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The Conclusion to the Seroma Ordeal

Forums General Melanoma Community The Conclusion to the Seroma Ordeal

  • Post
    Aloha14
    Participant

      I had 2 groin lymph nodes removed in Dec 2016, which then formed 3 seromas, one very large and two small ones. The surgeon said these would drain on their own and possibly seep out of the incision~neither happened. After a month the surgeon drained the largest seroma twice and it returned just as large. Waited another few weeks and had radiology drain all three seromas and they returned but much smaller.The surgeon said to return in 6 weeks to have the seromas drained one last time.

      Meanwhile, after two weeks and while I was on vacation last week I became ill with the chills, blacked out while trying to get back into bed, got injured from the fall,and went to the ER. I let the ER DR know that I noticed some sort of rash over the seromas. An ultrasound was done and determined that I had skin cellulitis but that the seroma fluid was not infected. Given IV antibiotics, pill antibiotics,  and, labs, xrays, etc., and sent back to the hotel. Within the next 2 days the skin infection took off and I had a huge infected seroma over the incision area. Flew home and to the surgeon just in time before it burst and had it excised. A channel was cut into my leg to drain the fluid, and now the wound is healing from the inside out. Packing the wound daily. Well, the seromas are gone (was checked today, no fluid in my leg), will take another week  of packing the wound before it closes up. I know this isn't how it's supposed to go. 

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        debwray
        Participant

          Sorry to hear that you ended up with raging infection. At least the seroma should now be gone. Don't be too shocked if it takes longer to fill in than you expect     …and have they given you antibiotic cover in the meantime….last thing you need is the cellulitis to come back..

          Take care

          Deb

          Aloha14
          Participant

            Hi Deb,

            Yes, I'm still taking antibiotics. The wound seems to be closing up pretty quickly. It's been a week so far and I think I have a few more days to go. Be glad when this is over. 

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