Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

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ocstacy
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Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Thu Nov 02, 2017 1:26 am

My dear mama was taken to ER today as she was complaining about pain again around her incision sights. We we were going to take her to ER a week ago but she felt better after the home health nurse mentioned that her sights looked okay. They thought possibly hernia, but now I'm thinking it is an infection, etc. Today they did a CT Scan, and more tests and it was confirmed that she had an abscess and a yeast infection on her tongue. I never heard about an abscess happening after surgery. She has been in so much pain after surgery but the nurse and dr. mentioned that this is normal process of recovering and her wound look okay.

My husband and I are on a vacation in Cabo San Lucus (2 hours away from home) We wanted to get away and catch up on sleep but now we plan to fly home early and end our trip. I had a feeling that my mom would have an emergency of some sort. She is staying with her sisters and my father and brother live on the same street which I felt comfortable leaving her with them. 'Now, I cannot enjoy our vacation and worry about her so much. I have noticed that after her surgery her health has declined a bit. The pain meds have left her with no appetite and desire to drink. We have to remind her to eat. Please pray for my mama... the last time I talked to her on the phone she didn't sound good, she even mentioned something that I don't want to share with you, but I'm sure you know what I am talking about. Prayers for my mama dearest. Pray that she will get through this. :!: <3

PS) Does anyone know of anyone who had an abscess after colorectal surgery? If so, did they recover and was the procedure minor?
Last edited by ocstacy on Sat Nov 04, 2017 3:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

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O Stoma Mia
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby O Stoma Mia » Fri Nov 03, 2017 3:25 am

FYI, here is the USC Cancer Center report card on 30-day survival for cancer patients:

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ca/usc-norris-cancer-hospital-6931585/cancer

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CRguy
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby CRguy » Sat Nov 04, 2017 2:32 pm

ocstacy wrote:Does anyone know of anyone who had an abscess after colorectal surgery? If so, did they recover and was the procedure minor?

my story from a very old topic :

I did great for 1 week, then very / extreme lethargy, pelvic discomfort, fullness but not really severe pain .I also had a temp ileostomy at the time so no issues with bowell function. Was on pain meds (tylenol and advil) which both kept my temp down for a while, but I was developing a pelvic abscess and eventually spiked a fever, went to ER and had very hi white blood cell count. they did a contrast CT to diagnose it and did follow up sinograms and drainage of abscess. back home with a drain/flush tube installed in my butt. removed 2 weeks later after 2 more follow up sinograms. On major antibiotics and pain meds for this. No permanent problems and have done OK since (this was Sept /07)

HTH

best wishes for Mom
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
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Lee
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby Lee » Sat Nov 04, 2017 2:50 pm

Never had this problem butt sure hope your mom is doing better soon.

Prayers to you both,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

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ocstacy
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Sat Nov 04, 2017 3:42 pm

went to ER and had very hi white blood cell count. they did a contrast CT to diagnose it and did follow up sinograms and drainage of abscess.


We arrived home yesterday from our trip and I just got off the phone with the surgeon. My mom kept complaining about this weird pain and she kept telling the nurse that came to visit at our home. The nurse mentioned that it's a normal process, but so sad that my mom was complaining about the abscess pain and we weren't getting any answers but the turn around. Prior, they all thought maybe a hernia.. After she vomitted, they took her to the E.R. and it was confirmed via CT scan they found a 5.1 sac full of puss. Her WBC was high too at the ER. They ambulated her from OC hospital to LA hospital within 3 hours. I thought for sure she would have an emergency surgery or they would dreain the prcoderue. He mentioned that my mom had a bowel leak and it caused an abscess near her tail bone rectal area. She is on IV antibiotics and a clear liquid diet, no drainage needed yet. Just wondering when she can eat normal food again. I feel so bad cause my mom hasn't eaten or slept in many days until last night they gave her Benadryl so she could sleep and she finally did (thank goodness)

Now that I am home, everything seems to be getting better since my mom only trusts me and the Dr. and I communicate well. That was a scary moment being away , but my husband and I had to leave just to get away. (respite) It has been a bumpy road, now we are awaiting the pathology report from the surgery and that makes me nervous. My mom hasn't started her chemo just yet after the surgery. I'm afraid it will make her even more weaker :| Thank you for your support.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

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ocstacy
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:41 am

Never had this problem butt sure hope your mom is doing better soon.


My mom is coming home today after complications after surgery. Poor thing, she has been in and out of the hospital until 17th. We are going to stop the Oxycodone too because that just really stopped her appetite and made her dizzy. She ended up having an abscess near her tail bone.. i guess there was a leak from the connection. Dr. weren't very clear but the abscess cleared up with antibiotics and now she is eating real food as of yesterday. Her output looks very healthy now, where before it look dry and plugged up. There is so much you need to know about all this stuff. Lots of up's and down's, phew.. :shock: 8) Thank you for your support <3
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby NHMike » Mon Nov 06, 2017 2:14 pm

Good to hear that she's doing better, Stacy.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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ocstacy
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Tue Nov 07, 2017 11:39 pm

Good to hear that she's doing better, Stacy.


How did Radiation and Xeloda go for you Mike? Did you get the hand/food rash like my mom? Anyhow I will be thinking about you when you have your surgery at the end of the month! Wanted to share with some drinks that her surgeon had her take prior to surgery. https://abbottnutrition.com/ensure-pre-surgery and also • A five-day supply of Impact Advanced Recovery, a prescription supplement to drink for a few days before surgery to prime the immune system and address nutritional deficiencies that could affect the outcome

Are you having to do the same thing? Best wishes and hope you are doing well!
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby NHMike » Wed Nov 08, 2017 12:38 am

ocstacy wrote:
Good to hear that she's doing better, Stacy.


How did Radiation and Xeloda go for you Mike? Did you get the hand/food rash like my mom? Anyhow I will be thinking about you when you have your surgery at the end of the month! Wanted to share with some drinks that her surgeon had her take prior to surgery. https://abbottnutrition.com/ensure-pre-surgery and also • A five-day supply of Impact Advanced Recovery, a prescription supplement to drink for a few days before surgery to prime the immune system and address nutritional deficiencies that could affect the outcome

Are you having to do the same thing? Best wishes and hope you are doing well!


Hello Stacy,

I had very few side effects from Xeloda and the usual painful ones from radiation. I have a YouTube video of me in a tennis practice for 50 minutes during chemo and radiation and you wouldn’t know I was on them.

Surgery was October 30 and I’m in recovery mode.

I did have the ClearFast drink before surgery.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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ocstacy
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Wed Nov 08, 2017 1:40 am

Surgery was October 30 and I’m in recovery mode.


I do remember you telling me that it was 10 days or so after my mom's (my bad) Wow, 7 days and in recovery, how is it going? It's a tough recovery for my mom that is. I love tennis, I played all of my life. You sound like your doing very well. Best wishes for a full recovery.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby NHMike » Wed Nov 08, 2017 8:47 am

ocstacy wrote:
Surgery was October 30 and I’m in recovery mode.


I do remember you telling me that it was 10 days or so after my mom's (my bad) Wow, 7 days and in recovery, how is it going? It's a tough recovery for my mom that is. I love tennis, I played all of my life. You sound like your doing very well. Best wishes for a full recovery.


Here's my tennis on chemo and radiation video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_ipaq4 ... Ol&index=2

My major milestone yesterday was walking 1.5 miles with only a bit of aches at the wound sites. I'm walking around 3 MPH so pretty slow. It was open surgery so recovery will be longer than Laparascopic. I'm not taking anything for pain and the main challenge today is changing the bag (first time doing it myself). I haven't eaten since midnight and want to make sure that my stoma isn't active. When the nurse did it, it was active and it took about 10 minutes and lots of facecloths to get it calm enough to do the replacement.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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ocstacy
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Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Wed Nov 08, 2017 8:25 pm

I'm not taking anything for pain and the main challenge today is changing the bag (first time doing it myself). I haven't eaten since midnight and want to make sure that my stoma isn't active. When the nurse did it, it was active and it took about 10 minutes and lots of facecloths to get it calm enough to do the replacement.


My mom and I learning new things every day. I noticed that some of the youtube videos of the demonstration videos show people changing their pouches with either a towel or plastic bag tucked into their pants. My mom is getting better at it so that's good. Are you getting a reversal or perm?

I saw your tennis video. You are very good. Are you on the far right bottom or upper left? I played tennis all of my life. It doesn't even look like you have cancer or taking chemo. I think it's great being active. My friend's hubby had major brain surgery last week to remove a tumor. He got discharged a few days after the surgery and is healing well. He swims a lot and runs. I am encouraging my mother to walk a lot as it helps with recovery. I am glad she had the Lap surgery, I don't think she would have tolerated the general one. I wanted to share this youtube video, thought you would find it interesting. It's pretty graphic but it shows tips on how to change, etc. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#sent/ ... rojector=1

KIT

My mama is doing 90% better ! :mrgreen:
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby NHMike » Wed Nov 08, 2017 10:02 pm

I think that we saw the same video. She had a sports bra on? She used a different pouching system though.

It took me an hour to change it today. It kept leaking and I made an error. I used my notes which was a mistake. I should have converted my notes into directions as notes are a rough form. I did convert them this afternoon. I have a temp ileostomy so a reversal is in my future.

I'm the guy on the right bottom. I started playing around 14 or 15. Played some college tennis (team and club). Played lots of tournaments and mostly hitting or matches after that. The chemo saps a lot of my stamina out there and I was making more errors than usual. I could only last 50 minutes on the court on chemo. Normally I could last two hours or more, especially with more off-court training. The guy I was hitting with is in his late 60s and a former open-level player. You may have noticed that he can hit all of his strokes left-handed or right-handed.

I couldn't view your video as it takes me to my own email account.

I'm happy that your mother is doing so much better.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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ocstacy
Posts: 264
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:29 pm
Facebook Username: stacy

Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby ocstacy » Thu Nov 09, 2017 12:08 am

I have a temp ileostomy so a reversal is in my future.


Same with my mama. I hear it's like learning how to drive a car. With much, practice you will master it. You just had surgery last week, your a champ for not taking pain meds, wow! :shock: My mom will have to have hers for 6 months due to Xeloda, not sure why so long what about you? Best of luck and KIT. Keep being active.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Abscess 2 weeks after surgery, back in hospital

Postby NHMike » Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:45 am

ocstacy wrote:
I have a temp ileostomy so a reversal is in my future.


Same with my mama. I hear it's like learning how to drive a car. With much, practice you will master it. You just had surgery last week, your a champ for not taking pain meds, wow! :shock: My mom will have to have hers for 6 months due to Xeloda, not sure why so long what about you? Best of luck and KIT. Keep being active.


Everyone is different. There's a guy on another board that had a Big Mac the night of his surgery (he couldn't hold it down) and a burrito for breakfast the next day. He was also walking around the night of his surgery. I think that he's the recovery champ though he was on an epidural - really different surgery and hospital procedure compared to what I normally read. His surgeon suggested he tone it down on the food. I couldn't get out of bed the night of my surgery and only had toast and broth the next day.

I think that they will want me to do at least 8 rounds of adjuvant chemo and six months sounds right. The toughest part about being active right now is that the days are getting so short. There's talk about getting rid of it in Northern New England (MA, ME, NH) and I'd love for that to happen.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT


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