TE TROUBLE
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SpecialK - I thought it was you who had the nail cut off! My PS's nurse said the podiatrist told her they don't like to remove nails for patients about to have surgery, so I will likely get an antibiotic, and I have a week before surgery, adequate to get an infection under control I hope. Hey, I have some kind of tape allergy too, and I think it may be the adhesive (even with paper tape) but it hasn't been consistent. It seems like if I get the tape or bandaid off within an hour or two, I don't react (with red rash). I think the PS sprays something plastic at surgery, but I'm not sure if there is tape and dressings elsewhere, such as around the drains, or on the AND incision, which is not his. I wrote down that I'm senstive to some tapes.Surgery is at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. I'm glad you're UTI antibiotic is working out so far!
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AnnAlive - This last surgery my PS really didn't use too much tape. He put dressings and then lots of padding then a compression bra. I had no problems with tape rash after this one. I am in fact allergic to the adhesive - I had a drug and cosmetic panel (allergy) done when I lived up in Washington, D.C. and I am allergic to epoxy resin, so scotch tape, postage stamps, you name it! Also my plastic frame glasses - had to get Titanium ones.
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Good God, you guys and your allergies. Hate to hear all you guys have been through.
SpecialK-congrats on your 1yr. Been through a lot, just shows how brave you are.
fluffqueen-a pick me up thread is a great idea.
debbiey-hope your infection and dressing disaster is going better
AnnAlive-heres hoping that toenail behaves for your surgery.
Momof3-I do think a pedi is in my near future as well.
Getting really close to exchange on Mon. Getting really anxious and not sleeping well, just ready to get this next phase over with.
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AnnAlive and other toenail problem people-while the problem can be related to chemo, it is also a big side effect of herceptin. All through chemo, I kept my toes and hands in insulated bags with frozen peas or bags of ice. It is supposed to help prevent nail damage by not letting the chemo/herceptin get into the nail cells. So far so good.
My onc said he doesn't know if the ice concept works for herceptin, but he says to keep doing it since it has worked so far.
I am allergic to the surgical tape also, including the thing they put around my port when it is accessed. When you are on iv antibiotics for two weeks, that is some major itching!
You will all appreciate this! My PS is allergic to all kids of weird stuff. He had allergy testing done with a specialist at the med center. There is something in Hibiclens that he can't take. He is also allergic to something is the top of the line steroid cream for the rash I had, so he prescribed something a step down in case he was touching me. LOL. The dermatologist said I needed the stronger stuff and he would just have to suck it up.
The infectious disease doc gave me two prescriptions this week to take a week before my exchange. Part of it is a washing thing (I am sure it will probably dry my little foobs all out). Told him my ps (whom he knows) might be allergic, and he said the same thing....tell him to suck it up. Can't wait to fill him in on that!
For my expander surgery, he glues it all shut then puts some several layers of really soft gauze, and the bra.
Debbiey-I hope you got treated today....I would have been in the emergency room immediately, not waiting 24 hours. I was going to suggest using a maxipad over it to help with the draining, which others have used, but thought with an infection maybe that was a bad idea. I am not a medical person at all. Good researcher, but low gross out factor.
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And survivor...so jealous your exchange is Monday! I have three weeks from tomorrow. I am hoping the 10 days in Hilton Head with friends will help cut the time in half. However, I am so paranoid about the rash I had that I am not sure I can get in a swimming pool. For sure I will not be sitting in the hot tub for fear of a pseudomonal rash.
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Fluffqueen - Ah, so it could be Herceptin affecting toenails? I was blaming Taxol, which did cause my mild peripheral neuropathy. Whatever, I hope it doesn't jeopardize surgery -- it doesn't actually seem infected, but there is yellowish drainage. Interesting about the ice -- I hope it works well for you. I didn't see anyone during chemo trying that, but one lady was using an ice cap to prevent losing her hair. I wonder how that turned out. Sometimes we don't get the end of the story. [Hey, I grew up in Greenwood, IN. I don't know many people there now, though. Even my folks retired to AZ.] Cheering for your exchange surgery to go smoothy -- you've earned it with those TEs going in and out and in.
SpecialK - Is there gluten in tape and label adhesive? My daughter uses only 3M tape (such as Scotch tape) because it never has gluten and she's very allergic. I took 3M (NexCare) paper tape to chemo for them to use on me, and had less trouble with it. I don't know what to tell the surgeons for my BMX & TEs because I don't know for sure what tapes are a problem for me.
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Yay! Glad to see all the upcoming exchanges! Good luck with that culture, AnnAlive.
Had 1 drain removed today (the front one), but will be keeping the back drain for a bit longer. I had the last back drain for 6 weeks w/my other lat flap. PS has assured me that he spent a good deal of time talking to this one (& made everyone in the OR think he was crazy) so it will not be in for nearly that long. LOL.
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Ann-my onc told me before I started treatment that nail problems were fairly rare with taxol, but more common with Herceptin. There are probably a lot of people on here that would dispute the Taxol part. He also told me I might not lose all my hair. I laughed. Well, he was kind of right, I did not lose all my hair....kept enough of it almost to the end to still wear a baseball cap when I worked out. Then after chemo....gone baby gone....it all of a sudden started falling out more, along with the eyelashes and eyebrows that had stayed all through chemo. Those were already growing in when they fell out though, so it wasn't too much of an issue.
Here is what I do....I found insulated lunch bags somewhere for about $6 each. They are neoprene material. The two I put on my feet are a little larger and my foot fits in perfectly, along with the frozen peas which I fold around the ends of my feet and then zip the bag over the top of my foot. Then, I do a similar thing with my hands. The foot bags are a crazy black and yellow, so noticeable. Puts the staff into a laughing fit when they see me sitting there watching tv with my hands and feet wearing lunch bags. Periodically, you have to take them out or move them around so you don't freeze your digits.
We have been in the Center Grove area for 22 years. It has been amazing to watch it grow. We live pretty close to Center Grove High School. Were you a Greenwood girl or CG?
On reactions, at first, I thought that some of my rash problems were due to an allergic reaction to the glue, but it was the exact same stuff as the other two surgeries, and other than itching with healing, it was fine.
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Fluffqueen - Interesting ice routine. I don't like to hear that the nail problems are due to Herceptin, when I have 9 months to go on it. Does that mean the nails will get worse and worse, and would ice make a difference now? I'll have to check the Herceptin forum for more discussion on it. I won't see my Onc until after surgery.
I was a Greenwood girl, when the high school was the building that became middle school after the "new" high school was built on Smith Valley Rd. I have no idea of changes in recent years, but went back for my 10th and 20th reunions.
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AnnAlive-you can take in the tape that didn't seem to affect you much with chemo for your surgery, I'm sure they will use it, I've had patients do the same thing. Also when you see the podietrist, see if there is a preventative nail polish or cream you can use during the next 9 months that will help with the toenail problem.
fluffqueen-the waiting sucks. Your trip should be a great distraction. You should be fine in the water (no hot tubs), just be sure to wash off with regular water inbetween your dips and make sure your bathing suit top isn't rubbing too much on the foobs, thats how my recent rash started. Not a bad idea to take some A&D ointment or Aquaphor and rub on there after your our of your suit to keep the areas good and hydrated.
DLL66-glad to hear your moving along in your recovery. Hard to believe that next week I'll be doing the same thing.
Hope you ladies have a great day.
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Here's hoping all infections are starting to clear up! SpecialK how is that new antibiotic working out? Tomorrow should be my last fill. Maybe 1 small one the following week. A little nervous because he is going to expand the left one a little too and it hasn't been touched since July. Wondering if it will be more painful??
I've got a new one for you. My mom was getting her teeth cleaned and the dentist, who knows me, asked if I was taking antibiotic when I got my teeth cleaning a few weeks back. He had just gone to a seminar where they talked about women with implants or TE getting infections in their TE after teeth cleaning. I guess the bacteria released during the cleaning goes to the TE area? Well I was actually on antibiotics because it was right after my TE was replaced. I am going to ask the PS tomorrow if he has ever heard of this?
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AnnAlive - my allergy is definitely the resin in the adhesive. That is what the allergy panel I had showed. It is kind of a sap allergy, as I will react to sawdust, pine cleaning solutions, etc. That is why I was allergic to my glasses as well - the epoxy resin in the plastic. During this same testing the detergent problems came to light - I am allergic to the surfactant that makes lather. It is in shampoo, bar soap, laundry soap, etc. It is a coconut derivitive - so it is in organic and natural products too. I use olive oil soap and shampoo and very gentle laundry products.
I am going to chime in here about the nails. My issue was with one fingernail that had a high split prior to chemo. The other nine nails are perfect. No Mees lines, no discoloration, no ridges. I iced every TCH - fingernails and toesnails with bags of frozen peas, only during the Taxotere portion of the infusion. This was recommended by the ladies on the TCH thread, due to the many ladies who have had nail issues that post there. If that nail had not had the high split (due to removal of acrylic nails) it would not have had a problem. The troublemaker is Taxotere, or whatever taxane is being infused. Problems persist on Herceptin because of the damage done by the taxane used in the chemo. I have not iced beyond chemo and I am still on Herceptin, I honestly don't think there is any benefit to icing at this point if you are beyond chemo and just receiving Herceptin.
chick - No problems so far with my antibiotic. When I had problems with penicillin it didn't happen until after 7 days, same with Macrodantin, so who knows. This med is for seven days also. I go see the onc right after that so he can deal with it if there is a problem. As far as getting an antibiotic for teeth cleaning, it sounds like what people with mitral valve prolapse have to do. They take a prophylactic antibiotic to counteract the bacteria dislodged by cleaning. Interesting that they are finding that people with foreign bodies inside them are susceptible to infection. I wonder if this is true for people with artificial knees, hips, pacemakers, etc.
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I wonder too SpecialK. I need to remember to ask my PS tomorrow.
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Oh and congrats to all you Ray fans. Hopefully your wild card team has as much sucess as mine. We both squeaked in!
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Thanks for the Rays boost - I only wandered through the room last night as the game was on - didn't think it was going to end well, but happily I was wrong! Yay for you too!
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chickadee-talked about the antibiotic for dentist thing in great detail on another thread. Apparently this is catch in more and more. Will defianantly take one before my next dentist appt-no need to take chances.
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Survivor11 - Thanks for the tip on taking tape to surgery -- I didn't know if they'd allow it to be brought in like that, even though I took it to chemo treatments and they used it to anchor the needle and tubing at the port. I took 1" wide tape. Would 2" be more appropriate after surgery, or should I take only 1" tape?
SpecialK - That's a lot of trouble for you to stay away from your allergens. My DD has Celiac and is constantly avoiding gluten, including its use in many tapes. I'm glad you're not reacting to your latest antibiotic. I don't think my toenail is any worse today. I'm soaking all my toes in Domeboro solution a few times today, recommended by someone else's Onc. I haven't called mine. I'll see what the podiatrist says about it tomorrow. It's my mission to not let these get infected so my surgery date can stay on track, including TEs.
DLL66 - Thanks for your earlier good wishes for my toe - ha. I don't know if it will get cultured. It has yellowish drainage, but not a lot.
Has anyone mentioned making your own ice packs with rubbing alcohol and water? 1 part alcohol to 2 parts water, in ziploc bag (double bag to prevent leaking), and freeze. I have made these for years and they are slushy, easy to shape around any wound. They can also be made with liquid dish soap, but I haven't tried that. I think I'll make some of those today.
Chickadee - Interesting to read about these fills. I hope I tolerate the TEs and fill rate -- all must be done within 6 weeks so I can start rads. And we get dental danger too?
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AnnAlive-Most of the ladies on this thread take their fills very slowly. I get 60cc at a time. I know that I can't tolerate much more, I was small chested. My PS will not put TE into a rads patient. I would have had to go another route if I needed rads.
So who prescribes the antibiotic? The dentist? Is this an ongoing thing that every six months you have to take an antibiotic?
Maybe the Rays and Cards can meet up in the WS? Wonder if 2 wild card teams have ever done that?
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chick - don't know who prescribes the prophy antibiotic - probably a PCP, or maybe the dentist. I think you just take it for a day or two. I think you would just have it on hand and take it the day of, and maybe day after...I am just guessing here. According to Wikipedia the 2002 World Series, Angels and Giants, both wild cards.
Don't most PS/RO want fully filled TE prior to rads? I did not have rads so not sure.
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Love the chemo tips but really following the baseball chat. You can guess by my screen name where my loyalties lie, despite 20+ years in California! Caryn ( you can take the girl out of the Bronx, but you can't take the Bronx out of the girl)
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In my case, delayed reconstruction was recommended because they knew I would need rads. So I did neoadjuvant chemo, a BMX, rads & then a lat flap with TEs placed. After the complication on my non-rads side, I then had a 2nd lat flap with permanent implants. All of the doctors on my team felt that delaying recon until after rads was the best way to go.
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Thanks for the stat SpecialK. I also noticed on a stat here in STL that the Cardinals twice before have been the wild card team and made it to the World Series.
exbronxgirl-my BIL is from Yonkers and a huge Mets fan. Makes for a fun baseball season.
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Hi Debbie im sorry we had to meet like this!, but its reassuring when you can talk to someone with the same experience, its been a week since they removed the expanders, again fluid is coming out but not a ton, the wound has opened at one end about the size of a pea, PS says to bind myself up until fluid stops, keep dressings dry, he wasnt concerned about the whole he says it will heal once the fluid has gone, alternatively it would mean a drain, so i dont know what is the best of the two evils!!!, still on antibiotics, so hope for zero infection, just seems like its not getting better......will it ever heal up!, i have to book my radiotherapy but cant until its healed, its never ending. how are you doing did you get the wound looked at?? or are you still waiting?, sorry i am in canada not sure of time difference. thanks for your advice, please let me know how it goes, B:)
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Chickadee...Yes, I take antibiotics before dental visits. I had to do it for years because I had ACL reconstruction in both knees and have metal in them. Same goes for TE's with the metal fill port. Bacteria can wander down there. The dentist prescribes it. I take 4 500 mg Amoxicillin pills 1-2 hours before the appointment. There was one dentist who said she didn't prescribe those anymore, but I demanded it. They usually give me like 20 pills so it lasts for a while and I don't have to ask at every visit. If a dentist ever declined to give the script, I'm sure the PS would be happy to. Better safe than sorry! And yes....GOOOOO RAYS!! Yippee
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Chick-my brother-in-law is my dentist. He made me come in for cleaning, etc before my surgery and chemo. Said it was better to have it done and out of the way. They other day he reminded me I was overdue. I told him after what I have been through, there was no way he was going to start poking around and maybe causing a problem. Said he had to wait until the permanent ones were in. he laughs because he knows I hate the dentist, particularly the noise of the drill. I get so stressed if he has to do any work that he prescribes a valium before the appointment. The gas doesn't work on me.
Will we need to take prophylactic antibiotics with the implants?
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AnnAlive, I'd take 1" and 2"-gives them choices where dressings are concerned.
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Hi Bev I am in England so dont know what time it when I am writting to people. I have had new packing and a new dressing applied. I have been told I need it seen and have it redressed at least every two days. They are hoping it should be cleared up in about 4 weeks, if all goes well. I will then have to wait another 4 weeks to ensure the infection is clear and allow the scar to heal enough to allow the stretch of the expander. So i am looking at end of November for reinsertion of TE. It is a funny feeling I cant wait to have the TE in but I am scared it will get reinfected. There appears to be a high chance of that after reading everyones experiences. The operation will only take 15 minutes but I will need a general aenesthetic. This is the most distressing thing about these operations as my veins are shot due to my chemo and they really struggle to get a line in. I wake up bruised to bits and each time it gets worse.I have developed an allergy to the tape they dressed my wound in and that they use on my port after it has been used for my hercepin. It is as if the TE has made my body more sensitive to certain plastics. I hope not I must try to be more positve. Speak soon. Debbie
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Debbie, why don't they use your port during your surgery, that's what it's there for.
Off for more pre-oping today then a jam packed weekend then surgery-yeah.
Hoping everyone has a great Friday.
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Yay, survivor11! Will be sending positive thoughts your way.
Well, I did something a little nutty. I have always had long hair & thought I'd be ecstatic to have hair again after chemo. Yeah, not so much with the horrid chemo curl. Yesterday I dyed it bright red & got it cut. Told the girl to have fun with it & she asked if she could do a fauxhawk, so I told her to go for it.
My implants are softer already (it's been a week), but I think it will be a while before the latissimus muscles relax enough for me to get a really good idea of what my end results will be. They are symmetrical & the IMF fold is clearly defined, so I think I am off to a great start
Healing wishes for all of you still dealing with TE issues.
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So jealous of all these implants, but yeah for you guys!!
I am dying to dye my hair. I even have the color, bought it at Sally's. The lady said it is what all her post chemo patients use. I think if I would dye it I might appear to have more hair, there is a lot of gray up there with now!
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