Hi there, I've had a lumpectomy on the 6th of July. Things were going well and I was recovering well, even worked the following week. But I had swelling (seroma I guess?) in my breast and under my arm.
So this week, two weeks post surgery, I started leaking from the breast scar. I went to the breast centre this Tuesday and got seen by a nurse and surgeon (not the one who operated on me). They drained it as much as they could, there was a lot and I had to use my mental power and humour to get through it!! They put dressings on and requested I come back the next day so they could see how it was doing. When I returned Wednesday my surgeon was able to see me. He basically said it's the body sorting out the swelling and letting it drain out. He was very nonchalant about it!. He recommended I just use gauze and replace it when it soaks through, no dressings as he wants the skin to breathe as much as possible.
Well today (Saturday) it's still oozing and I'm still having to change the gauze twice a day. It doesn't smell great, but not awful, kind of like a cross between blood and... hay?? It's orange and kind of thick, a mix of blood and healing fluids I guess. Sorry for the tmi but I'm trying to lay it all out in case others have experienced this.
As it's Saturday I can't call anyone. So I'm here wondering if others have had this - particularly those with limpectomies that weren't given drains to help with swelling. Is this... Normal?? I will call the breast clinic first thing Monday but need to find a way to survive this weekend mentally! Normally I heal really well, so this is a whole new territory for me.
Thank you!
