cellulitis in new gap flap

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mags20487
mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Ihad a gap flap surgery last tuesday to replace a failed diep flap. Day one the flap looked good but the skin above and below the flap-my radiated skin--started to flare and swell up...it is so bad that imhave been on bedrest and can only leave my bed for the bathroom. We are treating it with iv antibiotics gentomyacin and venkomyacin ( sp)..but it just does nlt want to give up. My breast is so swollen that my chin can touch it when looking down...ouch. I really hope that we can get ahead of this soon..its just sonuncomfortable

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited March 2013

    mags, I followed your story in the recon forum, and was so dismayed to learn your diep flap had failed. Having had bilateral diep myself, I winced to think of you recovering from that, and having to face the failure.  I cheered when you explained you would go for round 2 with the gap flap--what an amazing, forward-looking and brave decision that was! 

    So now, reading your current distress, all I can think of is how life is sooooo unfair sometimes, and I hope you are throwing everything within your power at this unexpected turn of events. Meaning, of course, your surgeon's instruction for bedrest and sticking with the antibiotics.  Is there anything dietary that can give the body some reinforcements?  Eat a pint of blueberries each hour...drink 8 cups of green tea...down some sour cherry juice?  I'm not given to believing that there's a dietary miracle cure for anything, but honestly, reading your post I just want to sneak into your room and drown you in all that Mother Nature can give us to aid in healing! 

    That not being possible, and supposing that your surgeons would have an opinion about some kind of crazy blueberry/tea/cherry 'cure', I'm sending you boatloads of virtual but consoling chocolate through cyber space, with a bunch of hugs on the side.  

    Wishing you strength and the sending sincere prayers for flap recovery A.S.A.P.!

    Carol

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited March 2013

    Aw Hon, that is just the pits. A round of brownies and a kiss. (I don't give them out often, just special cases)Kiss

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2013

    Oh, Mags, I am sooooo sorry.Surprised But it sounds like all the best care and meds are being given, and I'm looking forward with you to quick healing and a rescued recon.

    Make those double-chocolate brownies. Frosted. With chips. And a side of Chocolate Madness ice cream.

    Be WELL! Hugs and prayers,
    Binney

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited March 2013

    Mags, hopes for rapid healing and vancomycin and gentamicin are powerful drugs, so I hope they get ahead of this this soon.

    Kira

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited March 2013

    thank you all for your kind words...my and my swollen flap are holding their own.  The redness is retreating and the swelling is sure to follow just gotta b patient.  3 more days here on antibiotics and then hopefully discharged to home with the strongest orals on the market once approved by insurance.

    Maggie

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