TE TROUBLE
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annalive - remember to eat some yogurt or probiotic while on these antibiotics so you don't get a bad tummy on top of all that! I have no words of wisdom about the TE and infection because that was not my problem - I had skin issues. Someone will chime in though soon I am sure. Are they culturing your draining fluid from the reddish side?
fluff - looking forward to hearing about your progress and how everything feels.
chick - welcome back, glad you had fun.
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Hi all...feeling good but really sore today especially in the lipo area.
Ann-with my first set, we got the infection to go away, but then 10 days later ir was back. He cultured it and it took a week to grow it. Pseudomonas. A bacteria resistant to antibiotics. I went into surgery knowing if the infectin was bad, i would get the implant. If it was bad, out they come, and that is what happened.
Doxycycline caused tummy issues, some rectal bleeding (sorry, i know that is gros), nausea. I did better on bactrim.
Survivor-they are sure softer. I am going to peak tonight.
Ann, again, yes, when he tok out the drains the first time he had to manually drain a lot. With the second ones, he oly jad to manially drain the fluid once. However, after my first fill, he put in120 each side to fill in empty spots. It did not hurt, BUT I ended up with a really bad rash. I think it could have been due to the herceptin, or the big fill that stretched the skin too much. Infectious disease doc put me back on iv antibiotics, which did nothing and the culture was clear the second time. My ski. Doc put me on a strong topical steroid for one week only, and in two days it was gone.0 -
SpecialK - Thanks for the tip on yogurt -- I've been eating it lately anyway, and may get probiotics too, but I think I'll ask my PS on that one in case it could interfere with antibiotics at the same time. ??? The nurse already said I must stop taking iron, calcium, and magnesium while on these antibiotics. PS didn't draw any fluid from the TE port itself; If he took any sample from the drain bulb, I missed it.
Fluff - I wonder how likely it would be for this infection to be cured with antibiotics, and then I could continue to get small fills until early December and move on to rads. Like living happily ever after. I'm worried they may want to get on with rads and not allow time for the TE get well. I'll be pretty small if they stop now (and of course uneven if I lose the sick one). I know they'll say it's more important to continue my treatment (rads), etc.and try all of this again next year. Mentally I am not prepared for that!
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Hi AnnAlive,
I only lost the right TE (the bad side where cancer was). I had the fever, pain, redness and it just needed to come out. The left one is filled to capacity, so I'm really lopsided and have been for almost 6 months. Surgery to replace righty is on Nov 30th. I see you're in the Tampa Bay area. Me too, over in Palm Harbor. We are over in Tampa a lot though, for baseball with our boys. My friend Wendi lives over in Indian Rocks Beach and is getting round 5 of 6 chemo, and will follow up with Herceptin soon. She is also starting radiation soon after chemo is done. Please keep us posted on your appt on Monday. Fingers crossed!
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AnnAlive: I am in the exact same boat as Momof3 and we are having our surgeries 2 days apart. We are both lopsided. I didn't have an infection though, my TE incision simply never healed we believe b/c of inadequate circulation. Have you PS take a culture from your drain output on Monday. Fingers crossed for you!
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Fluff, I am thrilled for you! Take it easy.......
Ladies, who else are near replacement or exchange dates.......love hearing those things! Do we have a running list of ladies getting their TE(s) back?
Ann, I lost my right TE because there was a minuscule open area with my incision in where bacteria walked in and the infection began (5 weeks after my BMX). In a matter of 24 to 48 hours, the right side of my breast was angry red and hot. I had a nipple sparing on this side and it is believed that since it struggled that may have been a factor. I was admitted into the hospital for IV antibiotics but it still had to come out and other areas were excised where the skin went bad, including my nipple. I was told, that in San Diego County (where I live), there is a 10% chance that a TE becomes infected (lucky me for being in that small group). And I was also informed that it is tough to keep a TE when there is an infection. There are cases where the PS can remove it, do a power-wash on it, and replace it -- but I was not a candidate due to my type of skin infection. The silver lining in all this was that my PS said there is no reason whatsoever to worry that the when the new TE goes back in this will happen again. It's just one of those "things." But you know I will worry!
Happy Sunday,
T
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Ann - I don't know what the odds are of TE infection or how many respond to antibiotics and clear up. My PS said I was her first non-rads patients to have to have the TE removed due to infection. Also, the infectious disease Dr I saw said that when infection is in a foreign object, that it's very difficult to clear. I was on antibiotics about 6 weeks, most of it on IV strong meds, and it didn't work. I hope you have better luck:)
fluff - hope you're enjoying your implants
I can't wait!!! 0 -
My first PS (yes... i am on my second...) said that once the TE is infected, it must come out... period. That being said, I am on my second PS....
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pre-op at 10:00, 3 month MO check up at 1:00. How many times am I going to get poked today?
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Ohhhh good luck Chick. Let me know how pre op goes and what you have to get done. My pre op to replace the right TE is a week from today, next Monday. I'm expecting bloodwork. Will they also need chest xray? I hope not. I will have to cram all that stuff in since we'll be going away for the week of Thanksgiving. Good luck!
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Surgery is scheduled for Friday morning to remove my leaky left expander. I'm thankful I am able to get in on Friday, which is already a day off of work, and hopeful I will be back at work on Monday morning. Blessings to all the rest of you with TE issues, I pray your problems will be resolved quickly.
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Just_V - So glad to hear your second PS had a different opinion. I was afraid of bad news on my TE this morning, but my PS thinks it looks a little better -- that the skin is doing better (after 3 days of two antibiotics). I was so encouraged and hope it keeps on getting better. I'll see him again on Thursday.
Tatina - I hope yours goes perfectly this time.
Mich_M - Yikes, I hope mine will hang on and and get better. Many friends are praying. I have family coming for Thanksgiving week too, so it would be so good to be well, although they will do all the work.
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I'd be happy to start posting our TE surgery dates at the top of this thread! Just PM me your surgery date and specify left or right TE and where it is going in or coming out.
-Renn
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Ann- What fantastic news! Please keep us posted, okay?
MTnester - I am so sorry.......I'll be thinking of you on Friday. Assuming you have an Alloderm pouch for the TE, will the PS be keeping that in? Again, I'll be thinking of you........
Momof3 and Chick - I am happy for you both -- best of luck with all that pre-op protocol!
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Tatina, I do have an Alloderm "pocket". I will be keeping it, but the PS will be modifying it because the left side is sitting higher than the right at the current time. Appreciate the good thoughts!
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Ann, I hope you see continued improvement!
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Just seen PS and my wound is not healed enough to get the TE reinserted on 19th November as suggested last time I saw him. It was as if he had never even suggested that date and it is now back on for january next year. Gutted. I wish they would think before they make these suggestions about how desperate we are and how 6 weeks seems forever. I was feeling so optimistic when I arrived and totally deflated when I left.
Debbie
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Debbiey, I'm so sorry to hear this! Frustrating is not even the word. How long has your TE been out?
{{{hugs}}}
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momof3 - Just blood work for me today since EKG was done in May. 4 viles of blood...1 for pre-op and then 3 at MO's office! Guess I will hear if they are concerned???
MT- please do not rush back to work. I had a TE replaced due to leakage and although it was MUCH easier then the BMX I was not ready to start doing much for about 5 days. You don't want make your situation worse!!
Debbie-Very sorry for the crappy news!
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Chickadee, I'd like to post your upcoming surgery at the top of this thread too. Let me know how you'd like it worded!
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Debbie I'm so sorry. HUGS to you.
Thanks Chickadee - I hope to be feeling OK enough to spend a few hours at the office on the 14th, it's a critical time with government deadlines that aren't flexible for any reason. My dear sweet husband already told me he'd do the housework for 4 weeks again. WOW what a man! And yes you are right, I don't want to make this worse in any way, shape or form. Interestingly enough, my PS will see me the following Thursday and will do a fill that day. That surprised me.
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Ren- Nov 14 - Squishies!!! (Hopefully!!)
MT-I was filled at my 1 week post op! They get busy right away again. I plan on traveling 400 miles 10 days post op for Thanksgiving so I plan on laying REAL low.
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Debbie,
So sorry to hear about the PS visit......how frustrating!
T
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Ren - Jan 17th for exchange to implants (God willing nothing goes wrong before then)
Debbie - Totally get your disappointment about your TE surgery date….I'm so sorry. My PS was like yours in that she would through out dates, then the next time I saw her, she'd provide a different opinion seemingly oblivious to our previous conversation…very frustrating.
Ann - very glad to hear that things are looking up!!
MT - good luck with surgery Friday to remove the leaky TE. I assume so, but will you have a new TE put in the same time? Hope so.
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My PS quit throwing out dates because every time he said one, I put it on my ipad in his office and made the assistant put it on the books. He finally gave up. LOL.
Just got out of the shower and feeling much more energetic and refreshed. smooshed on them a little just to check it out. I think they look pretty good. There is still some puffiness on the lipo sides, but it has gone down considerably, so I hope it will continue over the next several days.
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Good luck to all ladies having pre-op and upcoming surgeries, will be saying special prayers for you guys.
debbiey-Girl I so get how frustrated, angry and sad you feel, My first PS did the same crap to me. First it was, "we can replace it in 2 weeks, then it was 3 months and then 4-6 months". For a month after the TE was removed (and I was already an emotional basket case), I would go to my PS appt feeling optimistic and then leave in tears. The most infuriating part was that he to didn't seem to understand how even one more day is a very big deal to us. Some of them do not understand that, No it's not about the cancer and Yes we are happy to be NED, but damn it We don't feel Normal again until we have our boobs fixed and feel whole again. Needless to say I dumped that PS even after 7 months and am currently with a new PS whom I love. He doesn't try to pretend to know what I'm doing through and is very aware of what a big deal it is for me to get through reconstruction. If your feeling bad everytime you leave your PS, it may be time to look for a new one. Time does make it a little easier but the unfairness seems to linger a bit long. Your in my thought girl.
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Totally agree Survivor. I have told everyone to keep interviewing doctors until they find one that fits with them. It is soooo important
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I travel 210 miles one way to see my PS. We are traveling 400miles one way for Thanksgiving, as well. I'm thankful for many things this year, not the least of which is good drugs (muscle relaxers and pain killers) lol.
Mich, yes I am having a new and improved, non-leaky TE put in.
I agree with Survivor, keep looking for a PS until you find the right one. I love my PS, they don't know what I'm feeling when I leave in tears because I have to have another surgery, but they care and are good at making me feel well cared for. I trust them when they say everything will look good in the end. Debbie, please know you're in my thoughts.0 -
Holy Lord MT that's a long way to travel to see your PS. That adds a whole other level of complexity to the TE issues. I feel spoiled, mine's only about 20 mins away.
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Mich....I'm even better. My PS is 15 minutes away and his office just happened to be right next door to my oncologist, and they are friends, so my appointments were always coordinated. It was really nice.
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