TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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o acaligirl, it actually might be easier. You already ad an implant under the chest wall. That's the hardest part to stretch. So chances are good that it will be easier. Also address the side boobage or dog ears with the PS. My PS removed that during TE placement and exchange. However, if he does that it might take a bit more healing. My scar goes from my back all the way to the middle of my breast.
Much love
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Hi Artista,
I've been struggling with a staph infection for over 4 weeks now. It took me over a week to get the PS to believe me. I went to him with one orangey colored drain and one greenish... "No that's yellowish, you are fine". I also told him I wasn't feeling well and had fever and chills. They removed the drains thinking that would solve the problem. My breast surgeon at least put me on oral antibiotics but they did not work. I was sent to hospital and put on IV antibiotics and 5 days later they sent me home with a pic line in to continue. It's now been 2.5 weeks at home on antibiotics and we thought it was working but now low grade fevers again and breast is getting pink and warm. At what point do they throw in the towel and remove? My surgery was August 5th and I am having such a hard time at seeing light at end of tunnel
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Rosie, hugs. If you're on iv abx still there's hope. Some doctors keep battling. Some don't. Mine takes them out immediately. Good luck. Hope the abx wins!
Much love
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Wow!! I just spent the entire weekend reading every post in this thread. What a wealth of information, inspiration, sadness, joy, and humor. Thank you so much moonflower for starting this thread.
I am in the early stages of planning PBMX. Had my first consult with the PS on Thursday. I told him that I would like to come out of this at the very least the same size I went in, if not a little larger. He predicted that I would probably require TEs to accomplish that goal. Lol, he referred to my breasts as smallish. All this time I thought I was mediumish!! Who knew???
Your stories have given me such insight into what I may expect with TEs. Kudos to all for sharing. I will probably return in the next month or so if that is the route I end up taking. Until then, best of luck to those of you still going through this process.
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Msgreenjeans, I'm glad you were able to get some helpful info. I would suggest you look for the surgery lists. There are at least two general suggestions. Then you can also connect with others having surgery during the Month you Have surgery too. It can be helpful to have someone going through the same things you are at the same time!
Much love
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Thanks, moon. I will check them out for sure.
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Rosie,
I had 4 drains. 2 came out after 10 days but the last 2 stayed for 5 weeks total. You're ps messed up. Sorry to hear. You should NEVER have to wait for a week to be seen for signs of infection. Within a DAY is what I was told. I'd find another one and do a google on his/herreviews to see what patients say. My ps saw me weekly with drains to make sure all looked well and if I saw anything is off, I got worked in same day or max next day. It's very important to have a ps who is good, well any surgeon/doc really- esp if you are going to have chemo. Fire this guy/gal.
I think I just posted this in the Aug sx members thread but I saw the skin above the right TE was pinkish and bigger than the left side. Was on Amoxicillin abx for 10 days, 850 mg the strongest, and nada. Was admitted to the hospital last Thurs for strong IV abx infusions. They did an ultra sound on me to see what's going on inside and there's any fluid that they'd have to aspirate but all they saw was some layers of cellulitis. No fluid thankfully. So we have a similar story but you've been on home abx for 2.5 weeks and I've been on home IV self infusion for 1 day now as I was released yesterday.
I wouldn't wait for your ps who you should 100% fire. Go to urgent care or ER ASAP. It's been way too long and you are now getting fevers. At least you'll get admitted again and you can request to see an infection doc. My ps admitted me but he arranged for an infection doc to come in to see me and advise ps what's the best course of tx. PS are not infection specialists. You must see one. I don't think you can just walk into his/her office but I'd go to urgent care or the ER (ER is more expensive if you haven't met your deductible and out of pocket max on your insurance for this year.
My infection doc in conjunction with my ps already have a plan in place for when I start chemo after this is cleared up as you can't do chemo with infection that I will be on oral abx prophylactic since I'm obviously susceptible to infections already.
So please seek urgent care and don't wait. Infection is serious and time is of the essence. Good luck and let us know how it goes. xo
PS- Sorry I didn't see your post sooner. I have a crappy phone that doesn't do internet well so I was offline since my admission on 9/24. Laptop too big and bulky to take to hospital plus they say leave valuables at home.
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My PS cancelled my appointment yesterday so my last fill is less than a week before my rads planning session. I was having so much discomfort from my poor stretched rib skin so I started using calendula cream. What a difference!
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I went for my fourth fill today. My PS said my access port has moved. Used the little magnet thing and then showed me how the needle mark was different. He said it's weird because he stitches them in during surgery. He didn't seem concerned. But, of course, I am. Anyone have any experience with this? I also am in so much more discomfort then with previous fills. Now I am so paranoid!
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Carrie-my 4th fill was by far my most painful. That made me nervous for 5th and 6th, but they were fine. I was very surprised at how sore #4 was. My te's never moved, but I know it is common for that to happen. Hope this helps!
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Thanks for the reply
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Carrie37: By my last fill appointment, both ports had shifted centrally about an inch; it was obvious because still had tiny bruises from fills done the previous week. My PS performed the fills (nurses did 3 of the 5) and was not concerned. It was a relief to me because it was the first time I didn't feel the needle puncture the skin, so was totally painless! I remembered that the TEs had tabs for stitching, but was told mine were not stitched into place. I'm nearing my exchange date in 4 days (yikes!! getting nervous but can't wait!) and can tell you that I have felt the TEs move around much more in the last month or so. Not sure whether its because I'm much more active now?? But most mornings when I wake up I can feel them settling into place. Weird.
Haven't been on the site for several weeks and spent some time reading everyone's postings. Wish you all speedy recoveries. It's funny, but I thought I was imagining the phantom feelings and nerve zaps that others have described. Whew! Glad to know I'm not the only one.
My exchange is on 10/6 and I'm stressing. . . . sooooo many things going thru my mind about the procedure and final results . . . managed to give myself a back ache (tends to happen when I'm stressed) and a mild rash. Have to focus on relaxing and getting myself as healthy as I can be for Tuesday. So glad to have this forum as a place to learn, vent, and find support from ladies who have shared this awful experience.
Thank you!
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Molly50
Where did you get Calendula cream ?My surgery is next week. It sounds like I should get some. My PS said something about taking Valium for muscle spasms. Is that just fill day or continuously ? Also how long on pain meds?
Thank you!
Patty
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PMR53, I bought Earth's Best Baby Calendula cream from Amazon.com It's pretty pure and so nice for the skin. I found my muscle spasms decreased with fills. I never took any muscle relaxant or anything stronger than Tylenol except for the first couple days post op but I only have one TE. I might feel totally different with two.
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Molly, I had Valium for muscle spasms after exchange. Ask your PS how long but I think I was on it daily for two weeks then as needed.
Scottie
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For those whose fill ports have shifted also remember that as the expander becomes larger with subsequent fills the port position may shift even if the tabs are secured. Picture drawing an X on a slightly inflated balloon. Then if you slowly blow the balloon up - the x will be in a slightly different place as the balloon becomes more inflated.
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Thanks Molly!
I will look into ordering that cream. I will have only 1 side too. My surgeon said no surgery if I have even a sniffle. My daughter just came down with a horrible cold. Lysol on every surface!
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Thank you, Scottie. PMR53, I will pray for your health.
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Molly, I have used the Valium on the nights of my fills.
Thanks SpecialK for the visual. It helps ease my mind.
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hi ladies,
So glad I stumbled across this forum as I've been a bit down in the dumps. After a strong family history and brca1 postive diagnosis, I underwent a double mastectomy on sept 28. Drains came out yesterday (woohoo) but these tissue expanders are beyond awful. They are uncomfortable and suffocating and i would love to just rip them out. I'm smaller so they feel huge and overbearing. It's making me feel depressed and blah (I'm usually super active) but I just don't feel like doing anything. My mother and sister have been through this and have been very supportive as has my boyfriend. I keep trying to keep the end In Sight but any tips on how to deal with the TEs? I don't think I can do this for 3-4 months
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NYNJ - you are only a week or so out from surgery - how you feel right now is not how you should continue to feel - you should see gradual improvement over the coming few weeks, although the TE may never be what I would call comfortable. Remember that you have something unnaturally pushing your pectoral muscle forward against skin that has just had all the breast tissue removed - it is bound to be uncomfortable for a bit, but it will get better! Also, it takes a while to get the anesthesia out of your system - this can also account for feeling a bit lethargic.
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What she said! It is early days and things will get better...You are still so sore from being sliced and diced = its major surgery and things need to heal...Find the balance of rest and trying to do a few things to begin to get strength back. Dont let your ps push you into fills before you might feel ready, and remember that low and slow is the way to go...you are in charge! but take your pain meds as needed, stay ahead of the pain.. and things will feel better soon
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NYNJ. . .I concur with both. Do take your meds regularly. I was off work for 6 weeks after BMx and could have used two more weeks to rest. I watched alot of movies while propped in bed with pillows. Dh bought me a whole body pillow that wraps around me. It supports shoulders, neck, head, arms and legs. I also have a 12 inch tablet so I could keep up with my surgery boards and read when I felt like it. Honestly, I slept most of the first two weeks.
Hang in there. Hugs
Scottie
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thanks ladies! I just need to take it day by day and try to get out more to get out of this funk. You'd think with all the technology out there they could come up with something better? Hopefully my first fill will be on the 20th and that will help with some of the TE discomfort?
Great having this as a support system.... Xoxoxo
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I am only a couple of weeks ahead of you (I had my surgery on Sept 9), so I am certainly not an expert. But I can say I am feeling much better than a couple of weeks ago! I started back at work this week and my energy is coming back. The TE's are still uncomfortable but I am getting to the point where I am sleeping on my side a little bit. I'm a bit nervous to start the fills, but the nurse told me that the worst part is over (the mastectomy). She had better be right!
Anyway, probably doesn't help but I thought I'd let you know it does get a bit better. Hang in there!
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I had my last fill today! My left side looks huge but he said it's a perfect C. I think since my hormone levels dropped my natural breast has gotten saggy and smaller.
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I had my double mastectomy on August 28th.
NYNJGirl - you will feel better and stronger each week. I tried to get off my pain meds too quickly and my PS finally told me to relax. Best advice ever. Every week is better than the last.
For any of you 5-6 weeks post surgery, have you tried any yoga? I've been walking a lot to build stamina, but I also want to start rebuilding strength. That said, I had my 4th fill yesterday and it is a bit painful still.
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skitter:
I am curious about yoga as well. I'm 4 weeks out from surgery and I'd like to give yoga a try. But, I worry it is a bit early. I still haven't had a fill, but I do have good range of motion. Probably can't do a push-up, but let's be honest I wasn't stellar at them pre surgery. I'd love to hear when others tried yoga!
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I'm still going to PT for ROM and nerve pain. I hope to add yoga next spring but have to find a true beginners class. Meanwhile aI walk, hike, and do weights at the gym. Normal weights for legs and 5lbs or less for arms.
Scottie
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Seriously! My left TE is really bothering me. Surgery was seven weeks ago. It is almost a stabbing pain. I suppose I should call my PS but he keeps mentioning that I am "all healed."
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