After 2 weeks from surgery date (negative results) I thought was healing
fairly well, but had small area that oozed a little. Nurse did not take out
stitches but said keep dry and see doctor in a week. It seems to be doing
o.k for day or two then starts oozing again. I asked for antibiotics since
I have joint replacements. Today it seems even worse. I am going to see
doctor but wondering if anyone else had this problem and what happened, how
long it took to heal, etc. Had lumpectomy last year on other side and
healed nicely. Appreciate any thoughts.
PD
Sandy L - 22 Sep 2005 16:03 GMT
> After 2 weeks from surgery date (negative results) I thought was healing
> fairly well, but had small area that oozed a little. Nurse did not take
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> healed nicely. Appreciate any thoughts.
> PD
Is it oozing cloudy material (pus) or a clear yellowish material (serum)?
If the latter, you may simply have an a seroma, an area where the sides of
the wound have not adhered. side-to side pressure on the wond may help, if
you can figure a way to apply it. Simply compression might help if there is
no practical way to get side-to-side pressure. If cloudy material, you may
need an antibiotic or may need to have the wound opened slightly and cleaned
with a peroxide applicator stick. It might also heal without intervention.
If there is surrounding pain, redness, or a sore lumpdeeper, it may require
more attention than if none of those are present.
Hoosier - 22 Sep 2005 17:55 GMT
It seems to be clear with bloody tint. I have been on antibiotic for over a
week now. The opening itself seemed to be healed at first, now it is
seeping out where was healed. I sure hope I do not have to do anything
drastic but guess will find out today. Thanks for your reply, this gives me
an idea of what to ask and expect.
PD
Marni Lee - 22 Sep 2005 19:58 GMT
It sounds like a build up of what I think they call serum (fluid), and yes,
it can be very bloody-tinged. After my original lumpectomy my breast swelled
up so much I couldn't stand the pain. I went back to the surgeon and he used
a syring and drained a few cupfuls away. The relief was immediate, and it
then healed very nicely.
It might be a good idea to turn over onto your stomach and let it drain out
if it is running freely enough. Probably feel better afterwards.
But if it smells bad, or looks like an infection see the doctor.
Marni
> After 2 weeks from surgery date (negative results) I thought was healing
> fairly well, but had small area that oozed a little. Nurse did not take
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> healed nicely. Appreciate any thoughts.
> PD
Lowell - 23 Sep 2005 01:37 GMT
Two years ago my wife, then 69, had a lumpectomy that continued to drain as
you mention. Since we were on our way to the West coast for vacation a week
later, The Dr. said it was my job to probe the wound with a Q-tip on a daily
basis to keep it free of puss, etc. The excretions were bloody and didn't
look nor smell pleasant. Doing this for two or three weeks the wound healed
from the inside out. Initially I could probe to the depth of 2/3 of the
Q-tip. The last few days only the tip of the Q-tip was needed. A month later
everything healed up fine and there was no further problem with the breast;
only mets through out the body which we are now fighting. . . . Hang in
there Hoosier, and I'm sure it will heal nicely... Van
> After 2 weeks from surgery date (negative results) I thought was healing
> fairly well, but had small area that oozed a little. Nurse did not take
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> healed nicely. Appreciate any thoughts.
> PD
Hoosier - 23 Sep 2005 14:54 GMT
Surgeon said not infected, was fluid and was superficial. He cleaned it
with something (ouch), put bactroban on it and I have to go back next week
as he wants to put some stitches in. There was about a half inch opening in
middle of scar. I have to put bactroban on twice a day till then. Hope
this does it, am tired of the 2 hour drive, and the gas it takes. I
insisted on more antibiotic anyway as am scared to death of getting
infection that would go to my joint replacements.
PD
Lowell - 24 Sep 2005 01:17 GMT
Hoosier, I failed to mention that we used hydrogen peroxide with the Q-tip.
When cleaning the infected area it would foam and fiz-up quite a bit. It
really worked quite well . . . cleaning the infected cavity ourselves. I
also failed to mention that the 2003 mets were a result of the BC she had
back in 1990, not the recent (2003) incident. Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm
you. . . Van
> Surgeon said not infected, was fluid and was superficial. He cleaned it
> with something (ouch), put bactroban on it and I have to go back next week
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> infection that would go to my joint replacements.
> PD