Post Node Removal Surgery Infection

Hi Andy,  

           Sorry to hear about your arm. I had an axillary node clearance 16th March I only had drain in 5 days which I was told was the maximum. Hopefully now your drain out and you’re on antibiotics it will be better just keep monitoring the redness and make sure it’s not spreading. If worried phone 1111 or head back to a&e. Sending well wishes 

Grunchy 

xxx

Thanks for the support.

Yeah the last home support nurse was like this should have come out days back, she was concerned enough to phone the hospital for permission to remove it even though the levels draining were too high. Thankfully she did and i thought i got past the worst but i guess infections can take hold slowly.

I will keep any eye on it although part of me thinks if its not clearing in a week then contact the hospital again, 2 weeks seems way to long to have an infection. I have radiation in 2-3 weeks so i am thinking this might have to get pushed back if it doesn't clear enough.

btw is everyone being given a higher dose of rads for 1 week now ? rather than over 4-5 weeks. Apparently i might be left with a nice 10x10 tanned square over my chest..apparently it will fade..

Andy_49

Hi Andy

I had the same issue re infections after both of my recent surgeries.

Post mx the skin surrounding lumpectomy (LHS) scar was red so had a weeks course - did the trick.

Post node clearance under arm got really red & angry looking (in fact maybe all of me did in a way!) where seroma currently resides, was given some antibiotics. Fluid from (near??) seroma was sent to microbiology which showed that the initial set were not the most effective so given another lot (co-something or other) for 2 weeks.  Mine didn't clear up until well after a week into the 2nd course.

I'd suggest doing the full recommended anti-biotic course and then seeing if there's still an issue.

And yes I think everyone is being strongly recommended the higher dose 1 week rads.  But if you have any swellings that are changing shape (like my seroma that was leaking) this may delay things.  I'd mention your infection when you go for your consent signing meeting.

Hope the drugs kick in soon

Sam

Cheers Sam

This sounds almost the same as mine, was a deep red and spread all under my arm and outside near the mastectomy, Today its more a deep pink near the surgery and a lovely orange color outside the edges.I guess its doing something so will stick with it and do the full two weeks. 

I Had a little seroma thing too although he was sadly absorbed within two weeks. I meant to put a little face on him and watch his sad little face disappear. 

Thanks for the support, it feels better to know i am not just unlucky in all this. Will be glad to be shot of 2020 though. !