TE TROUBLE
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Survivor, I am so sorry you went through this a couple of weeks ago. I'm home now from the hospital and am not trying to feel so defeated. The sadness feels unbearable right now. I also took a peek at my ex-TE breast and nearly had a breakdown from the look of it.
What angers me the most is that I (we) followed the instructions, did what we were supposed to do, but the TE's still screwed us over.....
I see my PS next Tuesday but I "hear" it will be about 3 months for a do-over. Hoping the PS can take out the draining tubes on Tuesday.....I hate these things.
Thanks for the welcome chickadee....0 -
It's kind of unbelievable and sad what we go through to have boobs...something isn't right with this picture...(just saying...)
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Chickadee52- I got overfilled on my very last fill and it set off a chain reaction of muscle spasms that I am still dealing with almost 2 months later. If I had it to do over again; I would definitely have had them take some out. I am having exchange in 13 days so I am just toughing it out till then because I am afraid to let anyone mess with it at this point. My advice is to take fills at your own comfort level.
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ginger-The one I am uncomfortable in is not the one that was replaced a month ago. It hadn't been filled since July and then 2 weeks ago he decided to give it 2 more little fills. The first one felt fine, it's this last one that doesn't. I am just wondering if it is a build up of scar tissue that is hurting me. 30 days till exchange!
Oh and GO CARDS!
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So I just noticed that I have no lower eyelashes...they were jsut there a few days ago. I think I am something like 9 weeks PFC, wow the gift that keeps on giving!
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Chick, never a dull moment with what we're going through it seems, huh?
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So sorry you had an infection, Tatina. I had one in my right TE in May and had it removed. My PS is waiting 6 months before putting it back in, so I'm totally lopsided as my left one is almost filled to capacity. Gotta get creative.
Went to PS Friday. She wasn't concerned about the red area on torso under left TE. She said whatever it was, it has run it's course and is just going to have to heal on its own, and that could take a while since I'm a redhead with fair skin. So, she went ahead with the fill on lefty. 2 to go, and then it sits and waits for the Nov 30th surgery date to put right TE back in, heal and get filled and caught up. That should give that area plenty of time to heal. Still seeing 2nd derm on Tuesday just to follow up and make sure we're all in agreement. This derm specializes in breast reconstruction and is also a surgeon, so I think I'm going to the right doc for once lol.
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
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Thank you Momof3.... Sorry to hear about your removal in May -- so it looks like your new TE may be next month? Please let me know how it goes....I will be sending good thoughts your way.
I would love to hear creative ways to dress the top half. I know ruffled tops are good, but i wonder what other fashion avenues I can take, too. Wonder if there is a thread for this topic?0 -
Hi Momof3 6months seems such a long time to wait berore reinsertion. I had my TE removed 21st september and was hoping to get a new one put in before the end of the year however my PS has said no way and it must be next year but he has not said when next year. I hope it is not March. That will spoil all the summer again. I feel I am just wishing my life away waiting. I am trying to be positive after your message survivor but I find I have good and bad days. I hope that when we have the second go everything goes to plan and we can just forget about this part of our recovery. I have almost forgotton about my chemo it seems so long ago now and it was not that many months ago. T it is a good sign that you are thinking about fashion I still dont want to buy any new clothes I think everything looks odd on me as I had a large bust and always wore deep vnecks which are out. Anyway off to town to buy clothes for the kids. Take care everyone.
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Jane- I did not think ANY PS still opted for the TRAM off the bat - the DIEP is the TRAM but without taking some of the ab muscles, as the TRAM does. I am in the same boat as you - my TE failed and I lost skin and the implant route was no longer an option.. I switched PSs and now am scheduled for a DIEP 11/9 - 5 months post TE removal. I highly suggest a second opinion, sorry - third opinion... the TRAM truly is a procedure from 20 years ago... google TRAM vs DIEP and see the difference. The LD (back) also involves the muscle - pulling the muscle from the back, under the arm pit, into the front and attaching it; the TRAM is removal of the fat, skin, and muscle in the ab area and attaching it to the chest, the DIEP is the TRAM but without the involvement of the muscle.
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I feel the same way, Debbiey. I feel that everything looks odd on me because I was big busted to begin with. I've gone through such a downsizing, I've got to figure out a temp solution. On the 25th of this month, I have a banquet to attend to receive a writing award. I am not going to let this TE issue get in the way....ruffled tops, here I come.....
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tatina and debbiey - sorry about the loss of the TE - we all know how you are feeling. I also found that the long looped scarf in the front was a good disguise. If you are going to spend time without a TE I would recommend a mastectomy bra and prosthetic - it will make a difference. Mine was out for 6 months, through chemo, and the prosthetic made things lots easier.
chick - sorry about the lashes - I have heard that the lashes need to get back on a normal loss schedule - like when you just lose one at a time, or a couple. When they all fall out at once it disrupts that so they all fall out again. I have read when they come back the second time they stay, and that they come back fast. Hope so! I keep watching mine like a hawk. The lowers all came back at the same time - I didn't lose all my uppers so now they are all different lengths, they look like a spider! I was considering giving the longs a trim so they would be even, but I am not sure.
Hi to Miasanta and just_v!
survivor - how are you doing?
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Just V- I know, I have been doing a lot of research on all of this, too much probably, my head is spinning. I may get a 3rd opinion but will wait a few months. I need a break and the idea of getting all my records together yet again for someone is overwhelming. My PS does do the DIEP yet he feels my best option for guaranteed success is the pedicled TRAM. His reasoning is that I had major blood flow problems, resulting in the necrosis, due to radiation, and with the pedicled TRAM the blood source is maintained as it is attached to the muscle. Everything he says makes sense. He feels I have more chance of failure with the DIEP and he feels the #1 goal should be success. I like that about him, especially after 3 surgeries and 16 months post BMXw/TE, being all the way back to the starting point...I'm not sure how many years I want to drag this out...If I go for a 3rd opinion on the DIEP, I will probably have to travel even further, to Orlando, about 2 hours away.
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Jane, I really thought DIEP was what I wanted originally, but before I talked to the recommended team in Orlando, I had a consult with my current PS. The bloodflow issue concerned me as well because I was going to do rads before reconstruction. The other concern for me was the duration of the surgery since I had a BMX as well as the length of time needed for recovery. I also only had enough belly tissue to do 2 small breasts. Plus, once I met with my PS I knew he was my guy & haven't looked back. It sounds to me like your new PS is working in your best interest, Jane.
Tatina, sorry to see a new member in the thread. Ruffles, ruching, gathering & asymmetrical tops are your friend.
I lost my lashes towards the end of chemo & then one more time they thinned out a LOT. Final chemo was early Feb & they have stayed the same since they came back that second time so far. Yay, I hope that is true SpecialK!
I have my surgery booked for nipples & scar revision. I have an ugly raised scar right in the middle of my chest from the BMX. Very visible if I wear a v-neck or anything cut on the low side. My BS told me I would have a scar there & that it was unavoidable due to the location of the large lump. I told him to "do what ya gotta do & I'll have the PS fix it later".
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!
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My lower are already coming back, but you are saying this will happen again!! The top look like a spider (good way to describe it Special K). I guess I have been paing so much attention to my head and chest I frailed to notice the lashes!!
DLL-How long between exchange and nipple reconstruction for you? I am curiuos because don't you want them to "drop and fluff" first?
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Hi girls.
chickadee-kept all my lashes thru chemo, but lost them all at 7wkspfc. That was 2 weeks ago and they are all coming back in really thick and fast. Like you said the gift that keeps on giving.
debbiey-why are they waiting 6 months. Thats something I'm personally having an issue with. Since I didn't really have an infection, instead skin thinning and internal inflammation, I'm going to discuss this with my PS tom. The area looks normal and I'm really not willing to wait even 4 months for reinsertion. Have 2nd opp on the 25th so hopefully one of them will explain the need to wait for me.
Special5-I'm really doing well, Finally turned that corner from self pity to ready to kick someones ass.
It goes without saying, this crap sucks.
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Hi Survivor my PS is very cautious. I did have an infection although nothing showed up on any swabs. My skin has thinned and my wound has broken down.My scar is being packed every other day to get it to heal from the inside. He wants it thoughly healed and strong enough to cope with a expander being fitted and filled. He also wants to make sure any bacteria is completley gone to avoid it reoccuring next time. I do trust my PS so I am grudgingly going with his time scale. Once the wound has healed which shouldn't be much longer, I am going to get a prosthesis and enjoy Christmas as best I can. I am having to learn not to be such a control freak and let things take their course. It is hard but I am getting there. Let me know any further explanations you get. Debbie
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Survivor-you and I must have finished chemo the same week. I was 9 weeks PFC on thursday.
So I tried to dye my hair with a no amonia/no peroxide dye and it just wouldn't stick to the gray. Yesterday I went and got a no amonia dye and that one stuck. I went 1 shade too light though I think, but the gray is gone!!
Healthy and healing thoughts!
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chickadee521, it will be 2+ months between for me. My non-rads side has already dropped significantly & he always planned to put the nipples on the lat flaps themselves, so we should be good to go.
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Thanks-that is about what I was thinking too
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chick - not everybody loses the lashes a second time. Just like all other SE's from chemo - everybody gets different ones, different times, different intensity. Hopefully for all of us since we have TE issues we at least get to keep the lashes! It is only fair! Yay for the Cards!
survivor - good for the ass-kicking attitude! That is what you need!
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Going to game 1 Wednesday
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Lucky you Chick!!!!! Go Cardinals!!!! (we lived in St. Louis for many years....)
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So my PS has lost his freaken mind. Went in today and initially after TE removal he said 3 months for reinsertin. Now he's saying 4-6 months and still insists there was an infection. When I said why 4-6 months his response was, some women have to wait years to get reconstruction. Told him that we were not talking about other woment, I was only concerned about my situation right now. He then proceded to tell me, "I know how you feel". I stayed calm but told him "no you don't, Unless you were born with boobs and had someone cut them off then have to go through this personally, he had no idea how I felt." Can't wait for 2nd opp on Tues. The area looks great, no redness, no nouthing-he's nuts. Just had to vent.
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Hi Ladies!
I was off the boards for a while, then whenever I stopped back I spent all my time reading and trying to catch up and no time left to post! You all have been busy and there have been several surgeries and complications since I last posted. I hope everyone continues to heal and you can start to put the worst behind you.
Survivor: My TE was removed July 6 and my PS has me waiting 5 months before putting in a new TE (tentatively scheduled for Dec. 1). I did not have an infection either. He said my tissue had to "mature." I have no breast tissue left so he is talking about the Alloderm — and by maturing he means the Alloderm needs to be completely incorporated with adequate blood supply and circulation. I feel plenty "mature" already, so fingers crossed he thinks so too. I see him next week to firm up TE replacement details. God I hope I don't have to wait years! I'm not sure why your PS said that! No bedside manner there!
Welcome to the newbies who have had the misfortunate to now be part of our "club." You'll find lots of great advice and ladies on this thread!
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Survivor,
I am so sorry you had to go through that appointment. I have my follow-up tomorrow to see what the next step is. Now, here is the curious thing. When I was in the hospital last week, my PS was on vacation, so the PS on call filled in (very nice doc by the way). Anyhow, even with a localized infection (no fever), he said my choices for a New TE would either be in 2 weeks or 3 months. I know I was loopy from the Vicodin, but my husband heard the same thing. Doesn't 2 weeks sound like it's too soon?
Will keep you posted....
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HI Tatina and welcome. Sorry you're joining our group. And yes, 2 weeks does sound very soon.
Chick - my last couple of fills felt like I was too over-filled like you did this time. But after 7 to 10 days it felt better. After 2 fills feeling that way, I said no more. Hope you're feeling better.
DLL - Yay, good to hear that you have nipples and scar revision booked…you must be excited to be so close to the end.
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Survivor...sorry to hear abt today's visit.
Mich...still feel a little tight 10 days out. Not sure though if I will ask for some to be taken out.0 -
Well, things are looking up. Went to 2nd derm opinion today. She was AWESOME. Said the red spot is absolutely nothing to be concerned about, it's my skin's response to when I had shingles a couple of months ago, and since I'm so fair it will take a while to fade. What a relief. So...2 fills to go on left TE! I'm sooooo lopsided, but right TE going back in Nov 30th. That speck of light at the end of the tunnel is starting to get a little more bright.
Survivor, I'm so sorry for your frustration. Hopefully that 2nd opinion will ease your mind.
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Momof3,
Excellent news about your doc's visit..... What relief you must feel and I'm so happy for you.
Will be leaving for my appointment in a couple of hours to see what the next steps are to replace my TE.
Taking it one day at a time,
T0
