Mast site infection-hospitalization

[sassy]

I am home today after spending the last 5 days in the hospital with a secondary staff infection at my mastectomy site. My mastectomy was on Feb. 5, 2005, almost a full year ago!

My surgeon said he has never had this happen before and we are all somewhat perplexed as to how it happened. Am currently on herceptin every three weeks and arimidex. Surgeon is questioning if herceptin could have contributed to situation.

Anyone have any info on herceptin compromising immune system to any degree?

Thanks,

Sassy
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[Barbara2]

There is an increased incidence of infection in patients receiving Herceptin in combination with chemotherapy......

but without chemo, I don't know...

[sassy]

Thanks Barbara, I wonder if anyone has suggestions on ways to boost my immune system. Obviously it has not recovered to the point that I had hoped.


Sassy
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[Ginagce]

about your infection. In addition to my other daily vitamins, I take an Immune Support formula daily and extra Astragulus when I am feeling tired. I buy them both from Dr. Andrew's Vitamin Advisor website.

I also drink green tea with maitake drops in it.

Here is the ingredient page for Dr. Weils Immune Support Formula.

http://www.weilsupplements.com/products/immune.htm#

Hope you are feeling better.

Ginagce

[Lolly]

Sassy, I hope you're starting to feel better now that you're home and have this infection under control.

I've never heard that Herceptin use can suppress the immune system, and in fact my surgeon was adamant that I stay on my Herceptin dosing schedule for my R. mastectomy after recurrence. Maybe you had a pocket of infection that your system had contained for awhile and then it managed to spread? At any rate, surely a rare occurance. Hope it's all cleared up soon.

<3 Lolly

[StephN]

There are some virulant staph germs floating around and hospitals are a good place to pick them up! And those staph infections can crop up almost anyplace - this one just picked a vulnerable area.

FIVE days in the hospital is a lot for an infection - unless it is a bad one!
I don't think one's immune system can fight some of these germs off even in a very healthy person - so I have heard.

I am very glad it was caught and taken care of - and now you can really heal.

Your immune system is probably not as bad off as you think, but some boosters would be a good idea after this episode.
There are some good Ginseng compounds that might be good as well as some blood cleansing or Detox teas.

[Sandy H]

I think Steph is correct in saying that probably your immune system is not as bad as you think. I know here where I live the doctors are telling their patients and have told me that one is better to be at home if possible to stay away from the hospital because of these germs. I hope this doesn't scare you but who do you see in a hospital-sick people. When I worked within the hospital I was always ill with colds, bronchitis, strep throat you name it. Once I left the hospital and started working off site (but still for the hospital) I never got ill. I made sure I cleaned my phone after another person would use it. The hospitals use to be a safe place to be in but now they are one of the worse and maybe, its good the insurances send you home!!! hugs, Sandy

[sassy]

Thanks for your posts--glad to be home and doing much better now.

Steph,
It was pretty bad, thought I had a virus at first, so ended up being dehydrated to boot. Everything is also compounded by the fact that I am allergic to penecillen and sulfa drugs as well as latex. So I can't always use the drug of choice and the drain they wanted to use was (of course) latex. Normal is just not a word that applies to my life anymore.

What teas do you recommend for cleansing? I remember you talking about teas before and would be interested in them.

Thanks,

Sassy
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[AlaskaAngel]

Thanks for sharing your surgeon's question with us, Sassy. It is unusual I think, but it does point out that for many if not most of us our immune system has been permanently affected by the chemotherapy we received, and how important it is to stay aware of the potential for infection.

The problem of increasing casual use of antibiotics and resulting loss of effectiveness is one that is probably more real for us than those who don't have a serious chronic illness like bc.

In addition, Adriamycin is an antibiotic and I don't know if that in itself could further could compound what immunity we have left.

I am 3+ years out and my blood counts still have not returned to normal range although they are hovering just below normal. I had a very blood counts and a very healthy immune system prior to treatment, and I have no chronic illness other than bc.

A.A.

[StephN]

Hi Sassy -
Glad things are better. There is a good massage oil (also comes in cream form) that is made from ARNICA. This stuff is amazing in promoting healing to a surface wound, bruise or scar line.
I even use it after my port is accessed and the little bruise goes away almost overnight.
You would have to check ingredients to make sure there is nothing you are allergic to, but really think there would be no problem.

As for the teas - the main detox one I use is called:

Daily Detox (comes in two formulas - I and II)
Certified Organic, caffeine free

Costs about $6 for 30 sachets/bags
Here is a web site with more info and ordering:
http://www.affordablesupplements.com/daily_detox_tea.asp

It is very gently on my system and also helps keep me "regular." I normally only use it once a day.

Otherwise there are other makes of "detox" type teas, some of which I have used before, but they are not consistently available so I have settled on this Brand that I can find locally.

Happy healing!