Exchange City
Comments
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rockwellgirl & whippetmom - thanks for the advice. Heaven knows I need some upper pole fullness so certainly don't want to compromise that. As for the coolwhip containers, for me it's more little margarine tubs........i'm a member of the Tiny Ta Ta sisterhood with these small expanders!
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Jan I was just like you...
my mamo showed 7 areas of calsifacations
they did a biopsy of 2 of the clusters which showed DCIS. So I was thinking I just had DCIS a non invasive cancer. While waiting for my surgery I remember reading it's possible to have more than 1 kind of cancer. 2 weeks after my biopsy I felt a lump. They said it was just from scar tissue. But during my surgery when they saw it they knew it didn't look good and took a quick test and found out I also had IDC. So to get clear margins they had to take extra skin and some of my muscle since it was so close to both. It sounds like you had the same thing as me. They thought you justy had DCIS but during your surgery they found some of the cancer grew outside of your milk ducts which than makes it IDC.
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Julie if you saw the pix of the TE on this thread you may understand why cc can make a differance. TE have a thicker shell than implants plus they have the port which takes up some room. So usually if you want to end up the same size as your TE you have to have more CC than your TE has in. I agree with Deb 375 might be a C for you, if not for sure a B. I don't think you should haveto worry about being a D.
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Jan,
I, too, had both. Using ultrasound they were able to see two tumors, I could only feel one, they were very close together. So, I went into my BLM knowing that in my left breast there were two IDC tumors. When pathology came back about 7 days later they found DCIS in another quadrant of my breast, so I was very happy I decided to have the BLM, I couldn't have handled going back again and again. Treatment focuses on the IDC, since it could have spread, that's why I'm taking Tamoxifen and why I had my ovaries out--aggressive, but because I had a low Oncotype I didn't do chemo, so I saw having my ovaries out as the insurance some see chemo as. I've not had problem SE from the Tamoxifen, when I began in December I had two months of night sweats and my period stopped. I had a few weeks where my eyes were dry, but that cleared up, some discharge, but it wasn't bothersome, and I did NOT lose my interest in sex, just don't happen to have any one to share it with right now, but whoa, give me the opportunity...he will be a very tired man. I've been off it since a week before my last surgery and plan to go back on it next Saturday. I'm not thrilled with taking something for 5 years, well, 4 1/2 now, but it seems effective, as long as I don't have bad SE's I'm happy to have the chance to take it. I have to say, I was less moody on the Tamoxifen than without it and I've noticed the same since my surgery--I think estrogen was making me a crazy person and playing havoc on my body.
What bothers me about my path is that they measured the two tumors as one so I'm stage II (2.6cm), if they had measured them indepently (which they did using ultrasound during my core biopsy), I would be stage I. The third oncologist told me to think of myself as stage I if it made me feel better--he was a little unhappy that they listed multifocal on the path report but only gave one measurement, he felt it should be one or the other.
The pathologist has the final say about what was seen, that is their expertise. Those other descriptions cribiform, comedo, etc. I asked my onc about them and he went into great detail, drawing pictures, etc. which I cannot pass on, because I had different descriptions. Ask your onc, or try
http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_expert/index.asp?cat=14&pagenum=22 I have used it twice and had an answer within about 8 hours.
I hope this helps!
Karen
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Sandy and Karen, thank you for the quick response. The tamoxifan issue got me to thinking about course of tx. The oncologist stated that I had DCIS. The surgeon came in the at midnight the day of surgery (he was on call) to check on me and since I was awake, stated that if I ever had any doubts about having the mastectomy instead of lumpectomy, that the results of the pathology report confirmed his suspicions of multi focal areas with micro invasion. I never had a "lump" which is what generally defines IDC vs DCIS. So I have made the assumption of DCIS since I don't find IDC anywhere written, just what the surgeon told me, He stated that the tumor area was well over 2 cm and that I had other areas of DCIS in the breast, he said it had started to "infiltrate". He said he got it all, no lymph nodes affected. I guess it doesn't matter as long as it is gone. It is amazing whar can lurk in a very tiny boob!
My concern is that if if really was IDC, and the oncologist was relying on pre surgery biopsy reports of DCIS as her guide for treatment would a IDC make a difference? Should I be on tamoxifan? She left the decision to me. The other question is how do they stage a BC, I couldn't find anything in the path report that gave a stage, only a grade. Thanks you guys, you are making me think about the path of treatment to make sure I am around long enough to make my DH crazy!
Jan
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Jan--I'm going to PM you.
Karen
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Thanks. Jan
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Jan in my case when they thought it was only DCIS so I was stage 0. But invasive cancer makes it a Stage 1. Since I was node negative I stayed at a stage 1 and the size makes a difference also on your stage. I'm not sure but maybe 2cm and less is stage 1. I don't remember that off the top of my head. You could always call your oncologist and ask and make sure he saw in the report that you also had IDC and ask if what your doing is fine. It never hurts to double check.
I forget did you have the onco type test taken on your IDC to see if chemo wasn't necessary. My score came back at 16 so I didn't need chemo just doing the Tamoxifen. For gals that no longer have their period there is a different drug for them to take (I think).
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good evening ladies.......congrats on all you with graduates ....what a big step for them......and so exciting for all the adventures and learning ahead of them.....and kind of scary too. Just remember they are now where they are because they each had a great Mom.
Not looking forward to this next week at work as we are soooo busy and I still don't feel up to my old energy level .....and I hate for my nurses to think I can't do everything.....still have lifting restriction of 15 lbs and sutures .........everyone have a great week.
Ladies having procedures this week....((((((((((hugs))))))))))) and prayers to all..........Elaine
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KarenFtoo ~Best wishes for tomorrow - I will be thinking of you and hoping you have an easy surgery and fast recovery.
Peg
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Hey Ladies,
Hadn't checked in for awhile so thought I would drop a note. SInce the reinsertion of my TE on 4/16 I have been feeling pretty good. I'm not sure what made the difference, he did say he only had to deal with one plane this time, which I guess has something to do with the mastectomy the first time around.
He also used Alloderm this time and I'm thinking that is making a big difference. I don't have that awful constant scraping feeling I had the entire time with the other expander.
I had 200cc's put in at time of surgery. For some strange reason, this time I was really sick after surgery so my PS kept me in the hospital a second day.
I've had 2 more expansions of 60cc's each and will have one more this week. That will bring me to 380 and he may stop at that. When I was fully expanded in December I was 480. I'm pretty small so since I've had to go through all this I wanted to be a little bigger. I don't know what size that will make me, but I trust him. I'm a little disappointed though because I don't think he will make me the size I was going to be in December before the infection. It may have something to do with more scar tissue now.
I still cringe whenever I think of him cutting into the "good" breast at the final surgery. I'll tell ya ladies, if I didn't have BC there is no way I would be going through this just for bigger breasts. I have a lot of respect for those that go through this for cosmetic purposes....you are tougher than I am!
Have a good week ladies!
Candi
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Kmmd - I am with you on the jobs for our graduates!! My fingers are crossed.
Hugs to everyone else. It has been a busy weekend. I added some dates, but now I am off to rest. Love to you all. -Jean
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Sandy, I didn't have the onco test to my knowledge. I know that my oncologist wanted me to try Evista. I am already on cardiac meds and I really didn't want another one to the mix. Sheesh. I am going to go get the final pathology report and see what I had. I was going on what the surgeon said. It may just be DCIS with mircoinvasion. The final pathology report should tell. The oncologist wasn't concerned after the surgery and stated I was cured. I took that and ran! Jan
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I have not posted in while, being a new grandma and all
but I am hoping that some of the experts here can give me some advice about implants....I am getting anxious as I am planning exchange surgery for 7/15 and am finalizing things with my PS over the next couple of weeks. I am 5'9" tall, and weigh about 160...I am a size 10-12 and am reasonably fit. I have a ribcage of 32" and have always been most comfortable in a 38 bra...I have broad shoulders. I do not have a particularly long torso..I think I am average there... most of my extra height is leg. My expanders are allergan 133MV 500 cc, measuring 14x13x6. I am currently filled to 470 cc, with a plan to add potentially another 120 cc? My goal is to finish this journey as a true C cup, maybe a full C but not a D. I want cleavage but I do not want to appear obviously "enhanced". Whippetmom, Sandy, rockwell girl, or any others, I really appreciate your opinion on implants that you think will get me what I am after...after all I have read, I think a 600 cc style 20....but this is just a relatively uneducated guess. Your feedback is both wanted and appreciated! And mykidsmom, can you add me to the exchange list? Thanks to all you wonderful ladies on this board! 0 -
Ladies.. to all having exchange this week.. please know you are in my prayers! Check in with us as soon as you can ok.... I am excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all for the "graduated" applaud.
I have been so busy.. I MISS YOU ALL!!!!!! I am still around and will be foevr I am sure...lol.. We leave for Texas this week.. I get to meet a sister here... DianaT. We have been friends on here for a long time. She and I have the same cancer..( type).. so we are very excited to meet...:)
I will be gone for about 5 days from bco.... i will miss you all big time!!!!!
I will not leave until Thurs... so.... I will check in until then...
Gods Love everyone!
Laura
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OncRN - Well that is an extremely educated guess! Before I read the last of your post I had 600 cc's and the Style 20 in mind for you! Good job! I don't know that I would want to go too much over 525 cc's though with your expanders - if you are exchanging to the 600 cc implants. I would emphasize to the PS that you DEFINITELY do not want to be more than a full "C" cup....and to make sure you are not over expanded to the point that you either need pocket revisions and/or implants larger than 600 cc's. My expanders were filled to 425 cc's and I had thought I was getting 475 cc implants, and awoke finding I had 550 cc implants. I needed these to fill out the pockets created by the expanders. It was fine with me [I did a little happy dance in my head when my DH told me as I lay on the guerney in the recovery room] but you would probably not be so thrilled. This is really key - all determined by how much your skin and muscle stretch out with the expansion process.0
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geysermom/Julie - Yep. We love our fur kids!!!
Well, referable to wearing support with expanders - I think that this is not too much of an issue if your expansion does not take you over 300 cc's. But as the weight increases with fills, gravity just naturally pulls your skin and muscle downward, which can compromise the integrity of the upper pole of the breast pocket. Many women have thin skin flaps and the skin thins with age, especially in the upper pole of the breast. This can result in problems with rippling [although rippling can occur for other reasons] and step-off deformity.
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kmmd - Oh.....we are wondering about what is in store for these kids also!! What about kids graduating from college with business degrees? This is a huge "grad" year for so many people we know - from HS and from college. I am PRAYING for economic recovery....SOON!!!!
Laura - Congratulations! I know it is bittersweet....but there are some kudos for you and your hubby also and this is that there is a "job well done" in all of this for getting the last of your brood through to this milestone in his life and onward to his future. And have a great time in Texas with DianaT......we look forward to hearing about your trip and when you get back, PALEESE post a picture of you and Diana!!!
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Wow Laura it sounds like you've had quite a week and another really good one coming up.
I remember several months ago you talking about this trip to Texas
I'm glad it's finally here and will be sooo neat for you girls to meet
have a safe and fun trip
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oncRN what cup size are you right now with your TE filled to 470cc
if it's the size you like
we'd just want to look at the implant charts and find something close to your TE dim you have given us.
the style 20 600cc would be 13.8 by 5.7 so that should be real close to what you are now
You did a good job making that guess if you like the size you are now : - )
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Rockwell Girl and Whippetmom, I am a B cup currently in my expanders, maybe closing in on a C....I get filled to 530 cc this Wednesday, which will probably make me a C....do you think I should hold the line there, and request the 600 cc high profile implants? Thanks so much!!
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Well, before you get your fill to 530 cc's, reiterate to your PS that you want to make sure you are only a C cup - not a D cup and that you want the 20-600's to fill that pocket and absolutely nothing larger than the 600 cc. It might be that taking you to 500 cc's in your expanders would be sufficient. We just do not know - cannot see how tight and taut you are in the expanders...your PS would be able to tell if you need more fill [and how much you might need] to get that muscle stretched to accomodate the size implants you have chosen.
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Thanks for the advice!! I really appreciate your expertise here!
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Does anyone have any advice about tissue expanders that are too high??? I am wearing a strap occasionally to push them down but it is so uncomfortable. I have not worn a bra at all because it is so uncomfortable- they seem to be too far apart and feel like they are under my arm- I am walking like a line backer!!! Help!
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Cheri2- Well I only know from my experience, mine where high and one felt like it was under my arm, I couldn't cross my arms. After my exchange it all looks and feels fine. I didn't wear any kind of support with the expanders, I don't know if that was good or not, but I could hardly get anything on. I hope it gets better.
Karen
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Hi all. I never put my name on the exchange list but did have my exchange this morning. Wanted to share my experience. Went from TEs filled to 600cc each to 650cc Mentor silicone, round, smooth, high profile implants. I think they really look great; in fact, I almost feel like they look like augmentation instead of reconstruction. Hope they stay this way. I have no idea what cup size I might be but possibly a D, which is what I was before biopsies/mx. I have some droop and they are very soft. Don't want to try and make them jiggle yet. I really just took his advice on size and fills. But at the end he would have filled beyond 600cc if I didn't say I thought I was big enough.
Surgery didn't take long. Went into OR about 10:40am and was home about 1:30pm. He also did a biopsy on some lumps high on my left breast which appear to be fat. Path will be back at end of week. Just taking a few Advil which I don't know if I really need. Bandages come off tomorrow and I can shower then. Can't sleep on stomach for 4 weeks. Hoping to stay sleeping on my back anyway because I think it's better for my aging face (today was also my 45th birthday).
I am a little tired and mildly sore but that's it. PS called tonight to check on me, which I thought was nice. I really think he did a nice job. Nips and tuck (what I'm calling my combined nipples/tummy tuck job) will hopefully be in August.
Good luck to all.
Sherry
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Sherry!
Wow, thanks for the experience story! I have my exchange in 4 weeks and I am ready for it. I hope that I get to go home as soon as you did, talk about drive through surgery! Did they go through the same scarfor the exchange? I will ask my PS all these questions in 2 weeks, but your input is also helpful. Way to go for the "nips and tuck" plan for August, I hope you write on how that goestoo! You made my day with your experience, I hope mine is equally as nice.
jan
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Good for you Sherry ! Way to go! I hope they stay just the way you like! Wahooooo for you girl!
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Cheri: You are better off having your expanders a little too high than too low on the chest wall. This way your upper pole of the breast is opened up and you will have a nice profile in an area which is often difficult to get good fullness after mastectomy. The stabilizer band is the only remedy, but like KEW stated, it will be corrected with your exchange.
sherry: Happy Birthday! Why don't you go to the picture's forum and post photos. We would love to see them. So happy for you that everything turned out great with your exchange!
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Jan-Thanks for the good thoughts! Yes, he went through the mx scars. Although covered by gauze until tomorrow, the area does look pretty bruised. Procedure was at an outpatient surgery center next to a hospital. PS has his office in the same building. I had a very good experience there and was impressed with the staff and facility.
Laura-Thanks for your kind words. I have followed your story. You are quite an inspiration and a very strong lady.
Also wanted to add that he only took the 650cc implants into the OR. I had read they sometimes take several sizes just in case but I guess he was quite certain those were right for me.
As I reread my post I'm finding spelling errors I don't usually make. Guess I'm still having a little post anesthesia brain fog.
Sherry
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