Anyone around... scared

[DarkSuitsSadSongs]

I'm home alone with my 12 year old twins as my husband is working away and not due back until tomorrow evening. He's about 6 hours away.

Over the last few days I've had a painful boil under my boob. I saw the GP today as it doubled in size overnight. There is a red circle around it. She prescribed doxycycline (2 a day) and said to phone back if it gets worse.

I've been getting more and more unwell. My left arm has started tingling, I'm sweating with cold hands and feet, the pain is indescribable and I'm exhausted. I slept for 6 hours this afternoon and I'm still utterly exhausted and all my joints hurt.

I've had to phone my father in law who is an hour away to come through to sit with the twins. I'm on hold to 111 but a 45 minute wait to call answer as a minimum they said.

I'm not sure whether just to call a taxi when FIL gets here to go straight to accident and emergency.

I'm a little freaked out at how unwell I feel.

One piece of advice a consultant gave me after two infections like this was to wear a non wired very supportive bra 24/7 so day and night. Touch wood I haven't had a reoccurrence since then.

My problems started years after bad mastitis that wasn't treated because midwife said antibiotics were unnecessary. Hah consultant found excessive scarring and calcification.

PP who advised having spare antibiotics when going away or it starting on a late Friday when GP is unavailable over the weekend, it's a good idea.

My goodness you are going through it. I also hope the morphine injection gave you some rest. Remember you are in the best place. Don't try to rush home. I hope there is a bit less pain today.

I'm reading this and comparing it to my own experience in France when I was on holiday a few years ago. It started off as a boil on the bum and then got much worse. Went to the local GP who said that's an access. Go to A & E right now. Husband drove us there. I was admitted within an hour, put on a drip and had an operation the following day. I had my own room and ensuite bathroom. All care of the French national health service. Insurance covered it all.

Glad to hear OP is being cared for.

Not access - abcess!

Morning

So would you believe it - it burst!

I woke up about 3am to a really vile smell (thank goodness I'm in a single side room) and my t shirt was soaked. The nurse did a wee dance and said "yeeessss" and didn't seem to mind clearing up the vile mess. She got me in the shower and put a dressing on.

The consultant has just been round and rolled his eyes and laughed. Apparently its common to have a patient that's not drainable and then a few hours later the pus pocket has formed.

The hole is still leaking slowly and the lump is still about 2-3cm diameter and its still painful though not as bad. The plan us to keep me here again tonight and do another couple of IV antibiotics. Surgeon would prefer to fully clean it and then pack it in theatre but it will depend on how much it drains by itself. I may need surgical drain again (he's not keen on another general so close as I didn't do well - my BP is still below 80) but he wants it resolved quickly.

DH arrived a little while ago with things for me. I had packed but couldn't carry much. He'd stopped off at marks and spencer and bought me 3 surgical non wired bras after the nurse mentioned them yesterday. He even got the size right so I'm guessing he raided my underwear drawer to check 😄

Also brought me some nice snacks and 2 new books. I'm allowed to leave the ward now so going for a nice coffee with him and he will bring the twins in later to see me.

Oh and he bought me some lovely new pyjamas and a dressing gown. I'm scared to wear the t shirt incase my dressing leaks and it gets covered in yucky pus.

The nurse asked me if I wanted to keep my top this morning. I made a face and she said let's chuck it in the incinerator waste as there's not enough dettol in the world haha 😆

Glad that things seem to be resolving and that you're getting home. Huzzah for DH getting the size right!

@DarkSuitsSadSongs oh bless you’ve been through the wringer these last few days… am pleased it’s getting better for you and hopefully in a few more days you’ll be feeling brighter.

Am glad your DH has got you a few nice bits too - bless him, he’s feeling the guilt.

Wear the nice pj’s it will make you feel better! Who cares if they get messy.

you poor thing sounds horrible

Sounds like FIL has put a good rocket up ds arse and he’s had the good grace to realise he fell short. we all do at times but great he’s stepped up now.

Really hope you manage to keep draining spontaneously (things you never thought you’d say 🤣).

Absesses are the pits. I’ve had a few anal ones requiring surgery and my god the pain until they burst or are drained 🫣

Sounds like you have a lovely nurse there. Husband should have brought your oldest nightwear or top but he's trying to make it up to you now. Fingers crossed it drains well enough for you to go home tomorrow.

Oh wow, what a rollercoaster! I hope things start to settle now for you x

That is very good news @DarkSuitsSadSongs - hopefully you will get home tomorrow and the pain continues to improve. Good that your DH has finally stepped up too. What a roller coaster you have had. It was good to see your update.

Aren’t our bodies strange?!

Fingers crossed the rest of the puss drains in an orderly fashion! Your nurse sounds like a star ⭐️ though.

I’m especially glad to hear that your DH has stepped up and is being so thoughtful. Hope you’re home before too long xx

You are amazing and I'm glad there's been some progress, one way or another! Wear the nice pyjamas, it will make you feel better. One day you'll look back on this and laugh (but not for a while) 💐

Good news @DarkSuitsSadSongs hopefully you will be out tomorrow x

When I felt unwell in France, the GP sent a chauffer driven limousine for me to attend hospital. Nice of the local mayor to be there, opening the door to see me off. I did think though, that the fanfare of trumpeters at the hospital entrance may have been a little OTT!

My theory in what happens is that, once a track has been made (here by attempted draining), the abscess erupts pretty fast after. It seems it needs the path out and then it ups the pus production and volcanoes.

Thats good news. I hope it continues to improve.
Your dh sounds lovely.

It sounds like you are over the worst and they are keeping a close eye on you.
Glad your DH has been so nice and hope you get as much rest as you can... Not only the "affliction" but all the worry will have been very exhausting. You were very brave x
Hope all goes smoothly from now on.

Aww what a lovely update to open MN to. I'm so glad it's starting to drain and so happy your DH has stepped up to the plate despite being a bit of an arse yesterday. Sending you love and healing thoughts. The only way is up. 💐

If this was sporner corner they'd want pictures. Glad you're on the mend.

DH has just left. I got a bit teary but I know he needs to get back to the children (they're with a mum friend and having a great time with the new springer spaniel puppy).

DD has been upset. She had a nightmare last night and was very unsettled.

I did wonder if seeing me in hospital would be too scary for her but really I think that since I look much better it would be better for her to see me and be reassured that I'm OK. The nurse has offered to change my cannula earlier than needed and she will leave it out until DD has gone home.

I'm still exhausted and was hoping for a nap but a repeat breast ultrasound is being arranged as there is no more leaking but still a sizeable lump so they want to check how it's looking fluid wise.

Sods law dictates that I will just fall asleep and they'll come to take me for the scan.

Great that it has burst and also that DH is stepping up and making amends.