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  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2010

    Aw Texas so sorry to hear that!  Thanks for the heads up though... hope that you can get some now and stop the problem.

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Posts: 271
    edited June 2010

    Coolbreeze -- My PS is a cancer survivor and his business is 90% reconstruction.  He did his residency at Stanford, and if you'd like his information so you can contact him for a possible referral in your area, please send me a PM.

    Texas -- what a bummer!  Do you have the antibiotics now?  I sure hope so. 

    Gosh, I could use some of that Zyvox --  the Femara is making me want to eat everything in sight and it's beginning to show. 

    Take care, everyone.

    Bonnie

  • Luna5
    Luna5 Posts: 532
    edited June 2010

    I want some of that Zyvox too!  Orrrr....maybe it would be more fun to go on a vacation to Mexico and just bring back a stash of their water.  If I drank that, I would probably lose some serious weight also:)

  • artsy
    artsy Posts: 37
    edited June 2010

    Lilah and Kate,   Wow,  you are both 50....unbelievable!  

    I must be one of the oldest on here (63)...oh well....I'm here ...better than the alternative.

    Coolbreeze,  I cannot imagine having to deal with your situation....that is crazy.  So sorry.

    Pat

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Posts: 271
    edited June 2010

    Hi Pat,

    We are both older than most here -- I turned 63 last month and retired 2 days after my birthday.  Best present ever!  --bonnie

  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Posts: 56
    edited June 2010

    I think every woman on EC is uniquely and exquisitely BEAUTIFUL!  !!!!! lol

    I'm thinkin there must be some kinda magic youth property in anesthetic perhaps??

    xo

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Posts: 433
    edited June 2010

    Zyvox is awful.  I'm on it and it totally took away my appetite because everything tastes awful. And I have a bad taste in my very dry mouth all the tme.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone...

    Another 5 days and I'm done with it.  They used it to switchover from IV Antibiotics.  it's good for that I guess, but UGH..JUDY

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Posts: 433
    edited June 2010

    Texas:  The use of antibiotics is unnecessary for tattooing.  Unless,

    the tattoo is done too soonafter the surgery for nips and areola,
    and

    the artist doesn't really know what she is doing.

    JUDY

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2010

    ((((((((((((((Ann)))))))))))))))) I am just sorry for your situation right now, I just am.

    Hairdresser..

    I started back after chemo..mast...TE..rads.... working 11 hour days. Three days a week. This is my normal schedule. I just remember that even though I stood behind that chair all that time too... When I was waiting for color to process.. I went into the backroom and put my feet up. Usually I would talk with my client... They understood I needed to rest.

    I think you will be fine! was off work almost a year.. and went back to work while on radiation.

    Hang in there!

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2010

    ((((((((((((((Ann)))))))))))))))) I am just sorry for your situation right now, I just am.

    Hairdresser..

    I started back after chemo..mast...TE..rads.... working 11 hour days. Three days a week. This is my normal schedule. I just remember that even though I stood behind that chair all that time too... When I was waiting for color to process.. I went into the backroom and put my feet up. Usually I would talk with my client... They understood I needed to rest.

    I think you will be fine! was off work almost a year.. and went back to work while on radiation.

    Hang in there!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2010

    Aw Artsy I think the women here range in age from 30s to 60s... and we all have one thing in common anyway and that is enough to make us sisters (not to be too gushy about it ;)

  • m-star
    m-star Posts: 340
    edited June 2010

    Estepp~ thanks for that =)

    I do 3x 10 hour days so very similar.Only thing is,while my colours are processing,i'm usually cutting someone elses hair so don't get to rest! lol I will only be back around 3 months and then off again for exchange.Not sure how long after exchange though about getting bacfk to work??

    was figuring having 4 weeks off.Do you think thats enough??

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Posts: 448
    edited June 2010

    Ladies - I hope all are well. I haven't been around much, but I think of you all often. Feel free to PM me w/ new surgery dates and I will post them. Hugs to all. - Jean

  • waldo
    waldo Posts: 145
    edited June 2010

    ANTIBIOTICS- does anyone take them prophylactically before or after dental cleanings and for colonoscopies?

    Jerusha- thinking of you and I can see you nesting. Mani/pedi pre op here too. Hope your toes dried without sleep marks and its a good thing you are going into NYC today so you can get some rest

    Coolbreeze- It may be a blessing that the doc isn't operating on you ( I know it's hard  for you to appreciate now) but obviously he is impaired and is sparing you from what could be an unnescessary bad outcome or need for a revision.  Has he closed his practice?  If not, you may want to contact the medical board in CA. He probably should not be operating at all.

  • Katey
    Katey Posts: 496
    edited June 2010

    ANN!  I am so sorry that you are going thru this. Reading these last pages I was thinking of solutions, but Whippetmom 's post on this page is perfect.  In the big picture waiting to get a great new ps will be okay.

    Jerusha and Bebotx, best results and healing to you!  Nice to get so much done, keeps your mind occupied!  The only thing I forgot till am of surgery was to remove nail polish, probably just necessary for fingers, but I removed it very badly at 5am on my toes, looked pretty nasty after months of polish! 

    Kyleen, a little fat is oh so nice:) 

    Jennifer, I'm so sorry,  there's great support on here for rads problems.

    Kate, Happy Birthday!!     I thought the 33 was for your age! 

     Thank you everyone for good wishes.  Almost there 

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Posts: 916
    edited June 2010

    Hi darlings, I've been MIA due to work, kid home, etc., but popping in to send good wishes and prayers to all to do well in surgeries, recoveries, dr. picking, and birthdays :):):).

    I love all my bc sisters!!!!!  Happy summer ladies.  :).

    My PS said no need for any anitibiotics unless invasive surgery, such as a wisdom tooth extraction.  Not even needed for root canal, unless infected.

    (Close to surgery date, tho, yes, get some)

    xoxoxo

    annie

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Posts: 916
    edited June 2010

    And oh my, Laura, sweetie, thank you for putting the hair info out there.

    I had too high a dose of synthroid going on, and I was literally getting a bald spot on my crown!

    Since I've got all of this, (arimidex, menopause, thyroid) I was feeling like chemo hair redux...I do hate the smell of nioxxin but I'll drag the stuff back out.

    Thank you, hairdresser to the stars :).  love you, hope you got the card I sent you.

    xoxo

    annie

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2010

    Annie, you " Old Timer" you... was there EVER a sweeter TaTa Tiny?? Got your card dear lady! I sure wish you were coming to Vegas... (       --------> Laura crying like a baby <--------      )

    Kay.. I went back to work 2 weeks after... BOTH exchanges... no trouble at all..

    You look to be in good shape by your photo.. in 4 weeks.. heck... you will feel like you had a mini vacation... and got SOFT BOOBIES... wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    DEBORAH... are you have a good day lady? JUST checkin' on ya....

    Off to PT girlies...... today I get WRAPPED for my LE......and I am fighting like a girl all the way there... DARN.. have you SEEN how they wrap us... or... are you one of " us" that has to get wrapped...

    This is Laura... NOT HAPPY------------------------> GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Posts: 247
    edited June 2010

    Zyvox and Antibiotics.

    I'm with Judy Zyvox is brutal and there are potentially fatal side effects if you don't follow the dietary restrictions that come with it. There are definitely easier ways to lose weight. I live in fear of the stuff not as much fear as vancomyician but close.

    If you have had rads or have had a past MRSA or other infection in your recon site or after other surgery, it is a good idea to remind the Dr before any procedure that invades your skin. I was surprised to learn that having had MRSA before put me in the same risk class for infection as someone who has diabetes. I have since then made sure to let every doctor know including my dentist. Rads skin is much more fragile and subject to breakage, so I would always remind the Dr about the rads before doing anything, including the tatoo, I don't think its necessary for people who don't have a rads or infection history.

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Posts: 332
    edited June 2010

    My PS gave me prophylactic antibiotics when I got my first layer of tattoos. That may be protocol since I got them done in a doctor's office and I got the distinct impression that the nurse forgot to give me the prescription the second time around.

    I'm now on two different antibiotics, and seem to be responding. Yesterday, I was dripping big drops of fluid when I was upright. Today, I can see an opening in the nipple incision that's about 1/4" long.

    I don't think I did anything too soon, but who knows? My PS says to wait a minimum of 6 weeks after nips to get the tattoos and then 4 weeks between tattoo sessions. I waited 8 weeks after nips and 4-1/2 weeks between sessions.

  • m-star
    m-star Posts: 340
    edited June 2010

    Laura~That's really great to know! Thank you! I will still book the 4 weeks off and really enjoy my last bit of time away! ha ha. Once i'm back i'll be in full swing and prepping for xmas!

    Hope your LE is getting a little better.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2010

    Laura -- so sorry you have to wrapped and deal with this awful LE.  I hope this hard time passes quickly and you get back to normal soon.

    Ladies -- I think we were joking about the Zyvox for weight loss...but the info you all have posted is really helpful.  I am diabetic but have very good control and so far have done ok.  I did develop an infection with the TEs but so far have not with the implant.  I think my body is much happier about the soft implant :)  I did have an unusual amount of bruising and swelling with the reduction side so perhaps that is attributable to the diabetes.

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Posts: 916
    edited June 2010

    Oh Laura, I am so sorry you got the LE!!!! I hope it responds quickly to wrapping!!!

    You will beat it and deal with it...in true Laura fashion.  Love you, girl.

    I am glad to hear the info on the RX with rads skin. thank you, Bigapple!  I did have an intravenous antibiotic (clindomycin) during surgery and for 10 days afterwards as a precaution.  I had an unholy mess.  I had necrosis of the rads skin, but my miraculous PS took a patch from my c section scar (and he made that almost invisible also) and he patched me, like a rag doll.  I don't have any raises scars or lines whatsoever, only slightly different colored bits there.  It's still amazing to me how he managed that one.  No infections ever, perhaps that is due to that clindomycin.  He says I don't need one for root canals, I didn't get one for hysterectomy/oopharectomy and I won't need one for nips.  I will be needing one for the prophy tho.

    Texas, it sounds like everything was done fine, except that the nurse should have given you a prescription!  none the less, even with one, things can happen and they do...it sounds like it will be fine tho now and that you are healing up.  I think if it were me, I would certainly let my PS know about the incision opening.  I had that a bit, and actually, the office told me to clean it with a sterile q tip and hydrogen peroxide (be gentle) and then use a fresh q tip and slather it with bacitriacin.  I did that with the necrosis and if I had not had to begin chemo, it actually had begun to heal it.

    One day, in the future, when i go to get a prophy (too much going on right now, and not much at risk with ooph/hyst and arimidex) he will do the nip on the recon girl.  He wants to wait til I am done with prophy as he says it just isn't going to line up right until the new girl settles.  He's quite a perfectionist which is AOK by me!  In the meantime, I have glitter stick on nips, red sequin heart nips, glow in the dark nips.....and if I am in a hurry, sharpie markers to draw a big old smiley face. :).

    love you all, Laura, praying for you and I know all will be well.  xoxo

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Posts: 247
    edited June 2010

    Anyone else have a DIEP?

    They took my last drain out Monday and yesterday my stomach was swollen and I was a little red on that side. I marked it with a marker. Today it was a little less red and it had not gone beyond the lines but my waist is two inches thicker than it was last week. I am going in to the doctor tomorrow and I am just hoping that its only fluid accumulation that will subside, but I am worried about an infection, though I have no fever and my body temp and bp are actually low 97 and 88 over 68, none of it is like the infection I had in December.

     If anyone has any experiences to share I could use some happy ending stories.

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Posts: 916
    edited June 2010

    BigApple, it doesn't sound like an infection, it does sound like swelling and fluid buildup.  I am glad you are going in tho to get checked.

    Is it warm or hot to the touch?  Do you have chills?  Either of those and I'd call back the PS, otherwise, it sounds OK.

    I haven't done Diep, but if you go onto the threads and post asking for specific DIEP questions, someone will come on shortly that can help you I am sure.

    Good luck honey.  Please post how the dr. visit goes, but it sounds like what you think it is.

    xoxo

    annie

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Posts: 247
    edited June 2010

    Annie: 

    I do have intermittent chills/feeling cold when I should not but my BP is 88 over 68, which is lower than my normal 90 over 70 and by body temp is lower than it normally is.

    My whole belly is warmer than the rest of me. When I had the MRSA only the red parts were warm. When my nirse came today she called the PS office and spoke with them. I was relieved that they did not want to see me right away and did not say to go to the hospital and that the were comfortable waiting till tomorrow. I've had enought hospital time in the past 14 months.

    Keeping everything crossed, Wendy

  • Adnerb
    Adnerb Posts: 727
    edited June 2010

    Wendy, sorry about your swelling.  Hope it resolves soon.  

    Lilah, thanks for your comment.  Yes, they are prominent, aren't they?  Last Saturday I was in a concert, standing and dancing when the guy in front of me decided to sit and accidentally hit my TE's with the back of his head.  He said, "Sorry!" but I wonder if I should have apologized as well.

    Brenda 

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2010

    LOL Brenda -- I love your attitude girl!

  • val61
    val61 Posts: 969
    edited June 2010

    Posted new pics this afternoon, ladies.......nips 4 weeks post-op.....

    Hope y'all are doing well......hugs to y'all!

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Posts: 136
    edited June 2010

    Got tattooed yesterday ~ that was an interesting experience!!  A friend who is going through the same thing next month went with me and we have all of the same Dr's.  We had the PS get his camera so we could take pictures.  He would ask during the process "so, do you want me to do anything special for this photo?".  After he was done we all exchanged emails so he could send the photos to us.  Seriously, this doctor is a keeper!!! (Dr. Larry Pollack in San Diego.)

    Posted before and after photos a few minutes ago.  Feel like I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel and so far it isn't a train!!

    Take care everyone!!!  Looking forward to VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Colleen

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