My brother had to have his chemo port removed due to a blood clot and has been fighting an infection at the site since Labor Day. They made a small incision several days ago and a larger one two days ago in order to drain the fluid. It is causing a fever that is keeping him hospital bound at this time. The infection was so powerful it actually exploded when the infection specialist touched it and she, along with the wall, bed and everything else, were right in the line of fire. It is now knotted up. He says it looks like a "big eyeball" so I assume it is a now a knot protruding from his chest. Has anyone dealt with an infection like this? I guess I expect too much from modern medicine, but I would think there would be a way to get this under control.
Thanks,
Tonya

Tonya,
bear in mind that radiation does a number on the immune system so any and every infection can be much more intense. It will probably require IV antibiotics. It will take a little time to get under control. Any transdermal pathway (through the flesh) is at risk. Follow the care of port and PEG tube sites very carefully. Many of us have had severe infections or other immune related problems like thrush.

We really went the distance in disinfecting anything that I touched, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. I avoided all public places and had my wife open and close the doors so I didn't have to touch the door handles. Later on I wore gloves while shopping so I didn't have to touch the shopping cart handles (which God knows where they've been). People with sickness were not allowed in the same room and drivers (to radiation treatment) were turned down if they had sick children at home (or the children had ridden in their cars).

Infection control and aseptic procedures take on a whole new meaning for the immune compromised.