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Exchange City

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Comments

  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 109
    edited June 2009

    Hi ladies,  I will be going in the morning for my exchange and oopherectomy.  Tne GS said she could take my uterus also if I want.  My PS will also give me a much needed lift and nipples.  I have not heard of anyone doing it this way, but I will let ya'll know afterwards how it went.  He said the implants will be smaller than the expanders because of the lift.  I told him to go as big as will fit in thereWink.  Thank all of you for your kind thoughts,

    Deen

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2009

    Jax,

    So sorry to hear about your expander/incision issues.  Hoping you heal quickly!

    Robin

  • choward183
    choward183 Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2009

    Good morning ladies,

    Thanks for all of the advice.  I will be leaving home in about 30 to 40 minutes.  I will let you know how everything went.  Be blessed!

    Carolyn

  • choward183
    choward183 Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2009

    Good evening ladies,

    Just a little update. I am home from getting my exchanges and everything went well.  I am in minor pain, I think advil could handle it.  

    Rockwell_girl: You were so right, the procedure went well!  I actually made myself a small snack, while my mom prepares my dinner.  

    I am going to take a nap, be blessed!

    Carolyn 

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited June 2009

    Carolyn

    That is wonderful that you are doing so well....exchange is pretty much a piece of cake compared to the other surgeries.  Take care and enjoy your new girls....

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited June 2009

    Mykidsmom,

    I'm back on for nipple surgery on 6/17. Like Deborah, I had fat grafting at exchange and will have a second round during this surgery. PS will so nips and then aerola from my tummy all at the same time. I decided to not do another exchange and pocket revision. I frankly would like to be smaller but I'm just tired from the surgeries and pain. Unfortunately nerve regeneration has been problematic since my bilat mx.

    Deborah...I did mention the pain to PS at pre op appt. He wanted to refer me to the pain clinic but I just don't have the head for it. I'm moving as you know to Seattle in August. A doctor I work with will get me connected there as she went to med school with a physician in that area who can do some scouting around for me. Glad you and your sister had a good visit and got a kick out of the girlie lip slip...hee hee. I'll be back in the spanx after this surgery again. Not for so long this time and wahoo for air conditioning!!!

     Best wishes to all who are on the exchange list and those who aren't yet. My prayers are with you all 

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited June 2009

    Yikes!!!! My spelling is atrocious!!!!!

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2009

    Ladies, I am back from my little trip to Indy and wanted to say I hope you are healing well and happy!

    A few things I caught... Karen is NOT FAT.. Jazzy in NOT FAT... really girls...:)

    Jax... I wish I could give you a great big HUG.. so so sorry!

    I will catch up tomorrow.. I see my rads onco tomorrow for the first time after rads ended.. I HOPE he thinks I am doing better than most still.. I see my PS on Friday.. I am going to try to get PS to give me exchange in Aug...like August...20thish... 4-5 weeks before Vegas... so I am going to BEG...:).... if he won't.. I will have to wait until Oct... and I do not want to...

    I will talk to you ladies soon.... Heal well and stay friends!

    Love,

    Laura

  • cil326
    cil326 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2009

    Choward183,

    My exchange is Thursday, it's good to hear that you've done yours today, Yeah!

    One thing though I heard you mentioned taking Advil.  Any ibuprofen products (Advil, Motrin) might cause bleeding disorder before or after surgery.  Please check with the PS first.  At least the warning is on my TO DO list for both mastectomy and exchange surgery.

    Cil.

  • choward183
    choward183 Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2009

    cil326,

    Thanks for the reminder about Advil, Motrin.  I didn't take it I took the prescribe pain meds that my PS gave me.  I figured that I will take them tonight so that I can rest and then I will start with the Tylenol tomorrow.

    Blessings.

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited June 2009

    I love how we all help each other out

    I hope you get a good night rest and feel better here every day : - )

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2009

    Good catch Cil on the Advil.  When I just had my exchange/hyster/ooph the onc gyn wanted me to take ibuprofen, common for gyn surgery, and my PS about stroked out about it as the same thing happened when I had my mx and reconstruction surgery the night nurse tried giving me a wrong medication, I knew it wasn't one of mine and refused to take it,  it was an ibuprofen family drug, and when I told my PS about it the next day he filed an incident report.  I don't know about other docs, but it seems PS, don't want us taking them. 

    Laura--welcome back, and thanks for the nice words, I'm trying hard to take it off! It would sure be easier if I could really WORKOUT, but I have weeks before I can.

    Carolyn--Yeah!!!! I hope you are doing well!

    Sam1991--Seattle is just a few hours from Portland--Our Race for the Cure is Sept. 20th, come on down! I'd really like to get our Washington/Oregon ladies together for the race, and anyone else who may want to come.  It is quite an event, last year I think there were 45,000 people, and Portland is a great city, beautiful, great food...

    Karen

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2009

    Mykidsmom -  where is the PS putting the fat grafts and why do you need another graft?  I have an indentation at the top of one breast, and I am thinking about this option.

    Robin

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited June 2009

    ((((((((((((((((((((((Jax and Elaine))))))))))))))))))))))))))) You poor girls have had so much grief.  Healing vibes going out to you. 

    Glad your doing so well Carolyn!  I hope things keep going well for you!  I can't believe how much easier the exchange was compared to the mx.  I guess I should have really believed all you experienced exchangees out there that told me that!!!!

    Good luck tomorrow and Friday Laura!  Got my fingers and toes crossed for you and it's not that easy to type that way!Laughing

    Kathie - Sorry to hear that you are still suffering from the nerve pain.  I had really severe nerve pain for about 2 - 3 weeks and I truly don't know how you are coping with it this long.  I just about lost my mind.  My heart goes out to you.

    Good luck this Thursday Cil!  It is so nice to lose the TE's!

    How are you doing Deen?  Home yet??????

  • choward183
    choward183 Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2009

    Ladies,

    Thanks for all of your support, I really appreciated it!

    I have an appointment with my PS on Monday, however he limited me to exercising, and driving after 24 hours.  I read that sex was a not allow has anyone heard of this?

    Carolyn

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited June 2009

    Karen...Tell me more. I'd love to join in if I'm able to. I hear the drive to Portland is beautiful and not that far. Hopefully I won't be boycotting driving as I'm driving from Mass to Seattle for my move.

    Robin...I had the fat grafting to fill in some divots. My left side is fine. The right side probably reabsorbed more of the fat. I had more of an indent on that side anyway as that was the side where the tumor was. So my PS will lipo somewhere and inject the fat into the divots. He's going to try to use it for a little rippling I have as well and give me some more fullness in the upper pole (I think I used the right term)

    Yvonne...Congrats on your exchange. I'm just thrilled for you. You're right, the nerve pain stinks. I take Neurontin 3 times a day. It was twice but I had to increase it yesterday because I can't take any Ibuprofen for 2 weeks before my surgery. Extra Strength Tylenol didn't cut it. PS told me I could be on it for up to a year as the nerves continue to regenerate. Oh well...it's not as bad some days as others...but always noticeable. My heart aches more for the women that are having problems with their expansion. It's hard enough having those damn things in. To top it off with leaking, seromas and open areas is unimaginable.

    Kathie 

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited June 2009

    KEW: my PS would stroke if I took any ibuprofen product too

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2009

    Kathie, I lived in Keene New Hampshire for awhile in the early 80's it is beautiful back there, but you will love it here!

    http://www.komenoregon.org/  here is the link for the race  can't remember if I ever put this link out http://www.komenoregon.org/Survivors/KarenWegner.shtml  the puppy is now much bigger!

    If you want to come for the race you are welcome to stay with us.

     Looking forward to hearing from Deen.

    My oldest is getting his wisdom teeth out today...ouch.

    Best to everyone!

    Karen

  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 105
    edited June 2009

    Karen ~ I clicked on the link and read your blog.  What a great writer you are.  The picture you chose is great.  You look so happy and content and beautiful.  It's so much harder to see it in your avatar.

    Peg

  • aoandrews43
    aoandrews43 Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2009

    I have my last chemo on Friday, and they my implant exchange on July 13 -- all seems very fast!  Assuming all goes smoothly, if I have surgery on that Monday, do you think by Saturday I would feel well enough to go to a class on freezing & canning food? I recovered pretty quickly after my bilat mastectomy so I'm assuming this should be much easier. Do you have any drains after this surgery?

    Thanks

  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2009

    {{{Karen}}} LOVED reading your article!!!  YOU ROCK!

    HUGS! to everybody today!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2009

    Peg and Jazzy--Thanks for the comments on  the Komen piece!

    Aoandrews43--since I had another surgery when I had my exchange it has been a little different for me, but I can say from day one my breasts and arms felt great--I had no pain from the exchange portion of my day of surgery, but I did have lifting restrictions and driving restrictions, check with your PS, get a friend to go with you, and give yourself permission to leave if you need to.  Go have fun if you feel up to it!

    Karen

  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2009

    Karen I want to walk with you in Sept!  How can we get all of the OR/sw WA gals together???

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited June 2009

    Hello Everyone,

    I haven't been on much lately and it is really difficult to catch up on all that is going on here!  For those of you that have had surgeries or complications, I hope all is going well.  For those that have had good news, Yeah!

    I have been busy with the end of the school year events.  My daughter went to the senior ball on Saturday and we have a banquet to attend to tonight because she is getting a scholarship.  Things are good. 

    My exchange surgery is July 14.  I have been trying to work everything around my daughter's graduation and party.  It happens that we have a two day orientation at college the same week of her party and when my pre-op has been scheduled. Yikes!

    I wish healing for everyone.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers - always. 

    Dianne

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2009

    Jazzy--great I PM'd you.

    Karen

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2009

    Well crappola Karen.. you made me cry.. and I am a toughy...:)

    You story and all our stories touch my heart like no other.

    Thank you for turning us on to yours..:)

    I have my blog ( if you click my name here, you can get it under my bio).. but I have not written in it for awhile....

    My Rads Oncologist said I healed better than 90% of women.. wahooooo... he says my skin is perfect...wahoooooo.. and my boobs are still in place...wahooooooo... so he will tell my PS that an August exchange is ok... WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    I see my PS Friday morning... ( he is a tough tough cookie... but I am too.. so I am NOT leaving his office UNTIL he tells me I can have my exchange this AUGUST!!!)

    Jean.............. Hold me a spot dear sister for August, will ya....

    wahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2009

    ooh  oooooh... I forgot... Yvonne.. how are you doing?? And also Deborah.. how about you?? I have not see you to post much on yourselves.. you little humble ladies.... fess up... how are you?

    L.

  • Bukki
    Bukki Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2009

    Hello ladies...just got back from my latest visit with PS....good news the hole in my incision line is finally healing up...YEAH!!! PS thinks we can try for a new implant in few weeks (2-3) and he will try to make the incision little over to the lateral part of incision to prevent opening that "one" pesky area again. As far as the reasons why the implant got infected ....he thinks the first opening where he actually could see implant...and replaced it to prevent infection and put in the allograft material to reinforce area left behind "seeds" of infection that grew in those 4 weeks....so that is how lost my 2nd implant May 6........I am hoping for a positive outcome this time.

    Deborah.....thanks for your input.....will see if tthat is something I need to consider.....but I want to try to get the implant one more time.......so keep your fingers crossed. I am glad to hear your fat grafting is looking better........although from reading your dimensions in your posts and looking at your pictures I can't figure ouy where they found any "fat" on you......but if you were to ever need a donar count me in...lol

     Thank you all for listening  and helping me get through this ........Elaine

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2009

    KEW- That was a beautiful piece- thanks for sharing it with us!  And I agree the avatar doesn't do that wonderful photo of you justice!!  It is so funny- this is what we shared with each other the other day- how some folks are there for you and some not! I loved how well you wrote of it and it is so true!!!  I have a blog but have only shared one moment about cancer (I started the blog before cancer)!!

    Estepp- wooohooo- I loved you note- how cute!!!

     I went for my second opinion today about changing my TE's to other TE's because of my lack of projection.  It definitely made me realize how well I get along with my first PS!!!  He did give me some great advice and I meet with my regular PS tomorrow to hear his take on why we need to switch out/and/or adjust the TE's he put in!!!  But now I am resolved that this surgery will have to take place and so I am scheduling it after my family trip to FL- It will be in July, which will push back my exchange surgery but that is OK I want it to look good!!!  I really loved having the second opinion mainly because it made me like my orginial PS so much more!!! 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    I saw my PS today who chastised me for not wearing my high rise girdle/compression garment.  I have had some upper abdominal pain after the lipo/fat grafting and I attribute it to my failure to adhere to discharge instructions. She also told me I should have been wearing a bra, and I have NOT been wearing a bra, which I attribute to my husband's failure to UNDERSTAND discharge instructions.  She said, "I told him no bra that touches the area of fat grafting."  

    So I have that nasty girdle and a push up bra on right now.  I pray for cool weather the next month I have to wear this girdle...we have no air conditioning!   Well, so I think the fat grafting is an improvement, although I think and my PS agrees we will likely be doing it again six months from now.  No more surgeries until after our November family vacation. 

    I have taken some photos of the grafting results which I will post this weekend. 

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