Exchange City
Comments
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Jean, Thank you for the help. I had NO idea if I could do the wedding / reception. I'm going to TRY. You're right about swimming, I may be sore. I just hope I can float around at least. I teach seniors in the 3rd floor of a 95 year old school. It's HOT HOT HOT all the time.(Plus, I've had the oophorectomy 1 1/2 years ago - POST MENOPAUSAL!!!!!) Overall, I can't wait to feel COOL, COMFY, and have soft foobs. LOL.
Everyone have a beautiful Memorial Day. ALL of you are in my prayers and thoughts. Georganne
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Kew, thank you so much for all the info! You told me more than the GS told me! Sounds like I should plan to be down for a while, just to be on the safe side. That sucks about the hair, I just grew mine back
! I have been on Tamoxifen since March to keep my estrogen down, and so far I have had no problems. I was already hot flashing from the chemo, so it's about the same. After the oopher, onc will switch me to Femara. If I have problems with that, I'll go back to Tamoxifen. Are you having any kind of bone density treatments? My onc wants to start me on that real soon, too. I'm 46, but I still feel too young for all of this! I hope you are feeling better.DenrulzBC, rock on sister!
Thanks for all of the help and info on this thread! Have a great holiday!
Deen
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OK Let's see if I get this right.
Jean--I love my puppy, we named her Easy, which she is not being some of the time. She makes me and the boys so happy and is so cute we laugh often. Yesterday, she learned about chewing on power cords, it was scary, but she is fine.
Sam59--I checked on Mapquest to be sure, Bothell, WA is near Seattle, which is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Portland. Some times it isn't a bad drive, some times it talks longer. Often there is a traffic jam from Olympia to Seattle (no offense to folks in Seattle!). I make the drive often as I work with researchers at UW and row up there occasionally. So my BS was Dr. Nathalie Johnson at Surgical Associates in Portland www.surgical-associates-pc.com/articles/Portland-Monthly-Magazine/PMM_pages.pdf and my PS is Dr. Yale Popowich www.yalepopowichmd.com
his website is still under construction. My BS is brilliant and wonderful and I think my PS is too (I have friends I've referred to him for other procedures and so far everyone is happy), and he is a lymphoma survivor, so he is deeply caring of his reconstruction patients. Dr. Johnson also has a children's book out to help little kids understand what's going on. I forget what it is called, but it is on Amazon, I think. She is busy, it is not uncommon to wait much longer than usual for your appointment, but when it is your turn, she spends the time you need. She has a great staff, too, as does Dr. Popowich. He just moved from a group practice to his own.
Not everyone is a candidate for nipple sparing surgery, it depends on where the tumor is located, size of tumor, size of breasts (I was almost too large), so even if you do find a team, other factors may prevent it from happening. Also, when you do under you don't know if you will have them when you wake up because they run the tissue under the nipple through pathology and if there are any abnormal cells they take the nipple/s.
Deen---I am staying on Tamoxifen since I've done well on it and I'm a good metabolizer. I had a bone density test done before surgery and I passed with flying colors. One of the reasons I'm staying on Tamoxifen is to support my bones as it has a positive effect on bone density and heart health where the AIs do not. I am not on any of the bisphosphnates (sp?), and won't be unless there is bone loss. I didn't participate in the clinical trial, and if you do not already show bone loss insurance won't pay for Zometa. Yes, plan on being down for awhile, so have things you like around. I feel better and I'm actually going to try and drive today--determined to go to Nordies. My son has a day off from school so he gets to come along and keep an eye on me.
I was called yesterday for a clinical trial I signed up for it is going to begin in about a month it looks at whether or not Yoga helps improve sleep. The woman teaching the yoga portion has been working with bc patients so I feel safe saying, ouch! I haven't done yoga since I was dx'd, but before that was pretty flexible and strong--I know it will be starting over in this trial, but I'm looking forward to it!
Those of you who are going on an adventure this weekend, travel well, and everyone else enjoy the weekend!
Hugs,
Karen
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Welcome Sam59!!! I am so glad that you joined this group of wonderful ladies! I have received more information here than I would have gotten in a lifetime anywhere else. The support is wonderful and I hope it makes your journey a bit easier.
Have a great time this weekend in Texas Laura. I know it will be great to meet Diana and put a face instead of an avatar to her name!! LOL
Karen - Good luck with the clinical trial. I'd be very interested to know if it does help you to sleep.
Have a wonderful long weekend to all that are south of the border!! We northern gals had ours last weekend!
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cheri2: a gummy bear is a type of silicone implant. They are a little harder than the silicone implants we are used to. Both the normal silicone implant and the gummy bear are stab when punctured, that is, they stay in their capsule like a jelly bean. The Allergan 410s, also known as the gummy bear is an experimental form, in use in Canada, or if you are in a study group here.
I have heard mixed reviews of them, both positive - they don't give as much, and they have more projection- and negative - with people going to switch them out because they are harder and not as natural feeling.
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Laura - Have a ball! And the rest of my Ta Ta Sisters, enjoy the weekend!
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Hi Sam59 ~ Welcome. I am in San Diego, which is pretty far from Sacramento. I think the important thing is to let your PS know what bothers you about your tissue expanders and what you can't live with. I was very clear that I could not live with something under my armpits.
Peg
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Exchange City Newbies
Based on a number of questions regarding tissue expander volume vs. implant volume, as you consider your implant options, it might be good to peruse through the "Implants Smaller than Expanders" thread which was started by our friend, Moodyk13...regarding her dismay at finding her implants were so much smaller than her expanders, even though the number of cc's in her implants was the same as her expanders. This is where we all started and learned about addressing all of the concerns women have with determining size of implants in relation to expanders.
I have bumped it up for everyone...
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/723289?page=1
Deborah
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Hi All
Kew-Thank You for the information I have copied down his site and I'll see what I can do from here. Thank You Very Much.
Peggio-Thank you for your information as well.
Your replies are all very fast. I guess not sleeping at 4:00 a.m. pays to play on the computer. You are all in my prayers
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Welcome to all the new gang! This group of women ROCKS!
Laura - so glad you're down here in Texas! I think you'll find the people here pretty darn friendly! (no, I'm not a native Texan, but my hubby is....)
Cheri2 -We used to live in Chesapeake (western branch part)! Plus, next Sat, we're actually heading your way to OBX for a week. It's so beautiful there.....I miss it.......
Whittetmom - thanks for all the info for our new girls. I'm copying it all for references since I think I'll be facing similar size decisions, though it seems like my exchange will never come. I'm making a LONG list of questions for my ps when I go back next Friday. I just hope he's ready!
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend! Let's especially remember all of those for whom Memorial Day exists........
Valerie
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Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday weekend.
Even though we are going anywhere, I will enjoy spending the weekend in the pool.
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Just wanted to thank everyone for all their help and input. This is the first forum I have really posted much on, just a coulple of posts on another topic. I am overwhelmed with the response and warmness from everyone. I can't begin to express my gratitude. Good Luck to everyone and a safe and enjoyable weekend.
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Hey ladies.......I got Jp out today and a fill........and for the first time in 5 months and three TEs......I finally have a fully healed scar.........I will keep my fingers crossed that this continues.......If all goes well I will be fully expanded by June 12th........and we will do the exchange after our vacation to Darien Lake.....so somewhere around 3rd week in July......woohoo......softness here I come!
Thanks to all for their support through all of my complications.........big weekend planned......garage sale in the morning and then my daughter's first communion on Sunday.......she is so excited......we got pedicures tonight to get ready for the big day......I'll post pics of how beautiful she will look.
I wish we had a long weekend here.....but ours was last weekend......Happy memeorial day to all of you.......Laura have a great time......I am jealous......say hi to DianaT from all of us!.......Welcome to all our new ladies......you've definately come to the right place!
Cheers and Hugs to all!
Jax
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JAX!!!!! It is about time!!!! So happy for you....praying that Reconstruction Road will be much smoother for you from this point forward!
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KEW- I am definitely going to talk to my PS about going up in cc's with my exchange now- thanks for that info! Maybe I will get there with the food! I am eating sweets daily- I think it's an endophin/stress thing for me. You are doing well- if your only indulgence is a couple of brownies a week (organic no less!!)
Val61- have a great time in the OBX- it has been awesome weather here over the past couple weeks- hopefully it will hold out for you! We used to live in TX! LOL- Corpus though- my hubby used to be in the navy! We live in Great Bridge!
DENRulzBC-I am fairly new on here too and am so grateful for all the information! I feel so much more in control now, don't you?
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!!
Cheri
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Jax--That is awesome news to get frist thing in the morning. You're almost done!
Cheri--You are doing great, and don't worry about the sweets. I know we are supposed to cut out sugar, but that is hard and it takes time. One thing that helped me is that I was finding soy lecithin (sp) in almost all chocolate (except for Lindt 85% chocolate bar), and my onc and RD have been really clear about little soy and no refined soy, like soy milk and lecithin.
Ladies I need some input. I had a very hard time at Nordies yesterday, besides over doing it and causing some dreaded problems with my hyster/ooph, I'm finding that, yes, when measured by one of their wizards I'm a 38 D, but in almost every single bra I tried on there was a small pooch of material, I guess where my nips would be if they were higher. Is anyone else finding this. I cried in the dressing room. I hope this will be fixed when my nips do get moved, but maybe it won't. The material is about a quarter size pooch, otherwise, the bras fit great, cleavage is great.
Ideas, experiences, thoughts welcome.
Hugs.
Happy weekend!
Karen
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Hi Cheri2,
All this info and help has made such a difference to me, I am so thankful for everyone's willingness to be so open. I see you're from VA, I am in Prince William county, outside of DC. Maybe a meeting for us somewhere down the road.
Hugs to all and enjoy the weekend!
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Natural Appearing Breast Reconstruction
Dennis Hammond, M.D. is a plastic surgeon in Michigan. He is the one who designed the Surgical Speciality Products lower pole breast expander which a PS used for Cheri2. Here is a link to his website with some very natural looking reconstructed breasts.
http://www.dennishammond.com/breast-reconstruction-before-after-photos.htm
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whippetmom - what amazing results on that link! Truly very natural looking......
quick question for anyone: following all the info on these threads, I've noticed some references to ribcage circumference, specifically if less than 29". I fall into that category - 28". How does that translate into width of implants I should consider? If it matters, I do have a long torso, and am 5'7". I'm just trying to pull all my info and questions together for my next trip to ps...........
Thanks ever so much!
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Have many of you been back for revisions after your exchange. My wife (MarketingMom) has another revision surgery scheduled for 8/24. She's such a trooper about this, but I'm wondering if this is common.
She had her exchange 9/9/08
She had a first revision 3/23/09, but it seems as if it didn't work as expected.
I'm not complaining as I think she's gotten way more attention than I ever expected. I'm just wondering if we're expecting too much. Have many of you had scar revisions, adjustments for rippling, lopsidedness, etc?
Erik (Route53)
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Route53: We'll keep going to they get it right..! Many on here (not me, but I've still got a ways to go) have had multiple revisions. She is entitled to all the attention she gets. Set your expectations high and expect them to be fulfilled. Good luck to you both. JUDY
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Val - You would be happier with a higher profile implant. The base width for you should be no greater than 13.0 cm. Especially if you have a long torso - you could use the height you get with the higher profile implants.0
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Thanks, whippetmom! I appreciate the advice.
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Deborah
I looked at Dr Hammond's website....very impressive....Those recon breast do look more natural....I do not really care for all the fullness at the top and them looking like balls on the chest....but the one's on his site looks wonderfully natural with a natural droop......how lucky could you be to live close to his office........I wonder if any of his patients are on BC.org......
Thanks for sharing
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KEW-yes my BS has said the same about soy! I didn't know that most chocolate has it. Yikes! On to the sweet tarts then!
I am so sorry about your bra shopping experience! I can just see you crying in that dressing room! (a big hug to you)!!! DENRulzBC- my dad lives in MD (by Chevy Chase). I am sure I will be going to visit him this summer- I will let you know when. I would love to meet!
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Cil,
I am concerned too that the implants won't equal the tissue expanders. I am at a point now where I don't have any discomfort and have gotten use to the tissue expanders. I am nervous about how the implants will be in size. I couldn't wait to get to this point now I am a bit nervous. Maybe someone that has had their exchange has more knowledge on this. Although it seems it depends on your ps.
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Val61.. if you live anywhere around Grapevine sister... we will be at the Greatwolf Lodge..if you are close.. come see us sister..
... if you are close... PM me and I will give you me cell phone #.... .. Jax..I am Happy for you... and Just wanted to wish your daughter a VERY VERY blessed day tomorrow... I remember my First Communion... what a glorious day...God Bless her and your family...... I have been walking with Jesus all my life thanks to the Church... I hope this for your little girl!
Ladies.. I should be sleeping..
but in about 10 hours I will be hugging DianaT.. I CANNOT SLEEP and it is too late to call her.. her kiddos are sleeping for sure... My dh and I were tied up all day with this huge Wedding here in Texas and I could not call Di all day....I am about 15 min. from her and CANNOT see her right now... I hate it...:(.. I need to jump in bed with hubby... he is snoring away..hehe... but I CANNOT SLEEP... oh well... I suppose Diana will love me with HUGE bags under my eyes...heheBless your Sunday all! Sandy.. way to ride girl... you inspire me....
Linda.. LOVE the new pic....
Love to all!
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Cheri2,
Would love to meet up for lunch or something! I'm at home so can be pretty flexible with time. Let me know!
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Jax - Yahoo!! It's about time you saw some healing! Congratulations.
Karen - I know what you mean about the bras. And I don't think it is just about nips. My PS continues to remind me that implants are "flatter" than natural breasts. For me I have found two answers. One is to wear a very minimal sports type camisole (EMS has one I like). My implants are so much firmer than my natural 54 year old breasts and don't need any additional support or lifting. The other is a bra I found at Kohl's by Bali that has a little flower to cover natural nipples, and seems to fill in the missing projection. Either one works for me, but I prefer the camisole sports bras.
Linda - I love your new picture!! Keep on smiling sister!
Dani - I can tell you that my implants are actually nicer and more natural than my TEs. My TEs were 300 cc filled to 370 and 400cc, and my implants are 400cc. Honestly, I didn't find the implants smaller than the TEs. They have less projection, despite the fact that I have style 20, but I was mentally well prepared for this. I just wish the implants would drop a little more like a natural breast, but they may do that over time. And I miss having nips. No matter what, they look odd to me w/o nipples. But I plan on taking care of that in the fall. Best wishes for your exchange!
Laura - What a delightful post (as always). Have a wonderful time with DianaT!!!!!!!!!!!!
For my USA friends, Happy Memorial Day.
And best wishes to our surgical sisters this week. A couple of our regulars are having revision surgery. Way to go Whippetmom (our exchange sizing expert) and Looper - you two will be beautiful! And Shelly, wishing you all the best!
5/26 - Whippetmom - Lipo revision surgery
5/27 - Shelly326 - Exchange to 400 and 200 cc implants
5/27 - Looper - Revision and fat grafting
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5/26 - Whippetmom - Lipo revision surgery
5/27 - Shelly326 - Exchange to 400 and 200 cc implants
5/27 - Looper - Revision and fat grafting
Best of luck to all of you this week. Happy the waiting is over. Whippetmom remember what I said about karma.
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