TE TROUBLE
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Sandra what you had is the same as IV sedation. Because I managed a PS office I knew that I only wanted IV sedation for the fat grafting-and it just wasn't possible! I've seen how patients react to general anesthesia. Unfortunately, due to insurance, I have to have my surgery in a hospital and not my PS's op center which is a bummer!
Local anesthesia is when one area is numbed -either with a shot of lidocaine or tumescent anesthesia.
Babs
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Thanks Babs. The anesthesiologists called it a "local" so it was confusing. They warned me that I might wake up during the procedure but wouldn't feel pain and would fall back asleep right away. That did happen once. I remember thinking, "Boy that light is BIG and so BRIGHT", but that could have been in the very beginning of the procedure. I wasn't disturbed and indeed did go right back "under" right away. They also said it was possible to have fleeting memories of waking up in the coming days but I never did. Just before surgery they put a scopolamine patch behind my ear and gave me a capsule of a med called Emed. Afterwards I got Zofran. It all worked great and there was no nausea at all. Surgery #2 was to repair damage done by an infection two weeks prior when I'd had the BMX and permanent implants.
For this last surgery, #3, Dec 6th, I expected to have the same IV sedation but was told just before I was wheeled into the OR that it would have to be a general because of the pocket work that had to be done before I could exchange the TE and remaining original implant for the new implants. I burst into tears! Just as I'd found something that worked so well, I was going back to PONV hell. The anesthesiologist said he would do the same scopolamine/Emed/Zofran combo and had a plan to reduce as many gases as possible. It worked ok...just a day of moderate nausea.
Now I'm looking into the ugly eyes of surgery #4, which I already know will be with a general because the PS said it would be a "big operation." He's going to take muscle and tissue from my back to repair some of the residual damage of the infection.
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Make sure they give you the Emend and then Zofran. Emend really works well and good luck! So you're having the LD done?
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Babs, I'm not sure. I see the PS on Thursday to discuss my options. I hope he comes up with another idea because the more I think about the LD procedure, the more fear I have. If I get another infection, I'm screwed. Plus not sure how I would do with the pain in my back as well as on my side. You see, I'm allergic to all narcotics and can only take IV Tylenol. I've coded four times so it's a serious allergy. (Dilaudid, Stadol, Tramadol, and with contrast dye during a heart catherization.) Also average at least two episodes of bradycardia during any surgery with general anesthetics. I've gone through my 3 breast operations, plus an open RNY gastric bypass ten years ago and a hysterectomy twenty years ago (opened stem to stern both times) with only Tylenol. Also had a lower body lift, 58 inches of incisions... with only Tylenol. It's REALLY hard, especially if I have to deal with nausea too so any ideas I can find to reduce it is MUCH appreciated.
I'd love to talk to someone who had the LD procedure. Anyone?
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Sandra-wow, not easy for you! Well, yesterday I started to turn lovely shades of black and blue. So pretty!!!! Not!!!!!
Babs
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Sandra - DLL66 has had LD done - send her a PM.
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Sanda: My thoughts on flaps - and this is with no experience. My docs don't know if upcoming radiation will cause problems with the existing right implant and my PS said he will not do another implant on radiated skin. I researched the LD process, but I just don't want to court those issues at my age - 70 this year. I was super healthy & in great physical shape before all this cancer mess started in 2011. Just can't get my head around surgery on my back muscles - especially since I already have mild LE and horrible CIPN (neuropathy), and it's my right side. I do understand there are lots of docs in the USA who WILL work with implants and radiated skin. Or maybe I'll have to decide to go flat. Boy that will be a really crushing decision.
Good luck w/your thought process. I'll be thinking of you.
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Minus Two-I also would not do the LD-even though most of the PS I saw recommended that-I just didn't want another big scar and possible loss of more motion in my back. I'm 64 and didn't want to have such an extensive surgery. So I did the TE, which failed and am now doing fat grafting with a small implant down the road. If this doesn't work then I'll stay a uni-boober.
We each need to make whatever decisions are right for us alone-w/o anyone else's input. It's not easy but getting BC and surviving it isn't easy either!
Babs
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I have 2 lat flaps. My back scars are small & they are pretty well hidden in my bra line. I have no issues, no pain & still work full-time. Having the lat flaps done did not make my mild lymphedema any worse. Post questions or send 'em if you'd like.
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Hi ladies,
I had a bmx, chemo and have now developed lymphedema. I have TE's and during chemo the right one seemed to be leaking, but it seems to have resolved itself. My new issue is the left TE became inflamed and painful. MY PS gave me antibiotics yesterday and then gave me 24 hours, if it does not improve by today he will hospitalize me and sigh.....possibly take out the TE which will set everything back 3 months.
I'm not sure what a little bit better looks like. It s still red,sore and i still have a fever. I do have less pain however. Does that mean the antibiotics are working? What would you do?
Thanks!
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SC-I just had my TE's taken out because of infection. My PS waited longer though to see if antibiotics would work, but it could just depened on the type of infection you are dealing with too. I was on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks and the darn thing was just not getting better. So, last Monday I had them both taken out. Only one side was infected, but I decided to have them both done and deal with reconstruction later. You might ask if IV antibiotics are an option....Good luck girl!0 -
sc - without a culture of the bacteria it is difficult to know if you are on the correct antibiotic for the type of infection you seem to have, and whether 24 hours is long enough to see improvement. Can you ask your PS about this?
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Thank you Tang for your insight!! Thanks Special K, I will ask that. My PS is in surgery until 2pm and will call me back. I just want the right thing to be done.
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SC - weighing in on the side of possible stronger IV antibiotics in the hospital. Hope that will work for you as a next step. And Special K is right - the infection should be cultured.
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yes...cultured!! This will allow them to know what type of antibiotics will clear the infection. Good luck!
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SC I had my left TE removed due to infection/cellulitis. But the decision was made by the infectious disease Dr not my PS. The first time I had the issue I was hospitalized on heavy duty anti-biotics for 6 days-which worked. The second time they gave me oral antibiotics and the Infectious disease Dr felt the TE should be removed. Every culture was taken and everything was negative. Sometimes they can't take a culture until they actually remove the TE. Maybe waiting a little longer with heavy duty anti-biotics is the answer to avoid the TEs coming out. I was bummed that my TE came out-- about 3 weeks after my 2nd fill-I had one more fill to go.
Good luck!!!!
Babs
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SC. So sorry. And Tang too. I know what you are going through. As for culturing it's hard to do that once you are on antibiotics. My P'S and I'D doc's both take the TEs As Soon As you are Red AND run a fever. They don't even try to stop it. So if they're willing to try for you that's a good thing.
Sandra. Hugs girl. You've been through a lot. I hope they know how to handle it for you this time. I'd be lost without my tramadol! I take it daily for my arthritis pain. I can't take Tylenol 3 so they bump me up to hydrocodone for any sx.
Sorry I've been missing. This thread dropped off my favorites again. But i still care about all of you. I pray for everyone on this thread to.
Much love.
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Good luck schoolcounselor...Hoping you don't have to lose your TEs, but if you do its not the end of the world. I lost mine after many heroic attempts to save them. In the end I will be ok and so will you.
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I agree, it's not the end of the world to loose the TE's. It was actually a relief to me as it seemed like they were just causing me not to get better so I could start chemo. I can understand the logic of some docs to just take those puppies out at the first sign of infection.Has anyone gotten over an infection w/o having them taken out??? lol
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Tang, I'd already had an infection going on for 2 weeks when the TE was put IN. The permanent implant was taken out along with the necrotic stuff and they put in a TE. I was on the IV antibiotic for another two weeks after I got home. So they don't have to necessarily pull the TE's right away if you get an infection. I guess it depends on where the infection is. Mine was under my arm and on the side of the implant. There wasn't enough good skin left to cover the implant, so it had to go. The smaller TE with no saline was there three weeks until the drains were out, the PICC line and IV antibiotics were gone, and the infection was gone. Then the fills started.
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Denise and Trinity~Yep my PS gave me bad news as well. We have to just get thru this. Hugs.
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tang, hope you figured out what you were supposed to wear. After removal I had an ace bandage for a weekish, then a surgical vest. I think it was pretty snug. And you are right, it was a shock to see just how flat it was. Since I started with te's that had 240 in them, I never. Really felt totally flat.
Just as an FYI, I bought silicone falsies off a transvestite website. They seemed to be the same thing as the cancer sites only about a third of the price, if that. I also used the Victoria secret bombshell bra as a regular bra. It has sooooo much padding that there really isn't any room for boobs in there anyway!
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Tang....yes I was sent home the same way. I changed my dressings everyday until I saw him in the office.
I had surgery again Friday on Feb.7. My right back incision got infected and opened up so I had to have an I&D to clean it up and close again. Stayed over night in the hospital for IV antibiotics. Flaps still look good so hopefully we will start filling soon.
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Just remember u are not alone. We can and we will overcome all this.
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wow! You all make so proud of the way you get through this messy stuff. It's so depressing and disappointing when this happens. But life goes on and before we know it we can try again. Keeping you all in my prayers. And just so you know, it seems these are keepers! Settled in now got a bit of the dog ear but it's small and not showing in clothes. The only other thing is the weird ridge under the i casino line along my side where the mudflaps were removed. It feels like it is less than right after surgery but it is still there. Wish I knew what the heck it is. P'S says not to worry about it. MO says not to worry about it. But i do.... LOL guess I'm pretty normal! LOL Much love and fast healling. Also fast filling and easy exchanges before you know it!
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i casino line?
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LOL! I thought I wrote INCISION line! LOL stupid spell check.....
Although Casino line would be interesting!
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after a week of trying to save my left TE. My ps made the decision to remove it tomorrow. I would be upset except I have taken Ativan.
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SC. I am so sorry. But you will feel better physically. And get through this. Hugs.
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SchoolCounselor - Aw, honey, I'm so sorry! Moon's right, your body will feel better and get a chance to rest a little. Sending you a hug and a prayer....
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