Infection after resection

[Wa76crc]

I am 7 weeks post-resection surgery and found out yesterday that I have a pocket of infected fluid in my lower abdomen. The infection is large and is affecting my hip muscles and nerves, causing some extreme pain.

The nurse from my surgeon's office said the best treatment is to take a double antibiotic treatment. She even said that I would feel amazing by Monday and to return to work full time that day. (I have been back at work part time for the last 3 weeks and haven't done all that great) Well, I don't feel any better after 24 hours of antibiotics. The meds are making me have horrible diarrhea and nausea and haven't helped the hip pain issue. I am a bit worried after the CT techs wouldn't let me leave the medical clinic yesterday and the radiologist came out to talk to me. He said that hecouldn't believe how well I looked considering what he saw on the CT.

Has anyone experienced a post-surgery infection like this? What treatment did you have? Am I just being a big baby and worrying about nothing? The last thing I want is another hospital admission and surgery.

[CRguy]

Has anyone experienced a post-surgery infection like this? What treatment did you have? Am I just being a big baby and worrying about nothing? The last thing I want is another hospital admission and surgery.

Had a post op infection which required an interventional radiologist placing a drain and then sterile flushes twice daily for 2 weeks,
while I was also on Meropenem = RAMBOCILLIN !

Why is a surgeon's nurse giving you advice ?
See a Doc and consider getting it drained and treated with IV antibiotics.

The pain and recovery I had from the pelvic abscess was longer and worse than my initial resection.
Bitchslap some medical people in your area and get them on board to help you get this FIXED !

BTDT

Best wishes
CRguy

[macpudd]

Hi Wa76crc,
I had very similar situation and treatment to CRguy, you really need to get access to a surgeon that understands this problem. Like you I was initially given oral antibiotics (4 courses) until I collapsed, was hospitalised, had ileus, TPN and several other unpleasant procedures. That was three months and two folfox cycles after my resection. It left me very debilitated and delayed chemo. Hope you get better soon, but you really should talk directly to your surgeon and bring your CT report. Good luck.
Regards
Macpudd

[Joannerogers]

I also had a pelvic infection after resection and the ct report was called immediately to my surgeon. I was admitted that day, had surgery , drains, and an illeostomy with a 3 week stay in the hospital. Nothing to play around with! Lost 30lbs also.

[Wa76crc]

Thanks for your responses!

After taking antibiotics over the weekend, I wasn't getting any relief from the hip pain. By Monday my urine was coffee colored and I was only producing a tiny amount, something I didn't even experience with a kidney blockage a few years ago. I finally reached a resident, who passed me on to Urology. Urology didn't feel that it was kidney related and passed me back to my surgeon. It took 12+ hours to get any response from my surgeon's office, but once they got back things moved quickly. I had another CT, ultrasound and a slew of blood work. Turns out that due to some blood clots near my liver and the massive dose of antibiotics, my liver was not functioning. Antibiotics were changed immediatly and I already feel better. My surgeon said that based on the latest ct, the abscess has not improved and has no drainable fluid. She is concerned and will look at surgery next Monday. As much as I don't want another surgery, this infection is not going away.

I can't believe how hard it is to get ahold of my surgeon! Thanks again for sharing your experiences.

[aja1121]

How scary! Very glad you are being treated appropriately.

Based on my husband's experience with many surgeries and several surgeons, I'd say that 12-hour response time is NOT acceptable. We were told calling the main office number after hours/on weekends would connect us with an answering service who would page the surgeon. We've had to call twice, once in the wee hours of the morning (obstruction) and received a call back within 30 minutes. My husband's issues were not life-threatening, but it sounds like yours could have been... hopefully the surgeon can offer you a better plan for future needs.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I hope the new antibiotic will help!*hugs* I'm sorry that you will have to have another surgery.*hugs* I hope your surgery and recovery go well.*hugs*