TE TROUBLE

Hello TE trouble ladies! I wondered if this would count as a TE trouble....a seroma? I had my TE's removed back at the end of January and had my port put in early March. I now have a seroma that has been drained once and filled back up within hours of the draining. I don't know if this has any connection, but it is on the same side that my original infection was on that caused my TE Troubles. It hurts like hell and I'm scheduled to go back in next week for another draining. I have this big mass on my chest all as well, I'm being told its scar tissue.

I hate to be negative, but its like this crap never ends!!

Any of ya'll deal with seroma's or anything like this?

Lakegirl, I was allowed to drive at 2 weeks post mastectomy and TE. When I asked my surgeon she said it also depends on the type of car (eg power steering etc). I didn't like hanging to do lots of turns to park because it hurt so was selective on which trips I drove. 

Tangandchris, I never had a seroma but my sister did after her surgery. She refused to get hers drained as was paranoid about introducing infection and "rode it out". It took months to clear on its own and she was very big on one side, needing a lot of padding to even it put. Good luck for your drain next week. Hoe it settles soon.

Lake, I was on IV abx for 3 weeks followed by oral for 3 weeks each time. Driving was 2 weeks every surgery. But if you were taking narcotics no driving. So after BMX it was 3 weeks. 

Tang, I have had a small seroma. I have had bad drainage to the tune of 100 or more cc of fluid after 3 weeks. They went back in and put in a new drain after stitching up a lymph vessel that was the source of the leak. If I had not had a drain I would have had a very large fluid pocket for months. And as they like to say better out than in. So draining it beats leaving it to resolve on its own unless it's small. 

As for scar tissue I had some removed in one of my sx. It was a lymph node that was damaged and swelled up with fat so it felt like an egg. That was scary til after the radiologist looked. And I wasn't really happy till they removed it during the next sx and the pathology was good. Scar tissue is an issue for a lot of us. 

Much love. 

Tang, yes you are right, it could be worse. Seromas can get infected and infection can mean more surgeries to remove things that had nothing to do with breast cancer! Before my infection got under control on day three, it destroyed muscles! My "one and done" surgery turned into a series of 5.

Newbies: Be familiar with possible complications and their warning signs. Am I paranoid? YES. Can it happen to you too? YES. Are drains a pain? YES, but believe me, the relief you get from getting them out too soon is not worth it if you end up with a problem.

Moon, nice owl.

Impressed!

Moon, that is lovely. Clever you!!

Expansion today was very unfun. Righty is now so high and big it just looks stupid. Can't move right arm without it hurting. Even my neck hurts.

 Feeling sorry for myself. But, exactly as you said, it could be worse..... 

momof3 - I went to the PS yesterday because I have had a horrific reaction to the tegaderm which they put over all three incisions - probably a 6x6 sheet of it.  Also the tegaderm area that covered the IV, and every EKG lead has patches of rash.  I am allergic to adhesive so now have a blistered and weeping rash on about 25 percent of me.  I filled a prescription for Atarax and I can finally sleep.  The good news is that the incisions are holding and look fine.  I appreciate your kind offer of help - I am doing absolutely nothing except laying on the bed, so I am good, but that was sweet.

lissa. As hard as it is DONT TRY RUSHING! Really. Let yourself heal. The P'S is pretty good about knowing when to fill although some will rush. No one here has lost a foob because of going to filling to slowly. Besides if he fills only the healed one you'll be lopsided. He knows your skin the best other than you. But low and slow is best. We always want this to end and try pushing everything faster. But take your time if you don't have an overwhelming need for speed. Much love. 

Special K  -- OMG.  This is terrible!  You poor baby.  I hope you are comfy and having lots of snacks.

Do you need anything?  Care package?  Kid art?   XXXX

I went to ps today. He took my drain out hesitantly. I have some oozing on my right side he stitched. He took stitches out ' restitched me. He's concerned about the oozing & bc I'm still putting out more fluid than he'd like. Restricted use on right side & come back Friday. SAid not to be around anyone smoking which I'm not anyways. Praying he sees what he's wanting on Fridays visit. 

good thoughts sent your way specialK!  no fill happened today for me.  if it feels worse or at least better, we'll do a fill on Friday.  otherwise wait until next Wednesday.  the muscle seems to be blocking things off.

SpecialK, lots of rest and positive thoughts

lissa and SK you guys take it real easy. Just rest. 

Gal, sorry they didn't start your fills. Much love to all. 

We're going to have to translate for the new people who join us later when we'll be saying "I'm sending you 4 shovels today".....LOL