SQK

I had a bilat mast with no node involvement, but didn't get clean margins on one side as there were multifocal tumors close to the chest wall.  My rad onc explained that rads on that side would reduce recurrence on the chest wall by two thirds.  So it was a no-brainer for me. 

Just got back from the PS.  I have some skin irritation on the right side, sort of below the expander, and now the doc wants to wait another week before starting the fills.  That's the side which most recently had rads -- 25 tx of "traditional" rads on the chest wall because I didn't have clear margins after bilat mast.  In 2006, I had mammosite (internal catheter) radiation after lumpectomy on the left side; and the left side seems to be handling the recon process better so far.  However, since I've had rads on both sides, the PS has to take this very slowly.  Plus, I am limited to an A cup -- which is fine with me -- because that allowed me to skip the LD Flap procedure.

So now I go back next Monday to hopefully get my first fill.

Thanks to all who have chimed in with their experiences.  It's very helpful!

Sue K.

I finished my last chemo (T/C) on June 5.  Maybe it's just a bad case of impatience, but my hair seems to be coming in so slow!  I have about 1 inch of straight, fine hair pretty much all over.  But it's thicker in the back, more sparse and fine toward the front/sides. 

I took my son to the hair salon for a trim last night.  I've known the stylists there for years and they've been very compassionate throughout my whole BC ordeal.  Anyhow, I asked them to take a look at my sorry little head.  They said it looked pretty good.  I think they were probably just being nice, but I'll take what I can get.     When they first buzzed it off for me at the beginning of chemo, the stylist said that after the hair started coming back it's usually best to trim it off again (after it gets about and inch or 2 long) to get rid of the "chemo hair" that initially comes in.  But after looking at my head last night, she said we might not need to do that.  I mentioned that I was taking Biotin and she thought that may have helped reduce the "chemo hair" thing.   So I would say the Biotin doesn't seem to be making my hair grow any faster but it may be helping with the texture.

I've also been using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner.  Not sure if that's doing anything either.  But I'll keep using it just in case.  My hair before chemo was fine and thin, with just a little bit of wave.  I'm hoping between the Biotin and the Nioxin that something might help my hair come in a little thicker.  Well...one can dream anyway.  But at this point, I'll just be happy to have anything that's presentable in public.  I like my wig ok, but it sure will be nice to put it away. 

Sue K.

Dorothy Ann, thanks so much for the encouragement.  I started on femara about 2 months ago, after a bilat mast in Feb, then chemo and rads.  The hot flashes and joint pain are most unpleasant.  I had been on tamoxifen for about 2 years prior to that, but it didn't work for me -- my BC came roaring back on the other side.  (Interestingly, I didn't get any hot flashes and only minimal joint pain on the tamoxifen.)  So I hope the femara is as effective for me as it has been for you.   I wish you all the best!

Sue K.

Hi ladies,

Just checkin' in with a quick update.  I saw the PS yesterday for my check-up, after having my expanders placed last Thursday.  I mentioned in a previous post about the very tight ace bandages wrapped around my chest.  Wow...what a huge relief to get those removed!   I'm feeling much better now.  The doc said everything looks good and he's confident about our decision to try expanders/implants without flaps over radiated tissue on both sides.  I have to stick with an A-cup, but that suits me just fine.  I found out that the doc put 60ccs in right away...so I already have a couple of small mounds on my previously completely flat chest.  It's kind of exciting.  Pain/discomfort is minimal.  I have that "tight" kind of feeling on my chest, but it's something that I can put out of my mind easily. 

psalmist - Thanks so much for the info about the Staying Abreast website.  I did ask the PS about exercises, and he suggested I hold off.  I think I just need to be really careful because I'm stretching radiated skin on both sides.  He said I should have full range-of-motion, but not to overdo anything.  Still, I bookmarked the website for future reference.

I also asked the doc about why no drains.  His response: "Oh, I hate drains."  Did I pick the right PS or what?! 

As for sleeping, he said I do not need to continue to sleep at the 45 degree angle.  I can just sleep however it's comfortable.  Last night, I did end up on my back for most of the night but with only 2 pillows.

One general question I'd like to throw out there...  the doc said he recommended not wearing a bra while the expanders are in.  I don't know...I just feel a little "undressed" not wearing anything, especially at work.  So today, I'm wearing a little camisole-type thing under my blouse.  What have the rest of you ladies been wearing?

Prayers going out to HKitty71, Beth777, and KathyESP who were scheduled for surgery yesterday.  I hope things went smoothly and that recovery time will be short with minimal pain.  More prayers going to CristlC and MarieH who are on the schedule today. 

Sue K.

Hi all,

My explander placement surgery went well yesterday.  And guess what...NO DRAINS!  WooHoo!  Was I ever glad to hear that.  I just have a very tight ace bandage wrapped around a very tender chest.  I have no idea what things look like under there...and won't find out until I have my follow-up appointment on Monday.  My chest feels like one gigantic bruise.  It was pretty painful yesterday, but is already feeling much better today.  Sleeping has been a little bit of a challenge since I'm supposed to stay at a minimum 45 degree angle (2-3 pillows) and have to stay on my back.  But it's not too bad.

Marianne, your comments are so encouraging.  It's wonderful to hear that you're in no pain after your first fill and that you're already happy with the progress.  My doc didn't say when I'll have my first fill;  I guess I'll find that out on Monday.

MAMHOP -- Thinking of you today and praying that all is going well.

Page -- Sorry I can't provide any insight for you.  I had my bilat mast on Feb 29, and my docs wanted me to do the chemo and rads first, and then do the recon.   Hopefully someone else on this thread can offer some advice.  But welcome to the group!

Hugs,
Sue K.

Hi all,

I got the blood test done this morning and my WBC was back up to 5.2.  So it's a "go" for tomorrow. 

But...after reading some of the above posts, I must say I'm starting to get really worried about the pain from the expanders.  It's so nice to be pain-free right now...I'd better enjoy it while I can.  I'll be getting my expanders placed at 8am!  

Keeping everyone in my prayers...

Sue K. 

Hi all -- I finished 4 rounds of T/C in early June, and finished rads in July. I've been on Femara for about 6 weeks.  Now I'm all ready to start my recon and have tissue expander placement scheduled for next Thursday (Sep 11).  So I had the pre-surgery bloodwork done and just found out that my WBC count is still way low at 2.9!   The PS doesn't want to proceed until I get clearance from my onc, who is out of the office today. Now I need to wait until Monday to get some direction.

This one caught me off guard. I just assumed that my counts would have returned to normal by now. Anyone else have this after finishing their T/C?  

Sue K. 

I had a bilat mast on Feb 29.  Finished chemo (4 rounds of T/C) in early June, and finished rads in July.  I've been on Femara for about 6 weeks.  

So I'm all ready to start my recon.  Scheduled for tissue expander placement next Thursday (Sep 11).  Had the pre-surgery bloodwork done and just found out that my WBC is at 2.9!  The PS doesn't want to proceed until I get clearance from my onc, who is out of the office today.  Now I need to wait until Monday to get some direction. 

This one caught me off guard.  I just assumed that my counts would have returned to normal by now.  I'm very glad I found this thread to know that I'm not the only one who's had this happen.

Wendy, I loved your story.  LOL...what a hoot!   I'd also love to learn how to play the game.  I googled it and found instructions for a something called "Oh Hell".  Here's the link in Wikipedia: http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Oh-Hell-(Card-Game).  Does that sound like the same one?

Thanks...and keep on laughin'! 

Sue K.