TE TROUBLE
Comments
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DM13 - I believe that I had about 200cc at the time of BMX with TE's. 350cc seems like a lot but part of the process for allowing the saved skin to establish blood supply is to press it pretty firmly to the pectoral muscle. Did you have alloderm? Sometimes the alloderm intrferes with the establishment of blood supply and causes the skin to die. Where is the area of necrosis? I would be quite surprised if you can get away without a skin excision. That being siad, you don't appear to have any infection right? If not, they may leave your expander where it is (or possibly replace it or irrigate it with an antibiotic bath) and just excise the necrotic skin. This is what I had done the first two times. I still did not heal and needed to move on to chemo so the left TE (prophy side) was removed. The skin excisions are pretty minor procedures, mine were done at an ambulatory center, and by ambulatory I mean I walked out to my car - no wheelchair (don't worry I didn't drive!).
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I'm typing from my phone, that would be *right TE*, not tight..
SpecialK, my sleeves are toooo tight. I came home and took a muscle relaxer. It wasn't enough do I took a norco and I fell asleep. I just woke up. I'm still sore but the sharp pains are gone. My PS is out but I talked to his secretary. No signs of infection but I'm seeing him on Monday morning just in case. I think it's a combination of my fill last week, I've been feeling uncomfy since the last fill. I haven't gotten to the point the last go around with fills. I'm at 180ccs vs the 60ccs when it was removed. Plus being worked over yesterday with LE specialist. I'm massaging the arm and lymph area. Still feels numb. I get flash feelings in my right hand. Maybe I'm just sore from the stretching? I'm gonna take it easy. My daughter has a bb game tonight to cheer. Ugh, I have to drive.
Can I take you up on your offer of flying back here and taking care of me? ;-)
Michelle0 -
mrochon - I would love to come back and take care of you!
I think your discomfort (I love the uncomfy word!) is a combination of everything, including your workover by the PT. I actually gradually saw all of the PT in the department and one in particular was more aggressive (which at the time felt great!) but I paid for it later because I had pain for a couple of weeks after. Definitely get yourself some new sleeves - as I said before I had two different sets with same compression but the second set was much more comfortable. 0 -
Michelle - I am actually not planning on going any bigger than 350cc's... I don't want to be as big as I was before...
Part of my is wondering if this was part of my PS's plan... he was trying to get me excited about nipple surgery, etc. but I was not interested! I just can't help wondering why he would put so much in at first. I guess he has already reserved the OR for Tuesday, but told me we would check on healing first!
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DM - that isn't alot but at one time, sounds like way too much and your dr may just want to rush. If you need to make sure your dr is working at your pace not his/hers.
Michelle0 -
I was filled at 450 at the time of surgery. In fact, before the right TE infection, I was told I probably only needed one more fill. Now, my new right TE has to catch up with my left side. Next week is my first fill to the right and the nurse told me they don't do less than 100cc so I am really confused at this point. When I feel like it's time to stop, I'll let them know.
Ren, so happy you checked in.....I've been thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way.
Mrochon, please get some rest over the weekend, okay?
SpecialK, I am thrilled to hear you are getting so close! Is where the rash area was sensitive now? Can you wear a sports bra? As far as your patience, can you bottle some of it and send it?
DM, thinking about you.
DL666- glad to hear an update from you!
Crawling into bed now.....too much driving today and I am so sore!
Hugs,
T0 -
Tatina - They don't do less than 100cc??? That is a pretty bold statement. How do you fit every woman in a one fill fits all size category?
I was going to drive down to visit one of the colleges my daughter was accepted to but I thought twice. We don't have to do that this weekend. I need to chill. I am going to my MILs on Sunday. Her husband is being placed in assisted care facility next week. She's stressed and making herself sick. I'm going to go over and go over paperwork with her and just sit with her. This is very hard on her.
That sharp pain is coming back behind my right TE. Don't know what to do.
Michelle0 -
Yay for your upcoming last fills, SpecialK & MTnester!
Renn, I had a hole that opened up & exposed my implant. My PS removed the implant in his office while I was awake (can I tell you how much that sucked?) & he cut out a little skin & restitched me. The area that had opened up remained a hole for a while & then gradually shrunk to a pinhole & FINALLY closed up--took almost a month for it to be fully sealed up.
Sundermom, hope you are not having any pain or fluid build-up where the drain was.
DM13, sending positive healing thoughts your way. My TEs were filled to 300CCs at surgery and I didn't have any extra skin. I had a BMX with delayed reconstruction.
mrochon, sorry you are having pain!
Tatina, glad to see an update from you as well. Good luck with your fill!
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Sundermom, wrap tight in an ACE bandage. It completely got my fluid under control.
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The ACE bandage seems to be doing the job. There is definitely less sloshing around than yesterday. It's more comfortable than a bra right now too so that's a bonus!
I have my daughter's swim banquet this afternoon and then it's off to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo with my sister. Good Luck to those having fills in the upcoming week.0 -
Wow...go to Chicago for a couple of days and the board goes crazy! Thought I would post a picture from my nieces wedding at the end of the year, but so far, it isn't letting showing up. I haven't caught up on a ll the back pages yet, but glad for everyone that it doing well!
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Beautiful picture, Fluff! Your dress is gorgeous and the color is perfect on you!
Enjoy the movie, Sundermom. It's real gritty and I thought well done......
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fluff - I am nosy - tell us who is in the picture! Love the dress and your cute hair!
sundermom - yay on less sloshing!
tatina - the patience is learned, and it is a tough one! I am normally pretty impatient and really insterested in instant gratification! This TE experience is what taught me to be patient and yes, if I could bottle it I could probably be rich!
mrochon - sorry about the MIL and husband situation - so hard to see people you care about in a tough spot - you are very devoted and your MIL is lucky to have you.
DM - sent you a PM - hey, that rhymes!
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Great news, sundermom. Hope you like the movie! Just saw it a couple days ago & enjoyed it.
Gorgeous, fluffqueen! You look great!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend
I am counting down the days...1 month 'til surgery to get both of my fake boobs back on the inside--woohoo!
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dll - yay - you, me and MT should all go about the same time!
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Maybe we'll run into each other @ the hospital, SpecialK! You & MT must be excited
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Fluff - nice picture. Your dress is lovely. Yes, please do tell us who is in the picture.
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Fluff, love the picture! You look great.
Sundermom, glad things are better today. Id like to see that movie also.
Michelle, how are you feeling today?
I have it in my head that I want to do a thorough housecleaning between now and when I have my exchange. Kind of like that nesting period I went through before having my sons! Today I spent over five hours cleaning out cupboards, and detailing my entire kitchen. Man does that feel good! I want to do one room each weekend, that should help pass the time these next few months!
Time to make dinner. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.0 -
Beautiful picture!!! Blue is my favorite color! Love the style of your dress fluff!
I'm feeling better. I ended up taking a percoset last night and that put me out! I'm just finally coming ot of it, ugh. I didn't want to take it but the norco and muscle realxer didn't cut it. I took an ibuprofen a few hours ago. I think it was caused by the 'workout' I had with the therapist. I next see her on Monday, I will take an ibuprofen before I see her and before bed. I probably should have done that on Thursday. I am seeing my PS in the morn on Monday just to check things out. But I am feeling better. I'm sure that was it.
My MIL was in the hospital again this morning. It hurts me that I can't do more for her. She is home now. She was severly dehydrated again. I'll be going over there tomorrow to spend the day with her. And...SpecialK, can you believe it...her son called to tell me and told me he was on his way to the hospital! All in the same sentence! I couldn't believe it! It's a good thing too cause I was not in a condition to drive this morning.
Her sister is diagnosed with breast cancer, she got the prognosis yesterday. Long story with this relative. I asked her about her diagnosis and told her I'd go with her to her appointments to be her ear. I talked to her today and she just said the doc said it was BC and she had to have a mastectomy but she'd be able to go back to work in two weeks. I was like...what??? I couldn't pin her down on any details. I told her again to tell me when her appts were and I would go with her. I hate to say it but she's the relative that mooches off everyone and feeds off attention. She hasn't worked in over 20 years. She lived off her mother until she died then moved in with my MIL. She always had an excuse why she couldn't do anything. But she only mooches off my MIL who is a prime candidate to be taken advantage of. Her other brothers and sisters turn their backs to her. Anyway, it's very frustrating. I talked to my ex and told him he needed to talk to his aunts and uncles to step up and help her cause his mother can't do it. I feel bad for his aunt and did tell her I would help her with what I could. She doesn't make it easy but at the same time you have to do what you can to help.
Michelle
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Mrochon - Michelle, you are a very good girl. Every MIL should have an ex-DIL like you! Sorry to hear about the aunt - but hopefully her other sibs will help out in light of the situation with your MIL. Be careful with the PT and don't let them stretch you out too much. If you have any cording I wouldn't let them snap it either. Gentle stretching is the way to go. I particularly like to stretch the arm up the wall in the shower. I have gotten so good at it I can empty the entire water heater full of hot water. Just think how long my showers would be if I had a tankless water heater!!! Another good thing is taking a very warm bath and stretching.
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I really hope they do too. You know they didn't grow up in the sort of family who didn't help out friends and family in need. I just don't get it. Ohhhh...stretching in the shower. I hadn't thought about that. That would be perfect. I usually do the arm up the wall stretch around the house...but my muscles don't have the benefit of getting all warmed up with hot water. I think I'll hop in the shower now!
The therapist wasn't hard on me but she touched on areas that I can't work or have been afraid to touch. I know they were just like...wth?! lol
Michelle
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Mrochon - it will really make a big difference in the shower - let the water run on you for a little while and then stretch out the arm in all directions if you can. It is awesome. I have one of those showers with no door or curtain - it is kind of big so when I am in the water I am not near a wall, so I kind of have to run around in there - in the water, out at the wall, back in the water. Good thing nobody is watching me, I look like a nut! Another one I liked was to lay on the floor with a yoga mat or blanket that has been rolled up into a tight cylinder. You put it right down the middle of your back longways, from neck to lumbar. Drop your hands lower than your shoulders and it will stretch your chest out without hurting. It is a hard stretch to do in any other way, but when I did it the first time it felt fantastic.
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Thanks for reminding me! I'm supposed to be doing that stretch daily! That felt really good when she showed me that one on Thursday.
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It is cold here tonight - in the 40's - didn't anyone realize this is Florida and it is supposed to be warm? I think it is time to turn on my heated fuzzy throw blanket and watch some TV! Michelle - do your stretches right now!
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SpecialK - no complaining about Florida weather allowed:) I'm in Canada and with the windchill today it's -27 celcius. Not sure what that is in farenheit, but it's really really cold!!
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Renn - saw your pics on the forum. Praying for you that everything works out well:)
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It is flippin' cold in FL!! I have on socks & a hoodie right now, so you know it is cold!
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Well, 40 degrees sounds like a heat wave right now. It is freezing in indy. I just got back from a whirlwind trip to chicago that we extended for a day due to weather. Even colder!!!! And can I just say that when I get the shivers from being cold, the pec muscles feel really strange. I feel like one of those body builders that does the flexes.
In the picture, on the left is my daughter, who just graduated from cal state. Then my husband, me, and my son, a budget analyst. To give you an idea on everyone's height, we were all in flats at that point. I am 5'9". My son continues to date little short girls, which will just kill the gene pool! the hair is my $39.99 human hair wig that I got at a beauty supply house in a really terrible part of town. It was kind of chopped up and on a head on the counter noting it was deeply discounted. Decided to take a chance, bought it, washed it and it was much better. It is my most comfortable one. My daughter did a wedding shoot for a local magazine in high school, and the guy that did her hair then was the same guy that did it for my niece's wedding. He specializes in wedding hair...and has worked with wigs. That is totally different from how I usually look, so it was kind of fun.
My niece's mom (one of my closest friends) died a few year ago from the same brain cancer that Ted Kennedy had. There is no cure, and very little treatment, other than for symptoms. I was determined to make sure she had a great experience and was so touched when she asked me to walk in to represent her mom.
When I think of her diagnosis, it does help to put things into a better perspective for me.
As I read all the things we write, for therapy, does anyone have some kind of plan in place in case the worst thing happens? I have visions of my kids logging on to find me saying where the topless pix are that I posted, or any general griping about friends, etc. Kind of makes me laugh!
I don't have any of the listed symptoms of LE, but my arm aches off and on around the elbow area. I am checking for th cording thing you have been talking about, but not sure. I think I am going to call the nurse navigator from my BS's office and see if she can recommend someone to check it out. It has been aching long enough.
I am sitting here all tucked under my down comforter in my cushy bed, nice and toasty. It is the best! Next to a beach that is0 -
Beautiful family pic Fluff. Re 'some kind of plan in place'…you don't need a plan Fluff. You're early stage (as was I) and should only assume that you'll be around for a long time
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