Hi Harrie,
I JUST walked in the door from a trip to see my Surgeons (3 1/2 hrs away). They packed the area that will not heal in my abdomen (on the surface its just the drain opening size,but underneath about 2 1/2 inches wide,yikes!). I havent been running a fever for about 10 days (finally) am havreto continue to take Levaquin and Clindamycin (which leaves an aftertaste reminiscent of Adriamycin,,YUCK) and antifungals. I still have one abdominal drain which we are reluctant to remove. The cultures were negative so I believe the infection (cellulitis) is under control its just the danged thing will have to heal from inside now. I just hope I have the guts to actually pack this thing again tonight. Pulling my own drain last week was about as "surgically inclined" as I ever want to get. Although....I can now say (think Holiday Inn Express commercial on TV)" NO, I am not a breast surgeon, but I DID pull my own drain last week!" LOL
Where did you have DIEP surgery,Harrie...Calif?
I see you are BRCA2, have you read SWANKY's thread about the PARP inhibitors? They are for BRCA folks...I also saw there is another lady here, Kimberly Lewis who is BRCA also.
Sorry to be so scattered, and I do appreciate your offer of help, its just that so far I think its a waiting game. My Doc said that if we can get it to heal internally when I have revisions (stage2) they can fix it up. I have complete faith in my Docs, they are kind,gentle ,cautious surgeons,
GOOD healing to you Harrie, I hope you thrilled with your end result!
Hugs,marcia

Marcia
THe antibiotics you are on are as strong as they get for oral ones...don't skip any...cellulitis is nothing to mess with...the more infection, the more scarring. Take care of yourself...my prayers for a quick healing on this...and perfect results!

((((((((thanks Sheila!)))))))))

Marcia,
I have an outstanding plastic surgeon. If you go to the site www.plasticsurgery.la you can read about my doctor. He is located in Southern California.
So far I am very thrilled with my results.
I will try to find Swanky's thread. Thanks for the suggestion.

Maryanne