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Exchange City

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Comments

  • T-Sue
    T-Sue Member Posts: 207
    edited November 2017

    mssz, glad you are recovering from your exchange well. So good to have that one behind you isn't it!?

    My fellow cohort, so glad you all are reporting back well. My incisions are looking fine and they only gave me antibiotics for 1 week. They are a pain to remember! I have very little soreness, so I'm grateful for that. However, I am still so easily fatigued! Pre-surgery, I felt like I was finally getting my groove back (10 weeks post-chemo) and now I need tons of sleep and am pretty wiped out by the evening. Sigh.

    Scrafgal, I was told I could keep taking my Tamoxofin pre and post surgery, so I never got off the T-train.

    Minute, after 1 week of the surgical bra, my PS is fine with any bra that sits below the incision, is easy enough for me to put on, and has no padding or underwire. I only have a few that feel okay right now, time to go shopping.

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2017

    Thanks Ladies! I heard back from my PS office and they also said a sports bra or the like would be OK as long as the bottom is below the incision and it has a front closure and doesn't leave any marks (ie., is not too tight). So, I just ordered one of these:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XBYFG3D/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    TrmTab--I do like the Coobie! I tried the Genie bra but the sizing didn't work for me. I love all these bras I've learned about on this site that you can throw in the wash after years of having expensive bras from Nordstrom that I had to hand wash.

    T-Sue, like you, I also didn't stop taking my Tamoxifen. My doc gave me 1 week of Keflex, and now I have a yeast infection. (grr).

    My doc's restrictions included 2 weeks of FMLA and 2 weeks of no driving, so I've been off work. Sounds like some of you started back sooner? I go back on Friday.

  • itsstillme
    itsstillme Member Posts: 48
    edited November 2017

    Hi everyone, I've been lurking on this board as I'm still doing chemo. I have several months before my bmx. I have a couple of questions:

    MinuteAtATime- I know what bmx is but what is bmcx? Trmtab - what is umx? Thank you

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2017

    Hi ItsStillMe That was a typo--I meant BMX! I think a UMX means a mastectomy on one breast only (unilateral mastectomy).


  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited November 2017

    I am 2 1/2 years post EX. I had to wear a front closure sport bra 24/7 for 6 weeks. But wore a very lightweight one plus bralettes for a year. It just felt better to wear obe. I usually wear a bralette at work, but no longer have to wear a bra. I have the Allergan 410 gummies.

    Robin


  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited November 2017

    Hi Itstillme -- yes, UMX is unilateral mastectomy. I still have my R breast and an implant in L

    One other item re bras...the PS said front closing, but then someone suggested that a coobie is a "pull up" bra. For some reason I had never thought of that, always pulled in on overhead. So...I started using the coobies as a pull up and that is easy and expanded the number of available bras...and they don't get all rolled up on themselves as they did when I pulled them over!

  • lynae23
    lynae23 Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2017

    Congrats on your exchange mssz...I know you are happy to be rid of the expanders :) I too had to take antibiotics for the first week twice per day.

    I am 2 weeks out from my exchange and been back to work since Monday. T-sue I agree with you, I was finally feeling better (more energetic) from chemo before my exchange and now I feel fatigued again and very sleepy/tired by end of the day lol. I find myself thinking I could get in bed at 7:30 ha (but I don't). I am ready to be more energetic. I have to start taking my tamoxifen...I was told not to take it during surgery so I just decided not to even start until after the exchange...well here I am 2 weeks out and I still need to start it...I am going to Canada tomorrow with my family for a snowy vacation (my son turns 9 and has never seen snow) for a week and I wanted to feel good. I heard so many horror stories about the tamox that I thought I would just wait to start it after my vacay is over....I hope that I do not have many or any side effects that I hear about but we shall see. How are you ladies doing that take it? Honestly? lol. I know it is prob hard to tell as well since most of us are still recovering from chemo and those side effects.

    It is great to hear from you ladies. Glad those of you who have had your exchanges are doing well. My breasts are definitely looking better every day. I have not decided when I will do my nipple recon and tattoo but most likely not for a few months.

    Hugs :)

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited November 2017


    My doctor told me to stop taking Tamoxifen 2 weeks in advance of surgery and for 2 weeks after.  I double-checked with him and this apparently is the plastic surgery protocol at MDA (although all PSs are different and can recommend whatever they deem necessary).

    So, I started Tamoxifen in late September and my only SEs were a bit of dizziness. My oncologist told me that the drug is VERY dehydrating and since I am taking it in the morning, I should drink 16 ounces of water before taking it.  Once I started doing that, the dizziness went away.  No other problems.  

    I just started back today, and I must say, if I didn't remember that I took it this morning I would have forgotten all about it.  I just came back from a one-hour long walk, and felt no dizziness!   I think everyone has a different experience with side effects.  Also, some women take it at night and probably sleep through the side effects.  However, I am much better at controlling my morning schedule and prefer to do anything mandatory, such as taking medicine or exercising, in the morning!  

    Back in September, I found myself staring at the bottle for 2 days before starting...just didn't feel like feeling badly. However, to my surprise, it turned out well! 

    Have fun on vacation, Lynae...I have one planned for Christmas week!


  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited November 2017

    Also, there is a thread here called "Bottle 'o Tamoxifen," and lots of women share their SE experiences and solutions!

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited November 2017

    Oh, and I guess I had a few hot flashes too, while on Tamoxifen, but I started have those while on chemo. So, I can't really blame the drug.  The flashes were very brief and in the early part of the night (before I fell asleep).  Nothing too major...

  • lynae23
    lynae23 Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2017

    Thanks Scrafgal for all the info. I will start my bottle when I return next week :0) I too hope my SE's are minimal because like you said, I have already suffered hot flashes from chemo (and still do sometimes).

    I meant to also ask if any of you have noticed having more heart burn (or any) than normal? I seem to have it daily since my exchange. I am also still suffering from "chemo brain"...can't collect my thoughts or words sometimes. Any of you ladies going through this as well or is it just lil ol me? ha!

  • lynae23
    lynae23 Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2017

    Oh and Scrafgal I know you are excited about your upcoming vacay in Dec :) we ALL deserve a vacay ! I hope you have a blast!

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited November 2017

    Thanks, Lynae! My sister and I really need this vacation!! She has traveled to Houston so many times this year, just to be with me during treatment. I totally disrupted her life too!

    I didn't have heartburn but I had chemo brain for the longest time. It really started during the FAC part of my chemo. It has subsided recently, I've noticed. My last chemo FAC chemo infusion was on August 31. So, I've noticed that I started sleeping better and thinking better about 3-4 weeks ago. Chemo brain is very real. It is not just you. Researchers are now studying how to deal with it!

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited November 2017

    not only chemo brain. But brain fog from anesthesia. I had 4 surgeries in 9 months. 16 weeks out I am starting to be a bit more clear. Still have word finding problems.

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited November 2017

    Had my pre-op visit w/ps today! I showed her my compression garment (Spanx hi-waist shorts) she said "perfect". She advised supportive but not compressive bra post-op. Like a light weight sports bra. Funny thing, I woke up this morning and while getting undressed for my shower I noticed my right implant had done the flip over backwards trick again, just in time to show the doc today! She said she had never seen that happen before, I told her neither had my orig ps or the ps I consulted with at Hopkins. Very rare phenomenon. She is on board with reducing my projection a bit, but also going with a wider base. I always felt my Inspiras were too narrow, and she agreed. I got my Rx's, my Hibiclens & Arnica. The hospital called yesterday to do my pre-registration. Sh*t's getting real!!

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2017

    lynae23, to respond to your question about Tamoxifen, I started taking it in July and I generally haven't noticed any more fatigue that I ever had; I tend to get episodic fatigue every so months, I think from stress, and haven't noticed much more common than usual. I do get occasional hot flashes mostly at night. I take the pill at night, so maybe that's why. I also haven't experienced mood side effects though I have been on SSRIs for a while, so that may be why--have any other ladies here had mood side effects from Tamoxifen? I don't notice heartburn or other side effects. I find that exercising helps with all of this and try to exercise regularly but it's hard to fit it in sometimes or I get lazy. ;-)

    Shoregirl--glad your pre-op is done--won't be long now. :)

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited November 2017

    Good Luck Shore Girl!

  • T-Sue
    T-Sue Member Posts: 207
    edited November 2017

    Minute, ugh about your the Keflex-triggered infection. Two steps forward, one step back. Repeat. So crazy how different docs have different requirements. Mine said I could drive 24 hours after getting off the narcotic (Norco) which was day 2! I will admit that it hard to twist all the around to back up the car. I've become very skilled at using my side mirrors (and envious of newer cars with rear camera!) Work-wise, I had to let go of all of my contracts at the beginning of this crazy ride. I'm a teacher trainer and most of my work involves travel, so I reluctantly lost a lot of work. I've told my group that I'm ready to head back out soon and just booked a contract for January, so that's something to celebrate!

    Lynae, have a terrific vacation! I have a 9yo son also, though he sees lots of snow here in Colorado :-) I started Tamoxofin two weeks after chemo (~10 weeks ago) and haven't noticed any side effects. (Though of course, who knows if it contributing to any general post-chemo recovery/fatigue.) I hope you respond well to it! Also, I don't notice heartburn, but the chemo brain is REAL!

    Shoregirl, good luck with making it to your surgery. The anticipation seems to be worse than the recovery sometimes!

    Hugs ~ Tera

  • mssz
    mssz Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2017

    scarfgal, yeah i'm setting the alarms as well for the antibiotics as well ,mine are 4 times per day for 3 days good luck with the tamoxifen

    t-sue, thanks and great to know you are healing well

    lynae, yes i started having daily heartburn with the start of chemo and it continued till now esp after my coffee i start clearing my throat but usually it goes away with a couple of tums.

    today i saw my ps and we took a look at the wound and i noticed that he has done a few vertical stitches that are separate and below the original incision on my radiation side he said he had to cause the skin was very thin and fragile and that he will take them off in a week or so ..anybody knows about such a thing cause we're still worried about healing on that side.

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited November 2017

    LettyF Roll Tide!!!

    When I got my new-to-me 4Runner last year on my very first day driving I got dinged by a shopping cart (I think) even tho I parked out in BFE to avoid being near any other cars/carts/people. I was furious! I would imagine those two spots really just grated on your last nerve.

    I don’t have a date set for my exchange yet, except that it will be sometime after Feb. I just had my last fill this week and my PS said to give this time to settle in and heal before exchange. I don’t know when we will schedule. Spring Break or end of school year in June are my two thoughts. Tho it would have been nice to get my boobs for Christmas lol.

    I’m glad to see the majority of you say the exchange is easier. I so don’t want to go through BMX recovery again.

    Has anyone had exchange while having cording issues? I swear this doesn’t seem like it will go away. I’ve got lots of time, I know. Just curious.


  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited November 2017

    TaRenee, I had my exchange 7/12, and when I went back to school on 9/5 he had just switched me from a 5 pound lift limit with either arm to 10 pounds. Even though TE's are a PITA, I would thing spring break is not enough time.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited November 2017

    I had my EX on spring break. I did fine. Being the office manager, I had a desk job. Just follow the weight restrictions and don’t do too much. No drains, so much easier.

    Robin


  • LettyF
    LettyF Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2017

    Good Morning All,

    I wanted to thank everyone for the well wishes and let everyone know that I'm doing fine. I had the exchange w/lipo & fat grafting last Wednesday and back at work today. I didn't feel the immediate relief from the tissue expanders like everyone else but I'm definitely having a better recoup period than after the tissue expander placement, and no drains. I'm bruised and sore but did not have to take any of the Percosets. I was able to make it with just otc pain relievers. I have my follow-up at 4:30 tomorrow and hope to hear things are going well. I'm sending well wishes to all you other Sisters out there.

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited November 2017

    Letty, Glad to hear that things went well for you!  Thanks for the update!

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited November 2017

    letty, glad you are doing well. I didn't feel immediate relief w/o TE . It took.a awhile

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited November 2017

    Good to hear you are doing well Letty and back to work! Don't get dismayed, you will continue to get more relief as time goes by. I feel like I really turned a corner as far as discomfort after about 5 months.

  • Dafne
    Dafne Member Posts: 35
    edited November 2017

    Girls, my exchange surgery got postponed. It was supposed to happen today. My ps contacted some days back to let me know he had some emergency cases so he decided to postpone mine. I could not really argue, we all know what emergencies means in our path.

    On the other hand, it's so, so damn frustrating. All this waiting period, trying to build up your strength and courage and prepare everything and boom! something happens and then you are back on waiting mode.

    Well, c' est la vie. I'll try to stay calm :)

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited November 2017

    hang in there Dafne!

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2017

    So sorry to hear that Dafne, how disappointing! I hope your surgery gets scheduled soon. Keep us posted, and hang in. Sending a hug.

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited November 2017

    Oh, bless you Dafne, you are being so patient and sweet. I pray you get your new date very soon!!

    Hugs!

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