Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
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DENISE- a good night's sleep?? what IS that anyway?? LOL...I think you will find lots of company here with the tossing and turning, reclincer -to- bed group!! (us!) I am posting this and it is almost midnight. Yeah, I dread even trying to sleep right now. I am back to the recliner since I can't even lay on my left side and fear the thought of it due to infection on that side.
RACH- Colonoscopy....yuk. The only one I had to endure was about 3 years ago. I had to drink all that Miralax poured into about a half gallon of blue Powerade. I sure made some pretty colors!! anyway....The prep is always horrible and I hate the IV but it is so good they are checking you out completely! Try not to worry (easy to say, right?) and at least you will be in la la land while they are scoping you. I liked your font change btw....made for interesting reading :-)
ANNALIVE- I am still pink, yes, I am but not 'as' pink. The area is SO painful that I am certain it is cellulitis. The thing I am wondering is ---we both had our drain tubes for 6 weeks. I am thinking/wondering if there was already an infection inside and that is what took so long for the dang tubes to lessen the drainage. The day I got mine pulled, I had tinges of pink blood in the tubing and questioned the nurse about it. She said it was normal, but it had not done that prior (except blood filled right after surgery)
Did they put in another drain after you got your new TE??
I am really worried that I will end up in the hospital when I go for my office visit. My infected area looks about the diameter of an orange with a golfball PAINFUL sized white area in the middle. I cannot even lay on my bed flat and try to do the stretches the PT has had me doing. I sat up in a hurry today, let me tell ya!! The area (foob) is also very swollen and double the size of the other size that is not infected. I just don't think it looks good for me. Day 3 of the antibiotics and while it is improved, it is not better. The good news is that my fever is gone. The bad news is that this S.O.B hurts so much I am back to vicodin, alternating with 800 mg motrin.
well, I will have good wishes for everyone to have a pleasant dreams or pleasant few hours sleep anyway....
((((hugs)))) to everyone!!!!!
Sue
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iLUV2kint - My pink was cellulitis, but not painful. Yeah, I wondered about the 6-week drain tube, but it was still putting out too much to remove earlier. Maybe an ominous sign. I do have a drain again now with the new TE, but it is already decreasing well and the fluid getting less bloody fast. You sound like you're in trouble. Pack that hospital bag. I didn't have fever -- the oral antibiotics were trying to control the infection, but didn't make it. How does your incision look? Mine started to look different with an abscess forming under it and thinning the skin. Lost some of that skin with a new incision. My pink is entirely gone on IV antibiotics -- it went away quickly after Thanksgiving. It's just this bend in the new TE I have to get checked out, with a painful dent at the edge -- I hope to get a small fill soon.0
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Thinking of you this week, Rachel. Good luck with all treatments and tests!
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Just had a re-excision follow-up with my surgeon today. Got my stitches out, yahoo! And the second part they took out did contain some additional cancer - almost as much as the first time. There is some confusion about one of the margins and doc won't be able to meet with the pathology doc to put all the pieces together until later in the week.... so I don't know if I'm out of the woods just yet. (I hate waiting!) Rads are also delayed an additional few weeks. And of course, I'm now wondering if I shouldn't have just gone the MX route.
In the "good news" column, I got the OK to return to work this week. Suddenly I feel the need to go shopping for business wear - while I was on leave, I pulled out all my fall/winter blazers and sweaters and nothing matches the head scarves I have. Last thing I need is a wardrobe crisis on top of it all.
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kat - sorry you still don't have the answers you want. I'm hoping for the best. MX decisions are tough, and sometimes you just don't have all the information you need to make the best one when you need to. I do hope you've seen the last of surgery. Now go treat yourself to that new wardrobe - the least we all can ask for out of all this is a decent makeover.
iluv2knit - How's the infection going? Any improvement, or did you wind up packing that hospital bag? (((hugs)))) back at you.
Denise - To echo some of the others.... SLEEP??? I've been bouncing between the bed and the couch. My PS said it's fine for me to sleep flat, so I'll give that a try. It's just hard since the TEs are adding pressure on my lungs.
annalive - What did they find out about the bend? I hope you get your fill real soon.
Maria_Malta - Thanks!
I had my second fill today - 75 ccs (he thought 100 might be pushing it). I have to admit.... I might be satisfied with just one more (oh, plus the 'extra' they do to make sure they've gotten to the right size). I'm really short - 4'8 - so what I'm carrying now is just about in proportion. I never thought of myself as top-heavy, but I had at least a full B. Then I had another good PT session. I have some cording, and he worked the heck out of it, and that side is so much looser than before.
It was such a gorgeous day today. I took the train to Philly, then took it to a nearby town for PT, where I had to walk about 10 minutes along quiet residential streets. It was just so great, and a real mood booster. I'm cleared to return to work tomorrow, but I stopped by the radio station to say hi since it was sort of on my way. It will be so good to get back - even if I have to work my schedule around tests and chemo.
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ANNALIVE-well we seem to be in similar territory with the infection, however, I don't think my skin is stretching the incision or looking abcessey. The incision seems to still be closed pretty well but I can see the TE has rippled the skin which wasn't there before.
I drove to the store today, got the mail, and when I got out of the car dropped the mail all over the garage floor. I bent down to pick up the pieces and o.m.g. the PAIN! The TE was SO, SO, SO painful. It was like it shifted into the infection or something. I came in the house all bent over, greeted by my 4 wagging children and started just crying. I dropped everything on the counter and headed for the bathroom. I just leaned over the sink a bit because the pain was so intense I thought I would vomit. It subsided somewhat and I took TWO vicodin. I went out and grabbed an ice pack and applied that--which only made it throb worse. I am feeling no pain currently (thank you, vicodin!) but will definately mention it tomorrow at my appointment. What the heck?? I just don't know what to make of it. When I was out shopping, which was just a quick trip, I felt awful walking around the store. I just still feel cruddy. I am packing a hospital bag "just in case" and presume since I have it, I will not get admitted.
I really think the infection is responding to the antibiotics and that perhaps a few more days will make a big difference. (praying)RACH-- walks...yes walks.....love them. They do wonders for clearing the head and helping the body. I will hit the treadmill tomorrow if I feel pretty good in the morning. I feel so much better when I do get at least 15 minutes of about a 2.5 mph pace. Your fills sound like they are going really well. I don't have much desire to be very busty after being busty my whole life, so am looking forward to being a larger B, small C. I am actually anxious to get back to work too...I hate the broke feeling. Short term disability doesn't pay much and I still have to make large insurance payments while I am off.
Hoping everyone else is doing well!! This sure has been some ride and I couldn't have gotten through it without you all!!
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Hey ladies. I just wanted to drop in. I start chemo tomorrow. Yuck! I am so nervous. I hope I am one of the "lucky ones" and don't get sick. I hope you are all doing well. Sending out love and hugs to each of you. Keep On Keepin' On!!!!!
Shannon
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Shannon- I will be sending positive energy your way. I hope it goes well tomorrow!
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Shannon - I hope you sail through chemo with ease!!
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Shannon - Wishing you only good things.
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Shannon, most important to take the anti-sickness meds you're given, even if you feel you don't need them... Keeping physically active helps, like going for a walk, but you won't always feel up to it...REST REST REST and GOOD LUCK!
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wow I have been off the site for a few days and there seems to be a lot going on.
Anna and iLUV2knit - I hope both your infection clear up soon.
Shannon- I never got sick during chemo but like Maria says take the anti-nausea meds even if you do not want to think you need them. I found getting out and moving helped to move the drugs through my system and drink lots of water. You may want to get some plastic silverware to use - one of my nurses recommended this and it helped with food tasting like metal. GOOD LUCK...
I am off this afternoon on my first business trip. Before starting chemo last May I was traveling 2-3 times per week and haven't flown since May. I am looking forward to it, but nervous about traveling in a wig.
have a great week ladies....
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SHANNON- hope chemo is not as bad as you think it will be!! Did you look into the cold cap thingys that help you save your hair?? If I had to do chemo, I think I would just let it all come out and not worry about it, but I have seen others say the cold caps work pretty well.
Off to my doctor now....my husband is driving me!!! YAY...we are getting rain/snow mix today. I did not want to drive in that mess.
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Wow, well, I quite unexpectedly got a call from my BS this morning with somme more info on my path report. The upshot is all my margins are clean; the wording in the path report was confusing but once BS and Path Doc got together it got all cleared up.
On to rads next....sim on 12/9.
For anyone starting chemo next, I am happy to answer any questions... I would also recommend joining a chemo group. I am still in touch with my June AC&T group; like this group they are a great bunch of ladies!
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Hey Gang~
So sorry for being MIA. I have so much catch-up posting to do (which I hope to do soon!) but in the meantime, I want you all to know that you continue to be in my daily thoughts! A few quick personals while waiting for my late client...
MargieC~ Welcome back! I'll be wishing you safe travels today!
Shannon~ Praying that all goes smoothly for you today.
ILuv2knit~ How did your appointment go today? Hoping those antibiotics do the trick!
Rachel~ I hope you're having a smooth transition back to work
Kat~ YAY for not having to wait any longer for pathology! Have fun shopping for some new clothes
I know you will do very well with rads. Do you know how many treatments are scheduled? I went to each of my Mom's rads appointments and was always amazed by how quickly she was done... Ann~ How's it going with the new TE? That bend sounds quite unscomfortable--- ugh.
Quick update on me: Had my post-op appointment for exchange surgery this morning. I can't believe how quickly this is all happening-- Im now scheduled for December 15. While I'm excited, I've apparently created quite the dilemma for my PS with regard to which antibiotics to use this time around. It's unclear which of the 3 used that I'm allergic too. I can't imagine going through that nasty itching all over again.... but I'll manage if I must.
Time to go... more soon!
~AJ
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Update on the new bent TE! Yesterday my PS gave me a fill of 110 cc to relieve it! I was surprised he dared to add that much to the 210 cc from surgery -- less than 5 days later -- and it made me feel quite tight and uncomfortable even though as a total it's still 90 cc behind what I had in the infected TE he removed (and he said he didn't remove skin at the incision like I thought he might need to do). The IV antibiotics I'm giving myself (Vancomycin and Cefepime) are working well already. No more pink areas or cellulitis. Blood cultures had no growth and the wound culture had a few gram-positive rod diphtheroids. I don't know the significance or how they think I got those. I saw the infectious disease specialist today and he made no changes to the antibiotics and seems happy with my progress. I have more than a week of those IVs left.
iLUV2knit - I hope you get this resolved quickly. You need something to change for the better. This is just too painful. Aren't you seeing your PS today? Praying for your best...
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Ann~ I'm so happy to hear the good news re: your new TE
Strangely enough, I just heard back from my PS--- who after having consulted with the infectious disease doc--- has decided to use IV Vancomycin for my exchange. I'm not really digging the possible side effects of this med (or ANY antibiotic for that matter!) but I'm hopeful that I won't have another allergic reaction. I'd hate to spend Christmas feeling like I have bugs crawling underneath my skin again. But it is what it is---- and I'll somehow deal with it. At any rate, I'm really SUPER happy to hear your good report! 0 -
Dukes_Up - Regarding the antibiotics, my infectious disease specialist said to take a probiotic and eat yogurt to help counter the side effects. I started that today after making sure it's OK (that it wouldn't do anything to decrease effectiveness of the antibiotics). Vancomycin is one for which they watch the level closely (if you stay on it longer than just during surgery). They blood test the trough (low level just before a dose is given) weekly so they can recalculate the dosage as needed. Will you be staying on it? I wonder if we'd have less trouble if they gave a week of antibiotics at initial TE surgery instead of just one day of it that my BS/PS did for the BMX. It seems like that would help eradicate what germs they might introduce into us in the OR or from our own skin. I hope it goes well for you, that you're not allergic, and I'm so glad your exchange is on the way!0
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Ann - So good to hear things are improving, except for the additional tightness. I hope those 10 days will fly by and you'll be back in the swing of things in no time.
Shannon - I hope your first day of chemo went smoothly. We're here for you.
Kat- That must have been such a relief! It's always great to see good news on this board. Good luck with rads. I start AC-Taxotere two weeks from today. The chemo groups are helpful. Looking forward to picking out a wig later this week.
AJ - Welcome back to the thread. We missed you. And congrats on the exchange date. You'll be all set for the new year!
Margie - Business trip! You go, girl! I can imagine the wig could be an additional challenge. What type of wig did you wind up getting? I've looked through a few catalogs and am trying to decide to go with something close to what I have or to go all out and become the redhead I've wanted to be...
iluv2knit - Careful in that snow. Hope today's appointment brought some good answers.
Had my muga scan today. I'm starting to get a little freaked out about chemo. I know it's my best shot against recurrence, but it frustrates me to no end that we have to do this to our bodies to get over this. I'm glad I've found you all so we can help each other through this.
On the bright side, I went back to work today, and it was so great spending my time thinking about something other than cancer. I almost worked a full day and I didn't get too tired. Hoping I can keep a pretty regular schedule during chemo.
Good night all!
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One more act of normalcy - my PT cleared me to try playing my violin, so I just tried and everything seems fine. Well, except for my bow arm being slightly impeded by the edge of my TE... (Sorry, maestro - I couldn't make that note because my bow hit my boob.....) I may try going to rehearsal tomorrow just to see how much I can do. I don't want to overdo it.
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Hi- this is my first time posting. I had left breast removed last Monday. I am wondering if this seems normal - all the puffiness that was in front totally moved to the left, under my armpit and into my back last Thursday. I still have a drain and my surgeon doesn't need to see me until the fluid draining is under 10 ccs a day. Honestly, I had no pain after surgery, but these huge fluid pockets under my arm are really uncomfortable. Did anyone else experience this? Thanks
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AJ--- just read your post on your surgery date of Dec15 -- I'm so happy for you.
Rachel -- congrats on going back to work and playing your violin. I would love to see the maestros face if you said oops my boob got in the way Wigs-- I went to a wig shop with DH, BF and her DH. I tried on a bunch of wigs on found one we all like. I didn't buy it that day - it was very over whelming (I started Chemo 3 weeks after diagnosis so I was still trying to come to terms with everything). I got the style name, brand and color thinking I would go back and purchase it. My BF went online and found the same wig on sale it saved me $75 my insurance doesn't pay for wigs. I also got a couple cheaper wigs at the American cancer society website www.tlcdirect.org. I am wearing one of my cheaper ones in my avatar. I will tell you I didn't wear my wigs much. I did mostly bandanas. I only wore wigs when I a store or where there were people I didn't know.0 -
Anna--- glad to hear the fill took care of the bend. You have been through enough with the TE.
Kat-- yea on the path report.
Well I made it to Tampa last night for my meeting today. The airports were crazy yesterday but I am so glad to be back traveling. Fingers crossed I make it back home tonight we no issues
Update on TE. Friday is hopefully my last fill (as long as no more of the dissolving stitches that are deep in my tissue don't work their way out through my incision - that's what delayed my last fill last wek). I am at approx 360 cc. The two implants we are looking at are 350cc or 460cc. I think I make my decision and then change my mind. DH suggested we have PS do the fill for the 460cc and see what we think. I guess the upside to having theTE we can try on sizes - heehee0 -
Hey All!
Rachel~ Thanks for the Welcome Back! So glad you're back to playing your violin (what a beautiful instrument!)
Margie~ Hope your flight home is a smooth one! I'll be wishing you the best for your fill on Friday. I know how you feel re: feeling indecisive about final size. I decided to stop at 330 cc as I am feeling quite huge at the moment!
Ann~ Thank you so much for the antibiotics info. I believe I'll only have the one Vancomycin IV during surgery--- but I'd better check on that! Is it difficult to administer your own IVs? As for yogurt and probiotics, I've always been told not to use them until antibiotic treatment is complete. ACKKKK-- so many theories!
LynneMcG- No, I never experienced this situation but I'd advise you to call your surgeon asap. I'm sure they will want to see you promptly...
Well, I'm off for Round 2 at the gym. I'm eager for this work day to end as I had next to no sleep again last night *growl*
More soon!
~A
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Had my port placement today. Yowza! (That is never usually part of my vocabulary). It was fascinating to see the x-ray after they were done, but I hadn't realized how long the tube is, and that it goes right to the heart. Now I understand why they do the muga scan. As the anesthesia wears off, my neck is really starting to ache. It even hurts to swallow. I've hit the Tylenol already, but my trip home was an hour, so I didn't get to the medicine cabinet soon enough I suppose.
I'm also bummed that I'm not supposed to do much exercise for the next 2 weeks. I'm going to call tomorrow and clarify. She seemed to think I couldn't even do the stretches for PT with the big rubber band. I'd hate to have to drop that for 2 full weeks.
Time to snuggle into bed with another good book. So much for working part-time today. Sorry for the whining. I hope everyone else had a great day.
One more thing I am looking forward to - I took photos of all the flower arrangements, gift baskets and cards that I got and put them together to make a Thank you card. They arrived yesterday and I'm looking forward to sending them out to all the people who reached out to bring food, offer rides, etc. I learned a lot about the people I've gotten to know over the years, and most of it was good.
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Hi everyone. I am new to this website and glad to find some folks in the same position as me and learn that I am not the only one experiencing this. I had my NSM on 10/12 with TE. I am doing well and appreciate all the information I have found here. I am a little surprised to hear that some are already having there replacement suregeries as I am only on my second fill up appointment tom.
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amom438 - Welcome! Glad you found us. You'll keep on learning as you go. I had my surgery on 10/26 and just had my second fill this week. Everyone seems to have their own schedule. Everyone seems to have their own schedule. I'm actually almost to a point that I could live with (I'm petite to begin with), but because of chemo, I'll have to wait until the spring anyway. How have you been doing post-surgery?0
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Okay, I just figured out what causes the funky italics - my Mac doesn't let me use the cut/paste function easily, and if I hit command/V, that must trigger it. Just in case anyone was wondering.
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UGH!!! My shoulder problem is being caused by LYMPHEDEMA...saw a specialist today and she said there is no question about it. On to the next chapter in this BC saga. I told her my #1 goal is to sleep horizontally in my bed...
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rachelvk - thank you so much. I have been doing well. Went in for my second fill today. Told PS about pain in my ribs. He said that it could be aloderm attached to nerve and if so he will have to go in and correct. So I guess we do what we have to do. Have you started your chemo yet? How are you doing?
Ginger48 - sorry to hear about the complications that you are having. What is the plan to improve this will you be doing PT?
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