Breast abscess—update

[nicolewi]

Update: we are at Children’s and DD is still asleep, recovering from surgery! We had the ultrasound and based on images we proceeded with draining fluid. At Children’s they put kids under anesthesia (don’t necessarily do that with adults), which was probably good bc DD was incredibly anxious. They were super great here trying to help her feel comfortable. Child life specialist came to talk her through everything and show pictures of the rooms and surgical area. Surgeon said it was good we did the procedure as it was a deep abscess with a decent amount of fluid removed. They were able to just use needles and not need to make an additional incision, which was great. I just really hope this doesn’t happen again!!!! Nobody really knows why she has had this twice (same breast, different places and different severity). Long day and definitely not easy for DD but we should be able to head home tonight and she should feel fine tomorrow.

OP:
I’m kind of low-key freaking out. At the very beginning of October, my 14 year old randomly had a breast infection/abscess. It responded well to antibiotics and we thought it was a fluke. Yesterday, she went to school in the morning just fine, and luckily, she was able to message me from school that her boob had started really hurting again so I was able to get an appointment. I took her right from school to the pediatrician, and by that point she had a fever and was in severe pain. Because it recurred so quickly and so severely this time, they are sending her to a surgery center tomorrow to do some kind of imaging and potential surgical follow up if needed. I’m thinking like draining some kind of abscess?? Has anyone been through something like this? Any idea what we can expect? DD is anxious to start with, so I’m not even mentioning the chance of surgical follow up at this point. Any idea what kind of imaging they would do? I’m thinking like ultrasound? If they take a look at it and decide everything is fine, we could be on our way again in 30 minutes, which would be great. But nonetheless, this is all pretty traumatic for a shy 14-year-old who has to keep flashing her boob around.

[InBetweenDays]

I have no experience with this, but I hope they can get it figured out and addressed with as minimal intervention as possible. I would think the imaging would most likely be ultrasound, but can you contact her doctor through the portal to see if you can get more information? I have a health anxious teen too so I know how upsetting it can be to not know what to expect. Good thoughts for you and your DD.

[wanderingback]

Ultrasound and possible incision and drainage.
I hope she feels better soon!

[kath16]

I had an abscess drained when I was nursing. I wouldn’t call it fun, but it wasn’t a huge deal (though I was an adult) - if I remember correctly, I felt relief as soon as they drained it and I took oral antibiotics.

Not to be gross but it was like popping a giant pimple. I may have splashed the dr who did mine but I am hoping that I’m making that up

[preppy]

I had an abscess as a result of a clogged milk duct from nursing that got infected. It was very painful, I had mine drained and I think since the milk ducts were active I had to go in daily to have the wound packed for maybe a week? I don’t know if that would be necessary if milk wasn’t coming out of the wound so that might not end up being the case. I recovered fine but it was definitely painful. Mine also had other complications (MRSA and an allergy to the antibiotics). I hope hers is a quick easy situation, that’s so hard at 14!

[mofongo]

Glad to see the update! 🙏🏻 it doesn't happen again!

[abs]

Good update. I’m glad she is ok and hopefully it won’t happen again!

[lucybrown]

Glad she’s doing well. Wishing her a speedy, boring recovery.

[kdubs923]

Poor kiddo! I hope she’s feeling better after the procedure. Fingers crossed there is no reoccurrence!

[expectantsteelerfan]

Oh goodness. Glad they were able to get her in so quickly and that it was relatively as low-stress as possible for her, but I'm sorry this happened and that they don't have more answers as to why this has happened twice. That has to be scary. I hope this is the end of it for her. If it does happen again, I would seek out a specialist if at all possible to try to get more answers.

[sometimesrunner]

I'm so glad things went well! Crossing my fingers for an easy recovery and no future issues for your DD.

[coltsfan85]

May be completely unrelated but hidradenitis suppurativa can present around puberty. My only I&D was due to HS so it may be a contributing factor. I wish the best for her speedy recovery. That’s so scary at a young age for sure!

[al dente]

I'm glad they were able to get you in so quickly and get it taken care of. It sounds like she had great care! I hope everything heals up quickly and she doesn't experience it anymore.