Well it seems that getting re-radiated really does have a negative effect on skin.  I had surgery over a month and a half ago to replace the leaking tissue expander ( basically a breast implant that can be filled with saline to expand it) in my right breast.  The Plastic Surgeon stitched me up internally to minimize scarring.  Last week I started taking Tae Kwon Do classes again.  I hadn’t been to a class in a few months.  I took it easy in class and didn’t  go all out.  I also had been trying to stretch my chest  because my breast area seemed so tight.  A couple nights ago, while lying in bed, I reached for something inside a drawer in my night stand.  I thought I somehow popped a leak in my tissue expander  because I felt wetness on my chest.  I got up and went to the bathroom and realized blood and  fluid was dripping from my chest and there were bloodstains on my shirt and pajama pants.  I lifted my shirt to find that the surgical scar had opened.  I had about a 2 inch opening in my right breast and I could see the expander.  It was very bizarre.  I thought it would gross me out, but I was surprisingly unfazed by the whole thing.  I grabbed some gauze pads and covered up the opening and put some surgical tape on it.  I woke up Charles & we headed to the Emergency Room.

The ER doctor got in touch with my Plastic Surgeon.  The Plastic Surgeon arrived within a half hour (in nylon sweat pants and a sweatshirt).  He examined me and gave me two options.  He could take the tissue expander out and stitch me up or leave the tissue expander in, stitch me up, and keep an eye on me & if there is a problem, take the expander out later.  We decided to keep the expander in for now.  The Plastic Surgeon and nurse set up a little surgical station.  The doc sterilized/disinfected the area and then he removed some saline from the tissue expander.  He then  irrigated the wound, injected some type of numbing agent into the area & then started stitching me up.  This time the doc used internal and external stitches.  He put some steri-strips and gauze over the stitches & then taped me up.  I watched most of what he was doing.  I was sent home with antibiotics and tylenol with codeine.

My doc told me that the combination of radiation and chemo probably caused my scar to tear.  I also won’t be doing Tae Kwon Do for a while.  The doc recommended that I work out on a stationary bike, that way I won’t stress the chest area.  I guess that means push ups are out as well!

I went for a follow up today.  So far, the doc says everything looks good.  I’m to call him if I develop a fever or chills or if my skin gets hot/redder.  We are keeping our fingers cross that all goes well.