Exchange City
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Candi, you are making my days with this stuff...you ought to write a book!
Glad to see everyone else posting.
Angel: I asked my onc about the mag and he said it did nothing. Were you told about it by your dr.? I'd like to try it I think.
Cheri, if you take it slow, have someone drive you, you sould be good to go. I mean, you can always sit down and rest and if someone drives, you won't be reaching or stretching or lifting, so go, girl. Have fun.
love you all peaches!
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Cheri,
Before my mastectomy I went to a shop that specializes in BC stuff. I bought a great camosole that has pockets for drains. It's called Amoena. There is velcroe to remove that pockets when you're done.They have a little gathering underneath the breast area for support.
The camosole is really comfortable and it holds the tubing close to your skin so it['s not just flailing (sp) around. One day the cats caught site of the lose tubing and thought I had brought them home a neet swing toy! Yikes!
Anyway, I got four of them and my insurance covered it all.I wear them all the time now under clothing cause the top looks like any other camosole.
Candi
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To All!
Anecdotal infor from the Journal of Oncology this past March on magnesium for hot flashes showed a benefit to some patients. I don't believe it can do you harm, and it does help some. Posting link below.
God Bless!
Angel
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goldfing - I just sent you a pm. Sorry - wasn't at the computer after yesterday afternoon. I hope I have good news for you!
Valerie
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Hi Estepp! I know- I thought I was done with drains after my Bil Mast- darn it- but he has said he puts them in for the exchange surgery too!!! Wonder if any one else had drains with their exchange surgery??? I know it is unusual to spend the night because my other PS said it was an outpatient surgery.
Baxter- you cracked me up about the cat- so funny!!! Thanks so much for the website info!
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I am home from the unveiling
So glad to be rid of those daisies...hehehehe
The grafted areolas look kinda like blood blisters and the nipples look flesh colored....
They look kinda bad right now but within another week they should start looking much better....
Sooooo nice to look down and see nipples again....I feel like I have breast again and not just balls on my chest.......the incisions on my back have healed nicely but still tender and tight.....I keep healing ointment on those incision and the scabs remained soft and so came off easily. The PS placed ointment gauze on the nipples and then top that with a stack of gauze with a hole cut in the middle for the nipples to fit into. He said just to change that out every other day until I see him next Tuesday....I asked him about nipple protectors and he said I did not need them....just to keep sleeping on my back for another week......argggggg
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Linda- I feel like I almost forgot that breasts are supposed to have nipples...lol! Glad you are the road to completely being done. It must be a great feeling. Continued speedy healing to you!
I just got a call from the outpatient surgery center where I am having my exchange tomorrow. They moved me from 9:15 to 1:15. Can I say double URGH!!!!!!??? I just want this done. I am going to be starving by then and more importantly very cranky without my coffee:( I guess I should do somethnig motherly in the morning and go grocery shooping for my family since I won't feel like doing that for a while!
Baxter- Very funny about the Cat.I can see my cat doing the same thing. He loves anything that resembles a string.
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Just thought I would share with you my journal. I had my Exchange June 25th to Allergan 410 implants.
I've documented my Mastectomy/Recontruction process in words and pictures; Please have a look and share it with anyone you feel may be interested.
http://lianne-brca2.livejournal.com/
All the best,
~Lianne
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Linda - woohoo on the nipples. I used unmedicated corn protectors on my nipples and then covered with gauze for a couple of weeks as my PS didn't want them to flatten out as they healed. Worked pretty good because the hole is exactly the correct size. Just make sure to stick two to each other - you don't want any adhesive on that area and two together give the right height for protection.
Cheri - I didn't have drains for my exchange but you will do fine. My friend who had BC gave me a belt that velcroed around my waist or ribcage and it had little holders for the drain bottles. Kind of like when you are training for a long run and wear those water belts.
Baxter - funny cat!! That would be my Andy. I remember getting a shower with the drains and I took an old scarf and tied the drains and hung them up over the shower head so they wouldn't get wet and when I got out of the shower, Andy was all over that tubing and scarf.
I am remembering some of the funny situations through all this now. My one year anniversary of MX is on Thursday. Been a long year but the love and support of this community has been a godsend... Thank you all Angels.
Bobbi
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Congrats Bobbi!
Good Luck Tomorrow Denise!
Cheri2 - I had two drains with the placement of the TE's. My PS said it just depends on how much fluid your body makes. I'm sure I'll have them again. Yuck!
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Cheri2 - you're not alone - my ps said most definitely drains with my exchange. I highly recommend the camisole that Candi suggested. I had something similar -different brand, though - that I bought at the breast cancer boutique at the hospital. The little pockets for the drains were a godsend, and it velcroed all the way up the front. Nice soft cotton, too.
Laura - I hear you on the hot flashes, though tamoxifen is my reason. Sometimes I just stand in front of a fan - my boys just laugh - jerks - sweet jerks, but still sometimes jerks...Luckily (or not) I seem to have more night sweats, though. Sleeping is the worst.....lots of fans.... I tried the magnesium which I think Dani had recommended to help with muscle recovery during expansion. I didn't notice a huge difference, sorry to say. I did just start on calcium with D and mag, though, 'cause my first bone density scan showed thinning of my hip - something else I'm way too young for! Maybe the combo will be the trick..
Congrats, Dawn! So hapy you're feeling better! Good luck tomorrow, 4greatkids and mallenne! We're all praying for you!
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Thank you Lianne for the wonderfully detailed journey! You are so special!
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Lianne, I will go check out your journey....thanks for sharing
bobcat, thanks for the info on the corn protectors...I bought some just in case....I think I may try them at night so that I can sleep on my sides....I may have to stack 3 together because these things are pretty well out there...hehehehe
4greatkids, That is just awful that they changed your surgery time....but you know they can do whatever they want with us.....anyway, will be thinking of you tomorrow afternoon and pray everything goes well with your exchange
mallenne, hope you are healing and doing well
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Laura - So sorry about the hot flashes. I have had them for years and HATE them - did I make myself clear. I can say they are bit easier now than they used to be. But I can also say that nothing really helped me (sorry). I do dress in layers that are easy to take on and off.
Linda - Nips are so cool. Like someone else said, after a while I forget that boobs usually have nips. Congralations my dear!
Best wishes to everyone else w/ surgeries coming up. Hugs. -Jean
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Lianne: Great documentation! I saved your link and I will refer newbies there! Thanks for doing this!
Laura: Yes, I have hot flashes - but I went through menopause early and was over the hot flashes for the past five years - and they have returned with Tamoxifen. It makes exercising a nightmare for me! Exercise exacerbates the hot flashes. So maybe you and I need to sleep closest to the air conditioning vent in the hotel room? Or bring a little fan [I think Linda said she uses a bedside fan].
Linda: So glad to hear it all appears to be DONE! Cannot wait for pictures!
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Hi girls; I don't post hear alot but I am soooo excited I just had to tell. I was scheduled to have my exchange surgery Dec.11 but I just got a call and it is on Sept.4. Yippeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
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Congratulations Gibby!!! Yahoo....
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Val... LOL... little jerks.... Only a mom to sons only GETS THAT, and knows it is not mean at all...LOL..
No doubt Deborah... I will need a fan I am sure... AND.. I hate to do this to you ladies.. but I will HAVE to wear boxers and a tank top to bed... it is either that or naked.. and I doubt THAT is appropriate...LOL.. at least I do not sweat.. THAT would be horrible .. no one wants to sleep with the wet girl....ROFLOL.
Linda.. how exciting. CANNOT wait to see the pics!
Mallenne..... how are you sister???????????????
Gibby...Wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo you are on the map!!!!
Off to check out Liannes blog... thank you for sharing.. if Deb is gonna turn it on to new girls.. then I know it is good! TY!
A Dear DEAR DEAR friend of ours is back to lurking a little... she had been on a month long vacation..... I am SO excited to see her back. She was full of positive energy on these threads.
So... for those of you who know her.. and those who have yet to... and will... can we give a great big WELCOME BACK and SHOUT OUT to Yvonne
I will start..............
WELCOME BACK YVONNE !!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
next..........
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Gibby that is wonderful news!!!! I know you must be thrilled - OMG I can NOT wait- I am sitting on pins and needles to wait until August 28th!!!! December??? What were they thinking- I am so happy for you!!!!
I had drains with my Mast and made my hubby shower with me and hold them for me!!! Poor guy! I only had them for a week although they were such a pain it felt like longer. I had a bi lateral- was anyone else nervous about lymphodema with this next surgery??? I am so afraid the IV will make me get it as both of my arms are compromised! Any suggestions about that?
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I am so excited to get this over with. When they said I would have to wait until December I had a bit of a pity party. I was over that and my Mom broke her hip so that has kept me very busy. I know it sounds selfish but it's meeeee time. I know that you girls know exactly what I mean. I think we are all going to be bigger, better, stronger women for going through all of this.
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Well Gibby....I am hopefully going from a 38DD to a 36 B-C...so not sure about the "bigger" thing...but absolutely the better stronger part!
God Bless!
Angel
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Lianne - I just went through your pics/journal. You are one brave woman to share all of that. Your journey and outcome are similar to mine so I completely identified with all your posts and pics. You look GREAT!! Looking forward to pics of your fips. I still haven't figured out how to post my own pics but you have a supportive and skilled PS - thank God. Rock on
Bobbi
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Ladies, I was just in Victoria Secrets today checking out the IPEX bras. I'm 4 weeks post exchange, so I was excited to check out my new size and look in a bra. Well, I'm sorry to report that the VS store said IPEX is being discontinued and replaced with Body by Victoria. Aghhh! I loved the IPEX wireless before this whole ordeal and I've seen many of you rave about this bra post exchange as well. The Body by Victoria wireless is pretty and comfortable, but more structured than the IPEX. Not sure if that is better for foobs or not. The IPEX wireless are marked down to $19.99 in the store (online still $38 -- maybe they'll be available only online?). If you love the IPEX wireless, you may want to stock up now.
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Thanks for sharing the info Karen/Red!
Again.... can we say..........
WELCOME BACK YVONNE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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WELCOME BACK YVONNE
I GOT MY NIPPLES WHILE YOU WERE GONE!!!!
Great GIBBY that your surgery is lots sooner......
LIANNE Love Love Love your journal....you are so brave....thanks
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Don't deny the diagnosis, but defy the verdict.........
Dx 3/7/2008, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 1, 0/0 nodes, ER+/PR+0 -
Sending a prayer your way 4greatkids......sorry your surgery was pushed back but at least it is still on for tomorrow.....someone asked about drains at exchange....if your juicy...YES you will have drains for a short time after exchange...I am so looking forward to Friday to lose the dreaded drains for the last time.
Sending love and support to all my sisters.
Melissa
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Melissa- it was me who asked!!!! HI! OK so how long did you have your drains in? I am hoping it will be less than a week for me- don't really want to go to my boys open houses at school with drains!!! ugh!
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Lianne!
I just read your journal- how wonderful of you to put that together for women. I was the same- couldn't really find any info and was so panicked about cancer- didn't do as much research on plastic until after. One thing I wish I had been more educated about is the lymphnode dissection. I only had a DCIS (non invasive) in one breast but allowed my BS to take both breasts because it does run in my family too and I am younger than 50 so I wanted to be proactive. She took both side's lymphnodes to check for cancer- if I was more educated then about lymphedema I would have told her to take the nodes only from my affected side!!!
I also love the walmart bra's- better than any other!!!!
Thanks for sharing all that!!!
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4greatkids....
GOOD LUCK SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
let us know.... prayers for YOU!
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