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  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    I don't have a temp.   and I put the antibiotic ointment on it a few hours ago.....I will either call or go in tomorrow if it seems like it's any worse......I hate to be paranoid.....but I want it right!!!

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    I don't have a temp.   and I put the antibiotic ointment on it a few hours ago.....I will either call or go in tomorrow if it seems like it's any worse......I hate to be paranoid.....but I want it right!!!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009
    Cheri:   I can only think to give you one of Laura's WAHOOOOOO's!  I am so glad to hear the cosmetic side of all of this looks good at this point.  Your PS had major work to do - and typically the Alloderm is part of the initial surgery - but you got it with the exchange - so this is not going to be as easy for you as it was for so many of us.  I am so sorry you are feeling so terrible - but it is worth the pain to get the cosmetic result you never would have had otherwise. 
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2009

    deb- yes - so very very glad I switched docs- what a 180 from the other guy and the hospital stay was absolutlely top notch!!!  Everything was so different and great and I have total trust in this guy!!! It made such a difference! I am tipsy and need to get to sleep!!!

    Thanks to all of you for all the support leading up to this day! I appreciate the circle of love and discussion, it really helps to take the fear out!  And the pain pills and the pain is not that bad and totally worth it to have the bricks out!  I feel much more comfy when I sleep!!! I have 550's in BTW~ 

  • traci126
    traci126 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2009

    Cheri:  Congrats on not spending the night and the first look!!  Hope you're staying comfortable and the pain lessens. 

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited August 2009

    ((Cheri2))  Oh what a feeling!!!!    the highs of having a great set of knockers and the low side of the discomfort in what you have had to go through to get them.  It is so worth it, but lay low, get all the attention that you should and baby the boobies.  

    Karen, what a high, to be wanted and courted for a potential position and then the opportunity to continue for your masters degree.  You already have the temperment, wisdom and talent, but that piece of paper will confirm to the world what we already know.  I say go for it, the world will step aside and doors will open for those that know where they are going.  Jan

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited August 2009

    Traci26, Saintmelissa, Believe1, swest, Cheri2 -- Congrats on completing your exchanges.  You have reach a major milestone in this lengthy process. Enjoy!  I hope you are soft, perky, and happy!

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    Update.....after pondering it over and taking the advise of you gals..I called the Dr. yesterday afternoon.  He asked me to come into the ER.  He looked at it and said it was an infection...and one that could in no way be treated with a topical antibiotic cream.  He immediately hooked me up to an IV of very strong antibiotics Cleocin and sent me home with a bottle that I will take for the next ten days.  He was so glad I called and didn't let it progress until Monday.  He believes it is only in the top layer of the skin...but hat it been left for too long it could have gotten deepen into the wound and eventually to the implant.  This could jeopardize the implant.  Boy am I glad I went in!!!! 

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2009

    Cheri so glad you think they look fabulous, what a huge relief. The pain will go quickly enough but not being pleased would drag it out that much longer.  Very happy that you are happy. So not surprised that your hubby can't remember.  Mine did the same thing.  You would think the medical staff would know by now not to give husbands important information unless its written down!

    Alo, so happy you called the doctor.  If he felt it was serious enough to need an IV, good thing you didn't wait.   

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009
    Alo:  Whew!  Glad you called yesterday - we just cannot mess around with something like this. 
  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 399
    edited August 2009

    (((((( CHERI )))))) So happy for you! What a relief to have a mini reveal and love what you see so far! It must be great to be able to sleep on your side again and not be lying on bricks. I sooooo can't wait for that day. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's helped all of us who are still a "work in progress". Rest  and take care of yourself....

    Terri 

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

    ALO... good job.. SO glad you called!

    ((((CHERI)))

    Karen.....how did I miss you wanting to get your masters... HECK YES.. if that is something you want to do... GO FOR IT! Cancer taught me that...

    I was practical to a fault till cancers stepped into my boob...

    Busy weekend here girlies.. GRANDSON TURNED 3.. OMGOSH... we had a fun party d-i-l and son put on at a local park...:)..

    hubby has me working by booty off today.. I am lucky I have a pc in three rooms.. I jumped on one to say hi while he was in another room.. we have 4 bedrooms.. and we are finally turning one into a guest room.. ( it was our oldest's room ( he got married and moved out 4 yrs ago...hehe).. so anyway.. he has got me running crazy...

    Oh well... I really want the room ready for one of our sisters here DianaT when she and her dh come to visit in Feb... and if Sandy ever needs a room here for she and her teammate... or heck.. if any of you gals come to KC and need a place to stay...:)

    Gotta go before he catches me online.........wahooooooooooooooooo

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

    ps

    Jan... good to see you around...:) ... love your funny fun self!

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2009

    Dani!  I even asked the PS if we were gonna get all that info in writing and he said- no your husband will remember- haha!!!  Can't wait to tease the PS about that this week!!!  

    Too all- I am still on vicadon and valium...It is just that one side where he said he stitched all the way up my pec- boy can I feel it!!!  The other boob is fine so I can totally see how some folks can be on tylonel right after!!!  My first PS didn't do a good job I am convinced!!  Plus my new PS had to make two new pockets- I don't want to scare anyone about the pain- just want to be honest!  Seriously though- I am so much more comfy with the bricks out that this pain is much better than the bricks! Especially in sleeping- I was 600 cc's and it just was heavy! (remember it weighed 20 pounds and we are all not fat it is the bricks! hahaha) I hugged my younger son - age 9 and he said mom you are so much softer!  (ahhhh)

    OK everyone- I just took my first shower!!! and vava voom!!!!!  I LOVE my new girls!!! I still have tape all over the place but can see them and they are spectacular! (seinfeld reference)  They aren't too big, aren't too small and are just wonderful!  The PS said to wait to come in when my drains are only putting out 30 for 2 days!  I will call tomorrow to see whether the tape can come off or not!

    ALO- so very very glad you called!!!  We are paying these people a lot of money (even if it does come from our insurance!) 

    Estep- you do NOT looking like a grandma at all! you look like a 20 year old!

    Terri- I am still not sleeping on my side because of the stitches on my pecs on both sides to close up the pockets but I can tell you- sleeping on my back with the bricks out is like night and day!!!  Sooooooo much more comfy!!! 

    swest- I think he doesn't care about the surgical bra because of the alloderm pain- he told me it would hurt under my breasts and he's right!  I think that is the only reason I am not in a bra- also I had a strange mole under one breast he had to biopsy so the bra also would have been on top of that- and would have been too uncomfortable. 

    Deb- thanks in all your insight in changing docs- so glad I did not go through some needless surgery- they look great and there was NO need to do it.  They are much lower now and look normal and no divet at all!  I think the other guy just wanted more money!

    For all you bi lateral's!  I watched the nurses like a hawk!!!  After they rubbed me with alcohol to make sure they did not mess up the site with their finger and sure enough- one did- I made her redo it with alcohol before sticking me!  And the other nurse taking out the IV line moved the tray over after putting her gloves on thus messing up her glove with potential germs and I asked her to replace her glove.  She said no prob and did it!  So be proactive in watching them with your IV insertion and removal- and neither nurse was bothered at all with my request- it is better than lymphodema!!!! 

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2009

    Cheri -  You sound very happy with the new girls!  I'm so glad you did not stay with that quack!

    Alo -WOW!  Good thing you called!!!!!  I'd much rather them tell me it's nothing than to have to lose on and start all over!  Good healing to you!

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90
    edited August 2009

    Cheri - sorry you are in pain. Sounds like you have the wonderful results you deserve.

  • Believe1
    Believe1 Member Posts: 31
    edited August 2009

    Cheri2, it makes me feel so good to know that someone as yourself, going through all you have can end up with a smile!!!  I too am doing well ( day 4 ) although, yesterday I took my first shower ( waited one extra day to be safe ) and my incision on my left side started to bleed???  I dried off right away and put my gauze back on along with my surgical bra.  I have checked on them today and everything seems fine, but scared to hop in the shower again.  I do think I am going to really like them as time goes on, because the only thing for me right now is I feel I am missing the fullness ( roundness ) at the bottom.  I have read it takes some months for them to fill out so to speak, so I am hoping as time goes on they will look better and better.  Other than that, it is wonderful to have soft breasts again and the hardest parts of this journey is over!!!!

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

    (((((( Cheri))))))

    (((((( Believe)))))

    I cannot understand how anyone can think I look like I am in my 20's..LOL.. I hear that a lot here. I tried to get a good face pic so you all could see how I do not look 20 something...LOL

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2009

    Believe- when I got home from the hospital I had some bleeding and it scared me to death- I called the PS and he said- do not worry about it at all!!!!  If it is gushing, pussing or feverish or red call other than that put a maxi pad on it!!!  It hasn't bled since not even in my shower! Of course I still have all that tape on.  So don't stress about it- OK????  And don't get me wrong mine don't have total fullness yet but gosh they look so much better than the bricks I am in heaven.  I think they will look better in time.  They do have a scoop but much smaller than my real ones had!  My TE's were awful looking so that is what I am comparing them too.  I don't want you to think mine look real yet but gosh they are so much better than the TE's which were above my armpit and under my armpit and had a divet and were too far apart!!!  My PS fixed all that Friday and that is why I am so happy!!!  But they probably look very similar to yours, I am just overjoyed because the TE's looked so awful!!!

    estepp your photo is what makes you look 20!!!  Ha!  I am going to your blog- I have one too!  

    BTW I am still on vicaden and valium and am watching ella enchanted and thinking this movie is tripping me out! ha! ha! 

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009

    hi ladies...

    I just wanted to share that I survived my race and had a great time

    just a few sratches and sore muscles but otherwise nothing too serious

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009

    hi ladies...

    I just wanted to share that I survived my race and had a great time

    just a few sratches and sore muscles but otherwise nothing too serious

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

    Wonderful Sandy.... I know you are tired.. I hope you have tomorrow off work!

    Let us know how you did OK?

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

    Wonderful Sandy.... I know you are tired.. I hope you have tomorrow off work!

    Let us know how you did OK?

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

    Wonderful Sandy.... I know you are tired.. I hope you have tomorrow off work!

    Let us know how you did OK?

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

    8/31 - sftfemme65 ...

    Teresa.. GOOD LUCK TOMORROW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be praying and thinking about you ! Go Gettem girl!

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

    Ladies.. this has nothing to do with Exchanges..

    Due to Herceptin...( which I am almost finished with) my long hard natural nails ( I have had my WHOLE LIFE)  have broken off and split and are a mess. I look like I bite my nails. This is so odd for me. Those of you who have dealt with bad nails their whole life.. what should I do? I really have no idea what to do. they just keep splitting?

  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 105
    edited August 2009

    sftfemme65 ~ Best wishes for an easy successful surgery tomorrow.

    Laura ~ Try to keep your cuticle nourished with  cream or oil.  Also keep your nails on the shorter side so they don't have a chance to break. I've had awful nails all my life and had gel overlays and when I stopped doing that it took forever to get them back to just okay.

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited August 2009

    My nails are splitting too.  I'm about to try a product called ONYMYRRHE  (pronounced on-e-mer)

    You can find it online.  It has been around for ages- more than 20 years.  I knew about it 20 years ago, but never needed it.  Now, a friend is trying it with good success and I'm about to see for myself.  You can get it for about 15. online- just do a google search.  JUDY

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

    Hi Peg and Judy..

    I will not do overlays or acrylic... don't worry...:)... I will continue to put olive oil on my cuticles.. thank you Peg...

    Judy.. I will google Onymyrrhe.. ( strange name...lol)... thank you. I will let you know...

    My nails are so short now.. they look like I bite them...:(...

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited August 2009

    Mine are splitting down in lines from top to bottom..  I guess it's better than losing them altogether, which I know some of my chemo sisters did..