[twosenuf99]

I am hoping someone can help me.

I saw my Plastic Surgeon last Thursday and she noticed I was beginning an infection in the area of my incision on the non-affected side. She put me on Bactrim until I saw her a week later.

Unfortunately over the weekend things got worse the infection spread across my chest and fevers were running wild. Called the doctor Monday but she was in surgery all day so she asked me to come in on Tuesday morning. Went to the appointment and ended up in the hospital with a PICC line in and am now on Vacomycin. They ran blood work and found there is not enough antibiotic in my system so they have upped the meds. Already was informed I am going home with the PICC line and antibiotics.

My question is the doctor may take the expander out tomorrow morning "wash" it and return it to my chest or just remove it altogether since my infection is no better no worse since I was admitted. Has anyone had this procedure done???? Obviously I know if she takes it out and leaves it out I can not have it put back in until I am all done treatment which will not be until 2013. I am not sure I want to jump to surgery since they realized I have not been getting the proper dose of meds. Is it wise to ask the doctor to hold off on the surgery to give the meds a little longer to work at the new dose or just do it and be done. Obviously I do not want to jeopardize my life with an infection and she said since the implant is a foreign body it may not allow my body to heal but I hate the thought of more unplanned surgery. I was originally supposed to have my port replaced tomorrow and start my next round of chemo next Monday but that is now all put on hold which gives the cancer a chance to come back while I am fighting this infection..

Someone please throw me some advice. I am just not sure what to do..

Thank you very much
Tracy