Abcess/open wound

The last week I've had fevers off and on - highest 102, sometimes no fever, often low grade fever, sometimes chills, and a lot of pain in the abdomen area - even while taking percocet. I had a CT scan on Friday and the doc said since she couldn't locate the particular source of infection she wouldn't prescribe antibiotics. Sunday night the upper part of the incision opened up and fluid started to come out at a steady pace. I went in to emergency. and the ER doc ordered another CT scan. I told her I had just had one on Friday. (I'm leary about so many CT scans - don't they cause cancer too?). Then they sent me home with the wound open and bandages to stuff into the 1 inch deep hole. I'm supposed to change it twice a day after it is all full of goop, which makes me very squeamish. They still did not give me antibiotics because (the ER doc said) antiobiotics would weaken my immune systerm before chemo. I had another fever overnight and a lot of pain I put in a call to the nurse two hours ago and haven't heard back. I just want to beg them to give me antibiotics. I just don't feel like I can fight that infection just with these bandages I take in and out of the wound. And I'm tired of these fevers and pains.

Any advice? Sorry this has been so long.

Elise,

I am so sorry you are experiencing this. It sounds like there may be some very specific reasons for not giving antibiotics before chemo that I am not aware of. I totally understand your desire for antibiotics tho. A few questions: the doc that did the ct on Fri... was that your gyn-onc? If not, your gyn-onc shoud be made aware of all this. Does the gyn-onc know about the incision problem and the ER visit? If all this is the case, I guess you have to do what the dr. says. But do keep a log of your symptoms/fever to show the dr. Maybe they are trying to see if your immune system will take care of it first.

CC

I don't understand how they think you can deal with chemo with an active infection. My non-medical mind says you should have the antibiotics so you will be healed enough to have the chemo. I hope your Dr has called you by now to get you in. Do you have an Oncology Dr? What do they say?

Ditto to what the other sisters said. Leaving you to cope all alone with an actively-infected, OPEN wound to pack yourself sounds crazy.

Is there a wound center in your city? And would your insurance allow you to go there without a referral? They would need all your medical history, of course, especially since you mention chemo, but I found them to be extremely competent and compassionate.

Arizona Bunny has a great idea about finding a wound care center. My DH is diabetic and we had lots of problems with his foot wounds. The wound care center worked with us for a long time to get the wounds healed up. They had all of the latest techniques.