Mastectomy

Hi

I has my mastcetomy 6 weeks ago and easter saturday ( 5 weeks post op) an infection started in my arm pit. I  spoke to my gp practice on the following Tuesday and they prescribed antibiotics. Spoke to bc nurse who advised my surgeon I had an infection  and he decided he wanted to see me. He then prescribed another 7 days antibiotics to be on the safe side. My chemo is not due to start for another 3-4 weeks. Definately speak to your bc nurse as they may want to postpone the start of your chemo. my onologist did confirm that in my case that chemo could start up to 12 weeks after my op. This may apply to you as well  so you do have a little time left. 

L x

Chemo delays healing and affects your immune system. There is a very small risk of developing  sepsis with chemo due to infection (that's why you need to be seen if you have a temperature) so it's highly likely that it will be delayed until after the  infection. Are you seeing the nurse on Monday? Good luck with the antibiotics - hopefully they'll do the trick! X

Hi

Just finished two weeks of antibiotics after my underarm/mastectomy went bright red/purple/orange (lovely), suspected it was due to the drain being in 12 days and causing a delayed infection.

Its gone now but took the two weeks worth to fix. Hold in there and it will def. go even if it feels like its not changing quickly. At anytime contact your BC nurse , i found them a god-send and a way to seek re-assurance.

Do not hesitate to ask the Breast team to see a doctor if you feel its getting worse or worried, i.e stings,burns etc. They are there to support you.

P.S i found some areas from the mastectomy to be hard / sensitive for a good while but it has improved a lot with the physio help i got.

Andrew , yup i know a guy..it happens..

Thanks ive left a message for the bc nurse so hopefully she calls back on Monday , not really wanting to go to the hospital as its a bit away and they have a testing centre for the nhs in the car park