Anyone had a Strange-Acting "Infection" after Tissue Expanders
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Thanks Tabby for your reply, I appreciate it very much. I have been to a disease specialist twice now and he has not put me on any antibiotic because I am showing no signs of infection, no fever, no pain and my blood work looks good. The only thing I have is a red breast. He is thinking it may be inflammation but I am not sure about this! I have my last chemo treatment next week so once I get that behind me I will be seeing the specialist and my ps the following week. I am going to mention the drug that you took and see what they say. My breast also gets beet red at times, scary! I am hoping to get my implants ASAP after the chemo is over. I am so tired of these tissue expanders. My best wishes to you that all continues to go well with your implants!
Blessings to all,
Bogeysmom
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Here is an article I have found on red breast. It does seem to be some sort of reaction to Alloderm. The redness has gone away from mine 2 months after my BMX. I had my first fill last Wednesday but only on the right and now I match the left side that had the redness. The is doing the fills very slowly to make sure everything goes without any problems.
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Hi
I too developed an infection after my BMX with TE's. I had my mastectomy on August 11, 2010. Did great for a while, and had one expansion. Seven weeks after surgery I developed a fever and redness in the breast on the side where they took lymph nodes. Called doctor who put me on Keflex and gave me a shot of stronger antibiotic. He asked me to send him a picture of the breast the next morning. He didn't like the way it looked so admitted me to hospital to start IV vancomycin. Was in the hospital for three days, and went home with a PICC line to give myslef the vancomycin at home. Was on the vancomycin for two weeks, but one area of the breast was not clearing up and was actulally getting worse. Infectious disease doctor put me on a drug called Rifampin (actually a TB antibiotic) along with continued IV vancomycin. I have been on the Rifampin for four days and really see no improvement. I'm getting pretty discouraged and worried about this. Any suggestions???
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Hi Mommcat,
I am very sorry to hear about your infection and am sad that you are discouraged. While I do not have an answer to your post, I hope it is getting better. I want to send you my best wishes for a quick recovery and tell you that I also had two infections and also two additional surgeries and another on 11/5. Needless to say, my reconstruction is also delayed. Big cyber hug to you, I know it is discouraging. <<<<HUG>>>>.
I hope that at least your fever is gone. It seems that many have had the red breast issue. Mine was also beet red before I had one of my te's surgically removed. This is not an easy road for us but we have to take what comes and try to keep our heads up. (My doc tells me all the time to think tall lol, my posture is also terrible since my bmx). Try to stand tall with me, smile when you do not feel like it and know that you will get better in time. Hang in there!!
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Hi bogeymom: Hope things are going better and that breast is WHITE!! If not we will keep praying and keeping you encouraged! I did not have a fever and there was no pain. In fact, while in the hospital the infectious disease folks would come by and things would look better but all I had to do would be to sit up and it would get red. They scratched their heads. They also called someone at Mayo and cultured my skin for high levels of strep but it didn't turn up as anything. The vancomyacin worked for me and like I said, there was a great deal of prayer. Keep your chin up. There are lots of people who care and apparently from this post, a lot who understand.
Carole66: Thanks for the info on the article.
Dorothy K: Sounds like you too have been through way too much with this infection? thing. Hope you are doing better. Hang in there. I finally (after almost two years) got the implants although I'm not really used to them yet. They are much better than the tissue expanders but still different. I got them about five weeks ago and believe me--it's a miracle. P.S. My posture bad now too (or is it my belly got that fat during that time???)
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Wow, wish I'd found this forum 2 weeks ago. I'm just home from my second stay in the hospital. Briefly: I'm in the middle of chemo and started running fever, was admitted, blood cultured, etc., not able to identify what it is, one symptom though was red breast on left side where lymph nodes out; docs zeroed in on my port as source of infection and kept dismissing that it could be anything to do with my breast. Sent home on IV vancomycin and cephapime. After 2nd admission, I finally called my PS and told him what is going on. He examined me, said possible cellulitus, fluid was drained and a drain put in for a few days. Infectious disease doc changed drugs, now on IV telavancin, seems to have cleared it up, fever and rash are gone.
This all has been a mystery to me. My BMX with TEs was in July, so I didn't expect problems this far out. Thank you all for sharing.
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Carol66,
I am wondering if the 600 mg of Advil twice a day worked for you? I am just finishing a 10 day course of Zyvox and the redness has got a little light but has not cleared up.
Tabby:
Just wondering how you are doing and if all is still going well? Also how long did you have to take the pic line antibiotics before it all cleared up? I hope you are happy with your implants and all is well.
Thanks to everyone for your posts on this mysterious red breast issue!
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Hi Bogeysmom,
Yes it did work. It's all clear. I had my last fill October 20th and going in for my exchange on December 14th. I have no redness, no pain. I am back to working out regularly. Hope everything clears up for you.
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Thank you so much Carole66 for your reply. Maybe this is my problem also because I have not shown any signs of infection. The PS put me on the antibiotic just to make sure and to see how the breast reacted. My red breast is also larger and had a small amount of fluid a couple weeks ago. I am willing to try anything if it means I don't have to have surgery to remove the expander!
I appreciate this info very much.
Bogeysmom
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Just wanted to mention that I met with my ps surgeon today and I am scheduled to have the tissue expander removed next Tuesday, 11/30. He is thinking that the Alloderm never was accepted and therefore the blood supply to the skin is altered and not letting the skin heal. My redness is terrible and my skin is getting crusty and flaking. I am disappointed but I am hopeful that I can someday get my implants and put all of this behind me.
Thanking all of you ladies for your posts on this topic,
Karen
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Hi Ladies!
First time posting/ I had right side mx in Jan 2010 also got the TE at same time. Wow! Wouldnt heal, red oozing . PS said do wet to dry bandages and take Keflex. April 2010 he took out TE and 'cleaned' it and placed back in (my insurance wouldn't let me have a new one) All seemed to go well for a while. He expanded me to 750cc I didn't want a large breast, but didn't think he understood. Aug 2010 got implant and left breast was 'lifted'. The 400cc implant was too big and just wouldn't heal. They also used a new kind of steri strip on left breast and I am allergic! I had this great gaping hole under my nipple. Oct 2010 more surgery and implant put in was 300cc! Finally, that side has healed, but I still had this huge open wound on 'lifted' breast. He recommended a wound vac. It was okay for a few days but the skin couldn't breathe and I was red, itchy, and sore. Stopped using the wound vac for a couple of weeks and then started again last Sat! Wound is much smaller, but today the nurse comes again to change and I took off the vac so I could shower before she replaced, My skin in cracking! Looks like it has been slice above the wound. the smell is just awful and it is angry red and itchy. I am so depressed, I cant' take much more of these 'bumps in the road' It has been almost a year and I am still dealing with this. Seems like there is something out there to help, I just don't know where to get help! Any suggestions? \
Sorry I was so long, but I did need to get it off my chest (in more ways than one
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Hey Chele,,
First, a big welcome to you, you are in the right place! I am sending you a big cyber hug. I can relate to what you are going through, I have been in the OR four times now. I had my bmx in July and just got the TE's replaced on 11/5 and have my second fill on Monday. I have been out of work this whole time and start back on 12/6. I have been having nightmares regarding work and have a lot of anxiety over going back. The only words of wisdom I have for you is to hang in there, "this too shall pass". It is very discouraging going backwards for sure. As if having BC is not enough, the added torture of putting us "back together" again should be smooth but as you see, you are not alone.
Feel free to message me and vent all you want. Also, not sure if you are/were a party girl but I have found an awesome "fun" forum here where there is a cyber bar and many many wonderful caring people in all phases of our journey. If you click into my profile, you will see the posts. If nothing else, the ladies there will keep you entertained while supporting you with open arms.
Best to you. Hang in there and know that you are not alone with your fight.
Peace and lots of love coming your way!!!
Dorothy~~
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Thanks for the encouragement! I sure can use it! I am back to wet to dry and feel free without that darn wound vac. Thank goodness, no pain just itch.
You will do great at work! Don't be surprised at all the support you will get! I think all women have that saying in their head "There, but for the grace of God, go I. So enjoy getting back to your normal life, at least 8 hours a day!
I wish I had understood this site way back in January, I would have known better questions to ask and info to get.
Hugs to you
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Really glad to find these posts and to hear other stories similar to mine. I've been very discouraged and depressed. Had bilateral mastectomy in May of 2010. At that time my PS was worried about skip flaps so postponed TE. I had the TE expanders put in 8/9. Experienced agonizing pain. Made mastectomy feel like a bug bite. Had drains in forever. Fluid never went down. After 3 weeks they took them out. After that, the expanders started to push out. I suspect from so much fluid and tissue turned red. They never tried to drain the fluid though? I went the ER because it was a holiday weekend and was admitted and put on IV antiboitcs. Discharged on zyvox, infection didn't get better or worse until my left breast ruptured. Gross. Expanders came out next day. Have to wait 6 months before doing again. Wondering if it is worth it? Should I consider using stomach tissue instead? Wanted to do TE because I have a just turned 3 year old and thought I would be at it earlier. Seriously thinking about switching PS.
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maggie, could you be allergic to TE? I would go for another opinion, this isn't fun and to have to worry about all you have gone through Good luck keep us posted
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Magiesmom,
I have to agree that you should consider switching PS's, I did and regret that I had not done it sooner. I did like like my PS's demeaner not to mention the setbacks I had which may or not have been his fault. I how have a wonderful surgeon whom I really love and would encourage you not to wait like I did. Best to you!!
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Dorothy K,
Thanks for the for the advice, I will switch as soon as I can. Unfortunately, I got some bad news today. A hard, pea size lump that I had removed on Monday turned out to be cancer. That's all I know, Meeting with a surgeon today. I cannot believe I'm back here again. UGH!
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Maggiesmom,
I am soooo sorry to hear this, I have said a prayer for you to get through this. Please keep us posted.
Peace and love coming your way!
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Came back from BS today. They aren't calling it recurrence, but a persistence since it is so close my original bilateral mastectomy date in May. 9mm. No one wanted to fess up why it was found in subsequent plastic surgeries or by my oncologist 3 weeks ago when he did an exam. Have been on tamoxifen, too. Sounds like radiation is in my future. The are also going to check my nodes again to be on the safe side. Wondering if I'm going to have to work the ultrasound machine on Friday since I'm the only one who finds things. Ugh. Sorry. Just venting. From what I was told expansion more difficult after radiation. Am considering stomach surgery (Flap?) if possible still. It was back in May.
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Hi ladies: Sorry it's been so long. Been selfish I guess but after almost two years before being declared "healed" I just couldn't face thinking about cancer or reconstruction infections, etc. I do care about all of you and just wish I could hug you all as I have been where you are and know how frustrating and disappointing/depressing this can be. After two infections?, a pic line with the vancomyacin (which I was allergic to but could take with benadryl if given over a period of 2 1/2 hours at a time), then waiting six more additional months, I was able to get the silicone and am pleased with the outcome. I don't know why I or anyone else has to endure these trials but I know my healing was from my Father in Heaven. The implants certainly aren't the same as the real thing but it's sure nice to be on the other side of things. I still check every day to make sure nothing's red or hard. My Ps sat me down on the last visit and told me how I was in the tiniest of percentages of those who had gone through this and had this outcome. I reminded him who healed me. Then he brought the nurses in and we all cried. It was an awesome day.
With that said I feel really guilty telling you all what has happened to me as I see that you are suffering.
Bogeysmom: How are you? I am so sorry you had to the lose the TE's. I know when this happened to me it felt like losing my breasts all over again and I was devastated. Did they culture anything? The second time this happened to me, my husband and I decided that even if we had to go to the emergency room, we were getting infectious disease involved. We told our PS what we were going to do, he put me in the hospital instead and got the vancomyacin going through the iv then they put the pic line in (which I took home with me as I was on it for several weeks). I had already had the Clindamyacin, and the Zyvox and another vox and it didn't work so I wasn't going there again. Anyway, that worked for me. Insist on whatever you think will work for you. Sometimes we are off our normal game plan or feel bad being pushy but ultimately it's you that has to live with the end result, not our doctors (as good as they may be).
Shelly6: You have also been through so much! Hope things are better. Like I said above, prayer, getting the infectious disease folks in and getting the vancomyacin was the only thing that helped me.
DorothyK: I can relate with the surgeries as I have had 4 myself this year. Trying to get it all done so we don't have to pay that deductable for the 3rd year in a row! Just now getting the strength back somewhat from the last surgery 6 weeks ago. Sorry to hear you have also had such a hard time.
Maggiesmom39: Oh my goodness, my heart goes out to you to have this happen AGAIN. Please keep us up to date when you feel you can. You have every right to vent--we all understand. I will be praying for you.
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Hi ladies,
Thanks Tabby for your reply. I am so happy for you that you have your implants and that all is going well and I pray that it will continue to go well for you. Like someone else said on this forum, getting BC is bad enough let alone going through this difficult time with reconstruction.
I had my left TE removed this week. I had been expanded and would have been ready for my implant if this redness had not occurred so this is a disappointment. The result is so awful to look at. I can only hope that the next TE will work. My redness was caused by the Alloderm. It worked on the right side but on the left side it did not grow and attach to my skin so therefore it was cutting off the blood supply to the skin and the skin was dying. It became very dry and flaking and had scabs on it. My PS was optimistic after the surgery that this will heal and we can try again. I am considering using a back muscle flap next time, do any of you have advice on this? I can only pray that the next time it works.
My heart and prayers go out to all of you,
Karen (bogeysmom)
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Hey Karen,
I am sorry that you lost your t/e, I know the pain and the shock at looking at the area with the missing t/e. I descibed it as loosing one of my girls. I am not sure if your ps will send you to physical therapy but self massage to the area once it heals will help prevent it from getting shriveled and wrinkled. I had to do that after the fact and I was amazed at how much the skin loosened up after doing the massage. I was able to get my TE's both replaced in two months although most docs wait longer. My doc used alloderm and I was lucky that it worked, he gave me the option of a lat flap but I thought I would try the alloderm first. I sure hope that you are able to get your back in quickly and get your reconstruction done without further delays.
Sending you a cyber hug, hang in there, lots of love coming your way!!
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Thanks Dorothy for your reply and your cyber hug! Much appreciated!! My ps did not mention physical therapy so I must look into this, anything that helps sounds great. I met with the ps yesterday and he is pleased with how things are going. I don't think I will have to wait more than 2 to 3 months to start over. He did say that my best option was going to be the back flap so I guess I am going to have to go with it since the Alloderm did not work the first time. I don't know if anyone uses Alloderm a second time? It worked great on my right side. I just look so forward to having this all behind me someday!
Hugs and blessings to all,
Karen
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Karen: I did use the alloderm the second time around and it worked this time (after another round of redness, hospitalization and vancomyacin). I wasn't going to use any other part of my body as I was not going to have scars all over--just couldn't deal with that (my personal thing). I just got my nipples tattoo'd (again, no more surgery with the grafts and besides I don't want to wear a bra to cover a nipple sticking out) so after two years of this I am prayerful that I AM DONE. So, Karen, it does happen EVENTUALLY. My PS told me how small of a percentile I am in as someone who has had two "infections" and still have a great outcome. As I told him, I don't understand all things but I do know my Father in Heaven healed me. I know when it happened and pray this will also be your outcome. I know it this is so difficult for you and you are just as deserving of a great outcome as I am. If I can do anything, please let me know. Tabby
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This all sounds like what has happend to me. I had a bilateral mastectomy/with reconstruction eventhough the tumor was on my right side, there was some area of concern on the left. About 2 weeks after the surgery I started to get a temp and reddness in right breast, was put on antibotics until I saw the Dr on Monday. When they took the drain out a bunch of goo came out. Was sent to the hospital to be put on 24 hr anitibotics and surgery the next day. At surgery the same amount of goo came out and PS said it was an abcess that got infected. When on with chemo and it ended 10/1 and talked with oncologist and PS and thought we could fit reconstruction in between chemo and radiation treatments. Had surgery on 11/9 and everything was great until I was expanded and went to see inlaws for Thanksgiving. Got back from Thanksgiving and had drainage from the incision and reddness over most of my breast. PS said it was celluilitis and put me on Leviqun and another antibotic which seem to help. The drainage would stop then start, stop then start and then I found a hole in the skin area on 12/9 and was babying it until I could see the PS. The hole got bigger and on last Monday PS said the expander was exposed and had to come out. Not a happy camper, my husband is very upset and will not talk about it. Today I get my drains taken out from the 2nd surgery on the 14th. I guess I will not have clevage this year. I still have an expander in my left breast and all is perfect there. PS said we would have to do a Latissumus Flap next time. I just was to get this healed do my radiation then next year talk about what is next. Should I look for a PS who specializes in breast reconstruction. I am happy with mine but my husband is not due to all the troubles we have had. BC is a sore subject for him. I am more open to discuss but he is not. Please advise. So wished I found this forum months ago.
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mjb - I switched plastic surgeons after my third surgery. I was fed up with his pompous attitude over everything that was happening to me and felt that his "cash" cosmetic patients were less of a pain in the arse than me and my bc. I felt like part of an assembly line working with him and he seemed pussed-off that I kept getting infected and seemingly wasting his precious time. My new ps is also a cancer survivor and seems to be so much more passionate in handling me. He is speeding things up for me and I get my implants a week from tomorrow, God willing! I had my last fill and have been moving along faster than recommended but this is due to a nasty insurance change for me in 2011.
I know the pain of loosing the te, it was devasting. My left side was concave. I ended up having both te's replaced. And I also had huge issues with drainage, it was so hard for me waking up at night with my nighty and bed soaked in oozing pussey crap which grossed me out so much. And I also had a hole, I called it my bullet hole as I thought I could see my guts. But as Tabby said, we all heal at our own pace. We have to remember that "this too shall pass" and we will eventually get there. Maybe your DH will be more receptive to moving forward with a new ps...Just saying
. I wish you all the best!Karen, thanks for the hugs and blessings for us, we sure need them. And Tabby, congrats on being all done, that is so awesome.
Peace, love and prayers for all for a speedy finish to our bc journeys. It sure has not been easy, to say the least.
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Thanks for the best wishes. Found out that I have no more FMLA now. I start RAD treatments on 1/3/11, 32 treatments. So going with what I have heard I will not be pursuing any more surgeries until I feel I am healed at least a year since mentally I cannot do anymore surgeries. Like my job and do not want to lose it.
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Hi Tabby and Dorothy,
Thanks so much for your replies. It does help just knowing that we are not alone in this ordeal and I know that someday I will be done with this and hopefully have good results. I am happy for you Tabby that you beat the Alloderm on the 2nd try. My ps said that I will only be able to do the back flap next time because he thinks the Alloderm caused permanent damage to my skin, made it to thin. It is still red 1 month after the surgery to remove it and the te but it is healing. I also hate the idea of more scars but I pray it works without any complications.
Best wishes to you Dorothy on getting your implants. I hope all goes well. It will be a relief to someday have that surgery scheduled.
Have a healthy, happy new year!
Hugs,
Karen
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Hey Karen: Just thinking of you and hoping you are doing well. Be strong. It will happen. Tabby
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Hi Tabby and ladies!
It has been awhile since posting. Tabby, I hope you are still doing well and that your implants have treated you well! I had gone through the surgery in Nov, 2010 to remove the TE. It took months to heal but I healed up really well and I just had surgery on August 11, 2011 to put the TE back in. I have to say that I decided to do what you did Tabby and try the Alloderm again. I hated the thought of having my back cut on. The PS had thought early on that this would not be an option but I healed so well and the skin looked healthy that we decided to try it again. 2 weeks post surgery and so far so good. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well this time and I can get my implants by the end of this year. It has been a long time dealing with all of this considering I was diagnosed April 1, 2010. I live for the day I am done with this reconstruction!
I am just happy that I feel well and strong. I hate this red breast syndrome issue and my PS said that it is like a medical mystery. They still don't understand what causes it and each individual reacts differently to treating it. In my case, my reconstruction began May 2010 and the left side did not go bad until August 1, 2010. I still think Chemo played a part in this.
Best wishes to all of you ladies out there fighting this terrible disease.
Karen
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