Exchange City
Comments
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ok I want to share some bad news good news
last night I was out for a bike ride, I was about 10 miles away from my friends house when the frame on my 20+ old Schwinn broke
the good news is I got the ok to get a new bike
luckily one of my teammates said I could use his nicer bike for my long ride next weekend otherwise I would be up the road with no peddles : - )
OMG ladies I am so lucky this didn't happen when I'm going down a hill at 40mph
I was doing that just an hour before it happened
I didn't even think of it until a friend just sent me a note saying that
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Sandy.. I knew you would be on late.. thanks lady!
Bummer about the bike.. but not really... YOU GET A NEW BIKE!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOO
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I put in ultra high mentor breast implants and found this site that has them
instead on clicking on the words you have to click on the implant
http://www.mentorcorp.com/global/physician-information/silicon-gel-breast-implants.htm
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Thank you!
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KEW/Karen
you look even better in your up close pix
were all beautiful I think : - )
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Hi ladies,
I had my exchange done today, it took 1:15 minutes. It went really well. I ended up with Natrelle style 20 (high profile) 400cc on both sides. No pain, only a bit sore from the tugging during surgery. My PS did some pocket revision on the left side since it's 1cm higher than the right side with the tissue expander. She also opened up both pockets a bit to the outside to make them look fuller. I love the softness and the fullness look in the surgery bra. She recommended to wear some kind of supported bras 24/7 for the first 6 weeks, that's to train the implants to stay in place. I was prescribed Keflex (antibiotic) 750mg twice daily and Darvocet N-100 (pain) every 4-6 hours. PS did a good job! follow up is next wednesday, i'll keep you posted.
Cil
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whippetmom: not fair
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Thanks Laura and Sandy--we are all beautiful, I read our words and see our pictures and I feel so fortunate to be learning about all of you.
Laura--I hope today you get your August surgery date.
Sandy--I used to work Red Cross aid stations for century rides--I am so glad your bike croaked when it did, and that you were not heading downhill at high speeds. I guess things happen for a reason, it was time for you to get a new bike. Have fun choosing!
My oldest who had is wisdom teeth out on Wednesday is following through on a promise he made to the Make a Wish Foundation, he is appearing as Sponge Bob for a 4 year old boy (my kiddo does a lot of acting) tonight. I'm glad he's reaching out to others, as others have been reaching out to us during the last 8 months. Lessons of love.
Hugs,
Karen
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Laura
Praying for an August date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope everyone is doiing well....I have been busy but reading the post when I can usually while eating breakfast or lunch but not replying much.....maybe when things slow down......
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Hi women,
OK, so I'm signing up.... I had a bilateral mast with expanders placed last Wednesday. Just had drains pulled yesterday and path report shows no chemo in the forecast. I know I'll be lurking and asking questions here, as this is truly the ODDEST physical experience I have ever had. I woke up to sloshing expander sounds and because of these forums know that is most likely fluid that will be reabsorbed. I'll see the PS on Monday.
But anyway, hello. I'm 46, a clinical social worker and artist, single femme living alone with fabulous felines, usually pretty physically active. Initially diagnosed in 2006 in right breast, then 2008 in left breast then 2009 in right breast despite prior radiation and tamoxifen. Decided against using my lat muscle in the reconstruction process and am aware the radiated breast may face challenges with the expander/implant. We'll see. Right now I am just GRATEFUL.
Thank you for the existence of this thread.
Peace,
Geena
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Hi everyone,
Just catching up on all of the stories. I got out of the hospital yesterday finally. My surgery was on Tues afternoon. I had hysterectomy and exchange, plus a lift and nipples done. I know this is unusual, and I will keep you updated as to how this goes. I will also post pics on the pic forum. I had an allergy to the morphine, kept throwing up, so they kept me an extra day. I'm sore around my torso, like they used me for a punching bag in the OR:). My DH will come home early today and take off my dressings for my first real shower, so I'll get to see my new ones. They already feel so much softer.
Karen, love your new picture. You are so beautiful, inside and out! Hope you are feeling better. I ended up just having the laproscopic, taking my ovaries, tubes, and uterus. So they've taken my hair, breasts, and female parts, trying to make me a man!
Oh, well, whatever it takes to keep that big "C" away! My hair is growing, so did my new boobs! We are on the road to recovery! I read your story on the Komen website, it brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful writer you are, too.Deborah, I'm sorry about your fat injections absorbing. My PS said that happens in about half of the cases, but he is willing if necessary. He warned me that us thinner people have more problems with stepdown and ripples, and may need revisions later. I hope you get yours resolved, especially after the pain you went through. I'm curious, are you happy with the lipo part of it, or can you tell yet?
Sandy, I'm so glad you didn't get hurt! Congrats on getting a new bike! You are a very inspiring person.
Laura, hope you had a good appt with PS.
Cil, hope you are feeling and healing well!
Geena, welcome on! We're the same age,too. Looks like you've been living this nightmare for too long! I'm on Tamoxifen now,too. Have you read any of the posts about NOLA. They seem to be the best at recon, in every type of recon.
Thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
My love and prayers go out to all of you,
Deen
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Hey ladies........lots to read.......you guys are all awesome......and an inspiration.......I hope to be an inspiration one day..........but had another set back yesterday.........My scar line was looking like it was going to open again and things were looking pretty red and angry.......so out she came........I guess 3rd expander was not a charm..........we will have to wait 4 to 6 months before putting in a new one.......so I will be a lopsided through the summer........and have to start again when sweater weather gets here........I will have to do some shopping and try and come up with some good camoflauging solutions......and will need to get a bathing suit or 2 that will work.......I haven't looked into coverages through my insurance yet........but all that stuff is pretty expensive.....so hopefully some of it will be covered.
Cheers and hugs to all!
Jax
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Geena: Welcome to EC! You will find that we are a fun, informative and supportive group of ta-ta sisters~ I see you quoted Leonard Cohen. Do you have the Jennifer Warnes CD "Famous Blue Raincoat"?.....
Laura - We are eager to hear what your PS tells you today....
kmmd: Yeah, bummer. But it was one of the "risks"...Maybe I should just get them thar 45's.
Sandy: God has your back darlin'!
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Deen: Well, I am wearing this torture chamber of a compression garment 24/7 and my tummy is still traumatized so I really cannot tell. But my PS said she only took out about 30 cc's - or the equivalent of a shot glass full of fat. Whoopdedoo!
JAX : Did you go back through the posts and see what Jazzy and I posted to you about the LAT FLAP?
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Laura I am thinking about you today and I hope you get your August exhange date. If I have to go custom, I might as well get the DD's
Sandy Thankfully you weren't hurt and yea! you get a new bike.
Jax So sorry to hear about your latest set back.
I am so excited, I get to see my DH tomorrow!!!!! I haven't seen him since the middle of April when he was here for Mx.
Denise
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Deborah-Thanks for all the info on fat grafting. I still don't even know if my PS supports them, since my appt was cancelled for 6 weeks! At least I will have a comfortable summer as I wait for my next appt.
Sandy-so glad you are safe. We need you to inspire us all to exercise more, instead of being the couch potatoes we really would rather be!
Cil-congrats on the exchange. Sounds like you are looking good!
Geena-good news on the drains coming out. We all hate them!
Deen-I bet you are sore. That is alot done at once. Best wishes for a smooth recovery.
Jax-I am so sad for you. You are a tough cookie dealing with all your expander issues. Hang in there, girl!
Laura - My fingers are crossed for you. (I want your old picture back.. It was so beautiful and I cannot really see you in this new small picture).
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Deen--I'm glad to hear you are doing OK. I'm interested in your progress, especially about the lift, since mine is looming. I'm glad you had the Lap, I think you'll heal much faster than I have. It does feel like they seem to take, suppress, or otherwise destroy all the things that biologically and outwardly, makes us women, but as painful as it is, I've come to the conclusion we are women no matter what the C takes, it is intrinsic to our bodies and souls, and that is our gift to the world, our strength, our beauty, our wit in the face of so many scary things, and our ability to keep going and loving.
I admire all of you so much.
Jax---I don't know what to say, I wish I could wave a wand...maybe the Lat Flap is something to consider. Enjoy the summer, heal, and be ready for whatever you decide for later in the year.
Karen
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Hi Everyone ~ I just wanted to share my experiences with the fat grafting with my exchange. I haven't posted because it's such a busy time with the kids at school's end and I have so much I'd like to post to everyone, but I'm not able to be at my computer long enough. I want you all to know I am cheering all of you on!. Even though many (too many) women have had BC, we share this journey together at this point in time and you have all found a place in my heart.
Now on to the fat grafts. In my case, I had it done with the exchange so the expanders were so different than the implants. It has only been 2 weeks and it has really softened the area above and leading into my cleavage. When I had the expanders that area was so stark and it looked fake. My skin was flat against my chest wall and then boom - there was my expander. So I am happy with how that worked for me. The lipo portion was not a problem other than the compression garments as Deborah said. I have to say though I was expecting worse with the lipo. My breast area was pretty black and blue due to pocket revisions, but hardly anything with the lipo and not really sore. I found the compression garment at Macys that had a hook and eye opening at the crotch because I literally did not have the upper body strength after my exchange the first few days to pull it up and down when going to the bathroom. I then changed at the okay of the PS asst. to a lighter comp. garment and yesterday my PS said I didn't have to wear it anymore! Wahoo! I will say , I am pretty thin but my tummy area is where I have some fat and my jeans aren't any looser, so in my case that was not an extra benefit. Although, my PS said I would not have been a candidate for lipo alone. I probably just need to do a million sit-ups. Hope that can help someone who is deciding whether to do it or not.
Peg
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I noticed that an incorrect date was posted for my exchange surgery. It should be 7/2......PLEASE....don't make me wait another month!
Candi
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Jax.. Girl... can I be any sadder for you? That sucks and is not fair. Have you consulted any other PS's. You are WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY more patient that I.. I pray for you!
Welcome Geena... hang with these girls and you will ADORE them all!
Karen, I am with you.. I admire and care for these women too.. Today... as I left my PS office..First I wanted to call DH... then.. I wanted to talk to "my girls".. no joke...
Love you ladies!
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OK... now, about me...
I AM THE HAPPIEST LADY EVER TODAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 20th~~~ July 20th~~~ July 20th~~~ July 20th~~~ July 20th~~~ July 20th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Joke ladies.. I get my exchange AND the bags under my eyes removed JULY 20th 2009..
I am doing a happy dance... and only you all know what I am talking about !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off to work.. just HAD to tell my sisters who will understand WHY I am happy to have another surgery.... wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
THANK YOU JESUS!
Jean.... --------------------------> Laura.... exchange to silicone HP JULY 20th...wahoooooooooooo
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PS.. just for you Sandy...
My PS is leaning toward what you said.. Mentor HP 450 or 500 to keep me a full C.
Just want to boast on you a little...
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Laura - Congrats - I am doing the happy dance with you!
Denise
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BOY OH BOY better than what we were praying for.....August-----God reallllllly came through this time.....July is much better.....
HAPPY DANCE FOR LAURA
CONGRATULATIONS............ :-)
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Peggio,
Do you think you can't tell the difference in your lipo-d tummy area because the swelling hasn't gone down yet? I'm scheduled for fat grafts on Oct. 5, so avidly following everyone's experiences.
And how long do you have to wear the compression garment?
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Laura--soooooo happy for you!!! That is just around the corner. Thanks for taking the time to let us know. BIG HAPPY HUGS.
Karen
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Laura-- Yahoo!!!! Only 6 weeks until softness! That is soooo wonderful! I'm very happy for you.
Karen--The girls are all correct, your picture is just lovely!
Jax--Lots of hugs; I feel so bad for you.
I got my TaTa T-shirt, and I love it! Perfect for Vegas!!
Diane
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Digger ~ I don't think I had a lot of swelling at all. He didn't take a lot and I didn't have a lot. My main concern was the fat injections to soften the area and I feel like that was a success. I didn't ask him to take more than he needed and I don't think he would take more without discussing it. I would ask your PS these questions if you would like more taken. You're supposed to wear the compression for 6 weeks but I ended up only wearing them for 2 weeks because I asked my PS yesterday if that was okay.
I will try to post updates or if you want to ask any questions, PM me anytime.
Great news Laura
Peg
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Laura...YAHOOOOOO!!!!! WOO HOO!!!! SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!
Jax....:-( SO SAD for you! Talk to doc about lat flap!!
HUGS! to all!!! JazzyJ
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YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laura, I am sooooooooo happy for you !!! I hope it works out as well for me, otherwise I'm looking at March for my exchange!! You give me hope !! JUDY
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