NEED HELP WITH DRAINS THAT I HAVE ON FOR 5 MONTHS

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KAY2022
KAY2022 Member Posts: 2
edited July 2015 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi Everyone,  I had DCIS and two lumpectomy about two years ago.  It was diagnosed as DCIS Stage 0.  I had a reoccurrence in the left breast this past November.  I had LCIS in the right breast.  I went for a bilateral mastectomy in December.  They did the expanders during the surgery.  Within a week, I was hospitalized for an infection on the right breast.  They removed the right expander.  I had asked at the time about the left side and they said - it was okay to leave in.  The left breast had radiation from two years ago.  Well the infection came on the left side and I was hospitalized again.  The expander of the left side was removed.  I have been on drains since December.  I have had 10 procedures since December.  I went to a wound doctor and had a "vac" surgically put in.  The wound doctor decides to do a flap surgery.  My rib was bare from the radiation and my pectoral muscle was burnt.  So the flap was done about two months ago.  It was not healing.  The hole has closed which is very good news.  The bad news is that I am still on drains and doing about 50cc a day.  I read last night that there is something called SEROMA.  Do not know what it is or if it is something that can be fixed.  I am trying to find out what is wrong with me.  It has been 6 months and I do not think it is healthy to have drains on this long  If anyone has had any experience like this - please let me know.  It is very depressing.  I have no support and am not allowed to drive  I feel like a prisoner. 

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    It sounds awful! I'm so sorry. "Seroma" is the term for a pocket of lymph fluid.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited July 2015

    Kay, I don't know where you're located, but if I was in your situation, I would absolutely run to an NCI-designated cancer center for a 2nd opinion. What you've gone through and are still going through sounds absolutely horrible. And with no end in sight, I really do think it's time for a 2nd opinion.

    The reason I'm suggesting an NCI-designated cancer center is that because they're the biggest and the best, they will probably have the most experience with unusual situations like yours, as well as having the best expert docs going forward. You can always go for a second opinion and then take that information back to your local medical team if the distance is an issue for ongoing care. http://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-cen...

    The path you've been on and are still on sounds way harder than most of us ever experience. Please get some fresh eyes to look at your situation. (((Hugs))), and please let us know what you find out and how you're doing. Deanna

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