Hi Ladies, just wondering if there is anyone who has experienced one of these? I was in Perth last week for 5 days , and on the morning of my return I developed spontaneously a very large haematoma on my recent mastectomy site. It was 1 day short of 3 weeks post op for me, having had a precautionary left mastectomy and bilateral insertion of tissue expanders. I had been given the all clear to travel, and we had a very relaxed few days, and I didn't even drive or lift a heavy suitcase. Anyway, instead of the airport we went to the emergency department of Royal Perth Hospital by ambulance, ( no bells and whistles ). Not being from Perth or knowing anyone there we weren't really sure where to go, hence the ambulance. This haemaotoma grew very large very quickly and I was worried that my expander might break through the suture line. It was scary, and I needed surgery. My surgeon in Sydney didn't know anyone in Perth, but we were lucky and I had Dr Brigid Corrigan operate. Her specialty is breast reconstruction, and she was wonderful. I was operated on at 3pm after being there for 8 hours, and she had to remove and wash off the expander, cauterize the bleeding blood vessel, remove 800mls of blood, and replace the tissue expander. I am so black and blue and very tender under my arm and upper chest. I then spent 2 days in hospital on IV antibiotics, and flew back to Sydney last night. I saw my plastic surgeon today and he seems happy with how it looks. I've got a drain again, and so far about 250 mls has drained off. I'm also on oral antibiotics again till the drain is removed. Has anyone had one of these, and if so, how long did it take to resolve?
Love Chris xx
Comments
Bloody hell Chris!!!
When I saw this I thought "Hell, I know what she is talking about" Until I read the rest of the story. Mine was small and very insignificant to yours. When I had the portacath inserted during my night's stay in hospital this big ugly thing started coming up during the night. I was lucky enough to have a vigilant male nurse who strapped it tightly (over the shoulder area) and the next day I went off for my first chemo. It took weeks to "disappear" - from memory 9 weeks. I didn't have to have it drained but it was very ugly and very coloured. You poor thing. It is so scary being away from home and having an emergency. I too had to go to A&E at Perth in May 2010 as I had the most horrible infected finger. It isn't an easy place to find is it? We went by cab from a medical centre. My husband reckons that I have to try all the hospitals and doctors in every location that we have a holiday!!!!! Looks like you are copying me. Rest up Chris and get well again soon. XLeonie
Leonie,you are turning into a real professional.
Tonya xx
Please explain!!!!
I reckon I am a professional at finding all the speialists that are available. My GP has given me referrals today for a Neurologist and not sure but someone to fix my busted shoulder. I am becoming "real high maintenance" Don't ask how I did the shoulder as I don't know either - think it has gradually happened over the last 5 years due to my favouring the other bc arm. Maybe the dragonboat regatta might have added to it as well. It is not from overworking in the house and garden - just no energy for that!!! XLeonie
OMG Chris!
What a terrible ordeal,you poor thing.I have a friend who developed a large haematoma about 3days after her mastectomy but not 3 weeks.Obviously she went straight back to theatre.You'd think it would all be healing by 3 weeks wouldn't you.Mind you,I had a seroma that had to be syringed off twice a week for 5wks after my mastectomy but that's not uncommon.Sorry to hear you are back on meds and drains-you must be soooo over it.
Tonya xx
Hi All, 8 days after my first mastectomy, I developed what I thought at the time was a large haematoma. It also spontaneously developed, and I blamed myself for being too active. This grew quickly to the size of a golf ball. To me it was large, but no one seemed very worried. I now understand what large means. That small one took about 8 or 9 weeks to resolve. I hope that because I have had this new one drained, that the recovery will be faster than when the body has to absorb the bruise. This time I'm happy to keep the drain in for as long as is needed.
Love Chris xx
How are you Chris?
Hope you're resting up Chris. You poor thing! What else can you do? Will they still put more saline in the expanders or wait until you are all healed? I'm glad Dr C was happy with what they did in Perth. That must be a relief.
I'm seeing Dr Lam Tuesday morning to discuss reconstruction. Lots to think about! Might not get to the group as it's too much of a wait.
Take care of yourself,
Love Diane
Hi Diane,
My expansions will be put back a few weeks till everything heals. I expect that to be at least 3 weeks, which is the time that I was supposed to wait between surgery and expansion following the original operation. It feels so perculiar at present. I keep feeling this painless contraction of the chest muscle that is happening every couple of minutes. It all becomes tight and hard, and then relaxes. This is exactly what the bleed felt like, and I'm constantly worried that it is re bleeding. There is no obvious evidence of this, but the sensation is so weird. Not sure if I will be at the group either, I think I really need to rest up.
Love Chris xx
Hi Chris,
I just read your blog, sorry i had missed this. I hope that all is ok and you are well.
Danielle xx
Hi Chris,
How are you going, is everything starting to settle down. Hope all is well.
Dot x
Hi Ladies,
Everything is starting to settle down, but I'm always worried that a bleed will happen again. So far I'm 11 days post op, but my first bleed was at 20 days post op, so I won't really feel safe until I pass the 3 week mark. My 2 new breasts look pretty much the same again, which is great when I remember how black and blue and swollen it was after my emergency surgery. It may look good, but it feels hyper senstive, and I can't yet wear a bra as it drives me crazy. The muscle across my chest keeps cramping, though it is reducing as each day goes by. I guess my breast has copped alot in a short time, and I should stop being impatient. Will be seeing the plastic surgeon on Wednesday, but don't think expansions will happen just yet. Thanks for all your enquiries. I appreciate it.
Love Chris xx
Hi Chris
Glad things are settling down!
Won't be at group Tuesday as I'm going to Bundanoon for Petrea King's 'Quest for Life' course.
Hope to see you and your new boobs after that! :)
Diane x
Hi Diane,
I hope you have a really interesting time with " quest for life". I will look forward to hearing all about it.
Love Chris xx
Hi Chris
Yes your boobs have sure copped a battering.It's hard for you to have had to start all over again so to speak.It's only 11 days post op so I guess you would still be quite sore .I think I would be anxiously checking for haematomas too. There is no way you won't worry for another few weeks-a glass of red might help though! Good luck for Wednesday.
Tonya xx
Hematoma
Hi Chris
I developed a hematoma 6hrs after my mastectomy on 25th Nov 2011 and was taken back to theatre. It was scary to hear the concerned voices around me before my Surgeon was called in. It was 10.00pm on a Friday night and the theatre had to be opened and staff called in. My Dr rang my husband to tell him, so he had a long wait for the next phone call to say I was OK. I lost a litre of blood and though the Dr was expecting to find a burst blood vessel he didn't. He said the blood thinning injection I was given in recovery was the probable cause. This knocked me about and my blood count and blood pressure were both very low for several days. It is 5 weeks now and I am recovering well, apart from returning to Dr to have fluid drained a couple of times. All the best. Sue xx