TE TROUBLE
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Renn- I am just wondering what happens when we switch to new insurance and we have had cancer. Is everything covered or will we be denied due to a pre-existing condition? Is that still a concern?we may be switching to my husband's insurance and I am a bit nervous about it.
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Renn-I have never had anything other then blood work at my MO visits.
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Hello ladies! I started a thread about needing to hear some success stories after TE trouble, but I'm not getting much action there. Someone suggested posting here. Has anyone finally had a good outcome after TE trouble? I don't want to rehash my whole boring ordeal here, but basically I've had 2 bouts of cellulitis and a surgery to replace both TE's, among other minor (comparitively) issues. Just super discouraged right now cause I've had another low grade fever over the past few days and I just want to give up at this point. So I'd love to hear some good outcomes.
Ginger - on the topic of insurance...I'm worried too. I'll be looking for a job soon and I'm scared to death they won't cover me for any of the recon stuff and I won't be able to finish. I know you can't be denied for a pre-ex cond now, but there can be an exclusion period of up to 12 mo, depending on the employer.
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Twinmom77-I am a success story, however I was a simple leak of the TE. Mine trouble was just a minor pain in the butt set back. I stumbled upon this group and have grown so attached to them I continue to post here because I want to see them all have a good outcome too. I hope your fever is nothing more then a virus.
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Twinmom, I am on the road to success after TE & implant issues. I had a skin failure on my non-rads side & then 2 skin failures on my rads side, but did not have any infection issues. What finally worked for me was having the implant on my rads side removed & leaving it out for 2 months so that side could heal before attempting again with an adjustable saline implant that is currently acting like a TE & will eventually be my permanent implant on that side.
Renn, I had a PET scan right after diagnosis, but have never had any post-treatment scans done because I was never far enough out from rads or surgery, so my MO is having me do the CT & bone scans. I also had locally advanced BC & was a complicated case. All I know is they have me 2 huge bottles of barium stuff to drink. Ick.
Great news DM13 & beachymom!
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Good morning all... hard night last night, more pain than I thought. My DH brought me home a Lazy Boy to sleep on, so at least I was able to sleep through most of the night.
Thank you all for your thoughts, can't wait to start feeling better.
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twinmom - look up at the header with all of the surgery dates and you can see how many of us have made it to exchange surgery after trouble with TEs. Many of the ladies who are pending are progressing in the journey, but they are doing well.
ren - I have had a lot of scans both pre and post (PET and bone density), but I am osteopenic, Her2+ and had positive nodes.
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So I had my interview today with a smal private (Catholic) school. It would be a math/computer teacher. Call it fate (hopefully good) but the principal that interviewed me is a 4 yr bc survivor. She had on a pink ribbon ring and necklace (my initial clues)....so when she asked me how I handled stress I thought it was pretty safe to tell her without getting a negative reaction.
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chick - awesome!! Hope you get it!
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Chick-I hope you get the job; there should be some benefit to being in this bc club.
Twinmoms- like chick my TE problems were not infection but severe muscle spasms. My body seemed to be rejecting the TE. I have done well with the exchange but like to hear followups on those still here so I come back to read often. I know there are people who have successfully made it through after infection but they might not be on here any longer.0 -
Hi everyone,
Checking in to say "hi" and hoping that everyone is doing well or on the road to doing well.
DM - Sorry you hurt -- I think you'll start to feel better in a day or two -- that's how it was for me.
Chick - I hope you get this job! It sounds promising for you! Math teacher? I struggled with math so much as a kid.
Ren - How are things on your end? I'm doing better.......thanks so much for asking.
DLL - How are you feeling?
Special K - My friend starts her chemo in a couple of weeks -- she gets her bone scan today. I hope all is well on your end.
Mrochon - How is your daughter doing?
TwinMom - I am so sorry you are going through this TE nightmare. I had one, too. Infected TE, hospitalization for 5 days with IV antibiotics, TE removal, TE put back in a couple months later, and scheduled for an exchange at the end of May. All is good now and taking it one day at a time.
Olgah - if you're visiting this page, I am waving "Hello!"
Back to work,
T
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Chick - I so hope you get the job
Where is Olgah?
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Thanks guys. T-math is kind of my thing....I was an engineer for 10 yrs. I would only have 1 math class and it would be 8th grade algebra (honors). The rest would be computers and probably math tutoring during school.
Where is Olgah??
DM-hope you are feeling better today!
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Ren, Thanks again for your reply, I am still draining 40 to 50 cc's a day and this is the 19th day after my infection repair surgery. When I went in last week, my PS told me what to look for infection, red breast, flu like symptoms, and pus like draining. He wasn't happy with the way my drain fluid looked last week but when I went back yesterday, the fluid looked clear and had some color and both breast looked good...the only problem is I am still draining too much to remove the Drain. 40 to 48 CC....he wants less than 30 ccs. It will be 3 weeks Friday and I go back tomorrow.... he says the longer the drain is in the more chance for infection. This has set me back 3 weeks so far and I am Praying this works and the TE doesn't have to be removed.
I also went to my Oncologist and she has changed me to Tamoxifen from Arimidex and also says I am Anemic and put on hemetincic, I have been anemic before & I wondered if this had something to do with it but he didn't think it did...Right now it is just a waiting game, I will see what he says tomorrow...praying it will just all of a sudden stop. I also wonder if the darinage helps if you are more active or less active...any advice on that as I have been so exhausted due to the anemia, I have not been very active but will force myself if it will help stop the drainage. Any advice is welcome! Thanks and Prayers for all of you Precious Ladies!!
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Caro4-I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am going to keep you in my prayers that you heal soon and are able to get back to "normal" as we all know it now. I am having my TRAM surgery after having a TE removed in 3 weeks and am not looking forward to the drains. They are really a pain in the neck. I love my showers and after having a PICC line for 5 months am enjoying my nice long hot showers.
Chick-hope you get the job! I can't wait to go back to work one of these days.......
Best to you all!
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Caro4-I think more activity causes more draining.
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Thanks to those who responded re: scans and such. I guess I won't worry about it!
DLL: When are you having your scans?
DM13: Did PS do pocket work? Do you have a drain? Glad to hear your DH got you a recliner! How are you feeling?
Psalms and Olgah, how are you guys doing?
Ginger48: I hope there are no insurance snafus! OY. I guess I should look into that. Anyone else switch insurance in the middle of recon? Please chime in!
Twinmom77: I hear you on wanting to give up; it is very discouraging to hit these road blocks! But many ladies here have gotten through infections and other TE troubles and have been successful. It just takes time. And patience, unfortunately. hang in there!
Chick: Sending good wishes that you get that job! Good for you for using that BC card! ;-)
Ginger48: How are you, long time no see!
Tatina: I am hanging in there. My skin is cooperating and although it's not 100% smooth and healed, it's coming along nicely.
Caro4: Yup, fluid has to be less than 30ccs, and the longer the drains are in the higher your risk of infection. A real Catch 22. Sorry to hear about the anemia. Let us know how it goes with the doc tomorrow. And BTW...activity definitely increases drainage! So don't use your arm on the affected side at all. Right now I wouldn't get your heart rate up either (doesn't sound like you are ready for that). Just don't overdo. Really baby yourself right now. Plus the anemia is making you more tired too. Get plenty of sleep and don't feel guilty about it. ;-)
Bonseye: I hear you on the showers. I was unable to take a shower (without holding a towel over my foob or wearing a huge waterproof bandage) for 3 months after my TE was put back in. Major drag b/c showers are so relaxing and that took them from being fun to being work!
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Renn- I am doing well. Done with reconstruction. Exchanged to implants at the end of October. Such a relief to be rid of TE's!!!Had ooph in December. Got LE, a frozen shoulder and am dealing with that and the lovely side effects of menopause and femara. Tons of joint and sleep issues. But it's better than dealing with cancer. Hope you are healing well!
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Good luck chickadee! Hope you get it.
Renn, my scans are on the 29th. So glad your skin is behaving!
Tatina, this is the best I have felt (mentally & physically) for a long time .
Best wishes to your friend.0 -
Thank you everyone for the encouragement! I'm not so down knowing that I'm not alone in having troubles. I went in for my weekly appt yesterday and saw a different PS cause mine is out of town. He said he didn't think there was a problem but to let them know if my fever got any higher or the redness got any redder. No fill though...he said we should probably give my skin a rest. Whoever said that this all takes patience is so right and I am definitely not a patient person, lol. I think I'm having a harder time waiting through all this than with chemo/rads/herceptin and that was a whole year.
Caro4 - I'm so sorry you have to deal with those damn drains. I know how you feel...my last one (out of 4) was in for 6 wks. I had only been drain free for 4 days when I got another infection and they put 2 more drains back in and those stayed in for 2 wks. So basically, I had drains for 2 months. I think everyone must be different as far as activity and drainage. I found that if I sat around and tried not to use my arms a lot then the drainage went way up. If I did too much it went way up. So I stopped thinking about it so much and went about my business at home and took short slow walks every couple days. Finally went down. Hope you can get them out soon!
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Ren - no drain! I wish I knew if he did pocket work etc, but was too out of it when he and I talked. I only remember him saying that he filled me with 150cc's.
I am feeling better today. Think I had a fever last night, as I woke soaking wet. But my head and stomach feels better and I think I have less pain. Even though I am sleeping on recliner, still have so much back pain
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Nips revealed! Wow, they are big and not so pretty at this point! I know they will shrink and look better with time once they have healed. Just happy that they are still viable, living skin!
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Hi ladies, lots going on here! My laptop at home has gone to the graveyard. I've been reading posts through my phone but responding from there isn't as easy. Love my iphone but typing out long posts with one finger isn't really doable for me. I've been extremely busy. Things are hopping at work and of course everywhere else!
The drama with my daughter and her boyfriend is much better. Someone here mentioned about her daughter's prom and everyone going as friends. That's how my oldest and her friends did it and I've always pushed that. You're not stuck with anyone person, it's just better that way. My youngest however is the opposite. She has always gone to these things by herself. She doesn't like to be tied down even with friends. But the boyfriend, against my better judgement, change everything. Anyway...it seems they broke up because his parents didn't want him 'tied' down. He's always had a girlfriend and I guess they've been clingy and demanding. My daughter is anything but, lol, she has always encouraged him to go out with her friends. She doesn't do clingy and likes to be free. She was kinda hurt thinking his parents didn't like her. I said no, you are the girl he has needed all along, you just came along at the wrong time. If I was his parents, I would be telling him the same thing. She said they talked and he is taking her to prom, they are still friends and may get back together. So crisis adverted! Jeez, what a week last week!
Dm - Congrats! :-)
Beachymom - Phew!
Curly - I got the ok to work out 3 weeks after my TE replacement. I'm not a runner though. However I did not start working out again until a month and a half ago. With as many surgeries as I have had, my body just wasn't ready. Not that I didn't try. I'm now back with my personal trainer. I do high intensity workouts that incoporate cardio and strength. My workouts are no more than 20 minutes a day but don't let that fool you. I burn more calories during that time than I would in a 90 minute workout. Hey you're in Folsom, I'm in Sac!
Renn - You are awesome how you keep up on everyone here!
Other than me being really irritated over how slow my PS is and waiting for my 2nd opinion colsult next month, I'm feeling pretty good. I actually feel 'normal'. I never thought I'd feel this way again. I'm down a pant size and will continue to be on that downward slide til I hit my pre-cancer body self. Feels good. So I will continue to take advantage of the break inbetween fills and work out as much as I can. I know if and when I switch PS that my fills will pick up and I will not be able to workout as hard.
Oh! It looks like SpecialK and I will be seeing each other again very soon!
Michelle
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Wow Michelle - I can't wait to be active like yu again
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Yes, an mrochon and specialk reunion! Yay!
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Michelle- Are you taking an AI?
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Ginger - Yes, Arimidex.
DM - You will get there! In your own time. Part of what I had to get over was, my body has it's own healing schedule and if I don't listen to it, it will take longer.
Michelle0 -
My TE got spongy but PS says its ok and means my muscles are stretching. I do feel better than earlier fills. I felt achy after the fill today and took my TyCo#3 and it knocked me out,slept all day. Should have taken Advil or regular Tylenol. I am up to 420cc so far but think I should get more. Talked with fiance and told him I was thinking of going for a B or C and asked what he thought would look good on me. He said a 25 C...ROTFL....I told him that might be a problem as they would need to remove my ribs for that! Honestly are there even any real women with a 25 inch waist much less a 25 in rib cage. He is so confused,poor thing. OMG,so glad he's not a PS.
Great so happy you gals are getting your TE straightened,dunno why some got an infection,I had read about some operations written by a PS guess for other PS but he was writing about some powder on the oper gloves and that getting on the TE or implants and causing an infection later in the patient so maybe not even your fault.
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Ren- yeah on the healing! I am so happy for you!
Have a great weekend,
DLL66 - speaking of happy, I smiled when I read how well you are doing.
Chick - If I ever need a math tutor you're it!
Caro4 - how are you doing? Has the draining eased up?
TwinMom - how are you doing???
Mrochon - wow, what drama. I forget how my teen years used to be like that!
Beachymom - Glad to hear all is well with your nip recon! Still confused on this end with the whole nip thing - tattoos or the total recon.....
DM - hope you are better today!
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Tatina - Thanks for asking! Same old, same old here...which I guess is a good thing. I woke up pretty red on both sides this morning but the fever hasn't gone up. Left side is rock hard and kinda high, right side is spongy and droopier. Hoping I'm not seeing some capsular contracture in the left - yikes! That was my radiated side.
Layla - that's interesting about the gloves. My PS said infection just happens, there's nothing I did or didn't do that caused it. Still, I sit and obsess about every stupid little thing I've done when the infection hits again. Should I not have gone for a walk? Should I not have laid on my side that long? Should I not have had that desperately needed margarita?
I'm at 420cc right now too. I'd like to make it to 500/600. Your fiance is funny...my boyfried always makes me laugh when I talk about size, saying to me "I think you'll be more satisfied if you are a D instead of a C...I just don't want you to be disappointed and wish you had gone bigger...you know, I'm just thinking of you and your happiness wink, wink." I think it's funny but the nurses at my PS office don't seem to think so!I haven't sorted out who's going through what yet, but I'm thinking of you all and hope everyone is doing well!
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