Staph infection after lumpectomy before re-excision

akinto · April 2012

Turns out that the infection I got after my lumpectomy was staph. My GP called today to give me the results from the swab he took last week.

So now I am on the right antibiotic.

My surgeon has booked me for my re-excision on Monday, 6 days from now.

Does anyone know who's in charge of reducing my chances of a new staph infection? My surgeon? He has shown no interest in the issue. Only my GP has cared.

Is there anything I can do to reduce the chances of the infection persisting and renewing itself when they cut me open Monday?

Thanks!

Califgirl12 · April 2012

Hi Akinto. You said your surgeon has no interest in your staph infection. That seems very odd. I just got over cellulitis in the same breast as the lumpectomy. It took 3 solid weeks to get rid of the infection and then 3more to fully recover (skin looking healthy and energy back.). My surgeon was very attentive and told me specifically that she is very protective of her BC patients. I had seen my GP in the hospital since my surgeon was not available. My surgeon wanted to know everything that had transpired in her absence. I personally would be very careful about having a second surgery while being treated for staph.

This past experience with cellulitis has further enforced my determination to be my own advocate and go with my gut feelings.

Can you seek a second opinion from another surgeon.??

debbie6122 · April 2012

I am very surprized that your BS is not going to wait until that clears up before the re-excision. I had 3 different staph infections while in the hospital for my MX and stayed for 10 days. It took a couple months to heal and was not able to have chemo until it cleared. I was put on heavy antibiotics and was prescribled a saline solution to use every few hours on the wound. Staph infections can be dangerous. Maybe you could talk to your onco or PP and find out if you should wait until it clears up. Dosn't sound normal to me.

Melrosemelrose · April 2012

Sorry to hear about the infection. I developed an infection in my lumpectomy after I had a breast MRI. My BS immediately sent me to see an infectious specialist so I could get the strongest antibotics that I could tolerate since I had my UMX scheduled within 7 days. If the infection had not cleared up, my surgery would have been postponed. I, too am surprised that any surgeon would operate with your staph infection not cleared up. I am curious as to whether you are seeing a breast surgeon or a general surgeon who also does some breast surgeries. As Debbie612 said, you might want to talk to the oncologist, GP , surgeon and get everyone on the same page here so everyone is heading in the same direction!!!!

I know that when I had my UMX, I was given antibotics during the surgery and continued with IV antibotics while I was in the hospital. I also continued taking oral anitbotics for several more weeks after I was released from the hospital. My BS also would not allow any showers after my UMX and recently allowed me to start taking them again but only quick ones.

akinto · April 2012

I had my reexcision on Monday. No sign of an infection when they got in there.

I am watching it like a hawk this time.

debbie6122 · April 2012

I'm glad the infection is gone, hope it stays that way! Best Wishes and Hugs!

akinto · May 2012

All was going pretty well after the reexcision. But a few days ago, my incision started to discharge a bit. Then a little more, and yet more.

I saw my GP yesterday, and he wanted to take no chances. He took a culture and put me back on cloxacillin. He told me to remove the steristrips and apply polysporin.

Oops. Fluid started to flow profusely from my incision.

I feel gross and disgusting, and I am discouraged.

Califgirl12 · May 2012

Hang in there Akinto. I know infection stinks. Can you take any good vitamins to help with the healing, like C? Just stay away with anything with Calcium. It reduces the effectiveness of some antibiotics. Of course call your GP to ask too. ....just trying to think of something to help you out.

Kate60 · May 2012

Hi Aktino. I developed a bad staph infection in both my breasts after my lumpectomy and breast reduction. I ended up on intravenous antibiotics in hospital for 5 days and even then that didn't fix it. I think I was on 6 different antibiotics until the last one "keflex" knocked it on it's head. But it took about 6 weeks and I was truly miserable with it.

When i knew I had to go back into hopspital for a port insertion, I was really concerned that another cut to my skin would end me back up at square one especially as the staph lives on the skin (up the nose actually) and mostly doesn't cause any problems until there is an incision, but I was given instructions and medicinal scrub by the hospital (a different one this time) and I did it twice just for good measure and I didn't have any problems with infection at all.

I am sure washing myself everywhere with the solution (all nooks and cranny's included) made all the difference. I had absolutely no infection problems but I was expecting them, as I was half way through chemo and know my immunity was low.

The name of the scrub is Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% w/v and you can buy it over the counter from a pharmacy. It's the good stuff that most doctors use in their surgery to wah their hands after examining patients. Good luck and I hope this helps.

akinto · May 2012

Thanks, you guys.Great ideas. I will see about supplements and that wash.

I am starting to feel like it's not permanent. It's already starting to dry out after only 24 hours on the cloxacillin.

I need to eat some proper dinner and take the dog for a good walk and go to bed early. Maybe I will be well enough to chance my pilates class tomorrow!

You IDC folks are very generous to come over to DCIS boards and offer your kind support. Thanks.

Staph infection after lumpectomy before re-excision

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