Fever and terrible back pain

Ruth7733

This morning I woke up feeling weak as well as in pain where the drain is inserted into my chest. It has become red and swollen just as the other one had been before it finally dropped in cc and they removed it. I took a pain pill and didn't think anything of it. Within a few hours, I began to feel extremely nauseated (I haven't eaten anything today) and have a headache. I also felt a combination of hot and cold which is always a sign for me that I have a temp. I checked and I was at 100.2. Now my ps said that if I have a temp then he wants to hear about it when it reaches 101.4. So I figured I would just lay down and hopefully would feel better after I woke up. Well when I woke up, I could tell that my temp was worse. I took it and it was 102.7. I was bundled up in a blanket and thought maybe that had something to do with it so I unwrapped and it did lower some (101.9). I called the on call ps and he asked me a bunch of questions about how my chest looks. Is it red? no, just where the drain is. Is there any kind of new pain? I have been having some pretty intense back pain (directly behind where my TE's sit) for the last couple days. I figured this was probably normal from having the TE's pressing on my back muscles. He said that was unusual. Really? I'm pretty sure I've read on here that it is actually pretty normal.

Finally he just told me to take some ibuprofen and if the temp didn't go down, then I should go to the ER.

I'm very nervous as infection is the reason why I lost my TE's years ago and was unable to proceed with reconstruction. I thought he would call in an antibiotic but he said I would have to go to ER.

My temp did drop down to below 100 after taking the ibuprofen, though I still have a headache and feel weak.

I'm looking at my chest and maybe my left one does look a little pink....or maybe I'm just seeing what's not there. (the left one has also been itchy the last couple days as well). I'm so worried

Ruth7733

Well it looks like I have an infection. Heading to ER now.

farmerlucy

oh Ruth - I'm sorry. I hope they get a handle on it very soon. Hang in there. Let us know how it goes

Morwenna

Ack. So sorry! I was going to say "go get it checked out", but then read your second post!

Hopefully if it is an infection (sounds like it), it will be caught early and treated successfully, without any tissue loss. Best wishes to you!

Ruth7733

Doctor says it looks bad. I have been admitted

AZ85048

Oh, Ruth, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you again. Praying that they can get the infection under control soon. Please keep us posted on how you're doing...

farmerlucy

oh Ruth. My heart sank when I read that. That is terrible news. Hoping things turn around very soon.

DSW1976

Ruth,

I just went thru this 2 weeks ago.  I have never been so sick even going thru red devil chemo.  I had a staph infection turned cellulitis .  I am still recovering from them removing my implant and washed it out and now I have no implant on the non caner boob.  Good luck and don't let them release you until fever is gone without any meds.  They let me go home I was back 2 hours later and this was after surgery.  I have to leave implant out for 3-4 months .  Good luck 

Diane 

howdidigethere

Ruth, AZ alerted us on the picture forum side of your infection.  In this whole process, my bilateral infection was one of the most upsetting things that ever happened and one of the only times that I cried.  And I'm shedding a tear for you now too.  But I'm also sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.  We are all here for you.  {{{hugs}}}

I_Spy

Ruth this has to be all of our worst fears; I know that it is mine. I'm glad you went to the ER (I just came on the site this morning, or I would have answered in your hour of need last night). Please let us know how you are doing we are all thinking of you and wishing you healing thoughts and prayers!

Ruth7733

Thanks everyone for responding. This is a scary situation for me as I know you all understand.

I had numerous tests done today. I'm even more worn out than before. I had to see 3 different ultrasound docs and finally they called one in that is an expert in breast radiology. She found a couple of fluid pockets around the expander that my current drain was not getting. They (and I) are hoping this was the problem. I've had a new drain put in right on the pocket (that was not a fun experience).

The ps wants my chest to look dramatically better within the next 48 hours or he will want to remove the expander. I am praying that I will look all clear by tomorrow. They have me on 2 strong antibiotics. I hate being in the hospital but I know it is a necessary evil if I want to save the expander.

Howdidigethere, I cannot seem to access the picture forum from my iPhone. Thank you AZ for letting them know.

AZ85048

Ruth7733 - And thank you for bringing us some hopeful news! I pray that the new drain will resolve your pain and discomfort. At the very least, one of the few 'up' sides of being hospitalized is the fact they can put you on massive IV antibiotics which are far more effective and fast acting than the oral meds you'd be taking at home. So take it one day at a time, and please keep us in the loop - there are a lot of us out here that are pulling for you!

marketingmama

Ruth, so so sorry but glad you're safely being monitored at the hospital.

Ironically, I'm about 10 days out from PBMX and TEs. Recovery has been as expected. Except this afternoon I felt odd and checked my temp. 101.7. I kind of freaked but thought my bedroom was warm (which I didn't notice) and I should give Tylenol time to kick in. So after one dose I'm down to 100.7. Do you all think I can stay home tonight provided I stay under 101? No signs of infection. Drains still in. One filling far more quickly than the other but the color is straw yellow (the other is red) and much less output.

Sorry to high jack this thread but could use the advice

AZ85048

marketingmama - Don't take any chances - call your PS and see what he / she has to say - that's what you're paying them for.

I_Spy

marketingmama call the doctor. Better safe than sorry.

Ruth: So glad you are there. It sucks but you are in the right place. We dread going, but once you are there you have to admit "Now I don't have to figure this all out myself. I can rest and let them figure it out." We are thinking of you and praying!

Ruth7733

Well I'm dreading seeing the doc this morning. I don't think my chest looks any better. And in fact I feel like my right side may be having an issue as well. It looks a little swollen and is definitely tender in areas it wasn't before. I'm terrified he is going to say that they need to come out. I don't believe I can do this again. My dh definitely wants me to quit if they have to be pulled. I was in extreme pain yesterday which he was here for. It upset him to see me like that. It reminded him of what I went through years ago with all this.

I really hoped that my having waited close to 14 years to do this again was going to make the difference. It seems my body just doesn't agree.

Perhaps I am wrong and the doc will say he does see improvement. All I can do is pray that is the case and that once I'm out of here, it will be smooth sailing. It's hard to be optimistic when you're in so much pain.

marketingmama

Ruth, best of luck with your appointment. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Let us know how you're doing.

I_Spy

marketingmama how are you doing?

Ruth let us know what the doctor says

AZ85048

Hi, Ruth, just checking in to see how you're feeling....hopefully, things are improving for you today!

marketingmama

Thanks for checking on me! Fever went down last night with Tylenol ( and stayed down) so decided to wait till morning to call. I was 99 by about 10am so called the PS. Nurse asked a ton of questions and called me back after contacting PS following his morning procedures. I already had an appt tomorrow so his plan is to pull my drains, which I guess are the likely culprit. I've been fever-free all day but just bumped up to 99 again. Hopefully I can avoid antibiotics since nothing looks red or inflamed to me an dim not sick otherwise.

On another note, Anyone else feel like they are wearing a bra with a band that is about 10 sizes too small. I keep intuitively trying to adjust my bra so I can loosen it. Awful!

I_Spy

fingers crossed marketingmama.

Ruth: I hope you're sleeping and that's why you haven't updated us. Feeling better and sleeping is what I'm hoping for....

Ruth7733

Hi everyone, thank you all for praying for me & keeping me in your thoughts!

I have been in quite a bit of pain & felt very nauseated. My fever has not gone beyond 100.4 since I was admitted Saturday night but it is definitely a low grade fever. I think that is why I'm so nauseated.

My ps came in today (this was 1st time he has seen me as he's been out of town and his on call doc was the one to admit me). He showed a lot of sympathy and agrees that it looks bad. He says that the fact that they found some fluid around the expander (where the new drain is now) gives him hope that even though my chest is still really red and angry looking, it could still be saved. So the current plan is to keep me in the hospital, watching it with strong antibiotics flowing. If redness doesn't start fading, then they will likely be removed on Wednesday or Thursday, latest.

I apologize for not updating sooner. I've had a few issues. Due to my lymphedema, I cannot have IV, blood draws, or bp taken in left arm. Well they have had to stick me repeatedly in the right for blood draws. I am all bruised up. Then where they had the IV running, it infiltrated and so had to be redone. The morphine they were giving me was not doing much at all for my horrible pain. So they switched me to Percocet which has been making me more nauseated. It has also begun to make me itch.

As I think I stated, I do not do well in hospitals.

So please continue to pray for me and for this infection to disappear.

I_Spy

Hang in there Ruth. And why haven't they given you zofran or another anti-nausea med? I can't take anyyyyy narcotics without zofran. If I were a drug addict, I would abuse zofran I swear I love it so much....

AZ85048

Ruth - It's good to hear that your PS has some hope - but I want him to be right! I learned years ago that I'm allergic to Percocet, so much so that it makes me want to scratch my own skin off, it itches so much. So I have to stay clear of that stuff. Like ispy said, hang in there...I guess there's nothing you can do but try to rest and try not to worry. I'll check on you again tomorrow and hope that you're able to have a restful night tonight.

Ruth7733

Nurse doesn't like the way it's looking. Says she thinks it's redder and hotter. She is calling ps now. Not a good sign for me. I just feel like sobbing😢. He's going to remove them, I just know it.

This was it, my last attempt.

I_Spy

Oh Ruth. I'm so sorry.

farmerlucy

oh Ruth. You sob away girl. I'm so sorry

marketingmama

Ruth, I just want to tell you how very sorry I am for what you've been through and for what you're now experiencing. Yell, cry, talk, sleep....do whatever you need to help you through this. And if your stomach has settled, I'm always a fan of calling on my buddies Ben & Jerry.

Warm hugs....

AZ85048

Oh, Ruth, I hate this. I so don't want you to have to go through this loss a third time.... thinking of you today and praying that no news is good news.

Lily55

Ruth I don´t know you but I really feel for you as 18 months ago I had failed recon due to infection and was left worse off than I was before attempting recon so I really KNOW how devastated you are feeling right now. Words just are not enough to describe your devastation, I am so very sorry.....................

Ruth7733

Hello everyone,

My ps decided he still wants to wait to see what it looks like tomorrow afternoon. So waiting is what we're doing. Waiting & praying!

In the meantime my right arm looks like it's been through the wringer a few times. Black & blue all over. Docs decided they need to put in a PICC line. So I'm wondering how much fun that is going to be for me? It sounds painful but hey with what I'm dealing with, one more ouch shouldn't make too much of a difference.

My dh brought me these earlier. I knows it's a cliche but red roses are my favorite ❤️