TE TROUBLE
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Hi everyone, I'm new to this discussion. Who am I kidding, I'm just new. Only a few postings on other threads. I see my BS tomorrow for first follow up post op and don'tneven know what questions to ask re reconstruction. BMX was 11/28/11. I've researched some PS's on my own but not interested in what my town has to offer. Nodes were negative and I'm pretty sure chemo and herceptin are in my near future. When do they insert TEs? How do they time everything with chemo? When does the port get inserted for chemo. I see MO for first time postop next week on monday? As you can read I'm getting a little anxious. Surgery relieved alot of that initial anxiety but I seem to be revving back up as chemo and reconstruction get closer and reading this thread the fear of TEs increases. Some suggestions on what to focus on next would be greatly appreciated!!!
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Welcome d-too. I think insertion of TE's will depend on if you get chemo and/or radiation. Just have to wait and see what surgeons say.
Renn...yes glad that one drain came out - it was the one around the alloderm and wasn't putting out much fluid at all. The other one is putting out like 75 mL's in 24 hours (it may be down to about 50 today), so I'm not expecting that one to come out until Friday or Monday, and I'm not rushing it this time around. She said she had to break up a lot of scar tissue, and that's the reason for the large drain output. Sleeping good, but I get tired easy too. I'm going to attempt a very quick grocery trip this morning. They all know me up at Publix and will help me out to the car, probably even buckle me in lol. Just taking it very easy and resting, I'm actually enjoying my days of quiet when everyone leaves. Be well, my friends!
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D-too....please don't let all our trouble scare you off of TE's.
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d-too: I agree with Chick, your treatment plan determines when you can begin the recon process. Don't let our problems here scare you! Easier said than done I know. Good luck, let us know what your surgeon says.
Momof3: I'm actually glad to hear your output is high too... I'm not under 50ccs yet either. I cancelled my appt. with PS for that reason today. The earliest I will see him is Thursday. I had my drains out on Day 6 after BMX; when I had the TE removed, it hardly output at all, so I thnk it came out even sooner. But this drain is working its little heart out! My first day home was 150 ccs! It is finally starting to change color (lighten up) so I am happy about that. No more fever. More energy today. Are you driving already? I was wondering if I could drive myself to my appt Thursday (1 week post-op)?
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Secret and Pit Pat...I just figured out the picture posting, so I posted a couple....my thread is called Jill's new twins. http://tkt.hostned.ws/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.cgi?m-1323233889/
d2-We are triple positive sisters. You are correct....chemo and herceptin are in your future. Since you did not do immediate reconstruction, you might consider waiting until you are finished with the chemo portion to start the recon. With winter and all the infectious crud, unless it is driving you crazy, take the time to get yourself and your immune system back to speed and then do the te's. You can place them while you are on herceptin. If you need rads, they might want the te's in there. I am not sure as I didn't have to have them.
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fluffqueen, you look great! Very nice results.
d-too, I'd ask my breast surgeon for his/her opinion on reconstruction options. In my case, that is who coordinated all of my treatment. I also asked my BS for PS recommendations. BS can also help with your timeline questions.
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Fluff-queen-thank you. This alleviates some of the concerns I have should they need to come out prior to finishing treatment. Hopefully, they may not. I still do have mixed feelings on the final product. That is however, a very long way off.
Mich-M, thank you. Yes, first things first.
Patti, the best of luck to you with your appt.
Healing thoughts and hugs to all,
Laura0 -
Renn,
My fluid is finally starting to lighten up as well. I'm probably at around 40-50 mL's/day. Not ready for drain to be removed yet. I have an appt for Friday, but she wants 2 full days of 30 or less and I'm just not there yet, so I will have to change it to Monday. As much as i would like for it to be removed for the weekend, I'm not rushing anything. And yes, I did drive up to the grocery store yesterday. It's right up the road and it was fine. I'm going to drive myself to my appt on Monday to get the drain removed. I'm getting some back pain behind where she moved the peck muscles, and it's all connected so it makes sense. Nothing too bad though. I'm about to go for a very slow walk to meet my son halfway home from school. Baby steps, baby steps but I'm feeling pretty groovy:)
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momof3: I am seeing my PS tomorrow afternoon. He is removing the drain even though I'm still producing more than 30ccs a day. He said he wants the drain out. I have a friend lined up to drive me, but in the event she gets tied up at work, I feel strong enough to drive myself if I have to. I wrapped some presents today and have been zooming around the house and although I'm tired, I feel pretty good for 6 days out. I'm not sleeping well at night, though ... and the last 2 days I haven't been able to nap. My mom has been here since Monday, that may be part of it. (I get a little revved up when she is here, even though it's all good). I am really looking forward to having my first full shower in a week tomrrow night! AND washing my hair finally! ;-)
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Hi Renn,
I was supposed to get the drain out tomorrow (Friday) but I changed the appt to Monday. I'm so paranoid that I'm going to have the fluid problems that I had last time so I'm just going to wait. I just drained off 20 cc's this morning when I woke up, so by the end of the day I'm sure I'll be above 30. I hope I'm not waiting too long. I've been given the all clear for the shower even though I have a drain but I wil not do it. It freaks me out and I just don't feel right. So I take my little shallow bath, hanging my drain on the shower curtain. And I've been washing my hair in the kitchen sink all week. I am looking forward to the shower, but I just can't do it until Monday. Sleeping OK, but my back gets uncomfortable. I'm driving the kids around the corner to school this morning - it's cold! Had to turn on the heat for the first time. Then will make a short grocery trip and then rest time. I'm really feeling good this time around.
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Well, the antibiotics worked, but I was unable to make my PS appointment. There seems to be more fluid accumulating and the TE isn't nearly as firm as the other side. My physical therapist is pretty sure it's leaking, if not ruptured.
If the TE failed, it will stink that I went through all this, but I will look for another PS and go for a double DIEP flap fix. That's what I wanted in the first place anyway.0 -
Hi ladies
I'm already paranoid about something going wrong with my TEs. I guess reading the stories about TEs leaking has crept into my subconscious and I've had some nightmare like dreams the past couple of weeks. In the dream I wake up to find that my TEs have deflated, I'm completely flat and the TE has moved down to my belly area…sounds crazy I know, but do others have weird dreams?
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Hi Ladies,
Have any of you had your port on your TE migrate from the top to the bottom? Is this a big problem? My PS acted like it was my fault. And then said he couldn't over-fill me. Just think I need to see one of his PA's. They actually answer questions......
Thanks,
Susan0 -
Susan, my fill port moved from right in the middle to way on the top. There were a couple of times when my PS had to try a couple of times to get it right during a fill, but it was never a big problem. I think it's pretty common, she said that it would move around. Totally not your fault - how could it be?
Renn, since I'm wrapped up so tight with this new right TE, my left TE (which was filled almost to capacity) seems like it has shrunk. I'm thinking it's because of the ace bandage. Probably holds everything in pretty tight. Anyway, drain still in, and I think I made the right decision to wait until Monday to get the last drain pulled because I just drained off 20 cc's this morning. It should be right on the money on Monday. Hope you're feeling good. My back starts to ache in the early morning hours and once I get up it starts feeling better.
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Susan-My port also moved from the middle to the top as I kept getting fills. My PS was not surprised by the movement.
Mich-M - I still have dreams....
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A few days ago, I was feeling skin sensitivity towards the bottom of my left TE. It felt like the skin was chapped even though it isn't and there was no discoloration. Have been wearing my surgical bra a lot so am wondering if this has caused the sensitivity. Just discovered where my paper tape is there is some redness (have had a rash before from the paper tape) after I removed it. Going to my PS this afternoon just to make sure all is okay -- supposed to have my right TE replaced on the 20th and right now I'm on edge.......
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tatina - I started just putting guaze with no tape and having the bra hold the guaze in place because I am allergic to the adhesive on the tape. I had lots of sensitivity even with just wearing a bra (no tape or guaze) and rubbing where the lower bra band was. Definitely there was chafing I think because the TE doesn't move like a regular breast would so the bra moves instead.
all - my ports also shifted. I asked PS about it and he said of course it would shift as the TE was filled and expanded. Most of us had less than half of the max cc amount put in at surgery so the TE has a lot of room left in it. I had a fill (and Herceptin) yesterday. I think I will only have one more, on Dec. 20th and then be done. That would put me at exchange sometime in February and I will be done with Herceptin on Jan. 19th.
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Thank you so much, Special K. My panic level of an 8 just got reduced to a 2. Thank you........ Any tips on how you improved the sensitivity? I've been rolling up gauze and strategically placing it inside my surgical bra to lift it away from my skin.
Thanks again.......
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tatina - unfortunately, what you need is time. I am a very sensitive-skinned person and I found that my skin calmed down slowly but steadily. I am sure I will face these issues again when I have exchange surgery - it always happens. Rolling up the guaze to lift the bra away is good - I actually found that every garment put on me in the hospital caused an allergy. The drain-pocket camisole after my BMX and the surgical bra after the last TE replacement both caused issues. I am wondering if the fabric is specially formulated with, or dipped in, antibacterial stuff because I am sensitive to it. I even laundered the camisole repeatedly and tried to wear it after I had complete node dissection 5 weeks later and had another drain. I immediately broke out in a crazy rash. I went to wearing my own sports bras and they were much better.
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Thanks again, Special K. Just slipped on one of my own sport bras and I feel better already. I am very skin sensitive, too. I just know I'm allergic to the adhesive on this paper tape.......my redness is a horizontal line where my healed incision is.
You are right.....we need time......and patience to go with it!
T
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I haven't [yet] had to deal with port migration. never thought of that! Something else to watch out for. Got my drain out today, even though I was still outputting more than 30ccs. PS did *not* want it in any longer because of infection risk. he said I may "leak" from the hole for a couple of days but that is notmal. So far so good. I am just thrilled to have the thing out. It was starting to pull and itch, on top of hurting (as y'all know!). He told me he found a couple of nodules when he was digging out my scar tissue and they were hard. He thinks they are scar tissue, but sent it to pathology. Do not have results yet. That was a little unsettling.
Momof3: He told me I have to wear this surgical vest for several more weeks. Blech. I can only wear button-down shirts, this thing rides so high up on my chest. I guess I have t go shopping for a new Christmas blouse!
Hope everyone's rashes abate and healing continues all around!
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Just got back from the PS office. The redness was a reaction from the paper tape adhesive. And Special K, you were right again. The sensitivity area without redness is from TE irritation. I've been told to apply R & D ointment (yes, for babies) on the red area as well as the sensitive spots.
Ren, so happy you got the tube out.....you must be feeling so much better. It sounds like the doc removed scar tissue but please keep us posted.
Let's all have a good week.......we deserve it!
T
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ren - yay for no drain!
tatina - hope the baby ointment does the trick!
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Thanks Momof3infl and chickadee! Love knowing I am not the only one with roving ports.
Susan0 -
Hi Renn - Glad you got the nasty drain out!! I never had a surgical vest with TE surgeries. What is it supposed to do?
Tatina and SpecialK - I never had problems with allergies/skin sensitivities until the surgeries I've had in the last year….suddenly I had allergic reactions to antibiotics and skin reactions to tape…very strange.
Chick - How are your implants doing?
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I used a little guaze with minimal tape also. And quite honestly, with myTE's, I rarely wore a bra. I thouht that was the best part!
Renn-glad yougot the drain out anf hope all is well. I could feel a lump at the edge of my scar and was stressed. He kept tellin me it was scar tissue, butI still worried. During exchange, he cleaned it all out and told me it was scar tissue. Now, 6 weeks out, I can feel it agan, so I guess he is right. Lol.
I have trust isses, I think. I have become one with my surgical bra that I wear at night and the sports bra that I wear during the day until I see him again on 1/17. At least the sports bra hooks on the back anf I can wear pretty normal shirts with it.0 -
Good morning! Just stripped my drain and had 20cc's again. I have appt on Monday to get it out, and I think it's time, even if I'm putting out more than 30 a day. It does seem to be slowing down, so hopefully by Monday the #'s will be in line with her guidelines and it can be removed. I'm still so impatient! It is starting to itch and pull and I just want it out.
Renn, I bet the surgical vest is the equivalent of my PS wrapping me super tight with the Ace bandage. It also rides so high on my chest, I have to go shopping today for a couple cute button down shirts. My friend is having a holiday party tomorrow (I really don't want to go because I feel so uncomfortable) but I'll try to find something to wear.
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Good morning all. Gettiing ready to shop in chicago. The dd is so excited to go to the american girl store.
MichM. The implants are nice thanks for asking. I am in normal bras (the PS told me whatever I wanted) I ended up a 34c and most bras I tried at vs fit ok. Some gapped a little. As time goes on I a.m noticing more divits and sometimes even an indented 1 inch line right below my incision. Fluff do you notice anything like that ever? How do you get on the picture forum anyways?0 -
chick...have fun and prepare to get out the check book. It will cost you a small fortune! LOL.
If you pm whippetmom, she will give you the information and link for getting on the picture forum. I haven't noticed anything so far, but I am still all squished in the surgical and sports bras. He wants to make sure the lipo on the sides does whatever it is supposed to do. I have noticed basically through feeling that there is a stitch poking out where the incision is. I hate that as it just freaks me out. I am not going to have him touch it until he does the nipple stuff though.
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Hi ladies,
I just had a BMX with tissue expanders on Nov 30. I felt like the pain was subsiding and I felt pretty good until I got my drains out yesterday(day 9). Don't get me wrong I was thrilled to get the drains out but now I have a lot more pain. Did anyone else experience this?0
