Ughh an infection-cellulitis

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jkz
jkz Member Posts: 355

Well I am back ladies after being in the hospital for a week and another surgery! I feel horrible psychologically that is but overall don't feel so bad. So, I had my bi-lateral on March 16 finally had my last 2 drains out on April 1st. I took my last anti-biotic that night and felt pretty sick the next day! Had a fever of 102.7 that night, called my doctor (breast surgeon) and told him that I flu like symptons so I thought. The next day I woke with my left non-cancerous breast huge, red and swollen beyond belief. So I called my Plastic Surgeon (who was on vacation) and he told me to go directly to the ER. When I got there the on-call doctor came in said admit he with strong antibitoics. What I thought was going to be a 48 hour stay ended up being a week. The infectious control doctors visited me and said immediately that he thought it was cellulitis. The swellen was not budging on the antibiotic until about the 4 day when it went from bright red to pink but still swollen. Friday morning my PS said he wanted to go in and look at my expander to see if there was any infection inside. He said if there was any chance that the expander showed signs of infection that the expander would have to come out. The surgery went well the expander is still in place but there was 150 ccs of fluid removed. I just can't stop wondering if this happend because the last 2 drains were removed before they should have been. I believe that they were still draining quite a bit at least 40-50 cc's daily. I now am have a pic-line and have to get intervenous antibiotics for at least the next week and oral for the next 2 weeks.  I went to the PS today and he thinks that it looks fine. I will see the infectious control doctor on Wednesday to see how things are going and hopefully have the pic-line removed on day next week. I have another drain (only 1) and don't want to lose it until I am sure its ready. The doctors says to re st so the fluid stays minimal but I feel like if i do that then when it comes out the same thing may happen. Part of me thinks that I got an infection during the bm surgery because just 2 days later I had the chills and shivers. As a matter of fact, I had the chills the entire time until the drains were removed but really never thought anything of it.  Anyone have this happen to them? Please pray for me and wish me the best of luck. Also, please excuse my spelling.

Thanks Jennifer

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited April 2010

    Wow, you have been through the mill.  I will be thinking of you and hoping you are feeling better soon.  So sorry this has happened to you. 

  • suekb
    suekb Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2010

    I am so sorry this happened. I wanted to let you know that my surgery (bilat mx) was 3/17. My drains (4) came out last monday and they (2) were still collecting about the same as yours. I did feel like the fluid was sitting in there but when I went in today for the fill the PS said it was fine. I am really sorry you are dealing with this. I finally am starting to feel pretty good so better days are ahead for you and I think it's good the expander didn't come out.

    Takec care!

    Suel

  • jkz
    jkz Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2010

    Great that things are going well for you.. Do you feel like you are kinda back to your old self again. I just hate the resting part. I want to get back to my old self again. I am used to being on the go all the time and like things that way. I missed my sons first roller hockey game of the season and it totally broke my heart. I just want my old life back again.  I don't want this to be a constant worry even after I have the permanent implants. I hear of ppl getting seromas and infections after the permanent implants are placed to.. Urgghhh this is so frustrating to me. I know there are people who have it much worse than I do but I am just ready to be up and on the go again..  :)

  • CAROLMARIE427
    CAROLMARIE427 Member Posts: 206
    edited April 2010

    Hi-Just wanted to tell you to hang in there!  I know how frustrating it can all be.  I have dealt with seromas over and over.  The last time was for my final exchange with permenant implant.  My drainage was below thirty and my doc pulled the drain.  Within 24 hours, I was red, hot and swollen and running a fever also.  The drain went back in and I was on heavy duty antibiotics also.  It was amazing how much more fluid came out once the drain was back in.  It stayed for an extra two weeks.  Funny part is that my doc doesn't normally use drains for the exchange surgery, but he knows my history.  Seromas also happened after my mastectomies.  Felt my drains would be in forever.  Eventually it does subside, although your breast may still be a bit swollen.  Even after they pull the drain, there is some fluid in there.  It will get better.  I know it is depressing and you want to move on but have hope.  There is a rainbow in sight!

  • jkz
    jkz Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2010

    My right side seems to be fine so far. It has been 4 weeks since my surgery and the only problem is the left side. All my blood test/cultures are coming back clear but I still seem to be swollen, of course not as much since there is a drain in still. How long did these suromas last in total for you? I just had another surgery last Friday because the PS wanted to check out the expander and he said everything looked fine. My infectious control dr told me that no one can see bacteria with his eyes so now I am leary.   If he removes the drains by Monday (9 days post op) and the swelling comes back I am going to tell him I want the expander out. I have a trip (with no insurance) scheduled on May 24 and I refuse to have to go into a Mexican hospital.. There is no way! to me that is just crazy.  Wish me luck and pray that this is the seroma moves on.  Thanks Jennifer

  • jkz
    jkz Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2010

    Ladies today I went to the Infectious Control Ctr. According to them the infection has been clear since I was in the hospital. i just out on Saturday. The redness is gone but still swollen. I think this is definitely a seroma. Has anyone had this happen to them. Can a seroma be only a one time occurrence? I just want this to go away. My right (cancerous side-with all lymphnodes removed) looks to be doing great. Let's hope the left get better.. So frustrating..

  • CAROLMARIE427
    CAROLMARIE427 Member Posts: 206
    edited April 2010

    Yes, it definitely can be a seroma without any infection. I had mastectomies at two different times. One was for DCIS, the other a prophylactic a year later. Unfortunately, those drains just have to stay in. My plastic surgeon said that eventually the implant connects to the skin and there is little space for fluid to accumulate. My longest time with a drain in was for an unexplained hematoma after my second mastectomy. It was in for nine weeks. The latest exchange I had it in for two weeks, the drain was pulled, reinserted and stayed in for another three weeks. After it was pulled the second time, I started to fill up slightly, but we watched and waited and it finally subsided. Honestly, two months out from surgery, I still feel slightly swollen but I am hoping that with time it will go away. I know it really does suck. If there is no redness, no fever, it is probably just a seroma issue. Err on the side of caution and leave the drains in until they are close to 20 cc over twenty four hours instead of the usual 30. Good luck and prayers.

  • jkz
    jkz Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2010

    I did have a fever initially. But now that I am on all these antibiotics - IV and Oral/ There has been no fever I am still draining at least 45-50 ccs in a 24 hour period. My doctor almost pulled my drain today until I reminded him how much I was still draining. I actually round up to the nearest 5 cc's each time I measure. I am not taking any chances this time. The good news is I got my first fill today. I feel pretty good I have to say. I keep wondering to myslef if the fills are a good thing with the drains. Maybe it will fill in the part where the seroma is forming. What does everyone think of my analogy? Sound right. I see my PS 2 times per weekk. I am in no rush for this drain to be removed at all. I think let it stay as lng as it is draining..better out than in.  Thanks for all the replies and I will keep everyone posted. Our family Mexico trip is only 6 weeks away and I want to be 100%.  Keep me in your prayers.. Jennifer

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