TE TROUBLE
Comments
-
Survivor-I had all the same things as you. My culture finally grew after a week. I went in to my exchange with the plan that if the infection wasn't bad, then the implants would be put in. It was just bad enough that he was uncomfortable with my safety. He felt really bad though.
I hope that all goes well in the next two weeks. Witht he new expanders, I developed a rash and he threw everything at it. I believe it was the topical steroid that cured it, and so far it hasn't come back.
Fill tomorrow! To those who asked abut bleeding, every so often mine will bleed a lot. He calls it hitting the vein of ----- and uses his name. makes me laugh.
I have feeling pretty much everywhere except right on the very front part where the scars are, so it really hurts when they jab it in if I don't use the EMLA cream.
0 -
OOOOOOOO...so are you going to stop talking to us friends on the internet? Did you tell him we are a bunch of crazies with leaky explanders, or expanders that can make puss, or rashes, or whatever else we tell our expanders to do because we enjoy being different. I am sure you weren't laughing, but I had to laugh at the comment. Yes, we understand he knows what he is doing. You can tell him that at your next appointment.
0 -
PSs can be so frustrating! I had an infection in Feb. which grew out after a few days however the infectious disease specialist insisted the te didn't need to be taken out and that b/w the IV antibiotics and another 10 day round of Zyvox oral would do the trick. Of course, my PS wanted to do a surgery anyway and take it out and put a new one back in. Fortunately, after the surgery I didn't get another infection but it did compromise the overall appearance of that side b/c he took the alloderm out. So now that sits bit lower than the other one. That is aggravating since I know he didnt' really need to do it in the first place! And that they would look so much better if he had just stuck with the the ID's recommendations. All they kept saying was a PS's motto is "When in doubt, take it out"!
0 -
Hi all…..I haven't read or posted here in awhile. Took me an hour to quickly read through your posts that I'd missed. Now I can't remember who said what, so won't comment on anyone's personal situation.
Re tamoxifen - I've been on it for 19 months now and except for hot flashes/night sweats, no other side effects. The hot flashes/night sweats have not gotten any better in time for, but glad to hear that for others that it's gotten better.
Re TE fills - I definitely feel the needle going in, but have little bleeding afterwards. A band-aid works fine.
Re no feeling in the TEs - I can't tell you how often I've banged into things. It's the oddest thing…..it's like a sensory deprivation thing, very bizarre.
Re bathing suits - oh God, the dreaded bathing suit. Last year I went to Jamaica after having a uni mx and wore one of those beany bag things in my suit…it sloshed about and never looked even with my natural side. Then I had the other breast removed and started reconstruction, but with having my left side TE removed, while the other side was at 340, another bathing suit disaster this summer. My TEs are now at the same size, and I'm happy to say that I'm going to Vegas next week and hope to feel normal in a bathing suit.
Take care all
0 -
Oh, and forgot to add, I've had no issues with TEs and flying, and do have cards that identify the TE as an implant device. I keep them in my wallet in case there's ever any issue.
0 -
Thanks MichM for all the input...where in Jamaica did you go. We are going to Ocho Rios on Oct 28th. I will still have my TEs although they will both be filled full.
0 -
those of you that have experience with one TE being a different size and the other catching up....I really feel like the left (380cc) looks about the same size as the right (520cc) and I am being paranoid about the right leaking. I am just being paranoid right? That last 100cc really doesn't make that much difference....
0 -
Chickadee - I know what you mean about being paranoid. I haven't even had my left (leaky) TE replaced yet and I keep looking at the other thinking it is smaller too. I know it's not (maybe) but can't help it! I go to the PS tomorrow and I guess my surgery will get scheduled then. Hoping mine goes as smoothly as yours. He did mention "loosening up" the upper part of my chest. Said if there was too much blood, he would have to put in a drain.
0 -
If by loosening up he means breaking up the scar tissue, mine did that too. I didn't need a drain. Very happy about that. Good luck today jbennett!
0 -
chickadee-I so told him that at the appt yesterday. I told him that although he knew probably more than most mean what this was all like, he did not have them in his chest and that he had no idea the emotionaly impact having one or both removed felt like. My big thing with a removal, if he had had to do it is that he waits 3 months before ever putting one back in, then it's another 4 months minimal before he will exchange. Hello, that's 7 freaken months-a lifetime for a cancer patient. It disturbes me that he seems incapable of understanding how this is a "big deal". By the way, have a blast on your vacay. We are planning a carribean trip in Feb put can't decide on a location. Would like something all inclusive, any of you ladies have any suggestions.
fluffgueen-bless your heart, that sucks Hope things are better now.
0 -
Yay Survivor! I'm so so glad that nothing grew on the culture. It was the same thing with me. I think that maybe since he kept draining the fluid, your body kept making it. Give it a couple weeks, and I bet your body starts absorbing it. It took almost a month for me, but it's all good now. So happy for you.
0 -
So my fellow TE-removed sisters, I can tell you that (1) running with a TE is not a big deal, just wear a good sports bra, and (2) once the TE is removed, you STILL feel nothing on that side... the nerves are damaged whether the TE is in or not...
Survivor - I am with you- my UMX was 6/8, the TE was removed 7/12, and I have been lopsided ever since... appt a week from Thursday with my new PS to try to figure out a surgery date, and with a new BS this Thursday to try to figure out whether to remove my other breast when I do the DIEP reconstruction surgery... ugh. We are re-doing our kitchen and my husband comments on all the hard decisions on wood, door designs, countertops, etc. --- like to see him decide whether to loose the other boob or not! LOL - we should never have to make these decisions!
0 -
survivor-we are going to an all inclusive. Taking the kids (pulling out of school...something I said I would never do). But they didn't get a vacation this summer either. The travel agent that booked it for us is a little worried because it is an older place that she hasn't had anyone stay at before, but the price was right. It's the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ochos Ricos, I'll let you know if it is someplace to go or someplace to avoid!
0 -
Oh yippee I can jog! I'll try it out slowly today while I go get the boys at school and will report back lol.
Survivor - one more thing, my PS had me wear a super tight sports bra after the fluid was drained off (for like 2 weeks). She's big on making everything really tight to avoid the extra fluid. I'm sure you're already doing that, but wanted to throw it out there.
Chickadee...We did the same thing with our boys about pulling them out of school. Time with our loved ones comes first, even before school sometimes. Nothing wrong with it!
0 -
Thanks Momof3.
Chickadee, cool can't wait to hear about it.
Just_V- I know doesn't this whole crap make everyday decisions pale by comparison.
0 -
Chick - We went to Runaway Bay (Grand Bahia Principe was the resort name, I think??) which is very close to Ocho Rios. We toured around Ocho Rios one day…nice area. Hope you have a great trip. Also, re the replaced TE looking as big as the other side even though it's not…..I had the same experience. Then eventually came to realize that no 2 TEs are put in the same position. My re-inserted TE seemed to have more projection, and my right side seemed to have more upper pole fullness and side fullness. Now that I'm at the same size on both sides, they look pretty much the same.
jbennett - My PS also said she had to do extra work when re-inserting the TE to clean up some scar tissue….I did have a drain though, but it didn't stay in long.
Survivor - yes it's true that PS' may not fully understand the effect that waiting such an extra long time for re-insertion and the added delay to exchange has on women…but it is what it is….we have no control over it, nor do they. It totally sucks, and it is a long time to wait, but time does go by quickly. I had my TEs put in in Nov 2010, had my infected TE removed March 2011 and was totally depressed about how much extra time this would take. Now I'm only a few fills away from being done, and looking at exchange early next year….about 14 months after starting this process. I keep hoping that patience and the extra time it took will result in a beautiful outcome in the end:) BTW, I agree that all-inclusive is the way to go in the Caribbean….re location, it totally depends on your budget. More affordable locations are Cuba, Dominican and Mexico…..and there are some great resorts. The smaller islands are more expensive but offer a different kind of experience. St Lucia is my favourite spot so far but there's still lots of islands I haven't been to.
Just_V - I've read that many women are happy that they only had a uni mx and reconstruction. My BS original suggested to me to have both removed, but I opted for a uni back in Nov 2009. One year later when I was going to start the TE process, I decided to have the 'good' side removed and reconstruct both….it took me a year to realize that I wasn't that emotionally attached to having real boobs, but was definitely committed to significantly reducing my chance of recurrence. I have no regrets from a health perspective, and as an added bonus, I think I'll have a better chance of symmetry with reconstruction on both sides. Good luck with your decision….it's not easy.
Sorry for the very long post.
Mich
0 -
Oh patience, isn't she a bitch. Love her, hate her. What a lesson in it we have all learned through this.
Thinking about St. Lucia, guess I'll have plenty of time to decide between now and then.
0 -
Mich-good to hear I am not going crazy! I think the oldie but goodie is under my armpit area more and the new one isn't, thus giving it more porjection and the illusion that it is the same size!
0 -
I went to the PS today. Will have my leaky TE replaced next Monday. The nurse thought I would have a drain too. I guess it's better to know now than to wake up with it and not expect it. Hopefully, I won't have to have it too long. On the positive side, the PS thought he could fill it to the same size as before or close to it. That is good. It's not like I have to start all over!
0 -
good news jbennett that your PS can fill your TE to your current size….hope all goes well on Monday.
0 -
jbennett-Mine got 250cc in it before he got too worried it would be too tight when shutting the incision. Don't you have a wedding or somthing this weekend...now at least you can have fun without being in pain!0
-
Yes, chickadee. They wanted to do it on Friday and I asked if I could move it to Monday so I woundn't have a problem going to the wedding. I didn't think a couple of days would make a difference.
0 -
Saw the ps yesterday and got a fill. I am now at 360cc. I think it might be the last one as he said he could put in a 400 expander with where I am now. And since these expanders are a little narrower, he is now going to use high profile implants. I did not want to go back to my large C, small D size, so the one good thing the tissue expander removal did, was give me the opportunity to go in with a bra on and try on different implants while I was totally flat. When I hit exactly the look I wanted, I showed him and he said it was good to know as his version of smaller and mine were a little different. I was filled to 480 last time and we were going to use 500 medium plus implants. I felt pretty big.
I feel perfect right now.
Chicadee-our vacation in Jamaica was about 12 years ago. The only trip we made off the premises was to Dunn's River Falls. It was lots of fun, however the trip there was a little scary. It is not the safest country to be in. On the resort premises, all was fine and food was good. If you walked to the edges of the place, you could see the armed guards on patrol.
The kids had a ball. My son and nephew spent the week swimming and eating. We never saw them without ice cream, nachos or something in their hands. Daughter and niece spent the week painting pottery and drinking what we hoped were virgin smoothies, which then would be returned in a couple of days all glazed. We loafed by the pool in a central location every day and enjoyed the weather.
One really cool thing was when the tide went out at our place, it left about 100 yards of little tidal pools. The kids would wade around and turn over rocks and there was tons of sea life like baby octopi, lots of crabs, starfish, etc. It was so cool and kept them amused for hours. We pulled them out of school early also, so I considered this a science lesson. LOL
0 -
fluff-supposedly takes us 2hrs by bus to get there from the airport. Not looking forward to that.
So looks like there are at least 3 of us shooting for 400cc implants. Funny how Mich and I have to be over filled to 520cc and fluff gets off with 360cc. Interesting how they all seem to do it different.
0 -
Hi all - spent last evening at the urgent care - with a UTI
I actually cancelled two things today because I am that uncomfortable. Have a fill tomorrow, but I am keeping that appt! I have a question for the 3 looking at 400cc implants. What size were you before and what is your general height/weight/bone structure - sorry for that question but I am having a hard time with size estimates - PS asked me to give it some thought.0 -
Hope you feel better soon SpecialK
I am 5'10 x 140#. I am long waisted too. I was a B pre kids, a DD while breast feeding, and a saggy A at best for the last 5 years. I was shooting for a large B/small C with the 400cc. I figure I might as well get a rockin new set of boobs out of this whole BC mess! No apoligies needed for asking! And just like fluff I feel pretty comfortable with my size at 400cc. I think anything bigger would look silly on me.
0 -
chick - thanks! Man, you're tall! I am 5'2", normally about 125 lbs., should be 115 lbs., but weigh 135 lbs. because of chemo, and was a B, but I am short-waisted. I don't want to be too big because I think that could look matronly, but I don't want to be too small either or I will look too pear-shaped. I need to chat with PS about what he thinks would suit my frame. I would also like the rockin' new set, which would involve them being a little higher on my chest - the old ones had moved a little bit south over time, ha!
0 -
Chick - yes how weird that PS' have such different opinions about TE to implant sizing. I also find it really strange that they have such different views about the amount of time from last TE fill to exchange surgery. Mine waits 3 months, but I've read here about many who have the exchange almost immediately.
SpecialK - hope you're feeling better. I also go tomorrow for a fill….anxious to get it because I'm so close to the end, but dreading it at the same time. Re size, I was small breasted, I guess a large A, that after 2 kids became saggy As. I'm about 5'5, 145lbs (10 pounds overweight) and think the current 390cc size TE looks perfect. You could ask whippetmom for advice on implant size.
0 -
Mich-I am also surprised by the varying wait times. Mine likes 3-4 weeks. I think I am waiting till Christmas break. I am trying to get a couple long term sub jobs that start right when we get back from vacation. If I don't get those though I am shooting for soon after vacation.
SpecialK-Yes I am tall. I probably have the same problem as you finding pants that fit right!
0 -
Hope you are feeling better, SpecialK!
My surgery is tomorrow--yay! Hoping that this means I will be done with surgeries.
Continued healing wishes to everyone on this thread!
0
