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Comments

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

    Laura:  Thank you....you are so sweet!  I am going to have you in prayer regarding your rads on Thursday.  You will be on the other side of this so soon....we are going to pray that there will be ZERO complications....ZERO!  The rads will go where it must go, but you will be protected!!! 

    Ditto - to the thoughts and prayers going out to our sisters having exchanges this week!

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2009

    PinkyLee,

    I remember those little jumping beans.  They made me giggle.  I was very nervous last week before my surgery too.  I think it was a little bit of excitement and a lot a bit of scared.  Why this surgery..the easy one??? I don't know.  Just remember all of us here will be thinking of you and it will be a great BIG group hug.  You are in good hands.

    ps just to maybe ease your mind when I woke up I could have got out of bed, clicked my heels and followed the yellow brick road out of the hospital!!

    Good luck

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited February 2009

    That sounds promising.  I look forward to the bullets being gone!

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited February 2009

    Hi girls! Well as you all know by now I have been fighting this darn infection in my right "foob" for about a month.  I just finished a round of oral antibiotics last night (I have also done 14 days on IV antibiotics previously) this morning its red again!! I had a appointment with the PS at 9.30 this morning, so when I got there she groaned and immediately sent me over to the infectious diseases doc.  When I got there the redness had gone down..... ID doc feels it could be an edema (my right foob is larger and has more skin which is to be removed at exchange) so ID thinks as the incision on the right boob is very low almost under the foob that the pressure is causing irritation so its not necessarily an infection, however she wants me to watch it for the next 24 hours and if it gets worse to restart the antibiotics.  Also when I go in for the exchange next Tuesday they are going to swab and see if bacteria is present, if it is then they won't be putting in an implant on the right, I will have to wait until it clears up.........so fingers crossed I don't wake up from surgery next Tuesday with only 1 foob!! jeez........however, if that is what happens so be it, I just have to deal with it. onward and upward sisters!! these things are sent to try us huh! :)

    Lorraine ox

  • looper
    looper Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2009

    Thursday is a big day around here--three exchange surgeries in our group!  Wishing the best for all of you, and agreeing with others who said this one is easy--it truly is!  I had mine on Monday, and by Thursday morning I was in the kitchen making candles so my caretaker/daughter would have a gift to take home with her!  Lorraine---Holding out good thoughts for you that you're not dealing with another infection.

    I see my PS on Thursday so we can be sure my thin skin is healing okay.  It didn't last time, but I think it's fine this time.  I noticed on another thread a few of the ladies said they were instructed to wear the sports bra for 6 weeks--my doc said 3 weeks, and I'm so looking forward to having a sports bra bonfire!  How many weeks did others here wear it?

    Suzie

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited February 2009

    p.s to my previous post! I have been on the healthiest diet, I have always been pretty good about what I eat and since DX even more so, however I just ate a big piece of chocolate cake so there!!!! Foot in mouth haven't had a cocktail in 10 years either, I am sorely tempted LOL!!

    Lorraine ox

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited February 2009

    Chin up PinkyLee!  We are all there for you and you certainly don't need to be consoling someone else right now, you are the one that needs the pampering!  I know everyone is saying the surgery is easier but we all know that surgery is scary PERIOD!  I am sure with all these fine ladies praying for you, there just can't be any problems!

    ((((((((Lorraine))))))))))!  I know just how frustrating it is when things aren't healing the way they should.  I am pretty sick of the slow healing myself so I do understand.

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited February 2009

    Lorraine - Oh dear, I have my fingers and toes crossed that you will be fine for the next 24 hours and that you will wake up from surgery w/ two implants! I bet you that the chocolate cake will make you all well!!!!

    Suzie - Perhaps we should all mail you our sports bras and post surgical bras. Won't that make a big bonfire! I like the image! Thanks for sharing the good news. I can't help you with the post implant stuff, I am still pre-implant!

    Jean

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 761
    edited February 2009

    Wow, I dont check the forum for the weekend & I sure got behind!  

      Wishing everyone a Great Exchange this week!  it really is very easy surgery compared to the BLM.  Sometimes our Loved ones forget it is still surgery & still scary....For them I think it is much easier too...And so they may not make a big deal about it...  

     Sandy- Glad to hear the rqce went good! I hope someday I have energy to just do normal things for 5 hrs! Pizza sounds yummy  

    Cathee- are you on the picture forum?  There is a Post with Flower Tattoos- they look very pretty.  

    Jax- good Luck with you PS on Thursday!  its not fun to wait  

    PinkyLee- Im so sorry to hear about your Sister.  Cancer does suck! I had Jumping beans as a Kid too- Then the bugs would make a hole & crawl out of the bean- LOL  

    MyKidsMom-Thanks for Updating my Exchange stuff  

    Laura-Good Luck with your Rads start this week!  

    Lorraine- Heres hoping to 2 Foobs for you on Tuesday!  Chocolate cake sounds like A Great Treat- You deserve it.  

    Diana- Hoping you are hanging in there ok this week.  You will be in all of our Thoughts & prayers on Thursday.

    I hope I didnt miss anyone...I probably did.  Sorry.

    Pam

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited February 2009

    fairy49.  Does the redness go away when you lay flat for awhile?  If laying flat and taking pressure off of the skin helps fade the redness its probably edema more then infection.  Infection isn't positional

  • looper
    looper Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2009

    A subject I haven't read about here, and one nobody wants to think about--finances!  I have a home-based business with quite a few financial obligations, and things have been tough.  The economy of course, affects all our finances, and then coupled with a normal slowdown this time of year and my recovery--I feel backed into a corner!.  We're thinking about letting the cable go, which is very hard for me, since I have the TV on all day for company, and the two cellphones, which would give us about $150 a month to put toward other things.

     I do have one thing to suggest--use your surgery and recovery for sympathy whenever you can!  I've had several late charges forgiven when I tell my story, and also have had payment by phone fees waived.  Might as well get some advantage out of this!

    My husband's hours have been cut to 35 per week, which will be an adjustment.  I do have medical insurance, but of course it doesn't cover everything, and there are bills to face there.  Anyone else out there dealing with these issues?

    Suzie

  • looper
    looper Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2009

    A subject I haven't read about here, and one nobody wants to think about--finances!  I have a home-based business with quite a few financial obligations, and things have been tough.  The economy of course, affects all our finances, and then coupled with a normal slowdown this time of year and my recovery--I feel backed into a corner!.  We're thinking about letting the cable go, which is very hard for me, since I have the TV on all day for company, and the two cellphones, which would give us about $150 a month to put toward other things.

     I do have one thing to suggest--use your surgery and recovery for sympathy whenever you can!  I've had several late charges forgiven when I tell my story, and also have had payment by phone fees waived.  Might as well get some advantage out of this!

    My husband's hours have been cut to 35 per week, which will be an adjustment.  I do have medical insurance, but of course it doesn't cover everything, and there are bills to face there.  Anyone else out there dealing with these issues?

    Suzie--sorry, I hit the button twice, and there's no cancel button!

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2009

    Lorraine......2 pieces of chocolate cake are worth more than one cocktail anyway..LOL. Praying for no redness tomorrow or any other day for that matter.

    xxoo Kathie

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2009

    Lorraine......2 pieces of chocolate cake are worth more than one cocktail anyway..LOL. Praying for no redness tomorrow or any other day for that matter.

    xxoo Kathie

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited February 2009

    Kathie! I will PM you! :)

    KMMD, very interesting.......it does seem to calm down once I have laid down for awhile, it flares up when I have been up and running around for a while, I am going to pay more attention to that! Thank you so much!

    Lorraine ox

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 761
    edited February 2009

    Agh-Suzie I typed up a big reply & then got an error message.

    I run my own business from home too.  I worked hard for 10 years to get it going...The last 3 before BC were very good. I finally felt good about myself.  This last year I lost 90% of my income. 

    I am very depressed about it.  I have lost so many of my Customers. 

    We have had several late fees dropped.  Didnt even need to use the BC card.  Bill collectors are calling- I try not to answer the phone 

    We have cut costs alot alread.  Dinner out for me & dh is Chipolli we split a burrito for $6.00 & have Ice water with : )

    And then today the furnace sounded like it was going to explode...And then it smelled like smoke- So I called the Furnace guy...He couldnt find anything wrong - sure cost plenty : (

    I coupon alot!  I get lots of Cheap & free stuff- Do you do that?

    Pam

  • looper
    looper Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2009

    Pam--so glad I'm not alone in this!  I know what you mean about furnaces--ours just went out in our little condo, which is about an hour from here, and we had to have a new one installed or risk the pipes freezing, so that was $1800 put on a credit card. Our furnace at home also went out and the bill for repairs was $260.  A wonderful lady at the furnace company found that it was under warranty with the previous homeowners, so she transferred the warranty to us and credited our account.  Big relief!   I've avoided a few calls too, one that talked me into some advertising I didn't need or see any results from, so I just don't take their calls.

    I do use coupons when I can--not many for groceries, but for other things.  I've been putting them in my purse right away so I don't forget about them. I just stay out of the stores!  There's really nothing I need or want right now anyway.  I'm hoping to save my business, which I've had since 1980.   I'm hoping things pick up soon, as they have other years.

     My daughter, who owns a mortgage company, wants us to see a credit counselor, but that feels like such a defeat to us, so we're putting that plan on hold and trying to muddle through.

    Sorry,it hasn't been such a good day.  On the upside, my 10 day old cold seems to be breaking up, so maybe I can look and feel human again!  I lke the idea of splitting dinner out--it's always way too much food anyway!

    Thanks, Suzie

  • KinAZ
    KinAZ Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2009

    Hi to all, glad to have found this thread.  I had TE at the time of my BLM in Oct 7th.  In Dec they both developed a skin infection, and after antibiotics did not heal, so Dec 19th, out they came. I am scheduled for Mar 25 to have the TE re-inserted.  I followed the ps directions, but she said sometimes it just happens.  I really want to avoid infections again, so any suggestions are most appreciated..  best of luck to all of you having exchanges this week.

    Hugs, Kaqren

  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2009

    Lorraine......I have all fingers and toes crossed that you wake up on Thursday with a pair........chocolate cake should definately help the healing.......one thing to keep in mind.....if you do have to lose the expander......you will not lose all of your stretch.....so you shouldn't have to start from scratch........

    Karen.....sorry you too went through an infection.........I am getting my TE reinserted on Monday.....mine never really was proven to be an infection....it was cultured 3 times......more of a complication and seroma build up.....my advice would be to take it easy.......I think seroma and redness for me was caused by tearing the muscle by doing too much too soon.......make sure and take the time to heal properly......good luck to you!

    Good luck to all our ladies.......happy to be part of this awesome bunch!

    Jax

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited February 2009
    Thanks everyone for finger and toe crossing!! I so appreciate it, you guys are so amazing, I don't know how I would get through this crap without all of you! :) I will keep you all posted!
    Lorraine ox
  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2009

    NVDiane,

    I will be sending healing wishes to you tomorrow. 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited February 2009
    KinAZ:  Welcome!  We will get your TE reinsertion date listed shortly!
  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited February 2009

    Cathee,

    Thanks so much for your healing wishes.  I am trying to relax tonight, and think bodacious thoughts, LOL!

    Diane

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

    ((((((((((( LORRAINE)))))))))))))))))))) Good Gosh... that is just crappola!!! You better get BOTH BOOBS next week... DARNIT ALL TO... Heck !!!!!

    YvonneB... saw you like my blog  ((((hugs)))) I try to  stay up and positive for me and all! Thank you for that!!!!!!!

    All Exchanges this week... God Bless!

    I personally have had a horrible day due to BC.. so I am going to get off... until I can come back with positive love and support!

    Linda.. I PRAY you are over your cold and coming off the Effexor ok.. I have felt so bad for You!

    Diana... you know I love you...

    Annie.. PLEASE tell us final report is in and you are A OK!

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2009

    Ok gals, here I am with good news!  Official report in and I don't have lung cancer!!!!!! Benign nodules with NO CHANGE in the last six months....this was a biggie, as they said it would be definitive, since I had just finished chemo for the last one.  THANK GOD AND ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND GOOD THOUGHTS.  I can never thank you all enough for your support and help thru this.  So i am officially declaring this thread also, a "lucky thread"!!!!! 

    love you all

    annie

    p.s. for the size ladies: I am 5'2", 140 lbs. and I have 600 cc which have made me a full B/C cup in the foob with a nice droopy old lady bag boob au naturel on the right.  And yes, due to BC fears, I am going for a prophy.  I decided this on the spot at my last mammo and MRI on the original equipment on the right.  I just thought, "screw this, there isn't enough time in one lifetime for this much stress"....so now the sisters will be twins as soon as I can get to it.

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2009

    to Looper:

    Yes, we had the first bc in 2001, my husband had a brand new business and I had been laid off. 

    You can go in person (not on the phone) to the hospital or cancer center and ask to speak to their manager.  sit down with them and tell them what you can afford each month and tell them you must pay out of pocket, so you need a payment option.  They can not refuse you if you ask for it.  Most folks don't know this, that it won't be offered to you.  But if you ask, it cannot be turned down.  Tell them you will work with them, you will always make payments on time, but you cannot afford more than XXX amount a month.  Period.  Do not budge on this figure.

    They must by law set you up with a payment plan.  You will have to not miss a payment, or you'll lose the privilege, but if you are brave, cuz this take guts, and if you are persistent, it will pay off for you.

    Good luck.  PM me if I can help you further.  We paid 280.00 a month (and still are) on an 8,000.00 bill from the hospital.  But we are getting there and our credit was so good, I was able to put the part BC/BS did not pay for onto the same payment schedule.

  • KinAZ
    KinAZ Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2009

    Jax, thanks for the info.  When did you have the TE originally inserted?  They did a culture on both, and nothing came up, so maybe it was just stress and fatigue.  We certainly get plenty of that with BC.

    Whippetmom, thanks for the warm welcome!!!

    Hugs to all, Karen

  • LUVmy2girlZ
    LUVmy2girlZ Member Posts: 880
    edited February 2009

    Hi ...

    Count me in for an exchange this April 15th. I am having an exchange w/silicone and the opposite reduction/lift.  I have been expanded to 800 cc's  ( over-expand ) so the switch out will have more room.  The last fill was so so painful!Yell I 'm looking into a C size

    I have to go and reflect back on everyone's personal results. 

    I had 7 weeks of rads WITH a mastectomy no less...not certain just HOW many are out there and the results.  I wanted to "give it a try" since I already had the expander in place....I wasn't expecting a positive margin w/ rads thats for certain.  That is one of the reasons for " over-expanding "

    I currently have one "foob" up to my collar bone and the other...well hitting gravity!  HOPE the PS can work some magic! LOL Foot in mouth

    P.S.....Great post Jean!

    Lots of LUV

  • soccermom96
    soccermom96 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2009

    Annie----YAY!!!   Been praying for that one. 

    Lorraine---the idea that the "infection" is positional is really interesting.  Here's to two foobs on Thursday!! 

    PinkyLee---Enjoy sitting by the fire and relaxing.  You are going to do great!

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited February 2009

    Wonderful news, Annie! I'm so happy for you! Yee-haw!

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