Topic: Exchange City

Jeanie--I'll be thinking of you all day on Wednesday--just told my husband about this great site and that you're next to have your exchange.  I didn't need chemo or rad either, but a friend of mine who had surgery the day before me did--she finished up chemo just after Christmas.  She's not considering reconstruction until later.  I want mine ASAP, but getting pretty nervous about my scheduled date, next Monday.  Just told my sister I have constipation one day and way the other direction the next--I think it's just nerves.  Anyway, best wishes for a smooth procedure and fabulous results!  Suzie

 PS's office called.  He is going on a vacation (with my $$ I presume)  My steel monster removal surgery is moved to the following week.  March 18 now.

I see him next week.  I presume that the different options of "foobs" are discussed?

Does anyone have any imput on that?  I don't know anything about it.  Something new to research - great !

Gentle hugs to you all

Whippetmom, Jeansbeans & soccermom96,

 Thanks for the words, it all helps me. I think it is harder now because I have all this time to think about whether I want to go through it again. At my mastectomy, after the breast was removed the PS inserted the TE at the time of surgery and had inserted some fluid, so I was well on my way. 

I can't wait until I can feel like I'm no longer on the sidelines waiting. I want to be an "under reconstruction" girl again!

Candi

Ladies, Hello.. new and old!

Welcome to the newbies.

Since there are a lot of exchanges coming up, maybe you would all post your dates and Jean could put them in here original topic. I am not sure how to do that.. but I bet if Linda or others pop in, they could tell Jean,

I hope you all have been well, I have missed you in the past day...:)  I love my Ta Ta's!

It sure is good to see Karen getting things working for Olivia... Us moms.... we can kick all Booty if our kids are involved huh! Good Job Karen!

I have been thrown a little curve ball as of late.

I had  my Herceptin yesterday.. ( Us Her2+++ gals need this med)... I told my oncologist that We were all so happy around our home with the outcome of my surgery and complete response to chemo..:).. I told her that we decided no rads for me and I am ready to do my yr of herceptin and get my silicone boobies next month.

She told me she felt I was making a huge mistake, and so did the rads doctors there. She gave me one more week to think about it and get more opinions. She did make me feel like I was  a

" Dead Woman Walking"... sooooooooooooooo I have had a tough 24 hrs... BUT.. I am regrouping and am feeling strong again. My PS gave me two Rads specialist here to see this week... Our Tracey here gave me her rads doc in VA that told her no rads ( Tracey and I have the same type of cancer and about the same DX.. and we are the same age).. so I was written to him.

MD Anderson just came in today, and they would  advice me to do rads if I were there in TX. But if I chose not to... they would understand...

I am having so much fun...NOT....LOL LOL

Anyway... I am feeling stronger today and Everything with me will be just fine. I will make a Godly Decision, soon, and NOT look back. I just got thrown a scary curve ball.. and I WILL SURVIVE it... Yes I will... ~ Smiling with Faith~

So, I wanted to post this for all who wrote me wondering if I was ok because with my "chatty" mouth on here...LOL LOL....and I had not been around. I just did NOT want anyone worrying about me and my issue when there are WAY bigger issues on BCO lately that needed your prayers and focus.... :)

I love you gals and I feel much better and I just have to hit my curve ball... And I will! Rest assured!

Now. back to your fun talks about exchanges and the great boobs you are going to all have !!!

Moody... you get that kid home soon... and give those doctors  H. E. Double toothpicks if needed sister.. I have FULL faith in you!

My Love ladies!

Ta Ta Sisterhood!

Ps Candi.. if I have to have Rads.. I will be on those sidelines with you... and we can do it together... I will be there for you if you want me to be!

Hi Laura,

I am praying you make a decision that you can feel comfortable with. One that will allow you to not look back. Every one is different. I take tamoxifen because I am hormone receptor+ as well as her2+, and my tumor grade was a 2. We do have a few differences but not extreme. I would go back and talk to the breast surgeon as well as the other opinions, pray, speak with Dr Arthur, sleep on it, then make a well informed decision. I am in your corner and praying for God to give you answers. What ever you decide...your gonna be fine!

Tracey

Laura,

 It's an honor to meet you too! Don't you hate having to continue making decisions about BC? Right now I am living in the frozen tundra, but I really think my outlook about trying this all again may change as spring approaches. It's hard to feel optimistic when it's dark at 4pm and it's -16!

I think I'm leaning more toward trying again. I turn away when I change my clothes so my husband doesn't have to look at it any more than he has to. I can't see doing that for the rest of my life. I will know more at my next appointment in two weeks, but my PS said I was healing ahead of schedule. I nver had to have chemo or rads so that is a big plus.

I hope they will find that you don't need rads. It's a tough decision to make, but all we can do is get the most information we can and then make the right choice for ourselves. I'll be prayinig for you in this.

Candi

Laura I think you got ladies fighting for you in every corner so no matter what you decide it all will work out.

I just want to share the other night my friend called and said to turn the news on.  They were going to talk about radiation and breast cancer.  I guess there is a new clinical trial being done about a 3 week radiation instead of 6 weeks.  Just thought I would mention it since you might be doing it.  I'm not sure if this is a stronger radiation and would maybe more be for gals that had lumpectomy.  I'm not really sure just want to share any knowledge I have.

Laura if you do rads I'm really hopeful everything will work out for you...

I've heard of other gals that had the TE and had rads and all worked out just fine

I know I don't have to say this but keep your chin up and never loose that great smile of yours

if your sad at times it's ok to cry or be sad but just keep that faith

Love all my ta ta sisters : - )

Sandy.. you are a DOLL.. you made me feel better too... My PS said my implants will be good... Most woman with Mast. do not need rads.. I fall in that really grey area. So I need the 30 day rad.. I did ask about it though.... you know I did...:)

Soccermom.. you do not sound like an idiot!!! Not at all!..... and.. actually.. you sound smart and funny...:)

Ladies... I wish Karen and her family was not hurting like this and so fearful... doesn't this just stink for them...:( I feel soooooooooooooooooooooo bad as we all do, and I do not even live ANYWHERE close where I could go give Karen a hug... eeeekkkkkkkk...

Thank God she has a prayer chain and  Church family! NOT TO MENTION you beautiful ladies here.. you all rock!

ANGELA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Happy you did it!!!!! It is over , and in a few weeks... your bobbies are gonna be the best. Thank you for coming to us and letting us know you are home and ok!!!

 You are the leader of the exchange city here... let us know what all of us will go through....

I Hope you do hang here with us forever... our sisterhood!

I hope you have little pain in the next week.. and after a month. love the results!

Your Ta Ta sister!

Laura,

You have got to be one of the sweetest people I think I have ever met! I am so glad you got word from Dr Arthur I trust his judgement. The conflicting opinions can be frustrating. I would really talk to the surgeon and find out why she says no rads. I got a 2nd opinion from a surgeon after surgery who told me the same thing. I had 3 docs who said I should consider doing rad and 3 who said that I should not consider it. But when it is all said and done I think you have to do the thing that will not have you looking back. If you do the rads there are plenty of women that have had the expanders in and had no problems with rads. I have faith that you are gonna be fine no matter what. Your BC sisters are here for you and that includes me. Keep us posted.

Tracey

damn, I keep on screwing up...Laura, glad to hear you are doing well w your decision process, and I know you will do just fine with rads.....many ladies do, and get the ta tas anyway.

 I am unbelievably stubborn on this one...I had prior rads, and when I got my mtxmy, the skin broke thru.  I had potholes in the boob.  I said "damn it, they will heal" and they actually began to.  I had to get chemo, so was on the clock.  My wonderful PS stepped in and gave me a patch job with skin from my c section scar....bennie, I got a mini tummy tucky and a better looking scar.  The foobs healed up great, I do have some slight discoloration from the patches, but I am not telling you this to freak you out,,, rather to give you some understanding that, even when it totally doesn't work out, and they tell you it's not going to, that yeah, it still can be just fine.  Chances are GREAT that you will have nothing of this sort whatsoever, this is a worst case scenario....but here I am, foob and all.  So let it rain, just open up your umbrella.  And you know it's going to be fine, so many women gets rads with expanders, it's AOK.  Will be praying for you to get the best ever outcome.

xoxo

annie

You all are so crazy kind to me...... THANK YOU!    xoxo