TE TROUBLE
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Yay Mrochon and Special K - hope you girls have fun! Appt is at 11:15 tomorrow (Friday). I don't know what to expect. Drain removal, expansion, both, neither? Who knows, I stopped guessing. I'll just take a Xanax before I go and do whatever she says. She is so cautious and I trust her with my whole heart, so it is what it is... will update when I get home.
My son (the 14 year old) who plays baseball, has a spot on his foot that looks like what he had 6 months ago on his ankle that turned out to be MRSA. I freaked out and started crying and he scrubbed it down with the Hibiclens and put Mupirocin on it. He has always had really sensitive skin and lots of skin problems since he was a baby. He gets bad eczema, and that may be what it is, but I'm a paranoid freak these days and completely broke down crying, thinking that it will somehow affect my recovery. We have been scrubbing everything down with Clorox and Lysol wipes as well as washing with the Hibiclens, but am still such a scaredy cat. I feel like I've worked so hard to get to this point. How do I keep everything squeaky clean with THREE boys and a hubby?? I know I'm sounding a little crazy, and that's just how I'm feeling right about now
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Here is the update from my friend...thank you so much for all your input!
"I had a very long and informative appt with the PS today. Implant is not showing, no necrosis (dead tissue) - both excellent news. Alot of the redness is not infection, it's capi...llaries in the skin that is VERY thin - some is still cellulitis. Fluid that is seeping continues to be perfectly clear, no visible signs of infection in it but it got cultured today just to be sure. That way if there is some sort of infection he knows what to treat it with. The bad news is that my tissue is completely toasted from radiation and just can't seem to function. It's very thin, has no elasticity, poor blood supply, prone to infection. Hence the hole. Several options. He could suture it but the poor skin will probably open up again anyway. He could put a smaller implant in and cut away the old scar line and start again with a new scar line but he did that already when I got the implants put in and yet I've got issues. So those options don't work for me. That leaves me with 2 choices - both involve replacing the radiated tissue with healthy tissue from another part of my body. This will give me healthy tissue that has a good blood supply, elasticity, etc. He can either take it from my belly and I'd have myself a fantastic tummy tuck but this surgery is a big one and the recoup time is LONG. Or he can take it from my back, this one has less recoup time. This is the option I am going with. I'll keep my fat belly and have a big ol' scar on my back so I can get back to being a productive mom sooner."
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Best wishes for your friend, Ginger48. Recovery time is a big reason why I opted for lat flaps instead of other options.
Momof3, hope your son is okay & it is nothing contagious!
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At PS visit yesterday, he looked at the little pink spot, which had almost faded, and my drain record that showed the output is still hanging around 20cc/day at 3 weeks post-op. He wasn't going to remove the drain or add fill because he is going to be off next week and doesn't want to stir things up when I still seem to be fighting infection, taking Bactrim DS. But after deliberating, he went ahead and removed the drain, gave the new left TE 40cc fill, and also removed sutures.
OK, how do I look out for a seroma? Will I notice it if it develops? This morning that pink spot is gone, and the dented corner of the TE (next to my sternum) has smoothed out a little, benefiting from the small fill. Left and Right are evenly-filled at 420cc now, but they sure don't look even. Righty looks bigger and goes up higher. My PS is waiting to be sure I am clear of infection to know when fills should end and rads begin. I feel like he is waiting to remove the TE if infection sets in (not sure it ever left), so I am really praying for this replacement TE to be well!
Momof3 - Scary about MRSA -- I hope it was just eczema and will improve quickly and isn't contagious. I think I'd be a little freaked too and would have DH scrubbing down the house.
Mrochon and Special K - Have fun! I had such a good time when Special K visited me almost 3 weeks ago, the day after I was discharged from my TE replacement. She doesn't live far away, so just zipped over here in her little sports car, and we compared notes about our TE woes. So glad you're nearer to exchange, Special K. I haven't seen you on this thread for a bit unless I forgot or missed it.
Ginger48 - I wish I had some advice, but I think I am facing the same dilemma. My Left side that got infected had celllulitis and thin skin and is slow to heal. PS says the tissue is fragile (can't recall the exact word he used) and may not support an implant. I'm concered what rads will do to the skin. I think I'll be looking into DIEP surgery during healing time after rads because I probably need some new skin. PS is continuing fills to have more skin to work with even if I go for flap surgery. Does your friend know that DIEP recovery is much easier than the standard Tram flap from the abdomen -- because it doesn't involve moving muscle?
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Hi ladies, I'm soooo happy to update you... First the PS took out my stitches - yay!! Then she gave me my first expansion - yay!! Then she took out the drain (this was day 16)! YIPPEEEE! I got the trifecta lol. She said everything looked great and to stay wrapped up in the ACE bandage for one week, until the 23rd. I told her I'd wait for Christmas and unwrap myself as my Christmas present = haha!! I was twirling down the hall in her office showing them that I had no drain, and that I'm going to have date night tonight! What a happy Friday - I hope it continues with no complications. I don't see her again until Jan 6th, and from that point we fill, fill, fill! Have a great weekend!
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momof3- Yay; glad to hear you had a GREAT appt.
AnnAlive- I do not know what my friend knows about DIEP vs Tram but I will definitely ask her.
Thanks to everyone who took time to answer my questions. You ladies are awesome!
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Having a bad time here. After my trifecta (to use Momof 3's word) visit yesterday, with drain and sutures out and fill added, I developed trouble again today. The skin turned pink in a large area, so I called my PS right away and texted him a picture of it. Of course, he wanted me to come right in. I asked his nurse if I would be going to the hospital, and whether I should pack a bag. She said Yes. Sure enough, I'm in the hospital now with surgery planned for Saturday, but they haven't given me a time yet. This time the new TE will be removed, and none put back in.
So here sits my right (prophylactic) side with a successful TE with 420cc, and my left side will be flat after surgery. And it will be this way a long time, because rads are next and this problem skin needs a long healing time. Because I had cancer through to the skin, my PS doesn't want to attempt flap surgery for a while, in case I would have cancer reappear soon, and thus waste a reconstruction option. I would be inclined to have DIEP surgery, which my PS doesn't do--I'd have to leave town. But I'll have plenty of time to investigate it! First I must spend this coming week finding ways to look normal in clothes. I'll have to call my BS's office to find out local places with mastectomy bras/prostheses. I was so hoping to skip that!
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Oh Ann, I'm so sorry t hear this! hang in there my dear. I am glad you are getting the TE out. It really has been nothing but trouble! And I totally understand where you are at, as I had 400ccs in my left TE and it was (is) a beauty, but righty always gave me trouble. It was out for 5 months, and I had to deal with being lopsided. Now i have the TE back in at 200ccs, but since my drain was pulled, I have fluid building up in the boob. I can tell b/c it looks as big as the other side! It just looks slightly swollen. No redness. There is really nothing you can do to prevent seroma (I don't think); my PS siad moving around & walking were important though. As was good nutrition. (He told me now is NOT the time to restrict my calories). Ann, I think it's better you are getting this thing out, then you can get rads and erradicate the cancer. Recon will always be there. Your health is more important. Keep us posted, sending you all good things now and tomorrow!
Momof3: Way to go girl!
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Ann-so sorry to hear this latest news but I do think Renn is right. It needs to come out. I think ruffles and scarves will go a long way towards helping you look balanced right now. Sending hugs your way!
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Ann, so sorry to hear that news. And sorry they have to do it in the hospital. That is no fun at all. Healing issues are so frustrating! But like the other ladies said, it is much more important to make sure that you are well first.
I refuse to go to a mastectomy store. (Stubborn.) Sears sells stretch Apostrophe bras with removable cups that work like a charm for me & my one implant. On the flat side, I double up on pushup pads. I have a water pushup pad that I stack under one of the big pushup pads from JoAnn Fabrics that I opened & added more microbeads to. The back straps convert to racerback with a little hook, so the bra stays securely in place.
Yay, momof3! Glad things went well.
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Ann, I'm sorry to hear your news. Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow.
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Ann, I am so sorry to hear that you're back in the hospital. I think it's a good thing that the TE is coming out. I think you've had enough to deal with already. Take it out and heal. Conquer your cancer. I was lopsided for 6 months, it really was OK. The prosthesis foobs are amazing. Keep us posted. Thinking of you.
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So sorry Ann
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It's over. I had the left TE removed at the hospital yesterday at 8am, and was sent home after eating lunch. As expected, no replacement TE after this second infection-induced failure. It's good to have it out of there, but oh my, I don't like my new look. There is a xeroform dressing (those yellow dressing strips) over the incision and a tegaderm dressing (clear plastic) over that, so I can shower right away. PS did cut out the old incision line to make a cleaner new incision, but left most of the expanded skin for future reconstruction. Lots of skin wrinkles!
I'm wearing a binder (pretty smocked lavender floral, closed by velcro) -- anyone know how long I should use the binder? Nobody said, and I'd rather go back to the sport bra when I can. For the present I have fluffies that came in the Amoena camisole I bought before BMX, but never wore. I'll see how one fluff works inside a sport bra, with front closures that are always easier for doctor visits.
DLL66 - Thanks for the tips on a bra that works. This will be my new project. I don't even know if there is any local mastectomy store.
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Rennasus - I'm praying that fluid buildup with righty will resolve and that you'll have great success this time.
Rennasus, Ginger, DLL, Mich_M, Momof3, Chickadee -Thanks so much for your well wishes. It helps to know there are bunch of us trying to overcome TE troubles.
I won't see my PS until Dec 27, and hope to find out then when he will clear me for radiation. He said it wouldn't be a 6-week wait after the surgery, as he had said about the replacement TE surgery. Maybe I'm still set for starting rads mid-January, assuming the infection is cleared up. I'm worried how this troubled skin and tissue will hold up to radiation.
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Ann, I found that after my infected TE was removed, my body was instantly relieved. I think you'll heal very quickly and will start feeling better immediately. There are a lot of online mastectomy stores, just google it. Good luck and happy healing - rest!!
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Here's a great resource for forms & camouflage ideas that I came across on this forum: http://breastfree.org/
Feel better soon & heal quickly, AnnAlive!
Rennasus, sending positive thoughts your way as well. Hope the fluid issue resolves quietly.
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Ann, happy to hear you are home! Stay in that binder (and by biner I imagine you mean it is more of a compression vest?). My PS wants me to continue wearing mine until I see him Jan. 3. It helps contrl the swelling. But call your PS's office tomorrow, the nurses will know how long he wants you to wear it. Glad the thing is out. We have to remember our bodies know best. Your body did not like that TE for whatever reason, and you have to respect that. My PS told me over and over during this process: "The body is very wise. If there is something wrong, it will tell us."
DLL66: Thanks. The swelling actually looks good as bth sides match now but I know it is only temporary.
PS to ANN: Once you are able, buy yourself a stiff molded-cup bra (no underwires!) and wear that. It does a good job of providing symmetry in clothing.
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Ann, if there's anything I can do for you please let me know. I'm in the Tampa Bay area as well. Rides, groceries, Christmas shopping? I'd be happy to help
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Renn...are you still on antibiotics? I just stopped yesterday, makes me kind of nervous but I'm feeling good. A bit of fluid underneath the incision line, but it looks pretty normal considering what our bodies have gone through.
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Hi everyone,
Been away for a few days working and getting things ready before the TE goes back in tomorrow. Even though I wanted this TE put back for a birthday present I still just had a good cry. I think it's a combo of anxiety and exhaustion from all these surgeries. They take a mental and physical toll.
Doing better now.
Ann - I am so sorry you had your TE removed......
Momof3 - I know I'll feel the same way with the antibiotics.......like I'll want them for 2 weeks more or something.
Renn - it sounds like things are going well with you, too.
Take care everyone,
T
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Sending positive thoughts for your surgery tomorrow, Tatina!
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Tatina - Best wishes for your TE, that all goes well, including every fill.
Thanks for notes and advice from the rest of you! I did see my PS this morning because I had texted him last night about drainage being minimal after the TE removal surgery on Saturday, and asked whether that is what he expected. The suture that ties the tube to the skin had an extra loop tied tightly around the tube and looked like it was constricting, causing blood to clog or clot in that part of the tubing. It looks fine to PS, appears to be draining better with the fluid less bloody, and he expects less drainage, and it's not collecting inside me. I'll begin my bra search soon, including checking out stiff molded cups, Rennasus.
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Ann - I'm sorry to hear your TE was removed. But like someone else said, recovery is almost instant. You will feel so much better. Mine was removed somewhat early after my BMX, a month, so I didn't have that much time to 'bond' with it. After it was removed I was so happy to be able to sleep on my side! I'm just now starting to be able to sleep on my sides now, 6 weeks post TE re-plant surgery.
I met with SpecialK and she is a complete DOLL! She is so sweet and we had a really nice time talking about our families, the board...cancer, lol. I got some good info from her about my nodes that I will be asking my onco about when I see him in a few weeks. It's so nice to be able to speak with someone from these boards, face to face, that has been through it.
I'm so glad we got to meet up and you would think that these types of meetings would be awkward but it wasn't. I felt like she was an old friend. I was telling my mother-in-law afterwards about her and this board. She is a breast cancer survivor from the 60s when nothing was spared. She said she had zero resources, no one to talk to about it. I'm so thankful to be able to turn to this board when I need to.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakuh and all those merry tidings!
Michelle :-)
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Good luck to all those having surgeries this week!!!
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Good luck Tatina, thinking of you!
Ann...I remember having almost no drainage after the TE was removed, my body was so happy.
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Tatina - best of luck tomorrow. Hoping this new TE will work out beautifully!
Kat and JBennett - good luck with your exchange surgeries this week….you must be so excited. Let us know how your recovery goes. My exchange happens in Jan so I'm looking forward to your feedback.
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Good luck tomorrow Tatina!
Ann, I too had minimal drainage after TE was taken out.
Momof3: I was only on antobiotics for 5 days post TE being put back in. My fluid buildup seems to have lessened. My incision is still healing (scabs) so until they fall off, I am NOT letting water hit it! Hopefully by end of week. I had my hair done the other day and will have it done again end of this week (very hard to shower and not get the bandages wet). I feel good, stronger every day, still resting for an hour every afternoon. I will post pics on the pics forum tonight if I can.
Chick how are you feeling?
Michelle, how fun for you and SpecialK!
Katarina and JBennett: This week for you both as well! Good luck!
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Renn, for the 16 days that my drain was in, I washed my hair in the kitchen sink. (lol)
I walked a good bit today, feeling really good, but still safe in my tight little ACE bandage. Staying way clear of anyone sick as well. My PS said if anyone coughed near me to turn and run.
Katarina and JBennett - we need all the details of your final destination with the squishees!!
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Ann -- I'm so sorry to hear this attempt didn't work. I know you've worked hard at it working so you get an GOLD star for perseverence and focus. I would have caved in earlier. You give us all an experience we and others can learn from. Thank you and I'm glad your out of the hospital and feeling better. That's the most important thing.
I'm thanking you all for your best wishes. I'm still on track for exchange Thursday and keeping my fingers crossed that post recovery will be a breeze --- translation "Uneventful".
I spent Memorial Day weekend and all of Thanksgiving in the Hospital with infections. I so do not want this to be my Christmas holiday stint or New years. LOL.
I have a pimple on my right breast that's always been the sight of infection. I'll have my PS take a look at it before surgery. Maybe he can treat it.
Hugs to all,
Kat
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