you are feeling better, you are in my prayers sweet lady. :)

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited April 2010

    Kerry - I'm so sorry you're feeling better and suffering with Cellulitis, something I don't know much about, but have heard it can make you feel terrible.  Hope you're feeling better.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    I actually think I am now on the mend. Haven't needed Tylenol all afternoon and I can see the redness receeding on my Chest wall.

    It is funny, as I have no obvious cuts or scratches on my Surgery arm, and no lymphedema, and I think I am quite careful about protecting myself. My Dr looked all around and couldn't find any obvious entry point either.just one of those lovely gifts cancer has given me! 

    Thanks again everyone so much for your kind words, it means a lot. 

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited April 2010
    Smile
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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited April 2010

    Glad you're feeling better, Kerry.

    Leah

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2010

    Kerry,

    Sorry, I just read your post.  Oh gosh that stinks!  You've always been so supportive to me and to so many others---I'm sorry you've had such a bad time of it.  And when you described it as being worse than chemo, ewww, that makes me cringe.

    Sure glad it sounds like the worst is over now.  Take care of yourself!

    Love,

    Sharon

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited April 2010

    Kerry...glad to hear that you are feeling better and the cellulitis is healing and going away.  Hugs, Karen

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited April 2010

    Dear Kerry,

    Wish you a speedy recovery!  Karen

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited April 2010

    ughhhh!

    Kerry,

    I'm sorry. I remember how I felt when my arm swelled up, and then I was diagnosed with Lymphadema. I though I had escaped it. Nope. <sigh>

    I hope the antibiotics can get rid of it. Feels better soon.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    Jo - thanks for your input! I'm feeling a lot better today, so I am hoping I have squashed it for now. Might just buy myself a big box of surgical gloves, and start wearing them everytime I clean, etc. I really on't want to go through this again!

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited April 2010

    Hi Kerry - Just read your post.  Yeah, the gift that keeps on giving!   Isn't that the case.  Glad you are on the mend.  Keep us posted.

    Take Care My Friend.

    Bev

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited April 2010

    So glad to see you're feeling better!

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  • jkz
    jkz Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2010

    I actually had the same thing happen to me 1 day after my last 2 drains were removed. I got them removed on a Thursday, took my last anitbiotic on Thursday evening and ended up in the ER with 102.7 fever and redness and swelling under my breast. It looked huge and the skin on the outside side looked like and orange peel. I was in the hospital for 7 days on both IV and oral antibiotics. I am now home and continue to go daily for IV anitbiotics (I have a pic-line). Al my test for cellulitis are coming back clear. I am still a bit swollen but the PS said that this is from the second surgery that I had on April 2nd where he went in to check on the te to make sure it did not look infected. I went to the PS yesterday and though I still have a drain he did give me my first fill and seems to think everything looks great. He told me that he actually thinks that the swelling was caused by a seroma and if he was not 2000 miles (on vacation) away this could have been and out-patient procedure..He did drain 150 cc's of fluid. This was a build up from the prior 8 days when the drains were removed.  Anyway I see him again on Monday and am in no rush to have the drains removed..I'd rather be sure the fluid is gone!

    Thinking and praying for all og of bc friends in need :) Jennifer

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  • Let-It-Be
    Let-It-Be Member Posts: 325
    edited April 2010

    Kerry, I just read your thread, hope you're better now!  Crap, one more thing to avoid eh?  I have no more use for this cancer *bleep*.  Hope you can enjoy the weekend!

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