TE TROUBLE

So sorry purple-hang tough!!!!

Hi Ladies

So from reading everyone's posts about tissue expanders I expected them to be rock hard all the time, but mine are actually a little squishy? Do you think its BC I had surgery only three weeks ago? Or maybe because I was a D and my tissue expanders are only filled with 200 cc's? Just wondering if this is a sensation I should worry about....

thanks AZ! I won't worry about it then.

Jen, it's hard to tell. Breast cancer surgery recoveries are a journey of weird aches, zings, tingles, pain in varying degrees, and other assorted feelings like the infamous iron bra. I had my BMX and got my implants the same day. Two weeks later I lost one implant and had a TE on that side instead. I had some strong muscle spasms on the TE side for several days even though there was no saline in the TE. The good implant side had it's share of what I called zingers in the next weeks, sharp shooting pain across the foob. I didn't get too many of those on the TE side. Three months later I got new implants on both sides. You'd think they'd behave the same - but no. Each one has it's own healing peculiarities. Don't try to figure it out.

I agree, don't try to figure it out...lol, it'll make you crazy! I remember reading on one of these threads(cant remember which one) a post from a woman that said she was playing in a tennis tournament within weeks of her MX w/TE's. This was shortly after my initial surgery and I was feeling like I should be bouncing back quicker. When I read that the first thought that came was....SURE you are!! Who knows, maybe she really did, but my point is....we are all different. The TE's suck!!

purple87 - Aw, I'm so sorry this has been so hard for you.  As sandra4611 would say, 'NOT FAIR'!  Do they at least have the infection under control? 

jen - you should see a difference in another couple of weeks.  Ask if you can get a prescription for some physical therapy to help stretch your muscles out carefully.

Purple, I'm so sorry about your infection and everything you have been through.  I'm sending hugs and smiles to you, and you are a super special lady for dealing with this. Did they culture the wound so you know what type of bacteria you are dealing with? I can't imagine how tough it must be to pack a wound there. 

Maybe they can help you with a wound vac--it speeds up the healing. I am praying for you. Also consider protein shakes and colloidal silver -- 3-4 teaspoons for 3 days. You can find both at Whole Foods or on Amazon. You need that wound to heal!

I am so glad that your TEs and flaps are not infected. This is the best possible outcome in an awful situation. 

@Babs--You are so right about how weird it is that with infections, they often don't know the bug. Even then the docs indirectly argue with each other over the veracity of the sample. I have found that you really have to push to get the culture. It is pretty tough to do if it is an internal infection, but they have done it for me. It requires an ultra sound guided needle to gather a specimen, and a fairly obvious external indication of infection. I had them culture the drain once and they were a little miffed because it was not considered to be a clean specimen. Still, at least they got an idea of what the bacteria was. If I ever get in the situation again when I have an infection within the skin, I will definitely demand the ultra sound guided specimen for culture. The other thing I've noticed is that the doc gives you an antibiotic when you show signs of infection, and if you respond they really don't care as much about following through with the culture. That means you could become a petri dish for resistant bacteria. I have now learned that we really need more infectious disease doctors and antibiotics to treat the resistant bacteria. Such a shame the pharma companies don't develop more. Ok...now jumping off the soap box!

Hello everyone,

The saga continues.... My Left TE- less already breast is at it again. (This breast has had a pinpoint hole since 11/4 TE removal and leaking seroma/lymph fluid in small amts.)

This past Tuesday I felt an area of thickening in the bottom inner side. Made appt with PS for same day. He basically said fluid, if I saw any change to go to BS and get US. Wed afternoon saw Lymphadema PT. She called PS and ask about massaging to get fluid out, she massaged and taught me how to. Thurs. morning PJ's and robe soaked and breast swollen to size of TE one and leaking more and a bit red.  Called BS, away until 3/14, went to Herceptin and called Inf. Dis MD who saw me before. Went to his office, he took 2 cultures, blood work and ordered US. He also prescribed Antib's.

Has US this am.  According to Tech , after pics and consulting with MD, thickening looked like scar tissue. No major pockets of fluid. Looks like infection and what floored me was a huge circle on US as she scanned my underarm. I remember seeing a node that way before ( I went right back to the beginning and it has taken me a few hours to shake off Mr Gloom and Doom ). Opinion is node is reflective of infection, but ultimately my MD's call if biopsy is needed. 

This is just too soon, I just finished chemo 3 weeks ago. Now I wait. I use to be the most patient person.

I HATE waiting.

Thanks for listening,

Vivian

WSC I never had fluid anywhere so they really had nothing to culture.  It was only when they took out the TE that they ran all sorts of cultures based upon the ID Drs instructions- and found nothing.  

Vivian- it's way too soon after chemo for anything to be an issue.  I'm sure it's part of the infection!  Deep breaths-stay calm and patient.  We have to on this crazy journey!!!!

Baba

So happy to hear that Vivian (about the mental place, not the infection!)

Vivian it may sound weird but I'm happy it's an infection-that is easy to treat! 

Babs

And we love being here for you!  That's the beauty of these boards -the give and take of being there for others!

Babs