Winter rads 2014-2015

Oh Quiggy!  That just can't be so. Don't take no for an answer.  Talk to your Plastic Surgeon.  I could go back into the posts and find out, I'm sure, but being lazy about such things, what kind of reconstruction are you looking at?  What are the plans for dealing with the infection? - darn it all. 

I understand the crazy lady look.  I have terrible reactions to tape. Why doesn't anyone believe us?   Hugs.

CoyoteNV, I had left breast lumpectomy. L breast is misshapen and reduced to a B. R breast is a D. Planning to reduce R and repair the L.

For the infection it's antibiotics. They used a sharpie to outline the area so they can see if it's growing. I go back on Tuesday and may have to to "draining."

It SUCKS! I'm pissed and depressed but doing what needs done.

Quiggy, no! How can you suddenly develop an infection 5 months past surgery??! NO prior signs of infection?? Are they certain it's infection, and not some weird allergic reaction to a retained internal suture or two? And also, how can they say you can't have your reconstruction? I agree with Coyote, don't take no for an answer. If it IS an infection, they can clear it with the appropriate antibiotics. If something has to be drained, they can drain it. And then they can take precautions to avoid problems after your reconstruction. It's 2015, I think modern medicine can figure out a way. I'm so sorry, though, that you're having to deal with this.

WheelyGirl, so glad to hear you might not need the heart surgery!

amylsp, I think the first thing is to make sure it's effective (I use spf 30), and the next thing is to make sure you don't have any sort of allergic reaction to any of the ingredients (so try it on your arm or some less sensitive place first). Because I have a history of being a bit of a skin cancer factory (lots of basal cell lesions, a couple of squamous cell, never a melanoma, thank goodness), I've done a fair amount of research on sun screens. The one I buy currently is pricey but worth it to me. It's Coola classic sunscreen, unscented moisturizer. It's labeled organic, says it contains 70% organic ingredients, listing several things including organic rose hip extract, evening primrose and linseed oils, safflower, Vit. E & C, organic shea butter, plankton extract, cucumber extract, etc. It feels very nice on the skin, for a sunscreen. Expensive, as I said, but lasts a long time. I haven't used it yet on my irradiated skin, but that's what I'll use whenever I do expose that skin to the sun. No doubt there are plenty of other good ones, but I would look for organic, mostly natural ingredients.

Yeah, we should all expect that, really. Unfortunately, I guess, doctors are human even while not seeming very humane. That is, they have personalities, and some more sympathetic and better listeners than others. Well, I hope now that they can't deny what you were saying and feeling all along, they will quickly deal with the infection. And I still think it shouldn't mean you can't have your reconstruction, once everything is resolved.

You know I had one of the best doctor/patient experiences yesterday with the heart surgeon.  He told us the results of the echo from last week and his thoughts on that.  Then we discussed my symptoms one at a time and what might be the cause of them.  Every time we finished discussing a particular symptom he would say "does that sound like a good plan to you, what are your thoughts?".  It really made me feel like I had some control.  I felt very at ease and much less stressed and worried about the heart thing when I left his office.  His main concern is that he does not want to put me through an unnecessary surgery right now.  I wish my MO was more like that, he gets offended when I question something he wants me to do.  It is so frustrating.

As someone here on the boards pointed out..... Keep in mind, the doctors work you for you!

Most of them all well compensated, too.

I'm so glad that I have had wonderful doctors at my facility.

Wheelygirl, that's great news!  Hope your next echo is good too.  It's great that your doc is that collaborative too.

Quiggy, my heart goes out to you!  That is really rotten luck.  I empathize with your frustration.  Hopefully your antibiotics will do the trick.  Apparently radiated tissue is more difficult to heal post-op and infection doesn't help. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to get a second opinion if need be. Maybe postponing it a bit will be all that's needed.

My news is mixed. I've got one week of hyperbaric treatments under my belt. Am tolerating them ok with the help of Ativan for my claustrophobia. The stuff really knocks me for a loop though so its back to being tired all the time.  Have enjoyed the weekend without it. I saw the new plastic surgeon on Wednesday and really like him. He is thoughtful and honest without being cruel. He is the first doc that seems to have really looked and felt how big the area of necrosis still in there is.  He is not completely convinced that it will heal without getting that removed too. The hyperbaric treatment increases the blood supply to the area to promote healing and make another surgery (Ughh!) more likely to succeed.  He also said he would have to remove part of the areola too and there is no telling what the boob will look like after that. I may very well end up in Quiggy's shoes. So, after thought and discussion we decided to go ahead with 4 weeks of hyperbaric and re-evaluate then. For some reason the boob is really sore this weekend which scares the hell out of me despite the previous negative cultures. Still doing daily irrigations and repacking. Time will tell, I guess. One day at a time...

mqt64 and quiggy ~ I am so sad that you are having such healing difficulties.  I had no idea that a lumpectomy could have such severe complications.  I would never have thought that the simple way was a mastectomy and reconstruction. Many hugs and prayers for you both.

Oh, Jean. I was so glad when I could stop with the messy Aquafor. That redness will subside soon. Hang in there with the lotions and let air get to those areas if you can.

I am on Anastrozole so I don't know about Femara, but with Anastrozole there has been a lot of discussion about the maker. Initially my pills came from India. Some reports from users indicate that the fillers in the pills there cause side effects like joint pain. I had my pharmacy switch me to the TEVA brand from Israel because folks on Breastcancer.org had fewer SEs with that. I have asked two MOs and neither had any info on this. Possibly Femara has alternate manufacturers that you could try.

thanks Coyote NV. I am surprised too, thought lumpectomy was the less intrusive route (if there's anything less intrusive about cancer ha ha). Guess a few of us pulled the short straw!! I'm trying to stay hopeful, I just know this will end some day.

Thank you everyone! I would not have been able to do so well, and make it through all 33 rads without all of you! I hope everyone has healed and can now move on. I am 7 weeks out this Thursday.

This was my last day at rads, showing off my Diploma, wearing my very cheap, very blinged out tiara, and holding 33 roses. Super big finish! I always wear my tiara to chemo, it has super powers, and makes all of the nurses laugh. The Doctors just shake their heads and smile, I see a psych consult coming at some point........but the tiara is worth it

Beachbum102. You've given us a good smile, much needed as some of our "finishers" are having to struggle with complications. You look great in a tiara. I can't imagine what so many roses would smell like.

So sorry quiggy and Texas94 for the tough hands you have been dealt.

Hi everyone... Saw the BS today. He opened a small area, removed the sutures that didn't dissolve and were incased.

Going to do more antibiotics and x2 daily clean/treatment with neosporin.

Hopefully this will do the trick! I'm so OVER all this crap!

Funny... We discussed my issues with sutures and while he was working on me, blamed it on the RADs! WTH!!!! RAD onc said it was the surgery. I have to laugh .

Oh quiggy, so sorry you are having such problems and that the doctors are such jerks. Maybe they should rent a boxing ring and slug it out without you in the middle. Why not suggest it to them. Teehee!